The free-agent frenzy is over and one position remains virtually untouched.
Aside from Tyrann Mathieu joining the Houston Texans, the safeties on the free-agent market have reportedly garnered little interest. Eric Reid claimed his history of protesting during the national anthem has kept owners from calling, but others like Morgan Burnett, Kenny Vaccaro, Tre Boston, Mike Mitchell, and Tyvon Branch have also found it hard to find suitors.
While we can't explain why this market is so slow, there are several teams who should be taking advantage of the available names before they're scooped up.
Carolina Panthers
Current projected starters: Mike Adams & Colin Jones
The Panthers don't have a ton of cap space to work with, but they certainly need to upgrade the back end of their secondary considering how many talented quarterbacks and receivers are in their division. The team released Kurt Coleman, who started for three years, and didn't replace him, leaving career special teamer Colin Jones as the projected first-stringer.
Indianapolis Colts
Current projected starters: Malik Hooker & Matthias Farley
Before Malik Hooker's injury last season, he looked to be well worth the first-round pick, but Matthias Farley's skills are so far behind his young teammate's. The Colts smartly stayed away from overpaying players during the first wave of free agency and have more cap space to work with than anyone. Hooker deserves a safety partner he can learn from like Burnett, who helped with the development of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix in Green Bay. The Colts can get better at a lot of positions, but safety may be the quickest fix.
Cleveland Browns
Current projected starters: Jabrill Peppers & Damarious Randall
After converting Jabrill Peppers from linebacker to safety as a rookie last season, the Browns will attempt to switch the newly-acquired Damarious Randall to the same position. Though Randall played safety in college, he's been a cornerback through the first three years of his pro career and the Browns could use someone with more familiarity playing the role in the NFL. A veteran who wouldn't be expected to play every down - like Branch or Mitchell - could be very helpful supporting these two potential stars.
San Francisco 49ers
Current projected starters: Jimmie Ward & Jaquiski Tartt
Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt were adequate starters for the 49ers under the low expectations of their 2017 season, but with over $45 million in cap space, San Francisco can easily get better. Richard Sherman brings a new attitude to the Niners secondary and could use more talent around him as the team's re-building process under John Lynch has been jump-started. It was somewhat surprising for them not to be in on Mathieu once he was released, and would be rather disappointing if Sherman was the only piece added to the secondary this offseason.
Washington Redskins
Current projected starters: D.J. Swearinger & Deshazor Everett
After Washington avoided using their cap space to sign Kirk Cousins, they haven't done a lot with the available money, as receiver Paul Richardson has been their only notable signing. They have enough room to add whichever defensive back they want and can give Josh Norman help. Perhaps the reputation of organizational dysfunction has precluded free agents from having interest in Washington, but they need to find an edge to attract veterans and convince current players not to leave.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Current projected starters: Chris Conte & Justin Evans
The Bucs tried to address their weakness at safety by signing T.J. Ward days before the 2017 season, but he was not helpful. Justin Evans looks to have a decent future after a solid rookie season, but Chris Conte is still a below average starter who has been playing out of necessity the past three years. After having the worst pass defense in the league last year, Conte and a second-year player aren't going to cut it.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Current projected starters: Sean Davis & J.J. Wilcox
The Steelers tend not to be active in free agency unless they have a real weakness, but their secondary in general fits that category. Sean Davis and J.J. Wilcox are certainly in the bottom half of the league's safety tandems and there is virtually no depth behind them unless Joe Haden switches positions. Le'Veon Bell's contract negotiation may be keeping the Steelers from spending much in free agency as they have minimal cap space, but before Week 1, they need to get better (or at least deeper) at safety.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)
