Written by: Alan Shiram
With the NFL Combine wrapping up, and now less than a month away from the new league year, the whirlwind of Free Agency is upon us, and the speculation is intense. While a lot of “brand names” (a la Drew Brees) figure to stay put, here are some key players that are likely to be in some new threads next season.
QUARTERBACK:
Tom Brady, New England Patriots –
Brady is probably the biggest mystery as the 42-year-old is a free agent for the first time in his career. Brady was obviously not too happy with the lack of weapons at his disposal a season ago and New England is seemingly getting antsy to start fresh at quarterback, which appears as though both sides are headed for a divorce. Brady’s experience and championship pedigree will have teams lined up outside his doorstep to retain his services despite his age. For what it’s worth, it’s already been revealed that The Raiders are set to offer brady a 2 year, $60M contract.
Potential fits: Las Vegas, Tennessee, Chicago
Teddy Bridgewater, New Orleans Saints –
This might be Teddy B’s chance to finally cash in. by injury early in his career that prevented it from really getting off the ground, Teddy found himself in a backup role as Drew Brees’ potential successor after a brief stint with the Jets. However, after going 5-0 in his starts last season stepping in for an injured Brees, with Brees announcing he’ll be returning to New Orleans for another season, Bridgewater will likely be headed elsewhere and has earned himself a big payday in the open market.
Potential Fits: Chicago, Indianapolis, Carolina
Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans –
After yet another mediocre, sluggish start to the season for Mariota and the Titans, they decided to end that experiment and turn to 31-year-old Ryan Tannehill to run the offense. That he did, as he took the starting quarterback job and ran with it, fueling Tennessee all the way to the AFC championship game after a 2-4 start to the season. With that happening and Tennessee looking to snag Ryan long-term, there is simply no room for Mariota. It is safe to say the Mariota era in Tennessee has come and gone. Look for Marcus to weigh some starting options with many teams around the league going through shakeups at the quarterback position.
Potential fits: Chicago, Minnesota, Miami
Philip Rivers, Los Angeles Chargers –
The Chargers’ social media accounts posted thank you tribute videos thanking Phillip for all he’s done for the team, ensuring he’s all but gone. There are plenty of teams that could use Philip’s services, considering they believe he has enough left in the tank. I do. Although it was a down year for Rivers and the Chargers at large, Phillip still accounted for over 4,500 passing yards and 20+ TD passes; the latter in which he’s done in a whopping 14 straight seasons. Phillip can provide an instant starter with a winning pedigree to a team with quarterback uncertainty.
Potential fits: Tampa Bay, Indianapolis, New England
RUNNING BACK:
Lamar Miller, Houston Texans –
Coming off of a Torn ACL that ended his season before it began, the 2-time, 1,000 yard rusher should prove to be a bargain on the open market, probably only taking a short-term, prove-it deal to obtain his services. He can prove valuable in leading a multi-back committee similar to the one Kansas City had under Head Coach Andy Reid. Ideal fit: Kansas City.
Potential Fits: Jacksonville, Tampa Bay
Melvin Gordon, Los Angeles Chargers –
While sitting out almost half of a season due to a contract dispute with the Chargers, pint-sized backup Austin Ekeler completely lit up the scene and was among the best running backs in football. As a result, when Gordon came back there simply wasn’t enough snaps to be had for the role he was expecting; they couldn’t keep Ekeler off the field. Though Gordon probably burned his bridge in Los Angeles, Melvin should be greeted by a warm market considering he lowers his contract demands.
Potential fits: Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles (Rams)
Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns –
Hunt is an interesting one as he is trouble for opposing defenses on the field, however trouble for himself off the field as his off field antics and history has kept him from being ON the field. However, Cleveland decided to take a chance on the baggage and he delivered with a reliable set of hands in the passing game as a complement to Nick Chubb. Though Hunt is talented enough to dominate backfield touches, there might not be too many teams interested in committing to him. However, Hunt could prove to be a bargain on a short-term deal considering he keeps his off field antics to a severe minimum.
