One Free Agent Fit for All 32 Teams

William Jackson III
Dec 21, 2020; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Mackensie Alexander (21) and cornerback William Jackson (22) celebrate as the time winds down on the upset win over Pittsburgh Steelers at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

It feels like Christmas Eve for football fans as the NFL’s free agency tampering period begins tomorrow with the new league year kicking off on Wednesday, March 17th at 4 ET. I outlined a free agent that I believe could be a good fit for each team to target once the floodgates open. 

Arizona Cardinals- Desmond King, CB

The Cardinals made a big free agency splash when they signed JJ Watt, but they must continue to add to a defense losing both Patrick Peterson and Dre Kirkpatrick. Desmond King gives them a head start.

Atlanta Falcons- DaQuan Jones, DT

In new defensive coordinator Deen Peas’ defense, the Falcons will need to find a true NT to pair with Grady Jarrett and anchor the defensive front. 

Baltimore Ravens- Corey Davis, WR

It’s no secret that the Ravens need to surround Lamar Jackson with receiving options, and Davis adds to a relatively thin room. Coming off of a 945 yard breakout season, Davis can help the Ravens offense take a leap. 

Buffalo Bills- Jonnu Smith, TE

The Bills ran the third most 11-personnel (three receivers and one tight end) in the league last year, due to not having reliable options at the position. Jonnu Smith is a versatile player who can be another weapon for Josh Allen. 

Carolina Panthers- Shaquill Griffin, CB 

The Panthers run a zone-heavy scheme and Griffin would be a rock solid corner alongside Donte Jackson, who suffered an injury-riddled 2020 season.  

Chicago Bears- Marcus Mariota (via trade), QB

The Bears have been looking for better quarterback play basically throughout their entire existence. Russell Wilson and Deshaun Watson are pipe dreams, but Mariota is talented enough to compete for a starting role in Chicago. 

Cincinnati Bengals- Joe Thuney, OG

The Bengals spent the first overall pick on QB Joe Burrow last season, and now all attention must go on protecting him. Thuney is the best guard on the market and adds immediate help up front. 

Cleveland Browns- Matthew Judon, EDGE 

The Browns are looking for a pass rusher to pair with star DE Myles Garrett, as it seems that Olivier Vernon’s time is finished in Cleveland. Judon, coming off back to back Pro Bowl selections, provides that help.

Dallas Cowboys- Anthony Harris, S

The Cowboys signed Dak Prescott last week, so the focus now turns to the struggling defense, mainly the secondary. Harris had a rough 2020 season, but still provides an immediate veteran presence and solid play.

Denver Broncos- Jayon Brown, LB 

The Broncos are in search to add speed at the linebacker position, and Brown is a solid cover linebacker who can do just that for Vic Fangio and company. 

Detroit Lions- John Johnson III, S

New Lions GM Brad Holmes was the one who encouraged drafting Johnson with the Rams, and the Lions hired Johnson’s secondary coach Aubrey Pleasant, so that familiarity may help lure him into town as Detroit begins a massive rebuild. 

Green Bay Packers- Casey Hayward, CB

The Packers will lose Kevin King this offseason and still need a corner to pair with star Jaire Alexander. Near the end of his career, Hayward would fill a huge need in Green Bay’s secondary. 

Houston Texans- Bud Dupree, EDGE 

The Texans’ linebacker room combined for 15 sacks last season. Dupree himself had eight sacks through Week 11 before tearing his ACL. Dupree would help fill the pass rushing void left by JJ Watt. 

Indianapolis Colts- Trent Williams, OT

Colts LT Anthony Castonzo retired this offseason, and protecting new acquisition Carson Wentz is the biggest goal right now. Williams is one of the best tackles in the game, and if he can’t get a deal done with San Francisco, Indy should reach out. 

Jacksonville Jaguars- Dalvin Tomlinson, DT 

The Jaguars run defense allowed the third most total yards in 2020. Tomlinson is an elite run stopping defensive lineman who would boost their front. 

