2013 Free Agency & Draft

This year saw many moves throughout the NFL in free agency. The April draft also allowed teams to address many of the needs they had from free agency moves. Here are the latest moves made in the last few months through the draft and trade:

 

 

Arizona Cardinals

Key Losses: WR Stephen Williams (Seahawks), LB Quentin Groves (Browns), LB Stewart Bradley (Broncos), CB Greg Toler (Colts), CB William Gay (Steelers), S Adrian Wilson (Patriots)

Draft Pick-ups: G Jonathan Cooper, ILB Kevin Minter, CB Tyrann Mathieu, DE Alex Okafor, G Earl Watford, RB Stepfan Taylor, WR Ryan Swope, RB Andre Ellington, TE D.C. Jefferson

Free Agent Pick-ups: QB Drew Stanton (Colts), RB Rashard Mendenhall (Steelers), RB Steven Jackson (Rams), DE Frostee Rucker (Browns), Matt Shaughnessy (Raiders), LB Lorenzo Alexander (Redskins), LB Jasper Brinkley (Vikings), CB Antoine Cason (Chargers), Jerraud Powers (Colts), S Jonathon Amaya (Dolphins), S Yeremiah Bell (Jets)

 

Atlanta Falcons

Key Losses: DE Lawrence Sidbury (Colts), DT Vance Walker (Raiders), CB Brent Grimes (Dolphins), CB Chris Owens (Browns), CB Dunta Robinson (Chiefs)

Draft Pick-ups: CB Desmond Trufant, CB Robert Alford, DE Malliciah Goodman, TE Levine Toilolo, DE Stansly Maponga, DB Kemal Ishmael, SS Zeke Motta, QB Sean Renfree

Free Agent Pick-ups: DE Osi Umenyiora (Giants)

 

Baltimore Ravens

 Key Losses: LB Ray Lewis (retired), S Ed Reed (Texans), WR Anquan Boldin (49ers), LB Paul Kruger (Browns), LB Dannell Ellerbe (Dolphins), CB Cary Williams (Eagles), S Bernard Pollard (Titans)

Draft Pick-ups: SS Matt Elam, ILB Arthur Brown, DT Brandon Williams, DE John Simon, RB Kyle Juszczyk, T Rick Wagner, DT Kapron Lewis-Moore, C Ryan Jensen, WR Aaron Mellette, CB Marc Anthony

Free Agent Pick-ups: DE Elvis Dumervil (Broncos), DE Marcus Spears (Cowboys), DT Chris Canty (Giants), S Michael Huff (Raiders)

 

Buffalo Bills

Key Losses: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (Titans), S George Wilson (Titans), LB Shawne Merriman (retired)

Draft Pick-ups: QB EJ Manuel, WR Robert Woods, LB Kiko Alonso, WR Marquise Goodwin, CB Duke Williams, FS Jonathan Meeks, K Dustin Hopkins, TE Chris Gragg

Free Agent Pick-ups: LB Manny Lawson (Bengals)

 

Carolina Panthers

Key Losses: WR Louis Murphy (Giants), TE Gary Barnidge (Browns), LB James Anderson (Bears), LB Jason Phillips (Eagles)

Draft Pick-ups: DT Star Lotulelei, DT Kawann Short, G Edmund Kugbila, OLB AJ Klein, RB Kenjon Barner,

Free Agent Pick-ups: WR Ted Ginn Jr (49ers), LB Chase Blackburn (Giants), CB Drayton Florence (Lions), CB D.J. Moore (Panthers), S Michael Mitchell (Raiders)

 

Chicago Bears

Key Losses: QB Jason Campbell (Browns), TE Matt Spaeth (Steelers), LB Geno Hayes (Jags), LB Nick Roach (Raiders), CB D.J. Moore, LB Brian Urlacher (retired)

Draft Pick-ups: T Kyle Long, ILB Jon Bostic, OLB Khaseem Greene, T Jordan Mills, LB Cornelius Washington, WR Marquess Wilson

Free Agent Pick-ups: TE Martellus Bennett (Giants), TE Steve Maneri (Chiefs), DT Turk McBride (Saints), LB James Anderson (Panthers), LB DJ Williams (Broncos), S Tom Zbikowski (Colts)

 

Cincinnati Bengals

Key Losses: QB Bruce Gradkowski (Steelers), DT Pat Sims (Raiders), LB Manny Lawson (Bills), LB Dan Skuta (49ers)

