2010 NFL Free Agents: Safeties

MISSING

2010 NFL Free Agency: Star rating is out of five. Age listing as of Sept. 1, 2010.

Nick Collins (RFA), FS, Packers. Age: 27.
Re-signed with Packers (4 years, $27 million)

One of the top free safeties in the NFL. If the Packers can’t re-sign him to a long-term deal, they’ll give him the highest tender possible.
Bernard Pollard (RFA), SS, Texans. Age: 25.
Re-signed with Texans (1 year, $2.5 million)

You have to wonder what the Chiefs were thinking when they let Bernard Pollard go. The Texans signed Pollard, and he instantly improved their anemic run defense.
Darren Sharper, FS, Saints. Age: 34.
Re-signed with Saints (1 year)

Darren Sharper’s age is a concern, but he still has one or two years left of top productivity. Sharper is one of the smartest defensive players in the NFL, and would be a huge upgrade for almost any secondary.
O.J. Atogwe (RFA), FS, Rams. Age: 29.
Re-signed with Rams (5 years)

O.J. Atogwe was one of the few bright spots for the Rams defense this year. When he was placed on IR, St. Louis’ ability to defend the pass went into the crapper.
Antoine Bethea (RFA), FS, Colts. Age: 26.
Re-signed with Colts (4 years, $27 million)

A Pro Bowl free safety who excels in coverage.
Brodney Pool (RFA), FS, Browns. Age: 26.
Signed with Jets (1 year, $1.3 million)

Brodney Pool is a very talented free safety who is great in coverage. He would be ranked higher, but he has suffered four concussions in his career. One more could finish him off as an NFL player.
Roman Harper (RFA), SS, Saints. Age: 27.
Re-signed with Saints (1 year, $2.5 million)

Roman Harper is a quality strong safety who excels in run support.
Reed Doughty (RFA), SS, Redskins. Age: 27.
Re-signed with Redskins (1 year, $1.7 million)

A vastly underrated safety, Reed Doughty helped the Redskins’ defense keep the team in most games. He’s great against the run.
Antrel Rolle, FS, Cardinals. Age: 27.
Signed with Giants (5 years, $37 million; $15 million guaranteed)

Antrel Rolle gets interceptions, but he can be a liability in coverage sometimes. He’ll be overpaid in this thin free-agent market.
Ryan Clark, FS, Steelers. Age: 30.
Re-signed with Steelers

Ryan Clark is a decent free safety who will probably be re-signed. If not, this position will be a huge need for the Steelers.
George Wilson (RFA), S, Bills. Age: 29.
Re-signed with Bills (1 year, $1.7 million)

George Wilson started 12 games because of injuries to other players, and Buffalo’s defense didn’t suffer at all. Wilson, who will play behind Donte Whitner and Jairus Byrd in 2010, could start for numerous other teams.
Gerald Sensabaugh (RFA), SS, Cowboys. Age: 27.
Re-signed with Cowboys (1 year, $1.8 million)

Remember the days when Dallas’ defense was susceptible to the deep pass? Not the case anymore with Gerald Sensabaugh replacing Roy Williams (the embarrassing Sidney Rice touchdown excluded).
Dawan Landry (RFA), SS, Ravens. Age: 27.
Re-signed with Ravens (1 year, $1.7 million)

Really struggled in 2008, but bounced back with a solid 2009 campaign.
Danieal Manning (RFA), S/KR, Bears. Age: 28.
Re-signed with Bears (1 year, $1.1 million)

Daniel Manning is a decent nickel, but is this high on this list because of his kick-returning ability.
Atari Bigby (RFA), SS, Packers. Age: 28.
Re-signed with Packers (1 year, $1.7 million)

Atari Bigby is an above-average safety who always seems to be hurt.
Jordan Babineaux, S, Seahawks. Age: 28.
Jordan Babineaux makes plays and could be a great third safety for some team in this league. It’s a mystery as to why Seattle cut him.
Melvin Bullitt (RFA), SS, Colts. Age: 25.
Re-signed with Colts (1 year, $1.6 million)

