The preliminary frenzy of 2024 NFL free company has slowed, however loads of worthwhile gamers are nonetheless available on the market.
Whereas many signings at this stage of free company are largely for depth functions, large receivers Tyler Boyd and Mike Williams and security Justin Simmons are among the many potential high-impact additions who nonetheless want a brand new contract.
And so, the large query: The place will they land?
That reply is not so easy contemplating the distinction in priorities for every participant. Does he need to land a big-money contract, or does he need to compete for a Tremendous Bowl? We would not have an ideal understanding of a participant’s choice, both.
Consequently, we’re doing one of the best with the data at hand—and a few suspicions—to determine most closely fits for essentially the most intriguing free brokers left available on the market.
Are you a useful large receiver? The Arizona Cardinals may use your help.
Mike Williams is recovering from a torn left ACL, but he is arguably one of the best wideout who stays obtainable in free company. The Los Angeles Chargers launched the veteran earlier than his age-30 marketing campaign due to a cap crunch, however he is nonetheless deserving of a considerable contract.
Arizona just lately dealt wideout Rondale Moore to the Atlanta Falcons in change for quarterback Desmond Ridder, and No. 1 receiver Marquise Brown simply signed with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. Even when the Cardinals spend the No. 4 general decide on Ohio State wideout Marvin Harrison Jr., they might profit from bolstering Kyler Murray’s supporting forged.
In any other case, the New England Patriots have a skinny receiving corps and a mountain of cap area. In the meantime, if Williams is trying to be a part of a playoff menace, the Indianapolis Colts could be a top quality touchdown spot.
Greatest Suits: Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts
Tyler Boyd is a primary instance of what issues most to a participant.
In eight seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, he earned greater than $47 million. Boyd’s manufacturing dipped after the arrivals of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, however he remained an integral a part of the offense with 58-plus receptions in all three seasons because the third choice.
After the Bengals franchise-tagged Higgins this offseason, he requested a commerce. There is not any assure that he’ll truly depart Cincinnati, although. Boyd may return to the Bengals in the event that they do transfer on from Higgins, however that is hardly a assure.
Boyd, who went to Pittsburgh for school, could be a great receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers after they traded Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers. If Boyd is comfy as a 3rd choice, the Philadelphia Eagles would even be a logical touchdown spot.
Given the depleted state of their respective receiving corps, Arizona and New England must be talked about with any receiver, too.
Greatest Suits: Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots
Final 12 months, Dalton Risner’s anticipate an NFL house surprisingly lingered into the start of the season. Do not count on a repeat this offseason.
Risner had a strong marketing campaign with the Minnesota Vikings after becoming a member of the group in mid-September and beginning 11 video games at left guard. The previous Denver Broncos starter rehabbed his worth and have become a key free agent, or so it appeared.
Nevertheless, it is once more taking him a bit longer than anticipated to signal with a group. Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis each already signed huge offers with the Carolina Panthers. Jonah Jackson linked up with the Los Angeles Rams, and the Patriots re-signed Mike Onwenu for $17-plus million yearly apiece.
On the very least, it is cheap for Risner to count on one thing alongside the strains of the three-year, $30 million pact that Jon Runyan inked with the New York Giants.
Minnesota ought to entertain re-signing him, and the Las Vegas Raiders have an enormous want at guard. If Risner’s market thins, the Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers must be carefully monitoring him as effectively.
Greatest Suits: Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chase Younger, the second general decide of the 2020 draft, soared into the NFL because the AP Defensive Rookie of the Yr. He seemed like a future celebrity for the Washington Commanders.
Accidents ruined his subsequent two seasons, although. The Ohio State product performed solely 12 mixed video games and tallied 1.5 sacks over that span.
Younger notched 5 sacks in 2023 earlier than the Commanders shipped him to the San Francisco 49ers on the commerce deadline. Sadly, the transfer did not end in a late-year breakout, as he racked up solely 2.5 sacks in 9 appearances with the Niners.
Nonetheless, Younger does not flip 25 till mid-April. Rebuilding groups with a quarterback on rookie deal—just like the Carolina Panthers and Tennessee Titans—can afford to take a swing on Younger, and each have already expressed curiosity in him.
The New Orleans Saints additionally lined up a go to with him. They might use cheap, high-upside gambles given their present place towards the wage cap.
Greatest Suits: Carolina Panthers, Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints
When a participant fits up for 4 totally different groups in 4 straight years, that usually is not a great factor. Stephon Gilmore is an exception to that rule, although.
The veteran cornerback has been constantly nice at every cease, most just lately for the Dallas Cowboys. He yielded 6.9 yards per goal and a passer score of solely 82.7 in 2023, ending the season with 13 move breakups and two interceptions.
Dallas ought to take into account preserving him, though the return of Trevon Diggs after DaRon Bland’s breakout 12 months complicates that image.
Past the Cowboys, any variety of corner-needy defenses must be speaking to Gilmore. Detroit is within the means of overhauling its cornerbacks room, and the Minnesota Vikings may use a veteran on the place after rating twenty fourth towards the move final 12 months.
The Washington Commanders, who employed Dallas defensive coordinator Dan Quinn as their new head coach, could be one other sturdy match for Gilmore.
Greatest Suits: Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Washington Commanders
Because the Denver Broncos slashed their wage commitments, Justin Simmons joined Russell Wilson as a cap casualty.
The principle distinction? Simmons continues to be superior.
Throughout his eight-season run in Denver, Simmons was a constant power on the again finish of the protection. He landed second-team AP All-Professional honors in 4 of the final 5 seasons.
In what’s turn into a saturated market at security, Simmons may turn into a cut price. The Tennessee Titans and Washington Commanders have sufficient cap area to dole out a dearer deal, and the latter simply misplaced Kamren Curl to the Los Angeles Rams.
Simmons might appeal to a high-dollar contract. But when that provide doesn’t arrive, the Inexperienced Bay Packers could be a compelling choice, even after the addition of Xavier McKinney. Cincinnati and Indianapolis are value a nod as effectively.
Most closely fits: Tennessee Titans, Washington Commanders, Inexperienced Bay Packers, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts