Free agents could look to rejoin former coaches
One way NFL teams try to predict the competition for free agents is by connecting dots between available players and their former coaches. Here’s a look at 11 that make sense:
Jairus Byrd and the Cleveland Browns: The talented young safety wasn’t franchised again by the Buffalo Bills, whose defensive coordinator last year, Mike Pettine, is now head coach in Cleveland.
Branden Albert and the Miami Dolphins: The Pro Bowl left tackle figures to generate several big offers, including one from Miami, where former Kansas City Chiefs offensive line coach Jack Bicknell Jr. is an assistant.
Jared Allen and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The veteran pass rusher can stay in the Tampa-2 system with defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, who coached Allen to five Pro Bowls over the past seven years with the Minnesota Vikings.
Tyson Jackson and the Houston Texans: The 2009 No. 3 overall pick could reunite with ex-Chiefs defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel, who will need a run-stopping end opposite J.J. Watt if Antonio Smith departs.
Eric Decker and the Oak
land Raiders: The receiver most likely set to get top dollar spent a year in Denver with Oakland coach Dennis Allen when Allen was the Broncos defensive coordinator in 2011. Maybe more important, general manager Reggie McKenzie has more cap space to work with than any other team in the league.
Alterraun Verner and the
Vikings: The cornerback went from fourth-rounder to Pro Bowler under the watch of former Tennessee Titans coordinator Jerry Gray, who’s now coaching the Minnesota secondary.
Andre Roberts to Titans: The productive slot receiver was a starter for two seasons in Arizo-
na under former Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt, who is the new head man in Tennessee.
Brandon Browner or Walter Thurmond and the
Jacksonville Jaguars: Both cornerbacks will be hurt by their status in the drug program, but Jaguars coach Gus Bradley, Thurmond’s and Browner’s old defensive coordinator with the Seattle Seahawks, could vouch for them. He already brought in their former teammate, DE Red Bryant.
Alex Mack and the Indianapolis Colts: The Browns put the transition tag on Mack, who nonetheless could draw interest from the team that employs ex-Cleveland coach Rob Chudzinski and just parted way with longtime center Samson Satele.
Kevin Williams and the New England Patriots: The aging three-technique defensive tackle has been in decline for years but could be a value signing on a short-term deal in New England, where ex-Vikings defensive line coach Brendan Daly landed.
James Jones, Jermichael Finley or Andrew Quarless
and the New York Giants: Former Green Bay Packers assistant Ben McAdoo needs receiving help in New York, where he’s the new offensive coordinator.