Early Free Agent Targets

I would love to find a way to acquire Matt Schaub, QB, Atlanta, and Michael Turner, RB, San Diego however since both are RFAs that becomes difficult. It can be done with a poison pill contract (something like requiring that the player is the highest paid at his position on the team, which Atlanta wouldn't do with Vick or SD with Tomlinson). However since Shaub is likely to be tendered at the highest level, signing Shaub would require our 1st rounder and 3rd rounder, which he is definitely not worth the price at this point. Turner is likely to be tendered at the next level, requiring a 3rd rounder as compensation, which also is too much. These two appear to be out of the question at this point.

Additionally I have an aversion to using a day one pick on an RB in this class. I would have love Michael Bush, RB, Louisville, in the 2nd round but his broken leg situation is not completely clear at this point. That makes my top free agent priority to find a guy to platoon with Droughns for a year or two at most, until a deeper draft class comes along, that will not cost a lot and has a different style than Droughns. Green can probably be had for a 2yr $6M deal with a couple million up front which isn't a steep price for someone who still has a little in the tank. He can catch the ball out of the backfield and pick up blitzes.

If Green will not leave Green Bay, I would take a look at Dominic Rhodes, RB, Indianapolis, but only if he can be had for the same price as Green. Rhodes is not worth more than that and it is possible that some team would be foolish enough to pay him more.

Option three would be to look at Chris Brown, RB, Tennessee, who has battled injuries the past few years. He is a talented player and I would have him ranked higher than this except that he is too similar to Droughns. I would prefer a more contrasting style to give other teams more to prepare for, but Brown would be a great third option for a year or two.

The next step would be to address the offensive line at the G and T positions. The first player I would sign would be Eric Steinbach, G, Cincinnati, who is one of the better players at his position in the league. There will be a bidding war but Steinbach would be more than worth it and would be a major upgrade over the banged up duo of Joe Andruzzi and Cosey Coleman.

At OT I would target Leonard Davis, Arizona, but only as a RT. Davis may be looked at as a LT by some teams but that would be foolishness on their parts to pay him as a good LT. Davis would be a fine addition at RT as he is a great run blocker with his size and athleticism.

If the bidding for Davis goes too high, another option is Max Starks, RT, Pittsburgh, who would have the added benefit of weakening a division rival.

If David Carr cannot be acquired, I would take a look at bringing in a veteran QB to serve as a backup and mentor to Frye or Anderson, or a rookie to be drafted later. Right now there aren't any guys on the market that fit this bill, but a lot can still happen as guys like Brunell and McNair get released later in the offseason.