Odell Beckham Jr.
This move has been rumored for quite some time. Depending on what happens with Dallas in the offseason, you can envision a scenario in which the Cowboys look for some more explosiveness on the perimeter. CeeDee Lamb is by far the most talented player within the position. With all due respect to Michael Gallup and Noah Brown, we aren’t sure if either can be a true No. 2 receiver for a Super Bowl contender. Further away from his knee surgery, Beckham Jr. should be fully healthy after sitting out all of this past year. He is more than capable in giving Dallas a legitimate threat alongside the aforementioned Lamb. He may even come to the Cowboys on a rather team-friendly deal.
Prediction: Dallas Cowboys
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JuJu Smith-Schuster
Smith-Schuster bet on himself with the Chiefs, and unsurprisingly had a very productive campaign catching passes from Patrick Mahomes. As such, he’s put himself in a position to get a handsome raise. It likely won’t be with the Chiefs (who’ll look for cheaper, younger options). The Browns could really use a physical chain-mover to complement Amari Cooper and David Njoku. Deshaun Watson will love throwing the ball to the former USC star. Plus, Smith-Schuster is no stranger to the rugged AFC North having played the bulk of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Prediction: Cleveland Browns
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Mike McGlinchey
Anyone who’s watched the Colts this past year can recognize that help at the tackle position is sorely needed. The former first-round pick out of Notre Dame has been a fixture at RT for the 49ers. McGlinchey is a monster in the run game, and has the athleticism requisite to earn the denotation as a top-shelf right tackle. While the Colts need an influx of talent everywhere, it all starts up front with both lines. Indianapolis has the cap space needed to lure him from the West Coast and back to the Midwest. He’d be a massive upgrade from what the team currently has.
Prediction: Indianapolis Colts
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Jordan Poyer
Poyer isn’t the best athlete. He’s prone to being beat over the top on occasion. However, he’s wickedly smart, battle-tested, physical, and the absolute perfect fit for a defense needing a bit of experience on the back end. He knows the AFC East backwards and forwards from his time with Buffalo. He’d be a nice fit in Robert Saleh’s defense — further providing coach-like tendencies on the field with his ability to diagnose plays effectively.
Prediction: New York Jets
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Brandon Graham
Graham might be a bit long in the tooth. However, if you’re looking for a situational pass rusher with pure skills, look no further than the former Michigan star. In this case, he’ll be able to head back home to play for the upstart Lions. It makes a ton of sense, when in theory he’d be able to stay fresh and play limited snaps where his main objective is to sack opposing quarterbacks. Currently at age 34, he’s in the midst of a career-high season when it comes to sacks (11.0).
Prediction: Detroit Lions
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Jessie Bates
The Bears have some deep pockets approaching the free agency period. As such, they’re looking to make a major splash. Bates is one of the more complete safeties in the game. His numbers in coverage from an efficiency standpoint are rather good. Duly, he’s stout against the run — coming up and crashing towards the line of scrimmage to tackle oncoming ball carriers. Bates would be a massive improvement for the Bears in the secondary without a doubt.
Prediction: Chicago Bears
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Jamel Dean
The continued push for a playoff spot will include nabbing a corner. Jeff Okudah was famously picked No. 3 overall a few years ago. In this offseason, the Lions must determine if they’ll exercise the 5th year on his rookie deal. Due to his injury history and inconsistent play, there’s a real possibility they may let him walk. Dean is a long athlete with terrific size for the position. At only 26 years of age, he’s about to enter his prime. He was a No. 2 CB with the Bucs — though his ceiling indicates that he’s very much ready to take the reins as a No. 1 corner. Dean can be that type of guy with the Lions.
Prediction: Detroit Lions
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Jimmy Garoppolo
This one seems like a no-brainer on paper. It’s pretty clear the Derek Carr era with the Raiders has come to a close. Josh McDaniels is one to reunite former Patriots’ players and staff members in Vegas. Why not do it at your most important position? Garoppolo will be no stranger to McDaniels’ offense — which should allow for the team to hit the ground running. As it pertains to a contract, that’ll be the most interesting angle in this entire situation. How much money will the Raiders invest in a quarterback with a rather sizable injury history? All things considered, Garoppolo could be an upgrade over Carr should he stay on the field.
Prediction: Las Vegas Raiders
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Derek Carr
The Commanders need a quarterback with some semblance of competency. The team really isn’t too far off from being a contender for a playoff spot. Carr would technically be an upgrade, and perhaps a manageable get for the franchise. He still has enough in the tank to be a decent enough option. If I’m Washington, I wouldn’t necessarily break the proverbial bank for Carr. I also wouldn’t get locked in to a lengthy deal. However, something in the range of a 2-to-3 year commitment with some flexibility makes the most sense for both parties moving forward.
