The NFL Draft is now in the rear-view mirror and teams have a better outlook on what they need going into training camp. Also, a few teams cut some veterans after recently drafting their replacements.
There are some former Pro Bowlers still unemployed. Some of them are due to salary cap issues and some are more for off-the-field stuff.
Some of these free agents will probably go unsigned until preseason games begin as teams will suffer injuries. A few may even go into the regular season without a job.
WR Dez Bryant – Bryant has been in the unemployment line for a few weeks and no one has made an offer worth his services. The Cowboys wanted to free up the money and also get rid of a nuisance. There are plenty of teams still looking for an impact wide receiver. The Ravens seemed to be the perfect spot, but he rejected their offer. I’m guessing he wants a short-term deal so he can bump his money back up with a huge year. You can put two-and-two together and realize he wants to be on a team with an elite quarterback (sorry, Joe Flacco). Is he willing to sign for less money for a one-year deal? I believe there are three teams that are in the running for Bryant, the Packers, Giants and Patriots. The Patriots tamed Randy Moss back in the day, so do they want to try it again? The Packers need some experienced wide receivers, and they have Aaron Rodgers. The Giants are also an option since they released Brandon Marshall. My guess is that the Packers will end up with Bryant.
RB DeMarco Murray – We knew Murray’s time in Tennessee was limited when they drafted Derrick Henry. Murray was still very productive last season, but dealt with injuries for the last third of the season. The teams that needed running backs mostly drafted running backs in this year’s draft. The Colts would be a team I would point to as the most in need of Murray’s skills. He’s a talented runner, but he’s also a good receiver and pass blocker. The Colts added some young studs to their offensive line in the draft, but they still need their running backs able to pick up the pass rush. The other teams that could sign Murray would be the Ravens or Texans.
OT Austin Howard – As with the teams that needed running backs, the teams that needed offensive line help drafted them accordingly. The Ravens declined his option, but is still a solid tackle that can play other places on the line. There are still some teams that could use his services. My guess is that the Saints, Texans or Bills could be the team that lands Howard.
RB Orleans Darkwa – Darkwa stepped in and took over the starting role for the Giants. He had success, but the Giants doesn’t have any need to bring him back as they drafted Saquon Barkley with the second overall pick…and signed Jonathan Stewart. Darkwa is a serviceable back, but doesn’t have the elite skills to command a huge contract. He is limited as he doesn’t have good hands. There are still some teams out there that could use him for the right money. The 49ers could use him as well as the Saints, since Mark Ingram will miss the first four games due to a failed drug test.
WR Dontrelle Inman – Inman was traded from the Chargers to the Bears in the middle of the season. You would think there would be a learning curve, but he instantly gave the Bears offense a spark. He would have most definitely put up more numbers if the Bears had a pass-first offense. He has been linked to the Colts for the last month or so since their new offensive coordinator was his old position coach with the Chargers. The fit makes sense as they need some receivers with good hands.
OG Jahri Evans – Evans is arguably the best guard left in free agency. He has been one of the best guards in the league over his career. He signed a short-term deal a year ago and my guess is that he is holding out for a long-term deal this time around. There is still a good chance the Packers bring him back as he had a solid year with them. He’s 34, so that hurts his negotiating power, so he may have to opt for another one-year deal. My guess is the Redskins and Seahawks are the front-runners for Evans.
TE Marcedes Lewis – Lewis was with the Jags in the very lean years and has spent all twelve years there. They released him after signing a younger tight end (Austin Seferian-Jenkins). Lewis is a good redzone target and is also capable of blocking guys much bigger than him. Thanks to the recent retirement of Jason Witten, the Cowboys could snag Lewis. A few other teams that are also in the running are the Jets, Chiefs and Falcons.
WR Eric Decker – Decker joined the Titans last offseason and had an above-average season there. The offense wasn’t always pass-heavy, so finishing with 54 receptions and 563 yards was more than I predicted. He has great hands and could be a great fit on a team with a young quarterback. My guess is that he could end up back with the Broncos. It makes a lot of sense. His other options would be the Texans or Cowboys.
TE Coby Fleener – Fleener was just cut this week. There are still a few tight ends out there looking for jobs, but Fleener is right below Lewis in the available tight end rankings. I thought for sure that he would have a career year with the Saints, but they revamped their offense and didn’t need a pass-catching tight end as much. Fleener is still a very good tight end and teams like the Cowboys, Broncos and Texans are probably calling him as we speak.
TE Antonio Gates – I’m not sure if Gates will end up playing football next season. He’s had a great career, but has slowed down a bit the last two years. My guess is that teams are throwing veteran minimum deals at him. It usually takes more than that to coerce a former Pro Bowler into ramping it back up for training camp. The Cowboys could be desperate enough to offer him something more than that.
WR Jeremy Maclin – Maclin could be a an instant impact receiver for whichever team signs him. The Ravens didn’t use him as much as the Chiefs and Eagles did early in his career. He’s a speedy receiver with good hands…there are plenty of teams that could sign him before training camp. As I mentioned before, the Colts are in need of a receiver, but they are looking for bigger redzone targets at the position. The Bills and Seahawks are in need of a possession receiver like Maclin.
WR Brandon Marshall – The Giants released Marshall after he failed a physical in April. He has a TV gig and I’m not sure how motivated he is to play football outside of New York. I don’t think the Jets are willing to sign him again. He could only be looking at teams that are legit Super Bowl contenders. The Patriots are always there as an option, but he would most likely need to ax his TV deal…and I don’t see that happening. I think Marshall could go unsigned until preseason games begin.
TE Julius Thomas – Thomas has struggled to find the success he had in Denver. He had ‘okay’ seasons with the Jaguars and Dolphins, so teams probably aren’t knocking as his door. The Cowboys could go down the list and see if they can snag one of the top tight ends on the cheap and they could get down to Thomas. The Texans is another option as they are in need of a pass-catching tight end.
DL Johnathan Hankins – The Colts were one of the worst pass rushing teams last season. They signed Hankins last offseason thinking they would be solid in that department. They cut him before his contract would become guaranteed. Hankins still has a lot of life left in him and a few teams would be a good fit. My guess is that the Redskins or Falcons would be the two favorites to sign him. Hankins has success in the NFC East before and he could possibly find it again, in Washington.
CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie – Due to a salary cap crunch, the Giants released Rodgers-Cromartie in March. I am shocked he has gone this long without a team. The Giants should actually bring him back. The Giants added a handful of players to help their secondary, but only one of them as experience starting at cornerback. They need help behind Janoris Jenkins and Eli Apple and bringing back DRC makes sense.
S Eric Reid – Reid is a talented safety that can play linebacker when in a pinch. He has spent his entire career with the Niners and has been one of their leaders in the secondary. Unfortunately, only one team has given him much of a look. Reid was with Colin Kaepernick when he started to kneel during the national anthem. This has been a huge controversy as Kaepernick, a very capable quarterback, has been unemployed since the end of the 2016 season. It looks like Reid is getting the same blackball treatment. My guess is that he will eventually be re-signed by the Niners or another team with an open-mind.
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About the Author…
Bobby Roberts (otherwise known as Sweetbob) is the creator of ‘America’s White Boy’ and contributor at Project Shanks. His writing has been featured on ESPN’s ‘SportsNation’, Sports Illustrated’s Hot Clicks, Guyspeed, and various other sites. You can follow him on Twitter at @Sweetbob.