NFL free company technically simply began Wednesday afternoon, but it surely’s all the time a blur of exercise early on, such that solely 28 gamers in our FOX Sports top 100 free agents stay unsigned the morning after.
So who’s left? The largest names are two veteran quarterbacks nonetheless deciding their futures, Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson. They’re the final main dominoes to fall earlier than groups begin turning to the draft to fill their remaining beginning jobs. Listed here are the ten finest free brokers nonetheless accessible and our projections for the place they could land.
He is a four-time MVP, however was minimize unfastened by the Jets and is now strolling the seashore, pondering what may/must be his remaining NFL crew. He is 41, however for those who simply have a look at his 2024 stats — 3,897 yards, 28 landing passes, 11 interceptions — they don’t seem to be that dangerous. Does he keep in New York and slide over to the Giants, who completely want a quarterback however are removed from being a playoff crew? Or does he signal with the Steelers or Vikings and shoot for a remaining postseason run?
Seeing how properly the Vikings have ramped up either side of the road of scrimmage this week, you marvel if they’ve the arrogance to place a proficient crew coming off a 13-win season within the arms of an unproven younger quarterback in J.J. McCarthy. Rodgers in all probability must ratchet down his wage expectations. In any case, is the precedence to make much more cash, or end his legacy on the upswing? By the best way, Packers to Jets to Vikings is the complete Brett Favre arc.
Greatest guess: Vikings
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Pittsburgh had two quarterbacks in 2024 and now might need none, with Justin Fields already signed with the Jets. Wilson fell onerous after a promising begin final season — 16 touchdowns in opposition to 5 interceptions is okay, however he is 36 and his final playoff win was in 2019, so there are situations the place he would not even have an uncontested beginning job.
Like Rodgers, he is been talked about with the Giants and can go to there Friday, however his first go to is to Cleveland. The Browns, having locked up Myles Garrett, wish to be a aggressive crew, however their cap flexibility is hamstrung by Deshaun Watson’s contract. Would Wilson take much less cash simply to have a crew that may give him yet one more beginning alternative? Begin sluggish, and Wilson’s profession ends with him being changed by Kenny Pickett. If this performs out, Pittsburgh has an ideal protection, a few star receivers and no one to throw them the ball. Kirk Cousins anybody?
Greatest guess: Browns
Kupp was simply minimize unfastened by Los Angeles after eight years there. He turns 32 in June and he is missed a minimum of 5 video games in every of the previous three seasons. However groups nonetheless see the hope of 2021, when he received the triple crown, main the NFL in yards, catches and landing receptions. The issue is he had 16 TDs that 12 months and has 17 complete within the three seasons since.
There are nonetheless just a few big-name veteran receivers unsigned, so we marvel if Kupp will search for familiarity in teaching. That leads us to Jacksonville, the place the Jaguars have an absolute stud in Brian Thomas Jr., however moved on from Christian Kirk and different receivers to clear a spot and wage for … someone. Jaguars coach Liam Coen was a Rams assistant for 4 years, two with the receivers, so we’ll decide the reunion.
Greatest guess: Jaguars
His resurrection from struggling first-round decide with the Jets to sliding inside and serving to the Eagles to a Tremendous Bowl championship ought to produce a robust market. However he is nonetheless unsigned, lengthy after different Philadelphia free brokers have landed new jobs. He is nonetheless solely 25, and whereas a brand new crew will not have Jeff Stoutland teaching him up, he must be coveted as a still-ascending younger lineman. We’ll decide Indianapolis, which simply misplaced a younger guard in Will Fries to the Vikings and may in all probability get Becton for rather less than Fries’ $88 million deal.
Greatest guess: Colts
Diggs tore his ACL in October, ending his solely season in Houston after eight video games. He is 31, however past the damage considerations, he ought to be capable to get again to his productive self. Final 12 months ended a run of six straight 1,000-yard seasons, and he had 47 catches for 496 yards and three scores earlier than his damage. It is not a lock he’ll be wholesome and prepared for Week 1, however consider him as somebody who must be an affect offensive weapon by the top of the upcoming season. We’ll hold him in Texas, with Dallas, the place he can improve the Cowboys’ starter reverse CeeDee Lamb.
Greatest guess: Cowboys
Dobbins continues to be solely 26 and had re-established himself properly in Los Angeles. However a late-season knee damage made him miss 4 video games, and now the Chargers have signed Najee Harris. As a lot as folks thought the surge of Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry would assist the working again market, it has been fairly tough, with an enormous extension for Barkley however not quite a lot of high-dollar investments. We’ll hold Dobbins within the AFC West and let him fill a significant want for the Raiders, who wish to win rapidly with Pete Carroll.
Greatest guess: Raiders
Gamers can nonetheless signal again with their authentic groups, proper? After six Commanders left for brand spanking new houses, we’ll have Fowler keep put in Washington. The Commanders have added a ton of veterans to construct extra round quarterback Jayden Daniels, however they’d do properly to convey again Fowler, who had 10.5 sacks final 12 months, the second-best complete in his NFL profession. Fowler has an odd sample the place he is stayed precisely two years with Rams, Falcons and Cowboys, so why not a second season in Washington?
Greatest guess: Commanders
Robinson obtained traded to Minnesota as a short-term repair, and he is the most effective sort out accessible now after large paydays for Dan Moore, Ronnie Stanley and Alaric Jackson. The Patriots went into free company with probably the most cap area of any crew and have been busy this week, however they nonetheless haven’t got a left sort out. Maybe they might fill that within the draft with the No. 4 decide, however we’ll have them put money into one other veteran lineman to guard Drake Maye transferring ahead.
Greatest guess: Patriots
Guards have gotten some large contracts this week, however Jenkins was pushed out within the Bears’ spectacular retooling of their inside offensive line. He is 27, arguably the most effective guard left unsigned, and we’ll pair him with the Chargers, who’ve probably the most remaining cap area of any crew regardless of some affect additions. Los Angeles has two nice younger tackles in Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, however the Chargers may use an improve at guard if they need Najee Harris to pile up yardage in a Jim Harbaugh working assault.
Greatest match: Chargers
Cooper, 30, cut up final season between the Browns and Payments, and reset profession lows with simply 547 yards and 4 touchdowns. Is he a bounce-back candidate or fading from stardom? He may return to Dallas, the place he performed from 2018-21, however we’ll let him take part on the Patriots’ sign-apalooza. They have been related to among the largest receivers accessible however have solely signed … Mack Hollins. One other inter-divisional transplant might need extra affect in New England.
Greatest guess: Patriots
Greg Auman is an NFL Reporter for FOX Sports activities. He beforehand spent a decade overlaying the Buccaneers for the Tampa Bay Occasions and The Athletic. You may observe him on Twitter at @gregauman.
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