Kansas City Chiefs- Riley Reiff, OT

The Chiefs cut both long-time tackles Mitchell Schwartz and Eric Fisher last week. Inability to protect Mahomes arguably cost them the Super Bowl. Reiff would be a plug and play LT who is also a scheme fit. 

Las Vegas Raiders- JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR 

With the Raiders most productive WR, Nelson Agholor, as a FA, Smith – Schuster could fill the void as a complement to Henry Ruggs who thrives off speed.  

Los Angeles Chargers- Corey Linsley, C

Justin Herbert just had a record breaking rookie season. More impressively, he was the best QB in the league under pressure. However, history shows that’s not sustainable and the Chargers must invest to protect him. Corey Linsely will do just that. 

Los Angeles Rams- Marvin Jones Jr, WR

The Rams traded for Matthew Stafford back in January and Jones Jr expressed interest in joining him, as he wants to go to a Super Bowl contender. 

Miami Dolphins- KJ Wright, LB

The Dolphins cut Kyle Van Noy last week, but a good replacement for him is Wright who is excellent in the run game and a staple for Seattle’s defense for so long, giving Miami versatility at the LB position.

Minnesota Vikings- William Jackson III, CB

The Vikings defense as a whole struggled, finishing 23rd in cover grade per PFF. However, rookie CB Cameron Dantzler showed elite potential to close out the year, and Jackson would pair up with him on the outside. 

New England Patriots- Will Fuller IV, WR

New England’s offense was one of the worst units in the league in 2020, somewhat due to QB play and somewhat due to lack of weapons. Fuller is a solid speedster who can take the top off defenses. 

New Orleans Saints- Jason Verrett, CB

With the Saints losing Janoris Jenkins, they need someone to pair with star CB Marshon Lattimore. Jason Verrett, who has suffered an injury plagued career, would slot in perfectly alongside Lattimore. 

New York Jets- Hunter Henry, TE

The Jets are expected to draft a QB, but this time they must surround him with weapons and set him up for success. Henry would add a dimension to the offense and help the rookie out.

New York Giants- Kenny Golladay, WR

Giants GM Dave Gettleman said “he’s the guy” about QB Daniel Jones. In order to help him be ‘the guy,’ New York must add weapons. Golladay has the potential to be a WR1. 

Philadelphia Eagles- Malik Hooker, S

The Eagles secondary struggled in 2020 even after adding Pro Bowler Darius Slay. Malik Hooker is an upgrade at safety and provides quality coverage over the middle of the field. 

Pittsburgh Steelers- Chris Carson, RB

The run blocking OL for Pittsburgh ranked second to last in the league, so the Steelers need a RB who can create without open opportunities. Carson would boost the Steelers running game and make things easier on Roethlisberger. 

San Francisco 49ers- David Andrews, C

The 49ers will be needing a center this free agency after incumbent Weston Richburg will retire. Former Patriot Andrews boasts a respectable 67 grade from PFF and has a cheap market value of just $2 million per OTC.

Seattle Seahawks- Gabe Jackson, OG

Russell Wilson caused lots of chatter in the football world after saying he was frustrated with getting hit. Seattle must appease him by adding to the OL and Gabe Jackson provides an immediate interior upgrade. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Sheldon Rankins, DT

Tampa has managed to keep most of the Super Bowl winning gang together, but there are question marks around the status of Ndamukong Suh. Rankins is a stout replacement against the run defense that’ll keep Tampa’s defense from skipping a beat. 

Tennessee Titans- Yannick Ngakoue, EDGE

The Titans spent big on Jadeveon Clowney to bolster their pass rush last year, but he got injured and their defense finished third to last in sacks. Ngakoue would be a solid stand-up pass rusher for Tennessee and a Clowney replacement. 

Washington Football Team- Curtis Samuel, WR

The Football Team hit on Terry McLaurin in the third round two years ago, but don’t have many receiving options aside from him. Curtis Samuel is a versatile and explosive receiver who can add another dimension to Washington’s offense.