The 2022 NFL offseason will formally start on March 16, however free company speak is already properly underway. Veterans with expiring contracts can start negotiations with different groups on March 14, and that is not even accounting for the unsure futures of huge names like Aaron Rodgers, who might or might not be again in Inexperienced Bay.
As we method the open market, this is one stab at the place a few of the prime names may find yourself, and what sort of cash they might fetch in free company — a take a look at 25 totally different potential touchdown spots for gamers at each place:
Be aware: The next gamers weren’t included as a result of they’re projected to re-sign with their present groups: Packers WR Davante Adams, Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin, Chargers WR Mike Williams, Rams WR Odell Beckham Jr., Chiefs OT Orlando Brown Jr., Bengals S Jessie Bates III.
Projected phrases: Three years, $61.5 million | Per yr: $20.5 million
No matter whether or not the Colts substitute QB Carson Wentz, they want higher go safety. Armstead is a significant improve on Eric Fisher when wholesome, to not point out a confirmed locker-room chief. GM Chris Ballard pays as much as shield whomever’s below heart.
Projected phrases: 4 years, $72 million | Per yr: $18 million
Houston wants play-makers in all places, however particularly at nook. New coach Lovie Smith will get a constructing block for his protection, and basic supervisor Nick Caserio is aware of Jackson from New England. At 26, the ex-Patriots star immediately boosts their secondary.
Projected phrases: One yr, $17 million | Per yr: $17 million
A key piece of the Rams’ Tremendous Bowl rotation, he has the flexibleness to be choosy at 33, and an enormous one-year payday permits him an opportunity to latch onto one other contender earlier than re-evaluating in 2023. Baltimore will get itself a plug-and-play No. 1 edge man.
Projected phrases: Two years, $33.5 million | Per yr: $16.75 million
Vic Fangio could also be gone, however that does not imply the brand new regime cannot make investments on protection, particularly with Bradley Chubb in want of a real pass-rushing mate, GM George Paton flush with cap house, and QB maybe more likely to be addressed by way of the draft.
Projected phrases: 4 years, $66 million | Per yr: $16.5 million
A reunion! A-Rob might area equally profitable provides from splashier cities like Miami and New England, however Trevor Lawrence is an interesting draw, as is the familiarity of Jacksonville. Doug Pederson and Co. give their younger QB a real No. 1 to focus on.
Projected phrases: Three years, $49.5 million | Per yr: $16.5 million
Carolina wants a QB, however except they land a blockbuster commerce, they will possible flip to the draft. Precedence No. 2 is fixing a porous line, and Scherff, regardless of damage issues, continues to be elite on the inside.
Projected phrases: Three years, $48.75 million | Per yr: $16.25 million
Sticking with the Chiefs can be ultimate, however Mathieu will get a pay elevate and an opportunity to play below Ron Rivera right here, whereas Washington will get an enormous improve on the again finish of a leaky secondary because it seems to be to return to rivalry.
Projected phrases: 4 years, $62 million | Per yr: $15.5 million
GM Howie Roseman sees the potential for Malcolm Jenkins 2.0 right here, scrapping the Band-Aids at security for a sturdy long-term center-fielder. Williams, in the meantime, will get a payday that may’ve been tougher in New Orleans.
Projected phrases: 4 years, $56 million | Per yr: $14 million
Assuming Mike Williams returns out large, Justin Herbert already has good weaponry. Gesicki, nevertheless, provides him a 3rd big-time outlet within the passing sport. The Chargers have money to spend. Why not preserve constructing round your star QB?
Projected phrases: 4 years, $56 million | Per yr: $14 million
With a number of cash to play with, the Jets get Robert Saleh an actual long-term reply within the secondary, immediately enhancing their go protection with the Bucs’ tag candidate. Davis, 25, cashes in whereas getting the Huge Apple highlight.
Projected phrases: Three years, $40.5 million | Per yr: $13.5 million
Gregory’s obtained an off-field and damage historical past, however that is not stopping the Seahawks. In dire want of a disruptive edge presence, Seattle bets on the Cowboys star’s rising expertise whereas reloading for at the least yet another Pete Carroll-Russell Wilson run.
