Free Agency Frenzy March 14 2022

Analysis
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NFL Free Agency tampering starts today at Noon. It’s been a crazy week leading up to it. Let’s take a look at some of the big moves and stories and preview some of the big name free agents

Tom Brady

He unretired and is coming back to the Bucs. Another contender emerges in the NFC.

Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers announces his return to the Packers. He will not retire. The Packers worked out a new deal with him but it’s not signed yet. Davante Adams got the franchise tag but refuses to play on it.

Russel Wilson Traded to Denver

Seattle made the biggest move by trading Russel Wilson and 2022 4th round pick for a 2022 1st (9th), 2022 2nd (pick 40), 2023 1st, 2022 5th and DT Shelby Harris, TE Noah Fant and QB Drew Lock. Blockbuster trade that gives Denver what they need for the playoffs and Seattle a rebuild.

Carson Wentz

The QB carousel churned as Wentz was traded once again after one year with the Colts. The Commanders get Wentz for a 2022 3rd and 2023 3rd that could become a 2nd if Wentz plays 70% of the snaps. They also swap 2nd round picks this year and Washington gets a 7th rounder.

Kirk Cousins

The Vikings extended Cousins one year for 35 million guaranteed. They added 2 void years and lowered his 2022 cap number from 45 to 31 million for 14 million in space.

Bears Rebuild

The Bears traded Khalil Mack for a 2022 2nd round pick from the Chargers. Eddie Goldman was cut for cap space as well joining Akiem Hicks as a free agent. Bears are moving to 4-3 and in a full rebuild in the front 7.

Amari Cooper

The Cowboys traded Amari Cooper for a 6th/7th round swap to the Browns. Dallas used the open cap to resign Michael Gallup to a 5 year deal worth over 60 million.

Franchise Tags

  • Jessie Bates Safety Bengals
  • David Njoke TE Browns
  • Mike Gesicki TE Dolphins
  • Davante Adams WR Packers for 20.41 million cap hit
  • Chris Godwin WR Tampa Bay
  • Dalton Schultz TE Cowboys
  • Cam Robinson LT Jaguars
  • Orlando Brown LT Chiefs

 

Free Agents

NFL Top 100 2022 free agents: J.C. Jackson highest-ranked player to avoid the tag – ProFootballTalk (nbcsports.com)

Here are the top 100 free agents

Backup QB City

Not much out on the market for QBs. Teddy Bridgewater, Cam Newton, Tyrod Taylor, Mitch Trubisky, Marcus Mariota, Colt McCoy, Jacoby Brissett, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tim Boyle lead the pack.

Lions should draft a QB. Vikings, Packers and Bears are set for starter and back-up for now.

Stud Wide Receiver Market Went Dry

With Godwin and Adams tagged and massive 3 year deal for Chargers Mike Williamms, Allen Robinson becomes the top WR. Will Fuller, slot Jamison Crowder, Ju Ju Smith Schuster, Christian Kirk, MVS, TY Hilton, OBJ, DJ Chark, James Washington, AJ Green are some other bigger names. Jarvis Landry available in a trade from the Browns.

Lions could use an X receiver but may draft one.

Running Back Vets

Melvin Gordon, Tarik Cohen, David Johnson, Leonard Fournette, Phillip Linsday, Cordarelle Patterson, Raheem Moster, Rashaan Penny, Devontae Booker, Ronald Jones, James Conner, Sony Michel, Latavius Murray, Matt Breida are some intriguing RB options.

Green Bay, Vikings and Detroit are set. Bears could use a backup behind Montgomery.

Tight End

TE market has less due to franchise tags. Jimmy Graham, Gronk, my boi Eric Ebron, CJ Uzomah, Gerald Everett, Blake Jarwin, Jared Cook, Evan Engram, OJ Howard, Maxx Williams, Mo Allie-Cox are the top names.

Offensive Tackle

Nate Solder, Terron Armstead, Duane Brown, Riley Reiff, Trent Brown, Jason Peters, Eric Fisher are some big name tackles out there. Yosh Nijman could be snatched from the Packers too.

Interior Oline

Brandon Scherff leads the pack of guards. Andrew Norwell, Laken Tomlinson, Roger Saffold, AJ Cann, Jon Feliciano, Austin Corbett are plug and play starters. Lucas Patrick, bully Richie Incognitio, Kyle Long, Connor Williams, James Daniels, Billy Price and Dan Feeney are some intriguing options too.

Matt Paradisis, Brian Allen, Nick Martin, Justin Britt are some top starting centers on the market.

Pass Rushers

Von Miller, Chandler Jones, Calais Campbell, Dante Fowlwer, Jadeveon Clowney, Jason Pierre Paul, Akiem Hicks, Jerry Hughes, Emmanuel Ogbah, Anthony Barr, Melvin Ingram, Hasaan Reddick could all get big pay days off the edge. Randy Gregroy, Bilal Nichols, Justin Houston, Arden Key, Kemo Turay should get some looks too.

Interior DT

Eddie Goldman, Brandon Williams, Suh, Linval Joseph, Vernon Butler, Larry Ogunjobi, Jarran Reed, BJ Hill, Daquan Jones, Gerald McCoy is an interesting list for DTs out there. Suh and McCoy are getting older though.

Linebackers

Bobby Wagner is the best out there after Seattle cut him. Donta Higtower, Jordan Hicks, AJ Klein, Kyle Van Noy, Jarrod Davis, Jayon Brown, KJ Wright, AJ Johnson are the top LB free agents.

CB

JC Jackson, Stephon Gilmore, Joe Haden, Xavier Rhodes, Kyle Fuller, Patrick Peterson, Jason Verett, Kevin King, Ahkello Witherspoon, Steven Nelson, Darious Williams, Rasul Douglas, Charvarius Ward, Casey Heyward, Desmond King, Donte Jackson, Richard Sherman are starting CBs available.

Safety

Marcus Williams, Ty Mathieu, Marcus Maye, Quandre Diggs, Tracy Walker, Justin Burris, Keanu Neal, Jabrill Peppers, Xavier Woods, Jaquiski Tartt are the top safeties for teams to sign.

Free agency will be a frenzy. Let’s see who can build up their team with smart veteran free agent signing. Enjoy the show.