Veteran corners Brandon Flowers, Chris Houston released

Two of the league's recently top corners are now free agents. The Kansas City Chiefs have released sixth-year Pro Bowl cornerback, Brandon Flowers and the Lions have released veteran cornerback, Chris Houston.

Both Flowers and Houston signed new deals last year. Houston signed a 5-year, $25 million contract and Flowers re-negotiated his contract.

Flowers was a Pro Bowler last season and was widely considered one of the best corners in the league. He was being shopped by the Chiefs in trade this off-season, bit they had no takers. The disgruntled corner sat out all of voluntary OTA's and with the team set to begin mandatory minicamp, something needed to be done immediately.

Houston was a cap casualty for the most part. The Lions needed room to sign first round pick, tight end Eric Ebron, so Houston and his $3.5 million 2014 salary were sent packing. Houston had off-season toe surgery and the team felt he would need a great deal of rehabilitation time.

Suddenly there are two very good cornerbacks on the market and the Raiders have over $10 million in cap money to spend should they want to sign one to help bolster their secondary.

The Raidres have D.J. Hayden -- who is coming off injury from last season -- as a projected starter on one side and free agent additions from the 49ers, Tarell Brown and Carlos Rogers, to play the other two cornerback positions. So, it would seem the position is crowded at the moment. Then again Rogers will be 33 in July, Brown is on a one-year contract, and competition is always a good thing. So, you just never know.

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