With free agency set to begin in March, Redskins.com's Stephen Czarda previews the 2016 NFL free agent class position-by-position. Today's focus is on the cornerbacks.
Last season, the Washington Redskins made quite a few moves during the first week of free agency, including bringing in former San Francisco 49ers cornerback Chris Culliver.
Culliver was a productive piece for the 49ers throughout their seasons fighting for NFC West titles and making deep playoff runs, as the University of South Carolina product amassed 111 tackles with 38 passes defensed and seven interceptions in his three healthy seasons.
Like he did during the 2013 season, though, Culliver suffered a torn ACL and MCL during his first year with the Redskins.
Despite suffering the injury in a late November practice, Culliver assured the media during January's exit interviews that he'll be healthy once the 2016 season gets underway.
"I'm going to be ready by the season," Culliver said. "You will see me on the field this season, you might see me in and out of OTAs or something, something like that, but like I said, definitely in the season."
Along with Culliver, the Redskins return Bashaud Breeland and Quinton Dunbar at the cornerback position. Will Blackmon, meanwhile, is set to become a free agent, but the team has reportedly expressed interest in bringing the veteran back.
Brought off the free agent market in September, Blackmon would appear in 15 games with 10 starts, recording 49 tackles with three fumbles forced, two interceptions and a sack.
Here are some additional options for free agent cornerbacks if the Redskins ultimately elect to bring in more veteran talent:
--Prince Amukamara, New York Giants
--Johnson Bademosi, Cleveland Browns
--Alan Ball, Chicago Bears
--E.J. Biggers, Philadelphia Eagles
--Will Blackmon, Washington Redskins
--Antwon Blake, Pittsburgh Steelers
--Ron Brooks, Buffalo Bills
--Tarell Brown, New England Patriots
--Crezdon Butler, Detroit Lions
--Nolan Carroll, Philadelphia Eagles
--Morris Claiborne, Dallas Cowboys
--Marcus Cooper, Kansas City Chiefs
--Antonio Cromartie, New York Jets
--Nate Ebner, New England Patriots
--Cortland Finnegan, Carolina Panthers
--Jamell Fleming, Kansas City Chiefs
--William Gay, Pittsburgh Steelers
--Leon Hall, Cincinnati Bengals
--Brandon Harris, Tennessee Titans
--Casey Hayward, Green Bay Packers
--Jayron Hosley, New York Giants
--Charles James, Houston Texans
--Janoris Jenkins, Los Angeles Rams
--Mike Jenkins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
--Adam Jones, Cincinnati Bengals
--Jeremy Lane, Seattle Seahawks
--Trumaine McBride, New York Giants
--Leodis McKelvin, Buffalo Bills
--Sherrick McManis, Chicago Bears
--Sterling Moore, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
--Terence Newman, Minnesota Vikings
--Chris Owens, New Orleans Saints
--Tracy Porter, Chicago Bears
--Jerraud Powers, Arizona Cardinals
--Josh Robinson, Minnesota Vikings
--Patrick Robinson, San Diego Chargers
--Coty Sensabaugh, Tennessee Titans
--Marcus Sherels, Minnesota Vikings
--Sean Smith, Kansas City Chiefs
--Josh Thomas, Dallas Cowboys
--Charles Tillman, Carolina Panthers
--Greg Toler, Indianapolis Colts
--Cassius Vaughn, San Diego Chargers
--Darrin Walls, New York Jets
--Corey White, Arizona Cardinals
--Josh Wilson, Detroit Lions
--Shareece Wright, Baltimore Ravens
Cromartie may be the best known name on the list, as the 11-year veteran has earned four Pro Bowl appearances during his career.
Returning to the Jets last season after spending the 2014 season with the Cardinals, Cromartie started 15 games and tallied 12 passes defensed. It was the first season since his rookie year that he did not record an interception, though.
The Florida State product first entered the NFL as a first-round pick of the Chargers and hauled in 10 interceptions in his second season.
Claiborne never lived up to expectations as a 2012 first-round pick for the Cowboys, as he has just three interceptions in four seasons and has struggled to remain healthy.
The LSU product is still fairly young, however, as he just turned 26-years-old.
Another 2012 draft pick is Jenkins, who played his first four seasons with the Rams. The cornerback does not appear interested in returning to the team, though, and voiced his frustration recently on Twitter.
On the field, Jenkins excelled for the Rams, as he totaled 230 tackles with 10 interceptions and three fumbles forced.
McKelvin was recently released by the Bills after nine seasons in Buffalo.
The 2008 first-round pick, who will turn 31 years old before the season starts, has hauled in 13 interceptions during his career.
2016 Free Agency Outlook
--Cornerbacks (3/8)
--Guard/Centers (3/8)
--Safeties (3/9)
.
.
.