Prediction: Washington Commanders
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Yannick Ngakoue
It’s hard to believe that Ngakoue is only 27 years of age. The veteran out of Maryland has already played for five different NFL franchises. His sixth we predict will be with the Arizona Cardinals. To put it mildly, the defense has been abysmal. Ngakoue isn’t a player without his warts. The opposition has tested him in the run game due to his smaller stature. With that said, he an explosive athlete off the edge — evidenced by a combined 19.5 sacks and 16.0 TFL over the last two years. While he won’t be a savior with the Cardinals, at least Ngakoue can provide some production rushing the passer.
Prediction: Arizona Cardinals
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Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
Kansas City would be doing cartwheels if it can nab Gardner-Johnson from the Eagles. When looking at the landscape of the free agent pool, Gardner-Johnson could end up as one of the most underrated/highly pursued players. Transitioning from corner, the now-safety has been a total ballhawk for the Eagles. He’s terrific in diagnosing what the opposition does. As such, it’s not a shock he has six INTs on the year. His past as a corner also enables CGJ to lineup practically anywhere on the field — whether on the boundary, in the slot, or as a ‘center fielder’ in coverage. Kansas City is always looking for more talent within its defense, and Gardner-Johnson would appear to be an excellent fit.
Prediction: Kansas City Chiefs
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Mac Jones
We’re under the assumption that Tom Brady will leave Tampa Bay after this year. We’re also under the assumption that the Patriots will draft another QB — and thus ship Mac Jones elsewhere. Jones would be a key member of what would likely become a rebuilding project for the Bucs. Does Jones have limitations? Yes — but he’s also talented enough where in theory you can build a team around him to accentuate his strengths (toughness, accuracy). It’s also not all too dissimilar from what the Dolphins have done with fellow Alabama product Tua Tagovailoa. The asking price for Jones will be something to watch — as Tampa likely would have to cough up a second-round pick.
Prediction: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Daniel Jones
Leading NY to the playoffs may have saved Jones’ spot as the starting signal-caller in The Big Apple. Leading the Giants to a 9-6-1 regular season record, Jones finished with 15 TD throws to only 5 INTs. He completed 67.2-percent of his pass attempts, and certainly did make strides in both taking care of the football and also connecting with teammates despite a rather underwhelming group of skill players at his disposal. At this point, Brian Daboll and the Giants want to build continuity as the franchise trends in a positive direction. Bringing Jones back — while enhancing the offensive talent around him — seems like the prudent thing to do.
Prediction: New York Giants
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Miles Sanders
The speedy Sanders finally had a breakout year for the Eagles. During the regular season, the former Penn State standout gobbled up 1,269 yards on the ground to go along with 11 rushing TDs. It marked the first 1,000-year season of his career. More importantly, Sanders stayed healthy, and proved that he could be a top option on a Super Bowl contending team. While it’s always a tricky proposition in giving a RB tons of guaranteed money, it would be prudent for the Eagles to re-sign Sanders. If anything, the presence of Jalen Hurts running the football — along with a potential big-body complementary back — could help prolong Sanders’ ability to play at a high level in Philly.
Prediction: Philadelphia Eagles
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Marcus Davenport
This would be a bit of a bargain buy. Davenport has spent the entirety of his career with the Saints. He had 9.0 sacks in 2021…yet has managed only 0.5 sacks this year. Statistically if one goes by the analytics breakdown, Davenport is getting plenty of pressures. It’s just a matter of finishing the play when in position to get the sack. With such a low total, Atlanta may be able to hit gold here with a guy who can be dominant when engaged and motivated.
Prediction: Atlanta Falcons
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Javon Hargrave
Philadelphia’s Hargrave will be among the most sought-after interior defensive linemen this offseason. Since joining the Eagles in 2020, Hargrave has transformed into a game-changer. Hargrave recorded a career-high 11.0 sacks in ’22, and has produced 34 total QB hits over the last two seasons. His excellent play may have priced him out of the Eagles’ affordable range. Based on previous deals signed by premier defensive tackles, Hargrave (who turns 30 after the Super Bowl) could be looking at a contract which will pay him between $15-20 million annually. The Texans have deep pockets and plenty of needs up front.
Prediction: Houston Texans
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Tua Tagovailoa
A string of unfortunate and unlucky injuries led to the derailment of Tua Tagovailoa’s 2022 season. After a strong start which saw the Dolphins race out to an 8-3 record, a series of concussions forced Tagovailoa to miss several games — including the final two regular season matchups plus the postseason. Though Miami’s offense cooled off a bit over the second-half, Tagovailoa finished the year with 25 TDs to just eight INTs while leading the league in quarterback rating (105.5). He’s proven he can accurately get the ball to his playmakers, but his ability to stay on the field remains a question mark.
