NFL free agency starts tomorrow and expect fireworks as several key free agents will be looking to get paid. This year’s free agent class is by no means “loaded” but there is plenty of talent available, particularly for teams that are in the market for a quarterback or receiver.
So, with further ado. Here are my top ten free agents and where I think they will end up.
1. Kirk Cousins, QB, Old Team: Redskins, New Team: Vikings: Cousins will command between $25-30 million per season on a new deal. There will be a handful of teams that will be in on him. The Jets, Cardinals, Broncos and Vikings are all potential suitors for Cousins but in the end, he will sign with the Vikings.
Minnesota has a strong running game and a championship caliber defense. They are a quarterback away from being a legit Super Bowl contender. That’s why signing with the Vikings makes sense for Cousins.
2. Allen Robinson, WR, Old Team: Jaguars, New Team: 49ers: The Jaguars decided not to place the franchise tag on Robinson which means he will hit the market. When he does, the 49ers will sign him. San Francisco has over $50 million in salary cap space. The Niners just gave Marquise Goodwin a $20 million dollar extension and they will give him a new running mate in Robinson, who gives the Niners a legit number one receiver.
3. Drew Brees, QB, Saints: The 39 year old future hall of famer would garner a lot of interest if he hit the open market but he is not. Brees will stay in New Orleans.
4. Andrew Norwell, OG, Old Team: Panthers, New Team: Giants: New Giants general manager was the general manager in Carolina when the team drafted Norwell. Gettleman knows what type of player Norwell is and wants to upgrade the offensive so expect the Giants to make a strong push for him.
Last off season the Browns signed former Bengals guard Kevin Zeitler to a five year, $60 million dollar contract. Expect Norwell to get a similar deal from the Giants.
5. Trumaine Johnson, CB, Old Team: Rams, New Team: Packers: The Packers inquired about Richard Sherman and are interested in Johnson. At 6-2 213, Johnson is a big, rangy press corner who excels in a Cover 2 based scheme that allows him to be physical.
Johnson didn’t play up to the franchise tag last season in Los Angeles and is not a great athlete but for a team like the Packers that have had issues in the secondary in recent years, he would be an upgrade.
6. Malcolm Butler, CB, Old Team: Patriots, New Team: Jets: The Jets will pillage the “Evil Empire” and sign Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler to a multi-year deal. Butler will have other suitors including the Lions but the Jets will flex their cap muscle ($92 million) and sign him.
7. Sheldon Richardson, DT, Seahawks: The Seahawks paid a steep price to acquire Richardson before the start of last season. Pete Carroll sees Richardson as a foundation piece. The Seahawks have cleared the deck and freed up money to shop. One of the first players general manager John Schneider will sign is Richardson.
8. Sammy Watkins, WR, Rams: Head coach Sean McVay values Watkins speed and big play ability in his offense. The Rams don’t have a lot of flexibility in terms of committing to players long term with Jared Goff and Aaron Donald needing new contracts in the future so it will be interesting to see if they commit to Watkins beyond three years.
9. Jimmy Graham, TE, Old Team: Seahawks, New Team: Saints: The Saints need a tight end. Jimmy Graham knows Sean Payton’s offense and put up video game numbers playing with Drew Brees. I sense a reunion.
10. Dion Lewis, RB, Old Team: Patriots, New Team: Jets: The Patriots are not going to pay Lewis the $18-20 million dollar contract he is looking for. You know who will? The Jets. They have a boat load of money to spend and they need to replace the recently retired Matt Forte. A marriage between Lewis and the Jets makes sense.