NFL Free Agent Predictions (Part 1)
By Michael Schneid
With free agency set to kick off next week, here is a look at 19 offensive free agents (QB, RB, WR, TE) and where we think they might end up. These predictions are based on current news, team needs/fits, and some logic.
Mike Vick - Bills
Other options - Jets, Raiders, Vikings
EJ Manuel had a rough and injury-plagued rookie season. Thadeus Lewis and Jeff Tuel started games in his place and Mike Vick would be a fairly significant upgrade over either of them. Vick could fill in for Manuel, in case of injury or the Bills could simply start Vick. At the very least, signing Vick, who by all accounts was a great teammate in Philly allowing other QBs to pick his brain, would provide a veteran presence at the position for Manuel to learn from.
Josh McCown - Bears
Other Options - Bucs, Jets
The Bears won't let McCown get away. Despite signing Jay Cutler to a huge extension, Marc Trestman loves McCown and if Cutler were to get hurt again, McCown would confidently fit in and be able to have success.
Matt Cassel- Texans
Other Options - Jets, Bucs
Cassel would be a good option as back up to whomever the team drafts at QB in the draft. If the rookie QB isn't ready, Cassel has proven he can have success and keep the job warm for a few games. Plus, new Texans head coach Bill O'Brien was on the Patriots coaching staff during Cassel's breakout season in New England.
Knowshon Moreno - Giants
Other Options - Broncos, Jets, Browns, Jaguars
With Montee Ball ready to break out in Denver, Moreno will likely move on. The Giants have always loved RBs with good hands. Moreno had 60 catches in 2013. He also ran for a career high 1,038 yards and 10 touchdowns. He is also a good pass blocker out of the backfield and will significantly improve what was a bad offense in 2013. Moreno is also from northern NJ and could be intrigued to come home.
James Starks - Dolphins
Starks reunites with former OC Joe Philbin and is familiar with offensive coaching staff. Dolphins running game was awful in 2013, mostly do to inconsistent, imbalanced playcalling. Starks has shown flashes of excellence but needs to stay healthy.
Maurice Jones-Drew - Patriots
Other Options - Falcons, Raiders, Browns
This just feels like a Patriots-type move. Mojo may not have much left in the tank, but he may have just enough to be a factor for a playoff contender. Especially one that will limit his touches and hits he takes and Mojo might even be more motivated. Bill Belichick seemed fed up with Stevan Ridley by the end of 2013, so perhaps they can trade him and use Shane Vereen and Jones-Drew and let Legarrete Blount walk too.
Ben Tate - Browns
Other Options: Giants, Dolphins, Raiders
This one has been long rumored. Browns drafted Monterio Hardesty over Ben Tate in the second round of the 2010 draft. Tate has been stuck behind Arian Foster his whole career in Houston and is ready to break out as a #1 back. Cleveland has no viable #1 running back right now and can pair Tate with a late draft pick. Despite being the #2 and battling injuries, Tate played 14 games in 2013 and ran for 771 yards.
Rashad Jennings - Raiders
Someone has to start in Oakland and Jennings ran well last year, averaging 4.5 yards per carry and running for a career-high 733 yards and 6 TDs. Jennings is still young and proved last year he can be the lead back. Raiders can finally move on from injury-proned Darren McFadden and give Jennings the ball. Jennings also had 36 receptions.
Darren McFadden - Cardinals
I have no feel for where McFadden may end up. He has been injury-prone his whole career, despite so much potential. Rashard Mendenhall won't be back in Arizona and McFadden seems like an interesting fit there. Head coach Bruce Arians has made it clear, second-year back Andre Ellington won't be a workhorse and McFadden can supplement him. Plus, if McFadden's touches are limited, perhaps that can keep him healthier.
Eric Decker - Colts
Other Options - Broncos, Vikings, Jets, Redskins
Andrew Luck gets his slot, possession guy. TY Hilton can move to the outside with Reggie Wayne. The Colts have some younger, cheap options, but Decker makes a lot of sense as the heir to Wayne and future #1A/2 WR next to Hilton. Decker went to school in Minnesota and Vikes could be an option too.
Julian Edelman - Texans
Other Options - Patriots
Edelman played for new Texans coach Bill O'Brien when BOB was Offensive Coordinator at New England. Edelman can be inserted into the slot with Andre Hopkins and Deandre Hopkins on the outside. He would provide a very good safety blanket for a new rookie QB.
