Players in the NFL are being cut left and right as the "business side" of the NFL let's loose. Teams need money for their 2015 salary cap, and they're looking to save every penny they can to reload their talent for 2015. Let's take a look at some of the biggest cuts in the league and potential destinations for the players.
February 19th- TE/FB James Casey, Formerly of Philadelphia
James Casey was selected to be reported on for one major reason- he is so underrated. Newly turned-30, Casey is an outstanding blocker as well as a proven pass support who has spent the past 2 seasons in Philadelphia, 4 seasons before that in Houston. While he hasn't seen the field all that much in the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia traded their durable FB Stanley Havili to Indianapolis shortly before the 2013 season because Casey was on the roster. He's caught 72 passes and 6 TD's in his 6 season's in the league, and brings great strength to any roster he's on with his run blocking and versatility. He lines up and plays well at both TE and FB. If given the chance, Casey will step up and play very well in any starting TE spot.
Look for Casey to be sought out after by the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Cincinnati Bengals. The Jaguars need some valuable run support and versatile player like Casey so that either Denard Robinson or whoever plays RB for Jacksonville next season can have a little more of a chance breaking loose. The Bengals run game last year was really good... But it could be really great. There were several missed chances that the Bengals could have had that were cut down because they were one blocker short. Casey will move upfield more often, and take down defenders to gain 2 or 3 extra yards with his strength and power.
February 25th- WR/RS Jacoby Jones, formerly of Baltimore
The Ravens surprisingly cut All-Pro Jacoby Jones on Wednesday, the teams 2014 return specialist who handled all return duties. Jones has spent the last 3 seasons in Baltimore, taking 5 returns to the house and scoring 8 TD's during his tenture with the Ravens. Last season, he averaged 30.7 yards per kick return, taking 32 out of the end zone, including an NFL leading 108 yard TD return on one, tying his personal best and the club record. He missed 4 games in those 3 years, all in 2013.
Potential landing spots for Jacoby Jones could be East Rutherford. The Giants have missed that explosive part of the return game for years, and would hold high value to any player with Jacoby's return skills. Add him as a number 3 or 4 receiver, and the Giants have a pretty solid offense. Keep an eye also on the Cleveland Browns, who would need him as both a receiver and as a return specialist.
February 25th- RB Reggie Bush, formerly of Detroit
The destinations... The Steelers are looking for a Running Back who can mentor their young Le'Veon Bell and replace him temporarily when he's hurt. Bush may just be the perfect key, with limited playing time, he can stay healthy and help a young back who obviously needs the help.
February 27th- DT Darnell Dockett, formerly of Arizona
Dockett is a beast inside. He's a strong and athletic playmaker who not only provides a reliable pass rush, but a strong run defense. Drafted by the Cardinals in the 3rd round of 2013, Dockett missed a total of 2 games in his first 10 seasons of the NFL. However, last season in a preseason practice, Dockett tore his ACL and was lost for the season. Cardinal players wanted him to return to the squad, but after a failed physical, Arizona let him go on Friday. Docket has 40.5 career sacks and 14 Fumble Recoveries, alongside his 349 career tackles and 2 defensive TD's.
Dockett has a good chance of landing himself in a defense heavy team, or in a place where he's well needed. New England would love to add Dockett to the defensive line, continuing the tradition of taking key Arizona defenders (that started with Adrian Wilson) and implementing them on their team. With Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich and replace aging Ty Warren at DT. New England is a great fit for Dockett. A couple other good landing spots would be Washington or San Diego, who would pay him heavily to add him to their defensive lines. Dockett will be heavily pursued and wooed by NFL teams, it'll be up to him on where to go.
February 27th- WR Harry Douglas, formerly of Atlanta
Cutting Douglas was outright stupid by the Falcons. Douglas stepped up in 2013 when both Julio Jones and Roddy White were down with injuries, and at at 31 when the season starts, he still has some good football left. Douglas has collected 258 passes and 9 TD's in Atlanta since being a 3rd round draft pick in 2008. He was the team's #3 receiver, and a valuable asset who will be missed from the Atlanta receiving corps in 2015.
Douglas will most likely look to a team like the Carolina Panthers, who are still in need of decent Wide Receivers after flushing their entire group out during the 2014 offseason. Kelvin Benjamin was great, and should be in 2015, but Jerrico Cotchery isn't the long term solution to the #2 WR. Enter Douglas, who will take away coverage and focus on Benjamin, and add an extra slot threat to Cam Newton and comp.
February 27th- WR Brian Hartline, formerly of Miami
Another stupid salary cut. Hartline has been a key asset of the Miami Dolphin passing game since he was drafted in 2009. He's caught 298 passes with 4243 yards and 13 TD's, and has 2 1000 yard seasons on his belt. After the 2013 season, Hartline was signed to a 5 year extension. I think that the Dolphins feel he's underplayed his value after a down year in 2014, but he was targeted half as many times as he had been in 2013. Speed's not his big thing, but quickness is. He's been compared to the likes of Rod Gardner and Todd Pinkston, so he's a versatile threat.
Potential destinations for Hartline are Cleveland, who are desperately looking for good Wide Receivers to come in and help whoever is playing QB. He'll be good in Cleveland as long as the run game kicks in and the Browns have a hot rookie taking coverage away. New England is looking into him, as well as the Buffalo Bills, who has a tendency to gash Rex Ryan defenses. No wonder the coach want's him on his team.
So far, these have been the main surprises in the 2015 offseason in my opinion. Coming up next- Biggest Free Agents hitting the market, and where they may end up!
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