With the Dolphins potentially swinging for one of the big names, we could definitely see a QB-needy team take a chance on Tagovailoa. The Saints don’t really have a great long-term option for the position and don’t have a first-round pick. If Sean Payton does in fact return to the New Orleans sideline for ’23, this QB-coach pairing makes a ton of sense for both sides.
Prediction: New Orleans Saints
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James Bradberry
In a long-line of successful Eagles acquisitions, James Bradberry might be near the top of the list considering GM Howie Roseman didn’t have to give anything up for the star corner. When the rival Giants cut Bradberry in May, the Eagles were quick to scoop up the former Pro Bowler. Playing across from Darius Slay, Bradberry collected three interceptions and 17 passes defended. Since 2020, Bradberry has more passes defended than any player in the league (52).
While a reunion with the Eagles wouldn’t surprise us, another team that was vying for Bradberry’s services following his release were the Las Vegas Raiders. Vegas needs to retool its defense, and Bradberry is familiar with the team’s defensive coordinator (Patrick Graham) from their time spent together with the Giants.
Prediction: Las Vegas Raiders
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Evan Engram
Turns out a change of scenery is exactly what Evan Engram needed. Following five years with the Giants, the former first-round pick made a move to Jacksonville this offseason. The move paid off as Engram recorded career-highs in both receptions (73) and yards (766). Engram is one of the fastest TE’s in the league and he provided security for sophomore QB Trevor Lawrence. While he’ll never be much of a blocker, Engram is a pass-catching threat who can help make offenses more dynamic as a size-plus-speed threat. It seems like a new deal would be beneficial for both sides. With the Jaguars adding Calvin Ridley into the fold next year, this passing offense could morph into something special.
Prediction: Jacksonville Jaguars
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Geno Smith
Geno Smith’s excellent play in 2022 has been a pleasant surprise to everybody except for the man himself. One of the most confident passers in the league, Smith turned in a quality year which saw him earn his first Pro Bowl nod. The 32-year-old finished the year with a career-high 30 TDs (previous high was 13) and led the league in completion percentage (69.8). With Russell Wilson gone, Smith helped revitalize the Seahawks and put them back in the postseason after missing in ’21.
Now, the Seahawks could very well sign Smith to a lucrative, short-term deal to keep him on for a few more years. However, Seattle is picking No. 5 in the draft and there are a ton of QB-needy teams with salary cap space. Included in those teams are the New York Jets who are in desperate need of competent QB play. A former Jet, Smith would return to the team that drafted him in 2013 and attempt to lead them to the playoffs.
Prediction: New York Jets
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Jakobi Meyers
While the end of the 2022 season was mired by his puzzling lateral decision versus the Raiders, Jakobi Meyers has developed into a solid wideout who should have a robust market this offseason. The Patriots have caught fire over the years for their hesitancy to shell out big contracts to homegrown talent. And, make no mistake about it — Meyers is going to get paid. Don’t believe us? Check out these numbers:
Player A: 70 receptions, 800 yards (53.3 yards per game), 69.0-percent catch%, 3 TDs
Player B: 64 receptions, 770 yards (52.5 yards per game), 66.6-percent catch%, 5 TDs
Player A is Meyers’ average over the last three seasons. Player B is Christian Kirk’s average in the three seasons before signing a four-year/$72 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Teams will pay for talented wideouts — teams like the Giants who really need the help on the outside.
Prediction: New York Giants
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Daron Payne
Daron Payne is going to get paid a massive amount this offseason. Interior defensive linemen who can rush the passer, stop the run, and are still just 25 years old don’t hit the open market all that often. Payne is also coming off his best season as a pro, collecting 11.5 sacks while being a driving force for one of the best defensive lines in football. Enter a team such as the Seattle Seahawks who were gashed up the middle all year long. Payne would be an excellent building block in rebuilding Seattle’s defensive front.
Prediction: Seattle Seahawks
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Tony Pollard
In recent years, Tony Pollard has proven more than capable when given a full workload. There are times where it seems obvious that Pollard is the superior back in a Dallas Cowboys backfield which features three-time Pro Bowler Ezekiel Elliott. Pollard is an electric playmaker who can hit home runs from all over the field. In ’22, Pollard played in 16 games (started just four) and finished with new career-highs in touches (232), scrimmage yards (1,378), and touchdowns (12). A few teams could offer Pollard a big contract to make him their lead back, but Dallas understands how important he is for this offense. They can’t let Pollard leave the building.
Prediction: Dallas Cowboys
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DeAndre Hopkins
All reports have pointed to the Cardinals steering towards a rebuild which would likely see them moving on from some of their stars. Of course, the biggest prize for potential trade partners is WR DeAndre Hopkins who is still among the league’s most talented pass catchers. After serving a suspension to the start the year, Hopkins made nine appearances in ’22 and finished the year with 64 receptions, 717 yards and three scores.
He’s still just 30 years old (the same as Davante Adams), and would likely be dealt for at least a couple of high-value draft picks. The Bears could hold all the cards as it pertains to the NFL Draft. Chicago could find itself with a boatload of picks if it deals the No. 1 overall selection. Packaging a few of those to get Justin Fields a legit option on the outside seems like a savvy move.
Prediction: Chicago Bears
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Orlando Brown Jr.
Orlando Brown Jr.’s season has not gone exactly as expected. Last offseason, Brown Jr. signed a one-year deal with the Chiefs in hopes of reaching an agreement on a lucrative, long-term contract down the road. Though Brown Jr. was once again elected a Pro Bowler (fourth selection), he did not have a season indicative of an elite offensive tackle. Brown Jr. led all tackles in QB hurries allowed (36) and several metrics had him ranked as the Chiefs’ worst starting offensive lineman. Though he might not end up being the highest-paid at the position, left tackle is a premium position and teams are always in need of offensive linemen. The Falcons need to compliment their bevy of skill players with a strong offensive line.
Prediction: Atlanta Falcons
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Saquon Barkley
Health and a strong offensive scheme has helped get Saquon Barkley back on track. Barkley was limited to just two games in 2020 before suffering an ACL tear, and wasn’t overly productive in his first year back after the injury. However, ’22 was a different story as Barkley thrived under new head coach Brian Daboll. Barkley finished the regular season with 1,650 scrimmage yards (most since his rookie campaign) and 10 TDs. New York’s offense should be even better next year after the team acquires a couple of quality pass catchers. The team has plenty of money to pay their star back, as Barkley should receive a multi-year deal worth around $10-12 million annually.
Prediction: New York Giants
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Aaron Rodgers
It felt like Green Bay losing to Detroit in Week 18 to be officially eliminated from the postseason was the final nail in Aaron Rodgers’ tenure with the Packers. Both sides moving on appears to be in order as the Packers attempt to move forward with Jordan Love, while Rodgers searches for the team that will be home to his final act. While Rodgers is coming off a career-worst season, he’s just a year removed from being named back-to-back MVP and throwing 85 TDs in a two-year span.
The most fun scenario for all parties would be Rodgers going back West to play for the 49ers — the team that opted for Alex Smith over him 18 years ago. Rodgers with Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, and George Kittle — with Kyle Shanahan calling plays — would be a sight to see.
Prediction: San Francisco 49ers
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Josh Jacobs
Josh Jacobs made Vegas’ decision to not pickup his fifth-year option an expensive mistake. Jacobs exploded in ’22 as he led the league in rushing yards (1,653) in what was a career year. The fourth-year back has always been talented, but it seemed like he flourished in Josh McDaniels’ rushing scheme. Jacobs is a punishing runner who is constantly breaking tackles and finding extra yards. While those sort of rushers don’t typically have lengthy careers, Jacobs is still just 24 years old and certainly has plenty left in the tank. If the Raiders can’t come to terms on a long-term deal with their All-Pro RB, expect them to utilize the franchise tag to prolong a potential deal for another year.
Prediction: Las Vegas Raiders
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Tom Brady
Brady’s time in Tampa Bay seems to be coming to a close. After spending three years with the Buccaneers, it’s time for the GOAT to move on. Where his next destination will be is currently uncertain. There’s a general feeling that the Las Vegas Raiders will almost certainly be in contention to sign Brady. The Josh McDaniels connection is there, and Brady would be joining a stacked offense which includes Davante Adams and Josh Jacobs. The 49ers are another potential option, as they were Brady’s childhood team and would become an instant favorite in the NFC. Some pundits have even floated a reunion in New England as a possibility.
In the end, we’re going to go with the team that nearly signed him two years ago. The Miami Dolphins even lost a draft pick for tampering with the seven-time Super Bowl champion. Brady joining forces with coach Mike McDaniel while tossing passes to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle would be a disaster for the rest of the league.
Prediction: Miami Dolphins
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Lamar Jackson
Is it possible we’ve seen Lamar Jackson’s final game in Baltimore? Jackson is set to be a free agent this offseason, and the two sides have struggled to come to terms on a long-term deal. Jackson is a former league MVP, though his play dipped in ’22. Baltimore has also struggled mightily in the postseason recently. The most obvious choice for the Ravens is to use the franchise tag on Jackson, but that could create a whole new set of issues if Jackson refused to play under that designation. That could open up a potential trade, and there will be a line of teams pining for the dynamic Jackson’s services.
The Dolphins, Raiders, Giants and Jets, among others, are all potential landing spots. One team to look out for is the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta has all of its picks (including No. 8 this year), a ton of salary cap (to ink Jackson to a mega-deal), and even have a young QB it could ship back to Baltimore in Desmond Ridder.
Prediction: Atlanta Falcons
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