Hakeem Nicks - Redskins
Other Options - Patriots, Redskins, Panthers, Jets
The Redskins desperately need a second wide receiver, across from Pierre Garcon. Nicks had a down year in 2013 and will likely sign a 1-year, incentive deal. Washington could steal him from a division rival and take a chance that he will bounce back and be effective.
James Jones - Ravens
Other Options - Jets, Packers, Redskins, Patriots
The lack of receiving depth hurt Joe Flacco and the Ravens offense last year. Torrey Smith proved he can be a #1 receiver, but there was no one else to help him. Jones is up there in age, but has been a reliable WR for the Packers. He can be the #2 that Baltimore desperately needed last year.
Golden Tate - Jaguars
Other Options: Jets
Tate would be a nice slot receiver for a new QB in Jacksonville. He is also familiar with head coach Gus Bradley and OC Jedd Fisch
Emmanuel Sanders - Jets
Other Options - Patriots
This one has been rumored since the end of the season. The Jets are desperate for offensive play-makers. Sanders can be a solid #2, if they draft a receiver. And pushes former second round bust Stephen Hill further down the depth chart.
Sidney Rice - Panthers
Rice went to school in South Carolina and could be a cheap, veteran option for WR depth for the Panthers. Carolina has a lot of needs and likely won't spend big money on a WR, though they should consider drafting one early.
Kenny Britt - Patriots
Other Options - Redskins, Jets
New England loves buying low and players and Bill Belichick seems to love guys who went to Rutgers. WR is a need and the former first round pick will come cheap.
Jermichael Finley - Dolphins
Other Options - Giants, Packers, Jets, Patriots, Raiders
Charles Clay emerged as a solid TE for Miami, after free agent signee Dustin Keller blew out his knee in the pre-season. Finley can re-unite with his former offensive coordinator, Joe Philbin, who is Miami's head coach. Despite the presence of Clay, Miami needs more weapons to surround QB Ryan Tannehill with. Plus Finley has a history of injuries so Clay would be needed.
Brandon Pettigrew - Bills
Other Options - Lions
This may be an intriguing option, with Bills TE Scott Chandler a free agent. His former head coach, Jim Schwartz, is now the Bills Defensive Coordinator and may talk head coach Doug Marrone into giving Pettigrew a shot. He would be an upgrade over Chandler.
With free agency set to kick off next week, here is a look at 19 offensive free agents (QB, RB, WR, TE) and where we think they might end up. These predictions are based on current news, team needs/fits, and some logic.
Mike Vick - Bills
Other options - Jets, Raiders, Vikings
EJ Manuel had a rough and injury-plagued rookie season. Thadeus Lewis and Jeff Tuel started games in his place and Mike Vick would be a fairly significant upgrade over either of them. Vick could fill in for Manuel, in case of injury or the Bills could simply start Vick. At the very least, signing Vick, who by all accounts was a great teammate in Philly allowing other QBs to pick his brain, would provide a veteran presence at the position for Manuel to learn from.
Josh McCown - Bears
Other Options - Bucs, Jets
The Bears won't let McCown get away. Despite signing Jay Cutler to a huge extension, Marc Trestman loves McCown and if Cutler were to get hurt again, McCown would confidently fit in and be able to have success.
Matt Cassel- Texans
Other Options - Jets, Bucs
Cassel would be a good option as back up to whomever the team drafts at QB in the draft. If the rookie QB isn't ready, Cassel has proven he can have success and keep the job warm for a few games. Plus, new Texans head coach Bill O'Brien was on the Patriots coaching staff during Cassel's breakout season in New England.
Knowshon Moreno - Giants
Other Options - Broncos, Jets, Browns, Jaguars
With Montee Ball ready to break out in Denver, Moreno will likely move on. The Giants have always loved RBs with good hands. Moreno had 60 catches in 2013. He also ran for a career high 1,038 yards and 10 touchdowns. He is also a good pass blocker out of the backfield and will significantly improve what was a bad offense in 2013. Moreno is also from northern NJ and could be intrigued to come home.
James Starks - Dolphins
Starks reunites with former OC Joe Philbin and is familiar with offensive coaching staff. Dolphins running game was awful in 2013, mostly do to inconsistent, imbalanced playcalling. Starks has shown flashes of excellence but needs to stay healthy.
