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Get ready for a wild offseason in the NFL.
With a pandemic year on the books and the salary cap on the decline, we’re about to enter a free agency period with the haves and have-nots in the NFL. Teams either have a ton of cap room (Jaguars, Jets, Patriots, Colts, Bengals) or not (Eagles, Saints, Rams, Chiefs, Falcons). Except a large number of players to be eliminated, which adds to what is already an already large group of available stars.
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Heck, we could have so many free agents that some are taking one-year contracts just to revert to a more robust post-pandemic league next year. We have even seen great teams forming, similar to the NBA.
Here’s how I would rank the top 15 free agents available right now, along with an estimate of where they would sign.
1. That Prescott, QB
Why he’s here: One of the top 10 quarterbacks in the NFL. Leader. Improvement from year to year. The Cowboys would be stupid to let this revert to a franchise situation.
Where it will land: Cowboys
2. Allen Robinson, WR
Why he’s here: Robinson is quite the receiver of Stefon Diggs or DeAndre Hopkins, two stars who found happiness after leaving their home situations. Robinson will be next.
Where it will land: the New York Jets
3. Chris Godwin, WR
Why he’s here: Overshadowed by Mike Evans in Tampa Bay, but able to play indoors or outdoors at a high level.
Where it will land: Washington football team
4. Trent Williams, LT
Why he’s here: All that free time hasn’t changed this player much. Another left tackle well above average.
Where it’ll land: San Francisco 49ers
5. JJ Watt, DL
Why He’s Here: The all-time great got his release from the Texans, and can now pick his home before the rest of this group are really in the market. It looks like Reggie White in Green Bay again.
Where it’ll land: Green Bay Packers
6. Shaq Barrett, DE / EDGE
Why he’s here: Late bloomer who turned wrecking ball. James Harrison of this generation.
Where it’ll land: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7. Brandon Scherff, OG
Why he’s here: It’s rare to see an inside lineman drafted into the top 10, but Scherff was worth the investment. He will be worth a ton of money from his next team.
Where it’ll land: Seattle Seahawks
8. Lavonte David, LB
Why he’s here: The 2021 season will mark 10 years in the NFL for David, and there’s no indication he’s slowing down.
Where it’ll land: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
9. Justin Simmons, S
Why it’s here: The franchise tag looks likely here. One of the NFL’s most underrated defenders.
Where it will land: Denver Broncos
10. Kenny Gollady, WR
Why he’s here: If Golladay had stayed on the field (11 games missed) in 2020 and posted his third straight 1,000-yard season, he would be in the top five on this list. High risk and high return signature.
Where it will land: Indianapolis Colts
11. Corey Linsley, C
Why he’s here: All-Pro centers aren’t generally allowed to leave, but Packers do business differently. Linsley can build a wall for a running game or a young quarterback.
Where it will land: Los Angeles Chargers
12. Aaron Jones, RB
Why he’s here: Outstanding production (4,421 scrum yards, 43 TD) since entering the NFL. It will take a team with a large cap space and the desire to win now to pay the top running back dollar.
Where it will land: Miami Dolphins
13. Joe Thuney, OG
Why He’s Here: The Inner Stabilizer Lineman. Will be searched from day 1 of the legal forgery period.
Where it’ll land: Cincinnati Bengals
14. Leonard Williams, DL
Why he’s here: Can play in any pattern and has improved his pass rush ability in 2020.
Where it’ll land: New England Patriots
15. Hunter Henry, TE
Why he’s here: Better player than last year’s best tight end, Austin Hooper. Maybe a young quarterback’s best friend.
Where it will land: Jacksonville Jaguars
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Joe Giglio can be reached at [email protected].
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