We are just 9 days from the start of the NFL season but sadly we have seen some big injuries already occur in camp, and even more players opt out of the season due to COVID-19. There are still plenty of big name free agents left out there and the big question is where will they land?
I am here to break down what teams I think will make a late splash by signing one of these game changing free agents.
Earl Thomas
Earl Thomas is leaving a franchise in a messy way once again, and suddenly we have a 7x Pro Bowl safety on the free agent market. He might be 31, but there is no question he can still play at a high level for an NFL defense.
Now that HaHa Clinton-Dix is out of town, their need for a safety is even greater than it was before. Thomas’s ties to Dallas date back even before he signed with Baltimore last year. It feels like the Cowboys are about as “All-In” you could be, and signing Earl Thomas would just prove that more.
Dallas Cowboys
Jadeveon Clowney
The Tennessee Titans have always been one of the front runners to land Jadeveon Clowney this offseason. Head coach Mike Vrabel is someone Clowney is familiar with, and the Titans have already taken a shot on a free agent edge rusher in Vic Beasley. Harold Landry lacks any help rushing the passer. The need is obvious.
Thursday night it was reported that the New Orleans Saints were sending “ an all out blitz” to sign the free agent pass rusher, but currently have their money spread very thin. Same goes for the Seattle Seahawks. Another solid reason I predict the Tennessee Titans to sign Jadeveon Clowney very soon.
Tennessee Titans
Hakeem Butler
Just hours before I finished this article news broke that the Arizona Cardinals had waived Hakeem Butler, the 103rd overall pick in last years NFL Draft, adding to the list of growing free agents. Butler is a giant weapon, but a broken finger put him on IR for his rookie season. Once DeAndre Hopkins was traded to Arizona it is safe to say the writing was on the wall for the former Iowa State star.
On the opposite side of things; a team that fails to add receivers is the Green Bay Packers. They by far had one of the worse 2020 NFL Draft hauls, and continuously avoid to add help around Aaron Rodgers. The Packers essentially have the chance to steal a draft pick and make up for their mistake in April.
Green Bay Packers
Eric Reid
Xavier McKinney’s injury was a huge loss for the Giants defense, but signing Eric Reid could be a quick fix until he can fully recover. Reid and McKinney have pretty similar skill sets, and provides a heck of a lot more veteran presence to the defense than McKinney.
While it may be far fetched to many for the Giants to compete for a playoff spot, they do play in the NFC East. 9-7 will get you a playoff bid, and Daniel Jones now will be entering his second season in New York. Their offense is about as packed as you could ask for, so give the former Blue Devil some help on defense and compete in some games.
New York Giants
Antonio Brown
With at least an eight game suspension facing him when Antonio Brown returns, we might see him remain on the shelf a little while longer. The rumblings of teams looking to sign the free agent wide receiver have continued to grow. Now that Josh Gordon has just resigned with the Seattle Seahawks, the odds on them signing another suspended receiver should be pretty low. Bruce Arians has made it very known he would rather Antonio Brown not be a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and currently have almost no money to do so.
That really just leaves the Baltimore Ravens as the only contending franchise left that would still be considering the free agent receiver. Of course the fit and need is a match, but what AB would the Ravens be getting? Mr. Big Chest or Ronald Ocean?
There is one important thing people don’t mention enough though. The family ties in Baltimore. Lamar Jackson, Marquise Brown and Antonio Brown are all South Florida natives, and have clearly worked together a relationship in the off season. It is fair to assume Antonio Brown would be a locker room cancer at this point in his career, but it is clear that there is already a strong connection with AB and the Ravens offense.
Baltimore Ravens
Delanie Walker
At age 36, Delanie Walker’s playing days are coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t still have some fuel left in the tank. Teams like the Packers, Washington, and the Colts have been linked to the veteran tight end so far this offseason. None of them can compete with Bill Belichick and Cam Newton though.
Based from what I have seen in the past, this seems like a match made in heaven. Belichick loves using tight ends; Cam Newton loves throwing to tight ends. On top of that, Walker is about as veteran of a free agent you will find, which is perfect for the Patriot system.
New England Patriots
Tony Jefferson
Jefferson hasn’t played a full season since 2017, but it is reported that about 4-6 teams have serious interest in Tony Jefferson at the moment. The former Ravens strong safety tore his ACL in October of last season, and is about two to three weeks away from team visits. The Bucs did have interest, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see interest in the Ravens and Patriots did too, but I don’t think he signs with any of those teams.
The Los Angeles Chargers just lost Derwin James for yet another season. The offense might not look it yet, but their defense is prime to compete. Tony Jefferson is one of the best free agents available in the secondary and would bring in some leadership to a rather young defense.
Los Angeles Chargers
