The NBA has been stealing the limelight as of late with all of the players moves the last week or so. It has been quiet on the free agency front in the NFL. Once training camp gets going here in a few weeks, we’ll see some of the more prominent named veterans reach deals with teams. That usually happens once the “grind” of camp is over with. Veterans have been doing this for years.
Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report recently predicted where the remaining free agents would sign. There is plenty of talent out there. If I could pluck one player, it’d be Morris Claiborne. The cornerback is dependable and consistent. Not to mention you won’t see the mental mistakes from the veteran who understands and thrives in a zone defense.
The article predicts he’ll go to Tampa Bay. Sobleski also believes Eric Berry will go to Dallas. Here’s what he said about Boston:
Tre Boston knows what he wants and is willing to wait for a contract offer that reflects his valuation.
“It’s all about knowing your worth,” Boston told Adam Fisher of the Fort Myers News-Press. “I know I’m going to go out (this season) and do something I did last year—play well with the opportunity I’m given.”
To Boston’s credit, his play over the last two seasons made him into one of the game’s best pure free safeties. According to Pro Football Focus, opponents targeted Boston 30 times in pass coverage last season, and he defended (breakups or interceptions) 10 of those. Boston ranks fourth in the PFF era with a 41.5 percent defensive success rating among safeties.
Boston told Fisher he already turned down “many, many” contract offers.
According to a recent interview on Sirius XM NFL Radio (h/t Fisher), the 27-year-old defender expects a deal similar to those of Adrian Amos and Lamarcus Joyner—both of whom signed free-agent contracts this offseason at $36 and $42 million in total value, respectively.
“I waited last year,” he said. “I can do it all over again.”
The San Francisco 49ers are an ideal fit for three reasons. First, they need help at free safety since Jimmie Ward is injured again. Second, Boston is the type of sideline-to-sideline backline defender required in coordinator Robert Saleh’s Seattle Seahawks-inspired scheme. Finally, the 49ers’ $31.6 million in available salary-cap space gives the franchise more than enough wiggle room to meet Boston’s demands.
Boston hasn’t been shy about letting the public know he wants to be appreciated. Even Boston’s most vocal supporters would tell you a contract in the ballpark of Amos/Joyner is too costly. Boston should be on a roster, and if the 49ers offer him a fair deal, he should take it.
Boston is a scheme fit and could be signed for cheap. It’s up to Boston if he’s willing to sign, though. That is if the Niners are even interested. Jimmie Ward should return before the season starts. Tarvarius Moore should ascend up the depth chart, the more comfortable he gets at free safety. To me, the question is Moore or Boston? The unknown of Moore and his untapped potential make me lean towards Tarvarius.