Though Melvin Bullitt struggles in coverage a bit, he has been a great replacement for the injured Bob Sanders (remember him?)
Kevin Ellison, SS, Seahawks. Age: 23.
Kevin Ellison is a young, serviceable strong safety who excels in run support. He was released because of a recent arrest involving Vicodin pills.
Gibril Wilson, FS, Dolphins. Age: 28.
Signed with Bengals (1 year)

We now know that Gibril Wilson isn’t worthy of a massive contract. However, he would make a very good backup somewhere.
Deon Grant, S, Seahawks. Age: 31.
Signed with Giants (1 year)

Really struggled last year. At 31, should only be signed as a backup.
Ken Hamlin, FS, Ravens. Age: 29.
Re-signed with Ravens

Was cut because of his salary. Can be an effective backup somewhere.
Tyrone Carter, S, Redskins. Age: 34.
Proved his worth as a quality reserve safety.
Abram Elam (RFA), SS, Browns. Age: 28.
Re-signed with Browns (1 year, $1.7 million)

Can be a solid reserve safety. Struggles in coverage.
Eric Smith (RFA), SS, Jets. Age: 27.
Re-signed with Jets (1 year, $1.1 million)

A decent reserve strong safety who excels against the run.
Hiram Eugene (RFA), FS, Raiders. Age: 29. — Re-signed with Raiders (1 year, $1.7 million)
Usama Young (RFA), FS, Saints. Age: 25. — Re-signed with Saints (1 year, $1.1 million)
Sean Jones, SS, Eagles. Age: 28. — Signed with Buccaneers
Jarrad Page (RFA), FS, Chiefs. Age: 25. — Re-signed with Chiefs (1 year, $1.7 million)
Michael Lewis, SS, 49ers. Age: 30. — Signed with Rams
Jermaine Phillips, S/OLB, Buccaneers. Age: 31.
Daniel Bullocks, SS, Lions. Age: 27.
Ko Simpson, S, Lions. Age: 26.
Pat Watkins (RFA), S, Cowboys. Age: 27. — Re-signed with Cowboys (1 year, $1.1 million)
Will Allen, S, Buccaneers. Age: 28. — Signed with Steelers (3 years)
Derrick Martin (RFA), S, Packers. Age: 25. — Re-signed with Packers (2 years)
James Ihedigbo (RFA), S, Jets. Age: 26. — Re-signed with Jets (1 year, $1 million)
John Wendling, SS, Bills. Age: 27.
Roy Williams, SS, Bengals. Age: 30. — Re-signed with Bengals (1 year)
C.C. Brown, SS, Giants. Age: 27. — Signed with Lions
Donnie Nickey, S, Titans. Age: 30. — Re-signed with Titans
Josh Bullocks (RFA), S, Bears. Age: 27. — Re-signed with Bears (1 year, $1.2 million)
Hamza Abdullah (RFA), S, Cardinals. Age: 27. — Re-signed with Cardinals
David Roach (ERFA), S, Rams. Age: 25. — Re-signed with Rams
Pierson Prioleau, S, Saints. Age: 33. — Signed with Lions
Kyries Hebert (ERFA), SS, Bengals. Age: 29. — Re-signed with Bengals (1 year)
Aaron Rouse, S, Cardinals. Age: 26.
C.J. Wilson (RFA), S, Panthers. Age: 25. — Re-signed with Panthers (1 year, $1.1 million)
John Busing (RFA), S, Texans. Age: 27.
Aaron Francisco (RFA), S, Colts. Age: 27. — Signed with Panthers
Josh Barrett (RFA), SS, Broncos. Age: 25. — Re-signed with Broncos (1 year)
Jamaal Fudge (RFA), S, Falcons. Age: 27.
Alan Ball (ERFA), S, Cowboys. Age: 25. — Re-signed with Cowboys
Eric Frampton (RFA), S, Vikings. Age: 26. — Re-signed with Vikings (1 year, $1.1 million)
Quinton Teal, S, Seahawks. Age: 26. — Signed with Chargers
Antoine Harris (RFA), S, Falcons. Age: 27.
Charlie Peprah (RFA), S, Falcons. Age: 27. — Signed with Packers
Kalvin Pearson, S, Lions. Age: 31.
Nick Ferguson, SS, Texans. Age: 35.
Chris Reis (RFA), SS, Saints. Age: 26. — Re-signed with Saints (1 year)