Unlike the chaos that's emerged from the trades of Russell Wilson, Carson Wentz and Khalil Mack over the past 48 hours, the NFL's 2022 free agency period got off to an unassuming start that saw most of the biggest names get removed from the open market before they got a chance to officially hit it. The likes of Davante Adams, Chris Godwin, Jessie Bates, Orlando Brown Jr. and pretty much every young tight end that was even semi-productive in 2021 (Mike Gesicki, Dalton Schultz, David Njoku) were given the franchise tags by their respective teams and a couple of guys (Mike Williams, Harold Landry) agreed to long-term deals with the teams that drafted them. So, who's entering the wining and dining pool that opens on Monday when the legal tampering period begins? For starters, there's some veteran edge talent who will be looking to further expand their Super Bowl ring collections (Chandler Jones, Von Miller, Jason Pierre-Paul). Then, there's of course the standard offering of young quarterbacks that were drafted high back in the day (Mitch Trubisky, Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota) that somebody will kick the tires on out of sheer desperation. Lastly (in terms of broad categories of players at least), there's a plethora of young secondary talent (J.C. Jackson, Carlton Davis, Marcus Williams) that will be looking to finally cash out. Here are the 10 players in this free agency class that I believe are the best available.
10.Bobby Wagner, inside linebacker (2021 team: Seattle Seahawks)
Wagner became the 2nd causality of what seems like the start of a rebuild for the Seahawks when he was released mere hours after Russell Wilson was traded to the Broncos. While the 8x All-Pro isn't the field-spanning menace he was as recently as a few years ago, his sure tackling, intelligence and durability would make him a welcome addition to any playoff hopeful that's looking to sure up the middle of their defense.
Possible Destinations: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Chargers, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins
9.Tyrann Mathieu, safety (2021 team: Kansas City Chiefs)
The market for Mathieu is going to be interesting to watch as he's about to turn 30 and is a notoriously erratic player that can be a bit of a roller coaster ride on a play-to-play basis. His willingness to aid in run support and downright lethal ball skills when he's on his game could make him a nice value play for the Chiefs or another contending team.
Possible Destinations: Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Rams, Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles
8.Brandon Scherff, guard (2021 team: Washington Commanders)
Commanders GM Martin Mayhew has all but confirmed that they're not going to re-sign Scherff in recent weeks, which is kind of dense-especially now that they're bringing in an injury-prone QB in Carson Wentz. The 30-year-old is just a year removed from an All-Pro bid and is an absolute rock in the middle of the line who has the athleticism and nastiness to kick over to right tackle if need be. Even if it's only on a 2 or 3-year deal, expect Scherff to be a top 5 highest-paid guard in the league come next week.
Possible Destinations: Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Minnesota Vikings, Las Vegas Raiders, Chicago Bears
7.Chandler Jones, edge rusher (2021 team: Arizona Cardinals)
Although his sack total dipped down to 10.5 in 2021-which is somehow his lowest total in a season where he appeared in more than 10 games since his rookie campaign in 2012, Jones can still be really disruptive when he's unleashed as a pure pass-rusher and could really excel if he chooses to leave a Cardinals team where he's the only real threat to get after the quarterback.
Possible Destinations: Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Rams
6.Carlton Davis, cornerback (2021 team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Davis might not have the same degree of ball productivity (52 passes defensed and 6 INT's in 51 games compared to Jackson's 53 passes defensed and 25 INT's in 62 games) or lockdown potential as this class's perceived top corner prize J.C. Jackson, but he's a smart, physical outside corner who rarely gets overmatched and is still young enough (25) to further solidify his game.
Possible Destinations: New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Minnesota Vikings, Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks, Baltimore Ravens
5.Allen Robinson, wide receiver (2021 team: Chicago Bears)
A truly awful 2021 season may cut into the amount of money he gets on his next deal, but that shouldn't prevent Robinson from having a huge list of suitors-especially with Adams, Godwin and Mike Williams not hitting the open market. Robinson has a versatile game (great hands, good route runner at all levels of the field, has the physicality, focus and leaping ability required to excel in contested catch situations, can lineup outside or in the slot) that make him a natural fit for just about any offense in the league and his consistent track record of producing with poor-to-middling quarterback play makes him a prime bounceback candidate for 2022 and beyond.
