Schultz Report: The latest rumors and news ahead of NFL free agency
NFL free agency is nearly upon us and theScore's NFL insider Jordan Schultz has all the latest buzz from around the league.
March 1511:37 p.m. ET: Odell Beckham Jr. and the Cowboys have had positive conversations. Beckham is seeking a multi-year contract.
11:28 a.m. ET: The Eagles are trying to work out a long-term deal to bring back free-agent safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Acquired in a trade with the Saints prior to last season, the 25-year-old was a key piece on Philly's No. 2-ranked defense. Philadelphia is hoping to avoid losing yet another starter from that group.
8:56 a.m. ET: The Chargers are among the teams that have shown interest in free-agent tight end Dalton Schultz. There's a connection there with former Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore landing in Los Angeles this offseason, but the price has been too high for the Chargers thus far.
March 138:35 p.m. ET: The Texans and Raiders each made serious inquires with the Bears about trading up for the No. 1 overall pick before the Panthers closed the deal last week. Houston currently holds the No. 2 pick. Las Vegas, which is at No. 7, agreed to terms with Jimmy Garoppolo on the first day of the free-agent negotiating period Monday.
5:55 p.m. ET: Running back Matt Breida is sticking with the Giants, according to sources. He's re-signing on a one-year deal with New York worth $2.3 million. The 28-year-old had 220 yards on the ground in 2022, with one touchdown.
5:47 p.m. ET: Andre Dillard is headed to Tennessee from Philadelphia, according to sources. The 27-year-old offensive lineman was a first-round pick in 2019 (22nd overall) by the Eagles, and saw action in 12 games last season.
4 p.m. ET: Another name to keep tabs on: cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting.
March 12CB Sean Murphy-Bunting is a name I'm hearing good things from teams. Performed very well for the #Bucs to end the season, notching 1 INT, 1 FF and 6 PBUs last four games. Only 25 years old and can play in different schemes as well.
- Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 13, 2023
1:30 p.m. ET: There are a few linebackers set to get substantial paydays. Tremaine Edmunds is widely lauded for his freakish athleticism and youth. He has a chance to set the market at the position, potentially with a deal in the high teens.
I'm also interested to see what Mecole Hardman does. Teams love his speed and some will want to deploy him more as a pure wide receiver, too. He could take a solid one-year deal and then truly get paid, but that's not to say a multi-year deal is out of the question. It'll depend on the number, but clubs definitely like him.
March 104 p.m. ET: There's interest in linebacker Bobby Wagner from several teams, including the Chargers, Cowboys, and the Seahawks, according to sources. Wagner, who spent the first 10 years of his career in Seattle, started 17 games for the Rams in 2022, recording a career-high six sacks, while adding two interceptions.
March 92:24 p.m. ET: The Vikings are facing a number of cut or restructure decisions. Adam Thielen and Harrison Smith might have to rework their deals to remain in Minnesota. Dalvin Cook also has a significant cap number, but I don't get the impression the Vikings want to move on from their star running back. He brings too much to that offense.
12:57 p.m. ET: The free-agent cornerback market is very enticing. I'm interested to see what the Steelers do with Cameron Sutton. Several clubs will pursue him, but at what price? Like Larry Ogunjobi, the Steelers want to keep their former third-round pick around, but money talks at these premium positions.
12:10 p.m. ET: With Daniel Jones locked up, the Giants would like to bring back Darius Slayton and find a way to keep Sterling Shepard in their receiving corps, too. Slayton has a nice market developing. Someone will pay him.
March 711:37 a.m. ET: Yannick Ngakoue is a name to watch coming off 9.5 sacks for the Colts in 2022 and 10 sacks for the Raiders the year prior. "I still think there's another level for him, 12-13 sacks," one scout told us. "He has a lot of moves and counters that offensive linemen struggle with because of his quickness."
March 611 a.m. ET: The Bears should be in the mix on linebacker Bobby Okereke, according to league sources (more on Okereke in our March 1 update). And two other names to keep tabs on: safety Marcus Epps, who is trending upward, and cornerback Jonathan Jones, who's a sleeper in free agency.
March 44 p.m. ET: Baker Mayfield and the 49ers will have mutual interest when the former No. 1 overall pick hits the free-agent market. San Francisco could be in the market for a veteran backup with Brock Purdy recovering from elbow surgery. League sources expect Mayfield's market to end up somewhere around $8 million per year.
March 21:50 p.m. ET: The Jaguars will use the franchise tag on tight end Evan Engram. Keeping the 28-year-old was a huge priority for the Jags entering this offseason. Engram blossomed into one of Trevor Lawrence's favorite targets, registering a 73/766/4 line. While the tag for tight ends is $11.3 million, the two sides have until July 17 to get a long-term deal done.
March 14:39 p.m. ET: Baker Mayfield should have a good free-agent market. He was very well-liked by the staff and players with the Rams. He might need to be a backup in 2023, but I believe he'll have a chance to start again - whether it's next season or in 2024.
1:56 p.m. ET: League sources expect Colts linebackers Bobby Okereke and E.J. Speed to be highly coveted entering free agency. Both shined in expanded roles with Shaquille Leonard injured for much of 2022. Okereke made 151 tackles, six tackles for loss, five pass breakups, and two forced fumbles. Speed made 63 tackles with seven tackles for loss, two pass breakups, and two forced fumbles. Each player could find a bigger role elsewhere.
9:22 a.m. ET: The Texans are trying to find a new home for Brandin Cooks by way of a trade. Coming off a tumultuous season in which Cooks appeared to be disappointed he wasn't traded at the deadline and subsequently missed several games, the 29-year-old would like to play for a winner.
Feb. 288:31 p.m. ET: The Bills and Rams are two teams in search of more running back depth in free agency. It's a loaded class, headlined by franchise tag candidates Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, and Tony Pollard. Among the next level of pending free-agent running backs are Leonard Fournette, Kareem Hunt, Alexander Mattison, and David Montgomery.
9:22 p.m. ET: Several people within the Eagles' building believe Kenneth Gainwell is a Pro Bowl-caliber player who needs more touches. Miles Sanders had a great year, leading the Eagles with 1,269 rushing yards and adding 11 touchdowns after failing to score in 2021, but can Philly afford him?
8:12 p.m. ET: Mike Gesicki won't be back in Miami. The market is developing nicely for the 27-year-old tight end, and he should command either a multi-year deal or perhaps a nice one-year deal elsewhere before really getting paid next offseason. Many teams are interested in Gesicki despite a somewhat down season where he never seemed to fully mesh with Mike McDaniel's offensive approach.
6:57 p.m. ET: The Seahawks love Geno Smith the player and person, and they want him there long-term. Smith has a great relationship with Pete Carroll and the coaching staff. The locker room loves him, too. Whether it's on the franchise tag or a long-term contract, Smith will be back in Seattle and have the chance to build on his career-best 4,282 passing yards and 30 touchdowns in 2022.
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