Projected phrases: 4 years, $52 million | Per yr: $13 million
Trevor Lawrence wants weapons of any sort. Schultz provides him one other. Faraway from the Cowboys’ offense, he might not be as deadly, however new coach Doug Pederson has relied closely on tight ends earlier than. He pays as much as get his QB one other outlet.
Projected phrases: Three years, $39 million | Per yr: $13 million
It is a steep price ticket for a 30-year-old heart, however Jensen was a nasty bodyguard for Tom Brady, and that is precisely what the Bengals ought to need for Joe Burrow, particularly with cap house to spare.
Projected phrases: Three years, $37.5 million | Per yr: $12.5 million
Because the lack of Henry Ruggs, the Raiders have sorely missed a gradual deep risk for Derek Carr. Chark has a lot to show after an injury-marred near his Jaguars run, however he pairs properly with Hunter Renfrow in Vegas.
Projected phrases: 4 years, $44 million | Per yr: $11 million
Perhaps one of the undervalued free brokers of the 2022 class, Reed is simply 25 and contemporary off 1.5 seasons of top-notch nook play. San Francisco brings him again to its needy secondary below ex-Seahawks assistant Nick Sorensen.
Projected phrases: Two years, $21 million | Per yr: $10.5 million
Denver already added pass-rushing assist on this train, however Campbell brings bodily, play-making pop to a missing ILB corps. New coach Nathaniel Hackett witnessed his peak firsthand in Inexperienced Bay, and the Broncos have cash to spend.
Projected phrases: One yr, $10.5 million | Per yr: $10.5 million
Name it an incentive-laden deal, contemplating Gallup is coming off damage, but it surely is smart for each side: the cap-laden Browns enhance a largely barren receiving corps, whereas Gallup will get an opportunity to be an unofficial No. 1 earlier than re-entering the market.
Projected phrases: Two years, $20.5 million | Per yr: $10.25 million
Indy wants pass-catching assist, regardless of how a lot GM Chris Ballard preaches endurance with Parris Campbell and others. Valdes-Scantling provides them a real field-stretcher to pair with the extra well-rounded Michael Pittman Jr.
Projected phrases: One yr, $10 million | Per yr: $10 million
Jameis Winston provides extra upside however figures to get some seems to be elsewhere. Teddy, in the meantime, is the right stopgap for them: he is aware of the system, performs it secure, and may simply slide right into a backup function if/once they land a successor.
Projected phrases: 4 years, $39 million | Per yr: $9.75 million
Hailing from a foul Bears O-line does not essentially make him a sizzling title, however Daniels is younger (24) with a stable resume at a spot of dire want for Miami. New coach Mike McDaniel will get an prompt improve up entrance as he seems to be to construct out the run sport.
Projected phrases: 4 years, $38 million | Per yr: $9.5 million
An underrated, ascending piece of the 49ers’ defensive position, Jones provides the Chiefs one other massive man to plug in alongside Chris Jones on a defensive entrance that underwhelmed down the stretch in 2021. Steve Spagnuolo covets a stronger entrance.
Projected phrases: Two years, $18 million | Per yr: $9 million
Gerald Everett was a effective outlet for Russell Wilson in 2021, however Ertz proved — proper in entrance of Seattle’s eyes within the NFC West — that he is nonetheless a top-10 starter when wholesome. Ertz strikes farther west for one final run with an elite QB.
Steelers signal C Bradley Bozeman
Projected phrases: Three years, $27 million | Per yr: $9 million
Pittsburgh is not sometimes eager on splashy strikes for older free brokers, however Bozeman is just 27 and contemporary off a profession yr as the guts of Baltimore’s line. Regardless of who’s below heart, they should shore up the trenches.
Projected phrases: One yr, $9 million | Per yr: $9 million
Changing to a 3-4 protection below new coordinator Ed Donatell, the Vikings welcome an NFC North rival who can plug the gaps — and simply so occurs to have a Professional Bowl historical past alongside Donatell from their time in Chicago.
Projected phrases: One yr, $8 million | Per yr: $8 million
Mike Vrabel likes the robust guys, and Gronk’s persona matches proper in. He brings pop as each a blocker and go catcher, giving Tennessee a fast repair at a place of want. The one-year deal permits Gronk to experience into the sundown in 2023, if he chooses.