Potential fits: Miami, Houston, Indianapolis
WIDE RECEIVER
Amari Cooper, Dallas Cowboys –
Inconsistent as they came in Oakland, the disgruntled WR clearly needed a change of scenery. At the 2018 trade deadline, Dallas traded a first-round pick to acquire his services. Upon stepping on the field for Dallas, he became that instant #1 receiver and absolutely took off. A season and a half removed, a pro bowl nod and two 1,000-yard seasons later, Cooper approaches free agency this upcoming March and certainly won’t come cheap. One of the best route-runners in the game still in his prime, and Dallas still having to pay a few other important pieces including their quarterback, Cooper just might slip out of their price range if he hits the open market.
Potential fits: Philadelphia, Green Bay, New England, Indianapolis
Robby Anderson, New York Jets –
Coming off of another impressive season in which he again established himself as the Jets’ #1 receiver, Robby looks primed for a big payday in the open market. In a weak Free Agent WR class, Robby could be looking at a contract that eclipses over $13M a season. Robby held his own against top cornerbacks and the 26-year-old still appears to have plenty of good football left. He could prove to be even better than he was with the Jets if he decides to jump ship; he’ll have plenty of suitors who already have an established #1 WR. A match with Green Bay would be ideal fit as they have zero proven Wide Receiver talent outside of Devante Adams.
potential fits: Carolina, Philadelphia, Washington
A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals –
Coming off of a lost season in which Green didn’t play a single snap, Green limps to the open market with a proven resume but a big question mark in the health department. Nonetheless, he should have no shortage of suitors coming out of a bare-boned wide receiver market, considering he doesn’t resign with Cincinnati.
Potential Fits: New England, Cincinnati, Buffalo, New York Jets
Emmanuel Sanders, San Fransisco 49’ers –
After coming over from Denver in a mid-season trade, Sanders came out of the gates scorching hot with his new team before fading away behind target hogs Deebo Samuel and All-pro Tight End George Kittle. Still, Sanders has proven to be a great veteran presence and savvy route runner for Kyle Shanahan and the NFC-champion 49ers, and still appears to have enough juice left in those veteran legs.
Potential fits: Oakland, Green Bay, Indianapolis
Beshad Perriman, Tampa Bay Bucaneers –
Perhaps the biggest mystery of this upcoming free agency class is Wide Receiver Breshad Perriman, a former first round pick of the Baltimore Ravens. Labeled a colossal bust after doing absolutely nothing in Baltimore and being cut by the lowly Browns, his NFL future was hanging on by a thread before Bruce Arians and Co. decided to take a one year flier in Tampa Bay. He offered a few serviceable weeks while working third fiddle to The All-Pro talented receiver duo of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, however he absolutely exploded onto the scene when being abruptly thrust into the #1 role for the final three games of the season following season ending injuries to both Evans and Godwin alike. He went for over 100 yards in each game and scored four times, creating a great rapport with Jameis Winston in the process. Perriman looks poised to bank off of those performances alone, looking to smash the “bust” label off of his resume in the process.
Potential fits: New York Jets, Green Bay, Philadelphia
TIGHT END:
Eric Ebron, Indianapolis Colts ⁃
Just two seasons removed from hauling in a career best 13 Touchdown passes with Andrew Luck throwing him the football, Ebron suffered through a sharp dip in production last season in what was a throw-away of a season for him as a whole. He suffered through some nagging injuries and experienced a quarterback change; the quarterback who threw him each and every one of his 2018 touchdowns decided to abruptly retire. Furthermore, fellow Tight End Jack Doyle was finally healthy, and he seemed to be Jacoby Brissett’s preferred target of the two. The 26-year-old Ebron could prove to be an absolute steal for Tight End needy teams as he sets his sights on a steadier upcoming campaign.
Potential fits: Jacksonville, Chicago, New England
Darren Fells, Houston Texans –
A favorite in the scoring area for stud quarterback Deshaun Watson, Fells hit pay dirt seven times despite splitting time with Jordan Akins, and despite Bill O’Brien’s tendencies to veer away from using the Tight End. He doesn’t offer much in terms of YAC ability, but as a former basketball player he offers a sure set of hands and that “box-out” ability with a large catch radius; while being a capable blocker in the run game. Fells could be an option in the second tier of free agency once the “big fish” are off the board.
Potential fits: Carolina, Green Bay, New England
Edited by: Jake Tawil
FirstRow Sports Blog 