With less than a week away until the start of the free agency period for the NFL, the rumor mill is in full swing. Who will sign where, how much will this player make, everyone’s favorite time to speculate has now arrived. Free agency signals an opportunity for teams to spend their cash, improve where they need to improve, and fill holes where they can before the NFL Draft on April 28th.
Included in these predictions will be where marquee names will sign when free agency opens on March 16th, and for how much they will sign for.
Davante Adams and Chris Godwin
Adams and Godwin will be included in the same entry because they will not be leaving town. Both players have been given the franchise tag by the Packers and Buccaneers, respectively, with the aim of both being given long term contracts.
The likelihood that Davante Adams stayed in Green Bay hinged on the future of his quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. Sources tell Talking Points Sports that Rodgers has agreed to a 4 year $200 million deal with the Packers to keep him in Green Bay. One has to imagine that one of the main sticking points of this agreement was Rodgers’ desire to keep his number one target in town, which the Packers will aim to do via a long-term extension.
Chris Godwin’s situation in Tampa is a bit more murky. No longer with Tom Brady at the helm, Godwin will be playing with a new signal caller in 2022. Over these last few weeks, it was Godwin that had more of a chance to hit the open market than Adams, sources tell Talking Points Sports. Godwin will now remain in Tampa, which isn’t a huge surprise given his value to the organization.
Projected terms:
Davante Adams: 5 years, $120 million ($24 million AAV)
Chris Godwin: 5 years, $108 million ($21.6 million AAV)
Allen Robinson
This is the prototype for what playing under the franchise tag should not be like. Robinson had a bad year across the board, and the ineptitude of the Chicago Bears offense as a whole can be partially to blame. A team is going to splash for Robinson, given his track record and production.
Enter the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jags have to improve their receiving ranks for Trevor Lawrence, and a homecoming for Robinson could be in the cards. Robinson would walk in as Lawrence’s number one option, and would get the chance to shine again. Keep an eye out for teams such as the Las Vegas Raiders, Cleveland Browns, and New England Patriots. All could be fits for Robinson as well.
Projected terms:
4 years, $60 million with the Jacksonville Jaguars ($15 million AAV)
Free agency predictions – Wide receivers
- Mike Williams – Re-signs with the Los Angeles Chargers – 3 years, $65 million ($21.6 million AAV)
- Odell Beckham Jr. – Re-signs with the Los Angeles Rams – 1 year, $7.3 million
- Juju Smith-Schuster – Signs with the Baltimore Ravens – 1 year, $6.5 million
- Christian Kirk – Signs with the Miami Dolphins – 3 years, $33 million ($11 million AAV)
- Amari Cooper – Signs with the New England Patriots – 1 year, $10 million
- Will Fuller – Signs with the Arizona Cardinals – 1 year, $6.25 million
Terron Armstead
Teams that need help on their offensive lines will get the opportunity to secure a Pro Bowl tackle to help in that department. The New Orleans Saints are ready to tear it all down, and are expected to let Armstead go in free agency.
Every team in the league with a hole at left tackle will be in on Armstead. He still has loads to give, both on the field and off the field in a leadership role, and would be perfect in those roles. The Indianapolis Colts have one of the best offensive lines in football, yet struggled to get much out of their tackle positions this past year. Armstead could give them a great anchor there, and help protect whomever the quarterback of the Colts will be in 2022. Other spots for Armstead include the Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, and the Cincinnati Bengals.
Projected terms:
3 years, $60 million with the Indianapolis Colts ($20 million AAV)
Free agency predictions – Offensive lineman
- Orlando Brown Jr. – Re-signs with Kansas City – Franchise-tagged 1 year, $16.5 million
- Brandon Scherff – Signs with the Cincinnati Bengals – 4 years, $74 million ($18.3 million AAV)
- Connor Williams – Signs with the New York Jets – 3 years, $18.7 million ($6.2 million AAV)
- Duane Brown – Signs with the New York Giants – 2 years, $24 million ($12 million AAV)
- Ryan Jensen – Re-signs with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 3 years, $33 million ($11 million AAV)
Von Miller
Off the back of another Super Bowl win, Miller has a decision to make. Does he go for one last big contract, or does he prioritize chasing another ring? He is in a perfect situation, and stands to have a ton of suitors.
The spots that make sense for Miller are, of course, going back to the Rams and going back to Denver. The Rams are coming off of a Super Bowl triumph, and the Broncos are now firmly in contender territory with the acquisition of Russell Wilson to finally solve their quarterback issues. However, Miller will turn down less money offered to him by the Broncos to return to Los Angeles.
Projected terms:
2 years, $30 million with the Los Angeles Rams ($15 million AAV)
Free agency predictions – Edge rushers
- Za’Darius Smith – Signs with the Baltimore Ravens – 1 year, $18 million
- Randy Gregory – Signs with the Jacksonville Jaguars – 3 years, $36 million ($12 million AAV)
- Melvin Ingram III – Re-signs with the Kansas City Chiefs – 1 year, $7.5 million
- Harold Landry III – Re-signs with the Tennessee Titans – 4 years, $70 million ($17.5 million AAV)
- Chandler Jones – Re-signs with the Arizona Cardinals – 2 years, $35 million ($17.5 million AAV)
- Jadeveon Clowney – Signs with the Cincinnati Bengals – 1 year, $11 million
- Emmanuel Ogbah – Signs with the Seattle Seahawks – 3 years, $45 million ($15 million AAV)
- Haason Reddick – Signs with the New York Giants – 3 years, $35 million ($11.6 million)
Leonard Fournette
The running back market stands to be thin this time around, with not a lot of money going to be thrown at the position. This stands to hurt Fournette a bit, who might be best utilized in a committee. If Fournette can agree to that, then he could be the highest earner.
Tampa Bay will always be linked with Fournette, given his immense success there. But with Tampa Bay having limited cap space and other areas to fill, Fournette could see himself on the outs. Look at a team like the Atlanta Falcons to be in on Fournette, as they could utilize his talents as a pure runner.
Projected terms:
2 years, $13.5 million with the Atlanta Falcons ($6.75 AAV)
Free agency predictions – Running backs
- Melvin Gordon – Re-signs with the Denver Broncos – 1 year, $5 million
- James Conner – Re-signs with the Arizona Cardinals – 1 year, $6 million
- Cordarrelle Patterson – Signs with the Miami Dolphins – 2 years, $10 million ($5 million AAV)
- Rashaad Penny – Re-signs with the Seattle Seahawks – 1 year, $4.75 million
- Sony Michel – Signs with the Houston Texans – 1 year, $3.5 million
- Raheem Mostert – Signs with the New York Jets – 1 year, $3 million
Jameis Winston
The best option in a very thin quarterback market. Winston, coming off an ACL injury, showed a year ago with the Saints that he can be an option for teams needing a bridge option.
Winston should have multiple suitors in free agency. Talking Points Sports understands teams such as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Pittsburgh Steelers, New Orleans Saints, and the New York Giants could bring Winston in. The Steelers need someone at the position to get the ball downfield, and Winston is that guy. Perhaps the Steelers have a look at Jameis and see if he could be the option at the position (doubtful, but worth a chance). In any event, Winston goes to Pittsburgh as a bridge option.
Projected terms:
1 year, $11.5 million with the Pittsburgh Steelers
Free agency predictions – Quarterbacks
- Teddy Bridgewater – Signs with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 1 year, $9.5 million
- Mitchell Trubisky – Signs with the New York Giants – 2 years, $14 million ($7 million AAV)
- Marcus Mariota – Signs with the Chicago Bears – 1 year, $7.5 million
- Andy Dalton – Signs with the Miami Dolphins – 1 year, $6.5 million
Leighton Vander Esch
Vander Esch has seen his play drop off significantly over the last two years, with major concerns about his longevity credited to a neck injury he sustained. The Cowboys are unlikely to retain Vander Esch this offseason, sources tell Talking Points Sports, and Vander Esch will get the opportunity to restart his career elsewhere.
Every team in the league has a need for an off-ball linebacker that can play on all three downs if need be. That is Vander Esch. If he can be healthy, Vander Esch could be a steal in free agency. Look at the Los Angeles Chargers to explore the addition of Vander Esch on a prove it deal.
Projected terms:
1 year, $8.5 million with the Los Angeles Chargers
Free agency predictions – Linebackers
- Anthony Barr – Signs with the New York Giants – 2 years, $14 million ($7 million AAV)
- De’Vondre Campell – Re-signs with the Green Bay Packers – 3 years, $20.5 million ($6.83 million AAV)
- Dont’a Hightower – Signs with the Las Vegas Raiders – 2 years, $16 million ($8 million AAV)
- Bobby Wagner – Signs with the Dallas Cowboys – 1 year, $9.5 million
Rob Gronkowski
The tight end position in free agency this year is, to put it mildly, loaded with options. Gronkowski stands out as the premier option, if he chooses to continue playing without Tom Brady throwing him passes.
The Buffalo Bills are his hometown team, they have a superstar at the quarterback position, and are inches away from going to a Super Bowl. If Gronkowski wants to give it one last go for a ring, he could do way worse than joining up with Josh Allen in western New York.
Predicted terms:
1 year, $7 million with the Buffalo Bills
Free agency predictions – Tight end
- Mike Gesicki – Re-signs with the Miami Dolphins – 4 years, $53 million ($13.25 million AAV)
- Dalton Schultz – Re-signs with the Dallas Cowboys – 3 years, $36 million ($12 million AAV)
- David Njoku – Re-signs with the Cleveland Browns – 3 years, $33 million ($11 million AAV)
- Zach Ertz – Re-signs with the Arizona Cardinals – 2 years, $18 million ($9 million AAV)
- Evan Engram – Signs with the Denver Broncos – 1 year, $6 million
- C.J. Uzomah – Re-signs with the Cincinnati Bengals – 2 years, $14 million ($7 million AAV)
J.C. Jackson
No surprise that Jackson was not tagged by the New England Patriots. Now, Jackson has the chance to set the cornerback market for free agency. Any team that needs a corner should be interested in Jackson, and there are plenty of them.
Las Vegas Raiders HC Josh McDaniels knows Jackson well from their time in New England, and with the Raiders needing to improve defensively this feels like a match made in heaven. Other teams to keep an eye out on with Jackson, sources tell Talking Points Sports the Raiders are one of a number of teams interested in Jackson. The Seattle Seahawks, Houston Texans, and Minnesota Vikings, all have interest in making Jackson a member of their respective organizations.
Projected terms:
4 years, $66 million with the Las Vegas Raiders ($16.5 million AAV)
Free agent predictions – Defensive backs
- Marcus Williams – Signs with the New York Jets – 4 years, $64 million ($16 million AAV)
- Jesse Bates – Re-signs with the Cincinnati Bengals – Franchise-tagged 1 year, $13 million
- Tyrann Mathieu – Signs with the Washington Commanders – 4 years, $60 million ($15 million AAV)
- Carlton Davis – Signs with the Houston Texans – 4 years, $69 million ($17.25 million AAV)
- Stephon Gilmore – Signs with the San Francisco 49ers – 2 years, $32 million ($16 million AAV)
- Marcus Maye – Signs with the Dallas Cowboys – 1 year, $7 million
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