Here are the free agents at the safety position, restricted and unrestricted.

 

RESTRICTED:

 

Jamaal Fudge, Falcons.

 

Dustin Fox, Bills.

 

Dawan Landry, Ravens.

 

John Busing, Bengals.

 

Nate Salley, Panthers.

 

Atari Bigby, Packers.

 

Jarrad Page, Chiefs.

 

Abram Elam, Jets.

 

Anthony Smith, Steelers.

 

Reed Doughty, Redskins.

 

UNRESTRICTED:

 

Lawyer Milloy, Falcons.

 

Jim Leonhard, Ravens.

 

Mike Brown, Bears.

 

Brandon McGowan, Bears.

 

Cameron Worrell, Bears.

 

Mike Adams, Browns.

 

Sean Jones, Browns.

 

Chris Crocker, Bengals.

 

Marlon McCree, Broncos.

 

Keith Davis, Cowboys.

 

Nick Ferguson, Texans.

 

C.C. Brown, Texans.

 

Eugene Wilson, Texans.

 

Matt Giordano, Colts.

 

Pieroson Prioleau, Jaguars.

 

Gerald Sensabaugh, Jaguars.

 

Oliver Celestin, Chiefs.

 

Jon McGraw, Chiefs.

 

Yeremiah Bell, Dolphins.

 

Renaldo Hill, Dolphins.

 

Michael Boulware, Vikings.

 

Darren Sharper, Vikings.

 

Rodney Harrison, Patriots.

 

James Sanders, Patriots.

 

Tank Williams, Patriots.

 

Terrence Holt, Saints.

 

James Butler, Giants.

 

J.R. Reed, Jets.

 

Rashad Baker, Raiders.

 

Sean Considine, Eagles.

 

Brian Dawkins, Eagles.

 

Oshiomogho Atogwe, Rams.

 

Will Allen, Buccaneers.

 

Jermaine Phillips, Buccaneers.

 

Vincent Fuller, Titans.

 

Mike Green, Redskins.

Here are the free agents at the safety position, restricted and unrestricted.

 

RESTRICTED:

 

Anthony Smith, FS, Steelers. - Really intriguing: he showed some ability early on, and there's definitely no shame in not getting the starting job over Clark and Polamalu. Hits extremely hard. He's made some mistakes in coverage, but he's only 25 and has only started 14 games, so he should still have room for development. If he could learn from Mike Brown, he could end up being very good. He's an RFA, but the Steelers might not match an offer since they've got several great safeties on the roster already.

 

UNRESTRICTED:

 

Jim Leonhard, SS/FS, Ravens. - Leonhard is an incredibly smart player, who went from FA backup to starting at SS and wearing the headset in one season. He's undersized and probably looks better by virtue of playing next to Ed Reed, but he'd be an upgrade over anybody we have at SS. He played free safety with the Bills, and didn't look bad there, either. The Ravens might not re-up with him if they stick with Dawan Landry at SS.

 

Mike Brown, FS, Bears. - He should be back on a cheap one-year deal. He's still worth a roster spot as a backup, and to help develop our younger players.

 

Brandon McGowan, FS, Bears. - Maybe should be back. Injuries are a concern, and it's possible we could get an upgrade this offseason. That said, we're incredibly thin at FS.

 

Mike Adams, DB, Browns. - Interesting guy, potentially very valuable as a backup. He can play FS, SS, corner, and nickel; he's good on special teams coverage, too. Might get resigned, but he'd be a cheap depth pickup if he didn't.

 

Sean Jones, SS, Browns. - A total playmaker at strong safety, but his knee injuries are a concern. If his knees are OK, he could start over any of our current guys on the strong side. You'd want to have a backup ready to go, though.

 

Gerald Sensabaugh, SS, Jaguars. - He's pretty young and could compete for the starting SS job. Had four picks and eight passes broken up this season.

 

James Butler, SS/FS, Giants. - Butler was a pretty solid starter next to Gibril Wilson, then lost the starting job when Kenny Phillips came in and Michael Johnson moved to the strong side. He can play the FS spot too. Has had some injuries.

 

Oshiomogho Atogwe, FS, Rams. - could very possibly be tagged by the Rams. If the Rams tag Bartell instead, the Bears could make OJ an offer. He'd be a starting-caliber pickup. If he gets tagged, I doubt they'd want to trade picks to get him.

 

Here are the guys I'd take a look at. I've omitted older players and guy who I think are likely to get resigned (Bigby, Eugene Wilson, etc.) by their current teams. I'm especially interested in Anthony Smith: it seems like he fell out of favor with Tomlin after guaranteeing a win over the Pats, so they might be willing to let him go, despite his talent.