Draft Pick-ups: TE Tyler Eifert, RB Giovani Bernard, DE Margus Hunt, SS Shawn Williams, OLB Sean Porter, T Tanner Hawkinson, RB Rex Burkhead, WR Cobi Hamilton, T Reid Fragel, C TJ Johnson

Free Agent Pick-ups: QB Josh Johnson (Browns), LB James Harrison (Steelers)

 

Cleveland Browns

Key Losses: QB Josh Johnson (Bengals), TE Ben Watson (Saints), DE Frostee Rucker (Cardinals), WR Josh Cribbs (Raiders), LB Kaluka Maiava (Raiders)

Draft Pick-ups: OLB Barkevious Mingo, CB Leon McFadden, FS Jamoris Slaughter, DE Armonty Bryant, G Garrett Gilkey

Free Agent Pick-ups: QB Jason Campbell, TE Gary Barnidge (Panthers), OT Rashad Butler (Texans), DT Desmond Bryant (Raiders), LB Quentin Groves (Cardinals), LB Paul Kruger (Ravens), CB Chris Owens (Falcons)

 

Dallas Cowboys

Key Losses: WR Kevin Ogletree (Bucs), TE John Phillips (Chargers), DE Marcus Spears (Ravens), DE Kenyon Coleman (Saints), LB Victor Butler (Saints), LB Dan Connor (Giants)

Draft Pick-ups: C Travis Frederick, TE Gavin Escobar, WR Terrance Williams, FS JJ Wilcox, CB BW Webb, RB Joseph Randle, OLB DeVonte Holloman

Free Agent Pick-ups: LB Justin Durant (Lions), LB Ernie Sims (Colts),S Will Allen (Steelers)

 

Denver Broncos

Key Losses: DE Elvis Dumervil (Ravens), DE Jason Hunter (Raiders), LB DJ Williams (Bears)

Draft Pick-ups: DT Sylvester Williams, RB Montee Ball, CB Kayvon Webster, DL Quanterus Smith, WR Tavarres King, T Vinston Painter, QB Zac Dysert

Free Agent Pick-ups: WR Wes Welker (Patriots), DT Terrance Knighton (Jags), LB Stewart Bradley (Cardinals), CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Eagles)

 

Detroit Lions

Key Losses: DE Cliff Avril (Seahawks), DT Sammie Lee Hill (Titans), LB Justin Durant (Cowboys), CB Drayton Florence (Panthers)

 Draft Pick-ups: DE Ezekiel Ansah, CB Darius Slay, G Larry Warford, DE Devin Taylor, P Sam Martin, WR Corey Fuller, RB Theo Riddick, TE Michael Williams, LB Brandon Hepburn

Free Agent Pick-ups: RB Reggie Bush (Dolphins), DT Jason Jones (Seahawks), S Glover Quin (Texans)

 

Green Bay Packers

Key Losses: WR Greg Jennings (Vikings), TE Tom Crabtree (Bucs), LB Erik Walden (Colts), S Charles Woodson (Raiders), WR Donald Driver (retired)

Draft Pick-ups: DE Datone Jones, RB Eddie Lacy, T David Bakhtiari, C JC Tretter, RB Johnathan Franklin, CB Micah Hyde, DT Josh Boyd, LB Nate Palmer, WR CJ Johnson, WR Kevin Dorsey, LB Sam Barrington

Free Agent Pick-ups: None

 

Houston Texans

Key Losses: RB Justin Forsett (Jaguars), TE James Casey (Eagles), OT Rashad Butler (Browns), LB Connor Barwin (Eagles), S Glover Quin (Lions), S Alan Ball

Draft Pick-ups: WR DeAndre Hopkins, FS DJ Swearinger, T Brennan Williams, DE Sam Montgomery, DE Trevardo Williams, T David Quessenberry, WR Alan Bonner, DT Chris Jones, TE Ryan Griffin

Free Agent Pick-ups: RB Greg Jones (Jaguars)

 

Indianapolis Colts

Key Losses: QB Drew Stanton (Cardinals), WR Donnie Avery (Chiefs), LB Dwight Freeney (Chargers), LB Ernie Sims (Cowboys), LB Moise Fokou (Titans), CB Jerraud Powers (Cardinals), S Tom Zbikowski (Bears)

Draft Pick-ups: DE Bjoern Werner, G Hugh Thornton, C Khaled Holmes, DT Montori Hughes, FS John Boyett, RB Kerwynn Williams, TE Justice Cunningham

