Do any remaining CBs out there fit Ballard’s Pattern?

[sherck]

I posted this in the Free Agency thread:

Interesting theme that I have seen run through Ballard's free agent signings of players from other teams:

Former 1st round draft choice:

62 games played, 17 games started - OLB Barkevious Mingo

Former 2nd round draft choices:

89 games played, 59 games started - OLB Jabaal Sheard
81 games played, 19 games started - NT Al Woods
44 games played, 00 games started - Margus Hunt

Former 3rd round draft choice:

46 games played, 19 games started - ILB Sean Spence

Former 4th round draft choices:

45 games played, 12 games started - OLB John Simon
41 games played, 28 games started - OL Brian Schwenke

It’s not like we are bringing in street free agents whom have not played in many NFL games. Ballard is bringing in guys who had the athleticism to be drafted in the first 4 rounds of the draft in their year but who have (mostly) underperformed during their rookie contracts.

The exception to that rule has been either re-signing our own (Doyle, Turbin, Butler) or Special Teams (P Jeff Locke - 5th round draft choice).

Just an interesting connection point to the free agents. These are not "depth" free agent signings on par with signing the McNary's, Kerr's or Harrison's of the world. These guys actually had talent or skills that they have not yet (or perhaps never will) unlock.

So, the question is, do any of the CBs still on the market fit that same criteria of:

1. Being under 30 years old
2. Having been a top four round draft pick
3. Having played / started a solid number of games in the NFL
4. Appear to fit a "press" style defense?
5. Not being a Colts retread under the current coaching staff (I am assuming they are not signing back players they cut)

[[Not listing CBs who are 30 years or older]]

CB Nickell Robey-Coleman, BUF, 25 years old, 64 games played, 15 games started, UDFA
CB Alterraun Verner, TB, 28 years old, 110 games played, 70 games started, 4th round draft pick
CB Sterling Moore, NO, 27 years old, 69 games played, 31 games started, UDFA
CB Teddy Williams, CAR, 29 years old, 36 games played, 0 games started, UDFA
CB B.W. Webb, NO, 27 years old, 49 games played, 9 games started, 4th round draft pick
CB Antwon Blake, TEN, 27 years old, 78 games played, 18 games started, UDFA
CB Chris Lewis-Harris, BAL, 28 years old, 33 games played, 0 games started, UDFA
CB Corey White, BUF, 27 years old, 66 games played, 24 games started, 5th round draft pick
CB Justin Gilbert, PIT, 25 years old, 35 games played, 3 games started, 1st round draft pick
CB Steve Williams, LAR, 26 years old, 33 games played, 4 games started, 5th round draft pick
CB Trevin Wade, NYG, 28 years old, 47 games played, 5 games started, 7th round draft pick
CB Coty Sensabaugh, NYG, 28 years old, 72 games played, 29 games started, 4th round draft pick
CB Chris Davis, SF, 26 years old, 19 games played, 1 game started, UDFA
CB Asa Jackson, DET, 27 years old, 22 games played, 8 games started, 5th round draft pick
CB Chimdi Chekwa, MIA, 29 years old, 35 games played, 4 games started, 4th round draft pick
CB Robert McClain, LAC, 29 years old, 80 games played, 23 games started, 7th round draft pick
CB Sam Shields, GB, 29 years old, 80 games played, 62 games started, UDFA
CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, MIA, 23 years old, 0 games played, 0 games started, 7th round draft pick
CB SaQwan Edwards, LAR, 24 years old, 0 games played, 0 games started, UDFA
CB Stanley Jean-Baptista, SEA, 26 years old, 4 games played, 0 games started, 2nd round draft pick
CB Mohammed Seisay, SEA, 27 years old, 13 games played, 0 games started, UDFA
CB Brandon Boykin, CHI, 27 years old, 64 games played, 7 games started, 4th round draft pick
CB Josh Thomas, DAL, 28 years old, 52 games played, 10 games started, 5th round draft pick

So, looking at their age, playing experience and original draft round, the following players look most like the other veteran free agents that Ballard has brought in:

Alterraun Verner, TB, 28 years old, 110 games played, 70 games started, 4th round draft pick
Coty Sensabaugh, NYG, 28 years old, 72 games played, 29 games started, 4th round draft pick
Corey White, BUF, 27 years old, 66 games played, 24 games started, 5th round draft pick
B.W. Webb, NO, 27 years old, 49 games played, 9 games started, 4th round draft pick
Brandon Boykin, CHI, 27 years old, 64 games played, 7 games started, 4th round draft pick
Steve Williams, LAR, 26 years old, 33 games played, 4 games started, 5th round draft pick

With a potential flyer (like on Hunt and Mingo) on:

Justin Gilbert, PIT, 25 years old, 35 games played, 3 games started, 1st round draft pick
Stanley Jean-Baptista, SEA, 26 years old, 4 games played, 0 games started, 2nd round draft pick

None of them would be clear-cut CB2 starters (Verner has fallen off greatly, it would appear) but many of them could give some pretty good competition for a rookie draft pick at CB2 and fill in nicely at the CB3/Nickel spot.

I liked Melvin, Morris and Milton well enough as depth but Morris is an UFA whom we have not re-signed yet and I don’t think Melvin is ready to challenge for CB2 duties (if he ever will be). Veteran depth would be great to add to the depth chart even if we end up drafting 2 CBs in 2017. As Ballard would say, competition is good.

So, if we sign a CB in veteran free agency, I bet it is one of the six guys I bolded above.

Cheers,

[Puck]

I hope he does... that would give a lot more options come draft day. Can Melvin play in the slot? Or do we need 2 corners to take the #2-3 spots? And Vontae is in a contract year so he will either get paid or they will need to find his replacement this yr. though FA or the draft

[sherck]

Originally Posted by Puck

I hope he does... that would give a lot more options come draft day. Can Melvin play in the slot? Or do we need 2 corners to take the #2-3 spots? And Vontae is in a contract year so he will either get paid or they will need to find his replacement this yr. though FA or the draft

I think Melvin can play inside or outside; his skills seem solid.

If we ended up with a CB depth chart of:

Davis
2017 draftee high round (1st - 3rd)
Veteran FA from list above
2017 draftee 4th round
Melvin
Milton
Butler (if needed)

That is a depth chart that is much closer to actually being NFL average than what we had last year. Robinson was dreadful and Melvin should rightly be pushed down to CB3 or CB4 rather than having to play CB2.

It could help fix the issue. I don't know what we do next year to replace Davis if he walks other than draft another CB high in 2018 to pair with our high 2017 pick. Re-signing Davis seems like the best option but know knows how much he will want.

Cheers,

[FatDT]

I am surprised Sam Shields is still available. He was a pretty good CB at one time. Maybe he's not the same player, I haven't kept up with him. I remember wanting to bring him in a few seasons ago.

edit: he's had concussion issues as recently as January, but still wants to play. He was cut because he was due $12M from GB.