With Jairus Byrd and TJ Ward highlighting the safeties free agency pool, Donte Whitner appears to be the forgotten man. The veteran has bounced around from team to team over recent years, but is coming off a productive 2013 where he recorded 73 tackles and two interceptions with the San Francisco 49ers. Now a free agent once again, Whitner is preparing to move teams, but might have to be patient on the market.
Right now, any team being linked to Whitner is also interested in Byrd and Ward. Decisions could come down to contract demands as both safeties are requesting heavy pay raises in 2014. Byrd is reportedly seeking a deal that will earn him around $9 million per season on a multi-year contract. That is a lot of money to give one player who is not a quarterback or wide receiver. Any team unwilling to pay that amount of money will look Whitner's way.
The Atlanta Falcons could be an option for the safety. The Atlanta Journal Constitution has Whitner on the team's free agency wish list. The Falcons have recently released safety Asante Samuel and are prepared to do the same with Thomas DeCoud. Both moves were salary cap casualties as the Falcons are trying to be wise with their available cash considering players like Julio Jones and Roddy White need extensions.
Whitner would certainly be a strong upgrade for the Falcons. While he may not have all the Pro Bowls that Byrd does, he is an excellent fallback option. The issue could be availability. Anyone realizing Byrd or Ward are an unrealistic signing will want Whitner. The Falcons would be wise to try and sign him sooner rather than later.
Accord the Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle, outside of the Falcons, the Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns and New York Jets are also interested in Whitner, but again, only if Byrd or Ward are unavailable.
The Jets already have Dawan Landry and Antonio Allen covering the backfield so it seems unlikely Whitner would head to a crowded roster group. The Bears need to replace Major Wright and the Browns are looking to replace departing Ward with a cheaper option. Much like other position groups, Whitner will have to wait while other players dictate the market for safeties and then he will find his landing spot.
