Since this is an article geared towards the best fantasy landing spot for a particular player we will forego the pleasantries of whether or not a team can actually afford to sign a certain player and focus on why he would be an ideal fit. Let's leave the financial situations to the real general managers and enjoy an unencumbered look at Individual Defensive Player (IDP) fantasy fits for teams while not being bothered by such trivial matters as a salary cap. Hey, it's called fantasy football for a reason.
Nick Barnett, OLB, Buffalo: The Detroit Lions recently brought in former Buffalo strong safety George Wilson for a free agent visit and would be wise to keep that Buffalo pipeline open and get on the phone with another cap casualty in Barnett.
Both DeAndre Levy and Justin Durant are free agents heading into 2013, and, rather than dance with the devil, you know the Lions would be well served to bring in Barnett and his versatile skill set.
After suffering a wrist injury that would limit him to only playing four games back in 2010 (his last season in Green Bay) Barnett has racked up 150 solos and 242 total tackles over the past two seasons in Buffalo. He's also added five sacks; four forced fumbles while intercepting three passes and returning one for a touchdown.
In that same two-year time frame Levy and Durant have combined for only 2.5 sacks, two interceptions and a pair of forced fumbles on a Detroit defense that has struggled mightily against the run.
While the obvious choice for Barnett to replace would be Levy as both have manned the WLB over the past couple of years, Barnett is capable of adjusting to any scheme and manned an inside linebacker position for years in Green Bay.
Barnett will be 32 in May but still has some tread on his tires and actually finished as a Top 10 4-3 outside linebacker in Pro Football Focus' 2012 rankings. He would be a perfect stopgap signing for the Lions as youngsters Travis Lewis and Tahir Whitehead continue to develop.
Lining up next to Stephen Tulloch in 2013 would give the Lions a pair of solid, proven linebackers to mentor the youngsters while racking up very nice tackle numbers. Barnett would have the real possibility of finishing as a Top 20 fantasy linebacker in 2013 if he should sign in Detroit.
Anthony Spencer, OLB, Dallas: Spencer finally emerged from the shadow of DeMarcus Ware and posted a career-high 11 sacks last season while playing with a pectoral strain that limited him to 14 games. He would...