Possible Destinations: New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, Washington Commanders, Las Vegas Raiders, Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Detroit Lions
4.Von Miller, edge rusher (2021 teams: Denver Broncos/Los Angeles Rams)
Miller proved he's got plenty of gas left in the tank with his dominant play during the Rams Super Bowl run (4 sacks, 6 TFL's, 6 QB hits, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery) and there's no reason to believe that he couldn't continue to play like that for the Rams or another contending team that would benefit from adding a monstrous edge rusher to their front 7 rotation.
Possible Destinations: Los Angeles Rams, Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts
3.J.C. Jackson, cornerback (2021 team: New England Patriots)
Everybody knows the risks that come with signing Jackson to a huge deal. His track record against elite receivers isn't exactly terrific (Stefon Diggs' beatdown of him in December 2020 was brutal to watch) and he undoubtedly benefited from playing in a Patriots secondary that's been among the best in the league since he got there in 2018. However, a guy that is not only the league leader in INT's from 2019-21, but has only allowed 51.8% of the passes thrown in his direction in 4 NFL seasons to be completed has earned the payday that's coming to him and should be viewed as a potential game-changing acquisition for whoever lands him.
Possible Destinations: San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets, Las Vegas Raiders, Chicago Bears, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Minnesota Vikings
2.Marcus Williams, safety (2021 team: New Orleans Saints)
As the Saints enter a rebuilding phase, re-signing a 25 going on 26-year-old ballhawk safety should be at the top of their priority list. The problem is that they are stuck in cap hell and will likely have new ownership by the time the 2023 season rolls around, and that brutal combination of uncertainty could drive Williams to leave NOLA behind. If that proves to be the case, any and every team that lacks a dynamic safety should be all in on Williams.
Possible Destinations: New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, New York Giants, Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars
1.Terron Armstead, tackle (2021 team: New Orleans Saints)
A tendency to regularly miss time with injuries paired with the fact that he's entering his age 31 season should cause some hesitation for the many tackle-needy teams out there to go after Armstead. With that being said, Armstead is a top 3 left tackle in the league when he's healthy and the rarity in which a true o-line anchor hits the market makes the considerable risk that comes with signing him worth taking.
Possible Destinations: New Orleans Saints, Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots
Other Notable Free Agents:
A.J. Cann, guard (2021 team: Jacksonville Jaguars)
A.J. Green, wide receiver (2021 team: Arizona Cardinals)
A.J. Johnson, inside linebacker (2021 team: Denver Broncos)
Ahkello Whiterspoon, cornerback (2021 team: Pittsburgh Steelers)
Akiem Hicks, defensive tackle (2021 team: Chicago Bears)
Alec Ogletree, inside linebacker (2021 team: Chicago Bears)
Alex Cappa, guard (2021 team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Andrew Norwell, guard (2021 team: Jacksonville Jaguars)
Andrew Wylie, guard (2021 team: Kansas City Chiefs)
Andy Dalton, quarterback (2021 team: Chicago Bears)
Andy Janovich, fullback (2021 team: Cleveland Browns)
Andy Lee, punter (2021 team: Arizona Cardinals)
Anthony Barr, outside linebacker (2021 team: Minnesota Vikings)
Anthony Harris, safety (2021 team: Philadelphia Eagles)
Anthony Walker Jr., inside linebacker (2021 team: Cleveland Browns)
Arden Key, edge rusher (2021 team: San Francisco 49ers)
Artie Burns, cornerback (2021 team:
Chicago Bears)
Austin Corbett, guard (2021 team: Los Angeles Rams)
B.J. Hill, defensive tackle (2021 team: Cincinnati Bengals)
Ben Jones, center (2021 team: Tennessee Titans)
Bilal Nichols, defensive tackle/end (2021 team: Chicago Bears)
Blaine Gabbert, quarterback (2021 team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Bobby Massie, tackle (2021 team: Denver Broncos)
Bradley Bozeman, guard/center (2021 team: Baltimore Ravens)
Brandon Shell, tackle (2021 team: Seattle Seahawks)
Brandon Williams, defensive tackle (2021 team: Baltimore Ravens)
Braxton Berrios, wide receiver (2021 team: New York Jets)
Brian Allen, center (2021 team: Los
Angeles Rams)
Brian Hoyer, quarterback (2021 team: New England Patriots)
Bryan Anger, punter (2021 team: Dallas Cowboys)
Bryce Callahan, cornerback (2021 team: Denver Broncos)
Byron Pringle, wide receiver (2021 team: Kansas City Chiefs)
C.J. Uzomah, tight end (2021 team: Cincinnati Bengals)
Calias Campbell, defensive tackle/end (2021 team: Baltimore Ravens)
Cam Newton, quarterback (2021 team: Carolina Panthers)
Casey Hayward Jr., cornerback (2021 team: Las Vegas Raiders)
Cedrick Wilson, wide receiver (2021 team: Dallas Cowboys)
Charles Harris, edge rusher (2021 team: Detroit Lions)
Charvarius Ward, cornerback (2021 team: Kansas City Chiefs)
Chase Daniel, quarterback (2021 team: Los Angeles Chargers)
Chase Edmonds, running back (2021 team: Arizona Cardinals)
Chris Harris Jr., cornerback (2021 team: Los Angles Chargers)
Christian Kirk, wide receiver (2021 team: Arizona Cardinals)
Colt McCoy, quarterback (2021 team: Arizona Cardinals)
Connor Williams, guard (2021 team: Dallas Cowboys)
Cordarrelle Patterson, wide receiver/running back/kick returner (2021 team: Atlanta Falcons)
Corey Bojorquez, punter (2021 team: Green Bay Packers)
Cornelius Lucas, tackle (2021 team: Washington Commanders)
D.J. Chark, wide receiver (2021 team: Jacksonville Jaguars)
D.J. Jones, defensive tackle (2021 team: San Francisco 49ers)
D.J. Reed, cornerback (2021 team: Seattle Seahawks)
Daniel Sorensen, safety (2021 team: Kansas City Chiefs)
Dante Fowler, edge rusher (2021 team: Atlanta Falcons)
Darious Williams, cornerback (2021 team: Los Angeles Rams)
Darrel Williams, running back (2021 team: Kansas City Chiefs)
De'Vondre Campbell, inside linebacker (2021 team: Green Bay Packers)
DeShon Elliott, safety (2021 team: Baltimore Ravens)
Dennis Kelly, tackle (2021 team: Green Bay Packers)
Derek Barnett, edge rusher (2021 team: Philadelphia Eagles)
Desmond King, cornerback (2021 team: Houston Texans)
Devin McCourty, safety (2021 team: New England Patriots)
Dont'a Hightower, inside linebacker (2021 team: New England Patriots)
Donte Jackson, cornerback (2021 team: Carolina Panthers)
Duane Brown, tackle (2021 team: Seattle Seahawks)
Duron Harmon, safety (2021 team: Atlanta Falcons)
Dustin Colquitt, punter (2021 team: Cleveland Browns)
Dustin Hopkins, kicker (2021 teams: Washington Commanders/Los Angeles Chargers)
Eli Apple, cornerback (2021 team: Cincinnati Bengals)
Emmanuel Ogbah, edge rusher (2021 team: Miami Dolphins)
Emmanuel Sanders, wide receiver (2021 team: Buffalo Bills)
Eric Ebron, tight end (2021 team: Pittsburgh Steelers)
Eric Fisher, tackle (2021 team: Indianapolis Colts)
Ethan Pocic, center/guard (2021 team: Seattle Seahawks)
Evan Engram, tight end (2021 team: New York Giants)
Folorunso Fatusaki, defensive tackle (2021 team: New York Jets)
Foyesade Olokun, inside/outside linebacker (2021 team: Atlanta Falcons)
Gerald Everett, tight end (2021 team: Seattle Seahawks)
Germain Ifedi, guard/tackle (2021 team:
Chicago Bears)
Hasson Reddick, edge rusher (2021 team: Carolina Panthers)
Hayden Hurst, tight end (2021 team: Atlanta Falcons)
Isaiah Oliver, cornerback (2021 team: Atlanta Falcons)
J.D. McKissic, running back (2021 team: Washington Commanders)
Jabrill Peppers, safety (2021 team: New York Giants)
