Article 50RGZ Predicting where the NFL's top offensive free agents will sign

Predicting where the NFL's top offensive free agents will sign

by
David P. Woods, Dan Wilkins
from on (#50RGZ)
Story Image

Guessing the landing spots and contract terms for the NFL's top offensive free agents in 2020. Players expected to be tagged are omitted.

Offense | DefenseTom Brady, QB

Age: 42
2019 Stats: 4,057 yards passing, 24 TDs, 8 INTs
Potential suitors: Raiders, Chargers, Buccaneers, Colts

Nobody seems to know what Brady is going to do. The safest guess is he'll end up back with the Patriots, but that would mean ignoring all the signs from the past year pointing to a departure. As weird as it is to say, the GOAT seems like he's ready for a new beginning. And if Bruce Arians is willing to adjust his system for a future Hall of Famer, there may not be a more interesting fit than the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay would provide an opportunity for Brady to remain on the East Coast. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin form one of the NFL's premier receiver tandems, a stark contrast from what Brady had in New England last year, and the defense is quite good, too. A rumor suggesting Tampa Bay would give Brady some say in roster moves is also interesting - perhaps this means he could push to further bolster the receiving corps with Antonio Brown, whom he seemed to have developed a relationship with in New England. Brady wearing anything other than Patriots colors would be bizarre, but it seems increasingly possible.

Prediction: Buccaneers on a 2-year, $70M contract (fully guaranteed)

Amari Cooper, WR

Age: 25
2019 Stats: 79 catches, 1,189 yards, 8 TDs
Potential suitors: Broncos, Bills, Cardinals, Eagles, Redskins, Patriots, Jets

It would be a stunner if the Cowboys let Cooper walk not even two years after acquiring him for a first-round pick. But considering that Cooper's young and has shown flashes of being an elite pass-catcher, a competitive market will give him the opportunity to become the NFL's highest-paid receiver - a price tag Dallas might not be able to justify with a Dak Prescott megadeal on the way. Denver could take advantage by swooping in to pair Cooper with Courtland Sutton, giving Drew Lock a tremendous receiving tandem to work with for the foreseeable future.

Prediction: Broncos on a 5-year, $111M contract ($65M guaranteed)

Jameis Winston, QB

Age: 26
2019 Stats: 5,109 yards passing, 33 TDs, 30 INTs
Potential suitors: Chargers, Raiders, Patriots, Dolphins

There are no historical comparisons to Winston because no passer in NFL history has ever thrown 30-plus touchdowns and interceptions in the same season. As he's been since entering the league as the first overall pick in 2015, Winston remains an enigma who's equally likely to make the best throw or worst decision you've ever seen on any given play. Winston's best chance to start could come in Los Angeles, where the Chargers are desperately seeking to make a splash and sell tickets in their new stadium. Climbing aboard the Winston roller coaster might not deliver the Chargers to the playoffs, but at least it would be a wild ride while they develop a potential top draft pick.

Prediction: Chargers on a 1-year, $20M contract ($16M guaranteed)

Emmanuel Sanders, WR

Age: 32
2019 Stats: 66 catches, 869 yards, 5 TDs
Potential suitors: Packers, Eagles, Colts, Patriots, Cardinals

After landing with the 49ers in a midseason trade, Sanders proved he still has plenty left in the tank. The Packers are among the many teams who should be on the hunt for a proven receiver in free agency, and age shouldn't be a deterrent as they look to capitalize on the championship window that remains with Aaron Rodgers at the helm. Sanders would be a strong fit for Matt LaFleur's offense, providing another reliable target who can separate at the short and intermediate levels of the field, and the price tag shouldn't be prohibitive.

Prediction: Packers on a 3-year, $36M contract ($21M guaranteed)

Jack Conklin, OT

Age: 25
2019 Stats: 3 sacks allowed, 6 penalties
Potential suitors: Jets, Dolphins, Browns, Redskins, Giants

Conklin was an All-Pro right tackle as a rookie before enduring two subpar seasons marred by a torn ACL and capped by the Titans declining his fifth-year option before the 2019 season. But the former first-rounder rehabilitated his value with a strong campaign, during which he played an important role in Derrick Henry's rushing dominance. As the top tackle available in this year's free-agent class, and with his best years potentially ahead of him, Conklin should break the bank.

Prediction: Browns on a 5-year, $80M contract ($52M guaranteed)

Philip Rivers, QB

Age: 38
2019 Stats: 4,615 yards passing, 23 TDs, 20 INTs
Potential suitors: Buccaneers, Colts, Titans, Redskins

It's not unthinkable that Rivers won't find a starting job in a buyer's market for teams seeking passing help. His best fit is in Indianapolis, where head coach Frank Reich and offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni - who both know Rivers from their days with the Chargers - and a strong offensive line would set the QB up for immediate success. It's not a slam dunk for the Colts, however. Jacoby Brissett clearly isn't the answer, but he probably isn't going anywhere; Brissett carries a cap hit of $21.375 million in 2020 and the Colts would incur a $12.5-million dead money penalty by cutting him. Still, the team is far from strapped for cash and can afford to pay two pricey passers if it deems it necessary.

Prediction: Colts on a 2-year, $50M contract ($25M guaranteed)

Teddy Bridgewater, QB

Age: 27
2019 Stats: 1,384 yards passing, 9 TDs, 2 INTs
Potential suitors: Dolphins, Buccaneers, Bears, Panthers, Chargers

Despite his impressive showing across five starts (all wins) in relief of the injured Drew Brees last season, it's difficult to see Bridgewater getting anything resembling high-end starter's money given the glut of free-agent passers and the lack of available jobs. He might have to settle for another one-year deal in the range of the $7.25 million he got from New Orleans last season and then face competition for the starting job in camp.

Prediction: Bears on a 1-year, $11M contract ($11M guaranteed)

Robby Anderson, WR

Age: 26
2019 Stats: 52 catches, 779 yards, 5 TDs
Potential suitors: Eagles, Bills, Cardinals, Texans, Packers, Raiders

The speedy Anderson will have no lack of interest given the talent he flashed in New York and the fact that there's not much depth behind him in this class of free-agent wideouts. Kliff Kingsbury's offense relies on four-wide sets and, despite selecting several receivers in the 2019 draft, the Cardinals still have a major need at the position and plenty of money to throw at it.

Prediction: Cardinals on a 4-year, $64.5M contract ($35M guaranteed)

Austin Hooper, TE

Age: 25
2019 Stats: 75 catches, 787 yards, 6 TDs
Potential suitors: Packers, Cardinals, Bears, Bills

The Packers need more weapons for Aaron Rodgers. They milked every bit of value they could out of Jimmy Graham, but he's never been close to the same player he was in New Orleans due to a litany of injuries. Hooper broke out in 2019 and would go a long way toward taking some pressure off Davante Adams when Green Bay's in the red zone.

Prediction: Packers on a 4-year, $44M contract ($29M guaranteed)

Melvin Gordon, RB

Age: 26
2019 Stats: 612 yards rushing, 296 yards receiving, 9 total TDs
Potential suitors: Bills, Buccaneers, Dolphins

Devin Singletary is the most talented playmaker in the Bills' offense, but he's best utilized in specific roles that are designed to get him the ball in space. Buffalo would be wise to pair him with a strong early-down runner and - with money to burn - they should be more than willing to pay up for Gordon on a multi-year deal. The two-time Pro Bowler was unable to get it going in 2019 after returning from a holdout, but he'd provide plenty of value as a lead ball-carrier after stepping in for Frank Gore.

Prediction: Bills on a 3-year, $27M contract ($19M guaranteed)

Copyright (C) 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

External Content
Source RSS or Atom Feed
Feed Location http://feeds.thescore.com/nfl.rss
Feed Title
Feed Link http://feeds.thescore.com/
Reply 0 comments