2016 NFL free agency: Where will Tashaun Gipson go?
In 2016 NFL free agency, Tashaun Gipson could be an underrated pickup for a defense in need.
The Cleveland Browns starting safety is set to hit free agency after his fourth year in the league. The past three he has been their starting free safety, and for a team with a plethora of problems, he wasn’t one of them. His play has been noticed and due to his age he is going to be one of the most sought after free agent safeties on the market this year.
Vitals
Age: 25
Notable: 14 career interceptions
Pro Bowls: 1
All-Pro Teams: 0
Contract comparison
Gipson should be looking at a guy like Mike Mitchell to compare his contract to. Mitchell hit free agency at age 26, and the Steelers inked him to a five-year, $25 million deal in 2014.
Gipson plays the same position as Mitchell, and the two are about in the same tier of player. Gipson is a bit more of a ball hawk, and Mitchell was not coming off of his rookie deal, having been cut by the Raiders the year before. However, that showed in the fact that the Steelers gave him only one of his five years guaranteed, so that may be where Gipson sees his difference in pay.
Estimate: 5 year/$28 million/ $10 million guaranteed
Will he stay?
The Browns would like to hold onto Gipson, but it is hard to see it happening. Gipson has mentioned he is excited to test the market, and coming from Cleveland there is a good chance a lot of these franchises look much more functional. The Browns would more than likely have to outbid teams rather than get a hometown discount at this point, therefore making it tough to see.
If he goes?
The New York Giants are a team that may come calling. They have Landon Collins, but he is a much better player in the box. It gives them a need for a center field type player, which is exactly what Gipson was playing next to Donte Whitner. The Giants have a good amount of cap space right now, and Gipson would be a nice addition for the group moving forward.
The Oakland Raiders also have a vacancy at free safety. Charles Woodson retiring is a blow to the Raiders in that he was one of the best players in their secondary, even in his last year. The Raiders and their fan base believe they can win now with their young core, and they also have a bunch of cap space to work with. With Gipson still being young he would be a good addition to the core.
The Tennessee Titans are another team with a young core that may look to the safety. They cut Michael Griffin this off-season saving $6 million, but they remain empty at free safety. What that says is that they are rebuilding with a young core and the 31-year-old Griffin wasn’t in the plan. Paying a 25 year old like Gipson something similar to what they would have paid Griffin this year is a smart way to build a young team around Marcus Mariota, without relying solely on the draft.