Top landing spots for Darrelle Revis

Darrelle Revis is one of the best players over the last decade in the National Football League. The New England Patriots cornerback has been named a first-team All-Pro four times, a Pro Bowl six times, and won a Super Bowl in February due in large part to his terrific play.

After eight seasons with three teams and at 29 years old, Revis is about to hit the free-agent market for the second times in as many years. New England has the ability to exercise a $20 million option for 2015, but don’t expect that to happen. In all likelihood, Revis will be shopping his talents once again, with his current employer very much interested in the bidding war.

Let’s look at a few teams Revis may wind up with:

1. New England Patriots

While this is the most boring for many, it is also the best bet. The Patriots are up against the cap and likely watching Devin McCourty take his considerable skills elsewhere. With McCourty leaving, New England will not allow the other star member of its vaunted secondary to depart without a substantial offer.

Revis may command somewhere in the three-year, $45 million range with half the money guaranteed. It would be a tough financial pill for the Patriots to swallow, but it is possible provided some cash is moved around. Revis and head coach Bill Belichick seem to have a good relationship, something which means plenty around Foxboro.

2. Buffalo Bills

Rex Ryan coached Revis from 2009-12 with the New York Jets, twice reaching the AFC Championship game. Ryan is known as a loyal guy and with his program just getting started with the Bills, could be looking to bring in a familiar face. Revis is a perfect fit for Ryan’s aggressive scheme, which calls for corners to often by left on an island man-to-man.

After acquiring LeSean McCoy on Tuesday night from the Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo has $17.7 million in cap space with only Jerry Hughes to retain as a priority free agent.

3. Philadelphia Eagles

Chip Kelly appears hellbent on spending like a madman in free agency so he can trade a bevy of draft picks for Marcus Mariota. Philadelphia released starting corner Cary Williams and has no intention of bringing back Bradley Fletcher, giving it two gaping holes on the outside.

Revis would be a nice fit for Kelly. The Eagles have $48.6 million in cap space, so bringing Revis on would not be a problem from a financial standpoint. Revis is also from Pennsylvania, perhaps another edge for the Eagles in this race.

About Matt Verderame

Matt Verderame, 26, is a New Yorker who went to school at the frozen tundra of SUNY Oswego. After graduating, Verderame has worked for Gannett and SB Nation among other ventures.

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