Eric Barton

Barton will add needed depth to the Browns' linebacking corps which, outside of D'Qwell Jackson, struggled in 2008. Barton had 119 tackles for the Jets in 2008, making him a good candidate to pick up more. Also, the fact he played in new head coach Eric Mangini's 3-4 scheme in New York doesn't hurt his cause one bit.

While he still has the ability to get to the quarterback, he does not log nearly the number of tackles that he used to and probably should be ignored in IDP leagues.

A series of injuries cost him three months in 2005. When he's healthy he's a capable player, but don't look for Barton at the Pro Bowl.

He was an excellent free agent pickup at linebacker, leading the team in tackles with 107. He will once again team with Jonathan Vilma to provide solid run support from the linebacking position.

Barton’s two years as a starter in Oakland are a tale of two seasons. In 2002, he added six sacks, two picks and three forced fumbles to 97 solo tackles. Last year, he produced just a half sack and a forced fumble to go with 101 tackles. He moves to a Jets team this year that desperately needs his efficient play to help replace the decrepit Mo Lewis and Marvin Jones. Next to Sam Cowart and rookie Jonathan Vilma, both vying for time in the middle, the not-so-athletic Barton may be at risk to lose some tackles, and with the drastic change in playmaking, is somewhat risky to repeat as a top-20 linebacker.

Barton put up big numbers across the board in 2002, recording 95 tackles, six sacks and two interceptions in his first year as a starter. If middle linebacker Napoleon Harris develops in his second year, he could cut into Barton's tackles.