Free Agent Pick-ups: QB Matt Hasselback (Titans), DE Lawrence Sidbury (Falcons), DT Aubrayo Franklin (Chargers), DT Ricky Jean-Francois (49ers), LB Erik Walden (Packers), CB Greg Toler (Cardinals), S LaRon Landry (Jets), RB Ahmad Bradshaw (Giants)

Jacksonville Jaguars

Key Losses: QB John Parker Wilson, RB Greg Jones (Texans), DT Terrance Knighton (Broncos), CB Aaron Ross (Giants), CB Derek Cox (Chargers)

Draft Pick-ups: T Luke Joeckel, FS Jonathan Cyprien, CB Dwayne Gratz, WR Ace Sanders, WR Denard Robinson, FS Josh Evans, DB Jeremy Harris, CB Demetrius McCray

Free Agent Pick-ups: RB Justin Forsett (Texans), DT Roy Miller (Bucs), LB Geno Hayes (Bears), S Alan Ball (Texans)

 

Kansas City Chiefs

Key Losses: QB Matt Cassel, TE Steve Maneri, DE Ropati Pitoitua (Titans), DT Glenn Dorsey (49ers)

Draft Pick-ups: T Eric Fisher, TE Travis Kelce, RB Knile Davis, OLB Nico Johnson, CB Sanders Commings, C Eric Kush, FB Braden Wilson, DL Mike Catapano

Free Agent Pick-ups: QB Chase Daniel (Saints), RB Ryan D'Imperio (Vikings), WR Donnie Avery (Chiefs), QB Alex Smith (49ers), TE Anthony Fasano (Dolphins), DT Mike DeVito (Jets), LB Chad Kilgore (Raiders), CB Dunta Robinson (Falcons), CB Sean Smith (Dolphins)

 

Miami Dolphins

Key Losses: RB Reggie Bush (Lions), WR Marlon Moore (49ers), TE Anthony Fasano (Chiefs), OT Jake Long (Rams), DT Vaughn Martin (Chargers), DT Tony McDaniel (Seahawks), LB Kevin Burnett (Raiders), CB Sean Smith (Chiefs), S Jonathon Amaya (Cardinals)

Draft Pick-ups: OLB Dion Jordan, CB Jamar Taylor, G Dallas Thomas, CB Will Davis, OLB Jelani Jenkins, TE Dion Sims, RB Mike Gillislee, K Caleb Sturgis, DB Don Jones

 Free Agent Pick-ups: WR Mike Wallace, LB Dannell Ellerbe (Ravens), LB Philip Wheeler (Raiders), CB Brent Grimes (Falcons)

 

Minnesota Vikings

Key Losses: RB Ryan D'Imperio (Chiefs), WR Michael Jenkins, LB Jasper Brinkley (Cardinals)

Draft Pick-ups: DT Sharrif Floyd, CB Xavier Rhodes, WR Cordarrelle Patterson, OLB Gerald Hodges, P Jeff Locke, G Jeff Baca, OLB Michael Mauti, G Travis Bond, DT Everett Dawkins

Free Agent Pick-ups: QB Matt Cassel, WR Greg Jennings

 

New England Patriots

Key Losses: RB Danny Woodhead (Chargers), WR Wes Welker (Broncos), DT Ron Brace (Redskins), S Patrick Chung (Eagles), WR Donte Stallworth

Draft Pick-ups: OLB Jamie Collins, WR Aaron Dobson, CB Logan Ryan, DB Duron Harmon, WR Josh Boyce, DE Michael Buchanan, LB Steve Beauharnais

Free Agent Pick-ups: WR Danny Amendola, WR Michael Jenkins, S Adrian Wilson (Cardinals), QB Tim Tebow (Jets)

 

New Orleans Saints

Key Losses: QB Chase Daniel (Chiefs), DT Turk McBride (Bears), LB Jonathan Casillas (Bucs), CB Johnny Patrick (Chargers)

Draft Pick-ups: FS Kenny Vaccaro, T Terron Armstead, DT Jonathan Jenkins, WR Kenny Stills, DE Rufus Johnson

Free Agent Pick-ups: TE Ben Watson (Browns), DE Kenyon Coleman (Cowboys), LB Victor Butler (Cowboys), CB Keenan Lewis (Steelers)

 

New York Giants

Key Losses: TE Martellus Bennett (Bears), DE Osi Umenyiora (Falcons), DT Chris Canty (Ravens), LB Chase Blackburn (Panthers), S Kenny Phillips (Eagles), RB Ahmad Bradshaw