Jacoby Brissett, quarterback (2021 team: Miami Dolphins)
Jadeveon Clowney, edge rusher (2021 team: Cleveland Browns)
Jakeem Grant, wide receiver/kick returner (2021 teams: Miami Dolphins/Chicago Bears)
Jameis Winston, quarterback (2021 team: New Orleans Saints)
James Conner, running back (2021 team: Arizona Cardinals)
James Daniels, guard (2021 team: Chicago Bears)
James White, running back (2021 team: New England Patriots)
Jamie Collins, outside linebacker (2021 teams: Detroit Lions/New England Patriots)
Jamison Crowder, wide receiver (2021 team: New York Jets)
Jaquiski Tartt, safety (2021 team: San Francisco 49ers)
Jared Cook, tight end (2021 team: Los Angeles Chargers)
Jason McCourty, safety/cornerback (2021 team: Miami Dolphins)
Jason Peters, tackle (2021 team: Chicago Bears)
Jason Pierre-Paul, edge rusher (2021 team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Jason Verrett, cornerback (2021 team: San Francisco 49ers)
Jayon Brown, inside linebacker (2021 team: Tennessee Titans)
Jayron Kearse, safety (2021 team: Dallas Cowboys)
Jerry Hughes, edge rusher (2021 team: Buffalo Bills)
Jimmy Graham, tight end (2021 team: Chicago Bears)
Joe Flacco, quarterback (2021 team: New York Jets)
Joe Haden, cornerback (2021 team: Pittsburgh Steelers)
Joe Noteboom, tackle (2021 team: Los Angeles Rams)
John Miller, guard (2021 team: Carolina Panthers)
Jordan Berry, punter (2021 team: Minnesota Vikings)
Jordan Hicks, inside linebacker (2021 team: Arizona Cardinals)
Jordan Whitehead, safety (2021 team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Josey Jewell, inside linebacker (2021 team: Denver Broncos)
JuJu Smith-Schuster, wide receiver (2021 team: Pittsburgh Steelers)
Justin Britt, center (2021 team: Houston Texans)
Justin Coleman, cornerback (2021 team: Miami Dolphins)
Justin Houston, edge rusher (2021 team: Baltimore Ravens)
Justin Jackson, running back (2021 team: Los Angeles Chargers)
Justin Reid, safety (2021 team: Houston Texans)
K.J. Wright, outside linebacker (2021 team: Las Vegas Raiders)
K'Waun Williams, cornerback (2021 team: San Francisco 49ers)
Kareem Jackson, safety (2021 team: Denver Broncos)
Keanu Neal, inside linebacker/safety (2021 team: Dallas Cowboys)
Keelan Cole, wide receiver (2021 team: New York Jets)
Kevin Huber, punter (2021 team: Cincinnati Bengals)
Kevin King, cornerback (2021 team:
Green Bay Packers)
Kyle Fuller, cornerback (2021 team: Denver Broncos)
Kyle Van Noy, inside/outside linebacker (2021 team: New England Patriots)
Kyzir White, inside/outside linebacker (2021 team: Los Angeles Chargers)
Laken Tomlinson, guard (2021 team: San Francisco 49ers)
Landon Collins, safety (2021 team: Washington Commanders)
Larry Ogunjobi, defensive tackle (2021 team: Cincinnati Bengals)
Leighton Vander Esch, inside/outside linebacker (2021 team: Dallas Cowboys)
Leonard Fournette, running back (2021 team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Levi Wallace, cornerback (2021 team: Buffalo Bills)
Linval Joseph, defensive tackle (2021 team: Los Angeles Chargers)
Lorenzo Carter, edge rusher (2021 team: New York Giants)
Maliek Collins, defensive tackle (2021 team: Houston Texans)
Malik Jackson, defensive tackle (2021 team: Cleveland Browns)
Marcus Mariota, quarterback (2021 team: Las Vegas Raiders)
Marcus Maye, safety (2021 team: New York Jets)
Mario Addison, defensive end (2021 team: Buffalo Bills)
Mark Glowinski, guard (2021 team: Indianapolis Colts)
Marquez Valdez-Scandling, wide receiver (2021 team: Green Bay Packers)
Mason Cole, center/guard (2021 team: Minnesota Vikings)
Matt Paradis, center (2021 team:
Carolina Panthers)
Melvin Gordon, running back (2021 team: Denver Broncos)
Melvin Ingram, edge rusher (2021 teams:
Pittsburgh Steelers/Kansas City Chiefs)
Michael Badgley, kicker (2021 teams: Tennessee Titans/Indianapolis Colts)
Michael Gallup, wide receiver (2021 team: Dallas Cowboys)