Maurice Jones-Drew - Patriots
Other Options - Falcons, Raiders, Browns
This just feels like a Patriots-type move. Mojo may not have much left in the tank, but he may have just enough to be a factor for a playoff contender. Especially one that will limit his touches and hits he takes and Mojo might even be more motivated. Bill Belichick seemed fed up with Stevan Ridley by the end of 2013, so perhaps they can trade him and use Shane Vereen and Jones-Drew and let Legarrete Blount walk too.
Ben Tate - Browns
Other Options: Giants, Dolphins, Raiders
This one has been long rumored. Browns drafted Monterio Hardesty over Ben Tate in the second round of the 2010 draft. Tate has been stuck behind Arian Foster his whole career in Houston and is ready to break out as a #1 back. Cleveland has no viable #1 running back right now and can pair Tate with a late draft pick. Despite being the #2 and battling injuries, Tate played 14 games in 2013 and ran for 771 yards.
Rashad Jennings - Raiders
Someone has to start in Oakland and Jennings ran well last year, averaging 4.5 yards per carry and running for a career-high 733 yards and 6 TDs. Jennings is still young and proved last year he can be the lead back. Raiders can finally move on from injury-proned Darren McFadden and give Jennings the ball. Jennings also had 36 receptions.
Darren McFadden - Cardinals
I have no feel for where McFadden may end up. He has been injury-prone his whole career, despite so much potential. Rashard Mendenhall won't be back in Arizona and McFadden seems like an interesting fit there. Head coach Bruce Arians has made it clear, second-year back Andre Ellington won't be a workhorse and McFadden can supplement him. Plus, if McFadden's touches are limited, perhaps that can keep him healthier.
Eric Decker - Colts
Other Options - Broncos, Vikings, Jets, Redskins
Andrew Luck gets his slot, possession guy. TY Hilton can move to the outside with Reggie Wayne. The Colts have some younger, cheap options, but Decker makes a lot of sense as the heir to Wayne and future #1A/2 WR next to Hilton. Decker went to school in Minnesota and Vikes could be an option too.
Julian Edelman - Texans
Other Options - Patriots
Edelman played for new Texans coach Bill O'Brien when BOB was Offensive Coordinator at New England. Edelman can be inserted into the slot with Andre Hopkins and Deandre Hopkins on the outside. He would provide a very good safety blanket for a new rookie QB.
Hakeem Nicks - Redskins
Other Options - Patriots, Redskins, Panthers, Jets
The Redskins desperately need a second wide receiver, across from Pierre Garcon. Nicks had a down year in 2013 and will likely sign a 1-year, incentive deal. Washington could steal him from a division rival and take a chance that he will bounce back and be effective.
James Jones - Ravens
Other Options - Jets, Packers, Redskins, Patriots
The lack of receiving depth hurt Joe Flacco and the Ravens offense last year. Torrey Smith proved he can be a #1 receiver, but there was no one else to help him. Jones is up there in age, but has been a reliable WR for the Packers. He can be the #2 that Baltimore desperately needed last year.
Golden Tate - Jaguars
Other Options: Jets
Tate would be a nice slot receiver for a new QB in Jacksonville. He is also familiar with head coach Gus Bradley and OC Jedd Fisch
Emmanuel Sanders - Jets
Other Options - Patriots
This one has been rumored since the end of the season. The Jets are desperate for offensive play-makers. Sanders can be a solid #2, if they draft a receiver. And pushes former second round bust Stephen Hill further down the depth chart.
Sidney Rice - Panthers
Rice went to school in South Carolina and could be a cheap, veteran option for WR depth for the Panthers. Carolina has a lot of needs and likely won't spend big money on a WR, though they should consider drafting one early.
Kenny Britt - Patriots
Other Options - Redskins, Jets
New England loves buying low and players and Bill Belichick seems to love guys who went to Rutgers. WR is a need and the former first round pick will come cheap.
Jermichael Finley - Dolphins
Other Options - Giants, Packers, Jets, Patriots, Raiders
Charles Clay emerged as a solid TE for Miami, after free agent signee Dustin Keller blew out his knee in the pre-season. Finley can re-unite with his former offensive coordinator, Joe Philbin, who is Miami's head coach. Despite the presence of Clay, Miami needs more weapons to surround QB Ryan Tannehill with. Plus Finley has a history of injuries so Clay would be needed.
Brandon Pettigrew - Bills
Other Options - Lions
This may be an intriguing option, with Bills TE Scott Chandler a free agent. His former head coach, Jim Schwartz, is now the Bills Defensive Coordinator and may talk head coach Doug Marrone into giving Pettigrew a shot. He would be an upgrade over Chandler.
No comments