Draft Pick-ups: T Justin Pugh, DT Johnathan Hankins, DE Damontre Moore, QB Ryan Nassib, S Cooper Taylor, G Eric Herman, RB Michael Cox,

Free Agent Pick-ups: RB Leon Washington (Seahawks), WR Louis Murphy (Panthers), TE Brandon Myers (Raiders), DT Cullen Jenkins (Eagles), LB Dan Connor (Cowboys), CB Aaron Ross (Jags), S Ryan Mundy (Steelers)

 

New York Jets

Key Losses: RB Shonn Greene (Titans), DT Mike DeVito (Chiefs), CB Darrelle Revis (Bucs), S Yeremiah Bell (Cardinals), S  LaRon Landry (Colts), QB Tim Tebow

Draft Pick-ups: CB Dee Milliner, DT Sheldon Richardson, QB Geno Smith, G Brian Winters, T Oday Aboushi, DT William Campbell, FB Tommy Bohanon

Free Agent Pick-ups: RB Mike Goodson (Raiders), DT Antonio Garay (Chargers), LB Antwan Barnes (Chargers)

 

Oakland Raiders

Key Losses: RB Mike Goodson (Jets), TE Brandon Myers (Giants), DE Matt Shaughnessy (Cardinals), DT Desmond Bryant (Browns), LB Chad Kilgore (Chiefs), LB Philip Wheeler (Dolphins), S Michael Huff (Ravens), S Michael Mitchell (Panthers)

Draft Pick-ups: CB DJ Hayden, T Menelik Watson, LB Sio Moore, QB Tyler Wilson, TE Nick Kasa, QB Latavius Murray, TE Mychal Rivera, DT Stacy McGee, WR Brice Butler, DE David Bass

Free Agent Pick-ups: DE Jason Hunter (Broncos), DT Pat Sims (Bengals), DT Vance Walker (Falcons), WR Josh Cribbs (Browns), LB Kevin Burnett (Dolphins), LB Kaluka Maiava (Browns), S Charles Woodson (Packers), LB Nick Roach (Bears)

 

Philadelphia Eagles

Key Losses: DE Darryl Tapp (Redskins), DT Cullen Jenkins (Giants), DT Derek Landri (Eagles), CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Broncos)

Draft Pick-ups: T Lane Johnson, TE Zach Ertz, DT Bennie Logan, QB Matt Barkley, FS Earl Wolff, DE Joe Kruger, CB Jordan Poyer, DE David King

Free Agent Pick-ups: TE James Casey (Texans), DT Isaac Sopoaga (49ers), LB Connor Barwin (Texans), LB Jason Phillips (Panthers), CB Bradley Fletcher (Rams), CB Cary Williams (Ravens), S Patrick Chung (Patriots), S Kenny Phillips (Giants)

 

Pittsburgh Steelers

 Key Losses: RB Rashard Mendenhall (Cardinals), WR Mike Wallace, LB James Harrison (Bengals), CB Keenan Lewis (Saints), S Will Allen (Cowboys), S Ryan Mundy (Giants)

Draft Pick-ups: OLB Jarvis Jones, RB LeVeon Bell, WR Markus Wheaton, FS Shamarko Thomas, QB Landry Jones, CB Terry Hawthorne, WR Justin Brown, LB Vince Williams, DT Nicholas Williams

Free Agent Pick-ups: QB Bruce Gradkowski (Bengals), QB John Parker Wilson, TE Matt Spaeth (Bears), CB William Gay (Cardinals)

 

San Diego Chargers

Key Losses: DT Aubrayo Franklin (Colts), DT Vaughn Martin (Dolphins), DT Antonio Garay (Jets), LB Antwan Barnes (Jets), CB Antoine Cason (Cardinals)

Draft Pick-ups: T DJ Fluker, ILB Manti Te’o, WR Keenan Allen, CB Steve Williams, DE Tourek Williams, QB Brad Sorensen

Free Agent Pick-ups: RB Danny Woodhead (Patriots), TE John Phillips (Cowboys), LB Dwight Freeney (Colts), CB Johnny Patrick (Saints), CB Derek Cox (Jags)

 

San Francisco 49ers

Key Losses: QB Alex Smith (Chiefs), WR Ted Ginn Jr (Panthers), TE Delanie Walker (Titans), DT Ricky Jean-Francois (Colts), DT Isaac Sopoaga (Eagles), S Dashon Goldson (Bucs)