Michael Parlardy, punter (2021 team: Miami Dolphins)
Mike Hughes, cornerback (2021 team: Kansas City Chiefs)
Mike Remmers, tackle (2021 team: Kansas City Chiefs)
Mitch Trubisky, quarterback (2021 team: Buffalo Bills)
Mo Alie-Cox, tight end (2021 team:
Indianapolis Colts)
Morgan Moses, tackle (2021 team: New York Jets)
Nate Solder, tackle (2021 team: New York Giants)
Ndamukong Suh, defensive tackle/end (2021 team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Nick Folk, kicker (2021 team: New England Patriots)
Nick Mullens, quarterback (2021 team: Cleveland Browns)
O.J. Howard, tight end (2021 team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Odell Beckham Jr., wide receiver (2021 teams: Cleveland Browns/Los Angeles Rams)
Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, edge rusher (2021 team: Los Angeles Rams)
P.J. Williams, safety/cornerback (2021 team: New Orleans Saints)
Pat O'Donnell, punter (2021 team:
Chicago Bears)
Patrick Peterson, cornerback (2021 team: Minnesota Vikings)
Patrick Ricard, fullback (2021 team: Baltimore Ravens)
Quandre Diggs, safety (2021 team: Seattle Seahawks)
Quinton Jefferson, defensive tackle (2021 team: Las Vegas Raiders)
Quinton Spain, guard (2021 team:
Cincinnati Bengals)
Randy Bullock, kicker (2021 team: Tennessee Titans)
Randy Gregory, edge rusher (2021 team: Dallas Cowboys)
Rashaad Penny, running back (2021 team: Seattle Seahawks)
Rasul Douglas, cornerback (2021 team: Green Bay Packers)
Richard Sherman, cornerback (2021 team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Riley Reiff, tackle (2021 team: Cincinnati Bengals)
Rob Gronkowski, tight end (2021 team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Robert Alford, cornerback (2021 team: Arizona Cardinals)
Robert Tonyan, tight end (2021 team: Green Bay Packers)
Rodney McLeod, safety (2021 team: Philadelphia Eagles)
Ronnie Harrison, safety (2021 team: Cleveland Browns)
Russell Gage, wide receiver (2021 team: Atlanta Falcons)
Ryan Jensen, center (2021 team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Sammy Watkins, wide receiver (2021 team: Baltimore Ravens)
Sebastian Joseph-Day, defensive tackle
(2021 team: Los Angeles Rams)
Sheldon Richardson, defensive tackle (2021 team: Minnesota Vikings)
Sidney Jones, cornerback (2021 team: Seattle Seahawks)
Sony Michel, running back (2021 team: Los Angeles Rams)
Stephon Gilmore, cornerback (2021 teams: New England Patriots/Carolina Panthers)
Steven Nelson, cornerback (2021 team: Philadelphia Eagles)
T.Y Hilton, wide receiver (2021 team: Indianapolis Colts)
Tashaun Gibson, safety (2021 team: Chicago Bears)
Ted Karras, center/guard (2021 team: New England Patriots)
Teddy Bridgewater, quarterback (2021 team: Denver Broncos)
Terrell Edmunds, safety (2021 team: Pittsburgh Steelers)
Thomas Morstead, punter (2021 teams: New York Jets/Atlanta Falcons)
Tracy Walker, safety (2021 team: Detroit Lions)
Trai Turner, guard (2021 team: Pittsburgh Steelers)
Trent Brown, tackle (2021 team: New England Patriots)
Trevor Siemian, quarterback (2021 team: New Orleans Saints)
Trey Flowers, defensive end (2021 team: Detroit Lions)
Tyler Conklin, tight end (2021 team: Minnesota Vikings)
Tyrod Taylor, quarterback (2021 team: Houston Texans)
Uchenna Nwosu, edge rusher (2021 team: Los Angeles Chargers)
Whitney Mercilus, edge rusher (2021 teams: Houston Texans/Green Bay Packers)
Will Fuller, wide receiver (2021 team: Miami Dolphins)
Will Hernandez, guard (2021 team: New York Giants)
William Gholston, defensive end (2021 team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Xavier Rhodes, cornerback (2021 team: Indianapolis Colts)
Xavier Woods, safety (2021 team:
Minnesota Vikings)
Zach Ertz, tight end (2021 teams: Philadelphia Eagles/Arizona Cardinals)
Zach Pascal, wide receiver (2021 team: Indianapolis Colts)
No comments:
Post a Comment