2016 NFL free agency: Who signs Cam Thomas?

Who signs nose tackle Cam Thomas in 2016 NFL free agency?

The position of nose tackle is quickly starting to lose its place in the NFL. It’s an incredibly underrated position where it is hard to compile stats and much of the value of a nose tackle comes from things that aren’t on a score sheet. One of the better ones in the NFL is Cam Thomas. After two years with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Thomas will be a free agent.

Vitals

Age: 29
Notable stat: 113 tackles in 85 career games
All-Pro teams: 0
Pro Bowls: 0

Contract comparison

Thomas will likely have to sign a one year deal to prove himself after a rather disappointing 2015 season. He had just 11 tackles in 16 games during the regular season and had just two tackles in two postseason games. Not the kind of season that Cam Thomas wanted to have in his contract year.

It’s hard to find a solid nose tackle so Thomas will still have suitors. Still, that limits him to just teams that play a 3-4 defense. A one year deal makes a lot of sense for Thomas. He could rebuild his value and potentially parlay it into a larger contract.

Estimate: 1 year/$4 million/$1 million guaranteed

Will he stay?

Having a bad season might mean that Thomas will have no choice but to stay in Pittsburgh. That said, Daniel McCullers has rendered Thomas a surplus in black and yellow. There will be a reasonable market for Thomas so unless he can’t find any better offers, expect Thomas to spend the 2016 season in a different jersey.

If he leaves…

There are several teams that run a 3-4 defense that will be looking for a nose tackle in 2016. After parting ways with Terrance Knighton, the Washington Redskins will be looking to add a nose tackle that won’t cost them much money.

Cam Thomas is an obvious fit there. The Green Bay Packers could use some depth behind B.J. Raji. Ironically, the same team that drafted Thomas (the San Diego Chargers) could use Thomas as he would be an upgrade over their current options.