As the new league year and the free agency period to open up on March 13th, there are some big names hitting the open market. Here is my take on where I think they may end up.
Nick Foles: Jacksonville Jaguars
It has been rumored since the NFL Combine that the Jags are the only team in the market for Nick Foles. With a championship caliber defense, and a talented running back in Leonard Fornette, the only position that has been holding Jacksonville back has been the quarterback position. The Jaguars are hoping that the former Super Bowl MVP can put this team back to the AFC Championship game like they were in 2017.
Le’Veon Bell: Indianapolis Colts
Attention all NFL fans: Le’Veon Bell is finally free from the Pittsburgh Steelers! Bell, who sat out the entire 2018 season, will be looking to become the highest paid running back in the league. Indianapolis has the most salary cap available going into free agency and are looking to gather as many playmakers as they can to surround Andrew Luck.
Trey Flowers: Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City defense held back one of the most explosive offenses in NFL history. They were one offsides penalty away from going to the Super Bowl despite their weakness. Now, it looks as the Chiefs are clearing house on the defensive side of the ball and hired a new defensive coordinator in Steve Spagnuola. As they change to a 4-3 scheme, Flowers would be a perfect candidate to lead that new front.
Earl Thomas: San Francisco 49er’s
Earl Thomas had one of the ugliest exits to the 2018 season of any player in the NFL. On a cart, with an air cast around his broken leg, giving the bird to his own team’s sideline. With former Seahawks teammate in Richard Sherman pleading for a reunion in San Francisco, I see Thomas sticking it to his old team and staying in the NFC West and joining the Niners, as it is need for San Francisco.
Landon Collins: Washington Redskins
A former All-Pro and Pro Bowler got completely disrespected by his former squad as the Giants let Landon Collins test free agency. Now, like Thomas, I see Collins wanting to join a rival of New York and join his idol, Sean Taylor’s former team in Washington. A major need for Washington is to improve their secondary, and Collins would be a huge improvement and bolster the Redskin’s Crimson Tide defense.
Tyrann Mathieu: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tyrann Mathieu absolutely delivered on his one-year, prove it deal in Houston in 2018. Now joining a stacked safety position in this year’s free agent class, I see Bruce Arians, now in Tampa Bay, wanting to bring in some of his guys to the Buccaneers. Arians drafted Mathieu while with the Cardinals in 2013, and it would make sense for Tampa to pursue the Honey Badger as the Bucs secondary was one of the worst in the NFL last season.
Ronald Darby: Houston Texans
Darby’s tragic injury ended his season last year and will be looking for a new team. With Houston signing Tyrann Mathieu last offseason to a 1-year, prove it deal, it makes sense to do the same thing with Darby. Darby could bet on himself and join a talented team in Houston, who has a need to better their cornerback position. It would be smart for Darby to bet on himself there with one of the best pass rushes in the NFL.
Golden Tate: Carolina Panthers
The Eagle’s experiment to bring in Golden Tate on a rental didn’t pan out too well. Tate didn’t mesh with the offense as well as they’d want him to and wasn’t the playmaker he was in Detroit. Carolina could be a good fit as they are looking for another receiver to help Cam Newton and that offense. Adding another veteran to that receiving corps could help the development of their younger playmakers as well.
CJ Mosley: San Francisco 49er’s
The Baltimore Ravens shocked most when they cut Mosley as they loser a leader to their defense. Mosley is a talented player but is near or at the end of his prime and will be looking to sign with a team that has a chance to win now. With the need at middle linebacker after the Rueben Foster disaster, the 49er’s haven’t won much recently. However, with the return of Garroppolo at quarterback, the 2nd pick in the draft, and maybe a signing Earl Thomas, at full health, they ar
e a sleeper team to make a Wild Card spot.
Tevin Coleman: New York Jets
Coleman is one of the most talented running backs in this year’s free agency class, but
while sitting behind Devonta Freeman he couldn’t show that too often. He is a do it all back who can strive in 3rd down situations and fits perfectly with the Jet’s needs. They will be looking for a running back, and if they can’t compete with the Colts’ money for Le’Veon Bell, I see them signing Coleman.