Draft Pick-ups: FS Eric Reid, DE Cornellius Carradine, TE Vance McDonald, OLB Corey Lemonier, WR Quinton Patton, RB Marcus Lattimore, DL Quinton Dial, LB Nick Moody, QB BJ Daniels, T Carter Bykowski, DB Marcus Cooper

Free Agent Pick-ups: WR Marlon Moore (Dolphins), DT Glenn Dorsey (Chiefs), LB Dan Skuta (Bengals), S Craig Dahl (Rams)

 

Seattle Seahawks

Key Losses: RB Leon Washington (Giants), DT Jason Jones (Lions)

Draft Pick-ups: RB Christine Michael, DT Jordan Hill, WR Chris Harper, DT Jesse Williams, CB Tharold Simon, TE Luke Wilson, RB Spencer Ware, G Ryan Seymour, LB Ty Powell, DT Jared Smith, T Michael Bowie

Free Agent Pick-ups: WR Stephen Williams (Cardinals), DE Michael Bennett (Bucs), DE Cliff Avril (Lions), DT Tony McDaniel (Dolphins)

 

St. Louis Rams

 Key Losses: RB Steven Jackson (Falcons), WR Brandon Gibson (Dolphins), CB Bradley Fletcher (Eagles), S Craig Dahl (49ers)

Draft Pick-ups: WR Tavon Austin, ILB Alec Ogletree, FS TJ McDonald, WR Stedman Bailey, C Barrett Jones, FS Brandon McGee, RB Zac Stacy

Free Agent Pick-ups: TE Jared Cook (Titans), OT Jake Long

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Key Losses: DE Michael Bennett (Seahawks), DT Roy Miller (Jags), CB E.J. Biggers (Redskins)

Draft Pick-ups: CB Johnathan Banks, QB Mike Glennon, DT Akeem Spence, DE William Gholston, DE Steven Means, RB Mike James

Free Agent Pick-ups: WR Kevin Ogletree (Cowboys), TE Tom Crabtree (Packers), DT Derek Landri (Bucs), LB Jonathan Casillas (Saints), CB Darrelle Revis (Jets), S Dashon Goldson

 

Tennessee Titans

Key Losses: QB Matt Hasselback (Colts), TE Jared Cook (Rams)

Draft Pick-ups: G Chance Warmack, WR Justin Hunter, CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson, OLB Zaviar Gooden, C Brian Schwenke, DE Lavar Edwards, CB Khalid Wooten, FS Daimion Stafford

Free Agent Pick-ups: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (Bills), RB Shonn Greene (Jets), TE Delanie Walker (49ers), DE Ropati Pitoitua (Chiefs), DT Sammie Lee Hill (Lions), LB Moise Fokou (Colts), S Bernard Pollard (Ravens), S George Wilson (Bills)

Washington Redskins

Key Losses: LB Lorenzo Alexander (Cardinals)

Draft Pick-ups: CB David Amerson, TE Jordan Reed, SS Phillip Thomas, RB Chris Thompson, OLB Brandon Jenkins, FS Baccari Rambo, RB Jawan Jamison

Free Agent Pick-ups: DE Darryl Tapp (Eagles), DT Ron Brace (Patriots), CB E.J. Biggers (Bucs), WR Donte Stallworth

The Sad Story of Titus Young

After being arrested three times in one week, the story of Titus Young appears to be more than just one of a troubled young man, but of a man struggling with mental illness.

Young was first arrested for a DUI, and later that same day arrested for trying to break into an impound lot to retrieve his impounded vehicle. The end of the week saw him arrested again this time for breaking into a home and assaulting a police officer. He was being held on $75,000 bond.

After the last arrest Young's father spoke out advising the media that his son suffered from mental illness. Former teammate Stephen Tulloch also spoke of seeing paperwork about Young's mental illness. The focus on Young now has changed from one of laughs to one of sympathy. Is Young another young man who has suffered from a brain injury and now has some mental illness because of it.

In recent years the impact of what multiple concussions and brain collisions can do to the brain of football players. The dementia of many former players and the suicide of several others has made this issue even more important and relevant in recent years. Every time a player steps out onto the field he risks suffering a concussion and potentially suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, dementia, alzheimers or other mental disorders in their later years.

Young played through high school, college and his two years in the NFL. His chances of having suffered a concussion in any of those years are enormous. The chance his disorder stems from a concussion cannot be known for sure. Whether or not this is the case, it is clear that Young is in need of help, and a league bent on trying to improve their image and lessen the issue of what concussions do to players in the long run, should help him. The league is not obligated to help everyone, but they should feel a moral obligation to help those that this game helps to destroy.