With free agency set to begin in less than two weeks, Redskins.com's Stephen Czarda previews the 2015 NFL free agent class. Today's focus is on the safeties.
While several positional groups could look drastically different during the 2015 season for the Washington Redskins, none may experience as much change as safety.
A countdown of the Top 10 images of Redskins defensive back Phillip Thomas during the 2014 season.
During the last two seasons, two-time Pro Bowler Brandon Meriweather has started a majority of the regular-season games, but between injuries and suspension, the Miami (Fla.) product also has struggled with consistency.
He will become a free agent next month after three seasons with the Redskins.
When Meriweather wasn't in the lineup in 2014, Phillip Thomas collected the first few starts of his career.
A fourth-round pick for the Redskins during the 2013 NFL Draft, Thomas recovered from a season-ending injury during his rookie year to record 33 tackles in eight games in 2014.
Against the San Francisco 49ers, Thomas also recovered a fumble.
Ryan Clark, meanwhile, started all 16 games in his return to the Redskins. Signed in the offseason after an eight-year stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Clark was a veteran presence in the locker room for the young defensive backfield while also recording a team-high 142 tackles.
Instead of electing to try his hand at a 14th NFL season, however, Clark, who was set to become an unrestricted free agent, recently announced his retirement, as he will be expanding his work with ESPN as an analyst.
While the Redskins have certainly been linked to Alabama safety Landon Collins in the upcoming draft, if they decide they want to add a few veterans to the corps, here are the players that will be looking for new homes starting in March:
- Mike Adams, Indianapolis Colts
- Nate Allen, Philadelphia EaglesTop 10 Of 2014: Ryan Clark
- Sergio Brown, Indianapolis Colts
- Stevie Browne, New York Giants
- Quinton Carter, Denver Broncos
- Chris Clemons, Arizona Cardinals
- Kurt Coleman, Kansas City Chiefs
- Chris Conte, Chicago Bears
- Louis Delmas, Miami Dolphins
- Quintin Demps, New York Giants
- Charles Godfrey, Atlanta Falcons
- Jeron Johnson, Seattle Seahawks
- Dawan Landry, New York Jets
Laron Landry, Indianapolis Colts * Jim Leonhard, Cleveland Browns * Kendrick Lewis, Houston Texans * Dwight Lowery, Atlanta Falcons * Taylor Mays, Cincinnati Bengals * Devin McCourty, New England Patriots * Brandon Meriweather, Washington Redskins * Jeromy Miles, Baltimore Ravens * Rahim Moore, Denver Broncos * Ron Parker, Kansas City Chiefs * Antrel Rolle, New York Giants * Da'Norris Searcy, Buffalo Bills * Darian Stewart, Baltimore Ravens * Jimmy Wilson, Miami Dolphins * Major Wright, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
McCourty, who checks in at No. 9 on NFL.com's top-25 free agents list, is a veteran of five seasons – all of which have been with the Patriots.
In those five seasons, the two-time Pro Bowler has recorded 388 tackles, 58 passes defensed and 17 interceptions.
Rolle, meanwhile, experienced some of his best seasons as a professional under current Redskins defensive backs coach Perry Fewell.
During the 2013 season, Rolle recorded a career-high six interceptions while being named to his third Pro Bowl.
Moore – a second-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft – has eight career interceptions. His also started all 16 regular-season games for the Broncos in 2014 – the first time he had done son.
Searcy started a career-high 13 games for the Bills in 2014, recording 65 tackles and three interceptions.
Recently released by the Colts, Landry is a former Redskin who was drafted by the Redskins in the first-round of the 2007 NFL Draft.
Before playing with the Colts, Landry had a career year in 2012 with the Jets, tallying 100 tackles with two interceptions.
RELATED LINKS:
-- 2015 Free Agency Outlook: Cornerbacks
-- 2015 Free Agency Outlook: Outside Linebackers
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