NFL Free Agency is set to begin in one week when the official "Legal Tampering Period" begins at Noon EST on March 10. While some marquee names are quickly coming off the board now, thanks to some last-minute extensions and franchise/transition tag moves. Of course, every key free agent isn't looking for the same thing on the open market, but what's the best fit for these guys when you factor in key things like money, team needs, coaching familiarity, etc? Well, rather than say where I think guys will go, here's what I believe are the ideal landing spots for this year's big movers.
Headline Free Agents I do not expect to see hit the open market/expect to see stay with their current team: Tee Higgins, Zach Baun, Trey Smith, Carlton Davis, Osa Odighizuwa, Camryn Bynum, Stefon Diggs, Justin Reid, Justin Fields, Ernest Jones, Kevin Zeitler
Josh Sweat, EDGE - Arizona Cardinals
Arizona may not sound like the most exciting landing spot for this FA class' top pass rush option. Still, Sweat is more than familiar with Jonathan Gannon from his time in Philly. They have the resources to give him a competitive contract offer and fill perhaps their biggest need. Don't read too much into that Bears game where they teed off on Caleb Williams. This was one of the worst pass-rushing units in the league last year, and this would be a perfect glove fit for Gannon's defense.
Projected Contract Value via Spotrac: Three Years, $56,466,831 (18.82 Million AAV)
Ronnie Stanley, OT - New England Patriots
A better left tackle solution for the Patriots would've been Alaric Jackson, given that Mike Vrabel's second in command John Streicher spent 2024 with the Rams, but that went by the wayside when he signed a massive extension to stick in Tinseltown. Stanley, assuming he does hit the open market, is comfortably the top left tackle option this year, and even with the injury history, would make sense for a slew of teams, but especially the tackle starved Patriots, who could outbid anyone, including a team like the Chicago Bears to give the former Pro Bowler one last big contract.
Projected Contract Value via Spotrac: Two Years, $41,338,294 (20.66 Million AAV)
DJ Reed, CB - San Francisco 49ers
Some notable names are likely to leave the 49ers secondary, and with Robert Saleh back, it makes too much sense to get DJ Reed back in the building to plug right in for the (likely) outgoing Charvarius Ward. He's still only 28 years old and was highly successful in his three years with the Jets. Hard to say if the 49ers want to sink over 30 million annually into their two top corners with a Brock Purdy extension on the horizon, but this feels like one of those moves that's too obvious.
Projected Contract Value via Spotrac: Four Years, $58,602,640 (14.65 Million AAV)
Chris Godwin, WR - Jacksonville Jaguars
Another natural new landing spot for an impending free agent is Chris Godwin to Jacksonville, however, it's not a guarantee he leaves Tampa at this point. His market would've been genuinely fascinating this month had he not gotten hurt, given the pace he was on, but the Jags should be aggressive in adding secondary receiving options for Trevor Lawrence. I also wouldn't be surprised to see this team cut Christian Kirk soon, but if not, the Jags have enough space to bring Liam Coen a guy who was a massive part of the Buccaneers' early season success.
Projected Contract Value via Spotrac: Three Years $67,586,484 (22.52 Million AAV)
Milton Williams, IDL - New England Patriots
An impending switch to a 4-3 front and some uncertainty regarding the future of 2023 breakout star Christian Barmore puts the Patriots right in the mix for a guy like Milton Williams, who is as sure to leave the Eagles as any of their impending free agents. Not exactly the caliber of IDL as Jalen Carter, but Williams should be right at home in this new Patriots front, and they get good news on the Barmore blood clots front, that's as scary an interior pass rush duo in the league.
Projected Contract Value via Spotrac: Three Years $36,000,675 (12.02 Million AAV) (He's getting notably more than that figure imo)
Sam Darnold, QB - Las Vegas Raiders
Not exactly the cream of the crop for Sam Darnold to go to after a mostly good year in Minnesota, but of the likely QB needy teams, Vegas has the most money to burn, and when you consider the teams in play for his services are, that'll probably be the most likely factor. The good thing with the Raiders is that they have Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers in-house and a better offensive line situation than say, the Giants, who I think will be more of a factor here than the Titans as another option. Wouldn't be too shocked if any deal for Darnold is structured how Daniel Jones' contract with New York was, but I don't hate his potential fit in Vegas as at least a stopgap option with QB likely being out of play at pick six in the draft.
Projected Contract Value via Spotrac: Four Years $160,494,644 (40.12 Million AAV)
Jevon Holland, SAF - Buffalo Bills
This one would be somewhat tricky cap-wise, even assuming the Bills make Von Miller a post-June 1st designated cut, but I came across the video detailing what Jevon Holland was looking for in free agency, and he actually gives some good insight.
Some other teams with more cap space make sense here, but the wanting to win part sticks out a ton, given the lack of meeting expectations down in South Beach the last few years. Buffalo could use another body at safety, regardless of what happens with Demar Hamilin's impending free agency, and Buffalo feels like a spot that checks off most of those boxes, plus the bonus of sticking it to the 'Fins twice a year. I wouldn't be shocked if another safety-needy team like the Vikings or Panthers ultimately landed him, but something about the Bills feels like a better fit.
Projected Contract Value via Spotrac: Four Years $60,214,028 (15.05 Million AAV)
Cam Robinson, OT - Chicago Bears
Under the assumption they miss out on Ronnie Stanley, the Bears landing Cam Robinson feels like a must. Even if they draft a lineman in the first round of the draft, their line potentially needs upgrades everywhere but right guard if Tevin Jenkins leaves—no reason to be passive in keeping your franchise upright after a brutal 2024. You'd be hoping for '24 Jags Robinson instead of '24 Vikings Robinson, but he's an upgrade over Braxton Jones by default.
Projected Contract Value via Spotrac: Three Years $42,034,521 (14.01 Million AAV)
Charvarius Ward, CB - Washington Commanders
The New England Patriots are interested in the services of veteran cornerback Charvarius Ward. Still, the Commanders have a more significant need at corner. They should be willing to open up the war chest to get him paired up with Marshon Lattimore and Mike Sainristil. GM Adam Peters was a part of the front office that got him to jump from Kansas City to San Francisco, so they definitely have some insider intel already and are more than capable of giving out a big deal even after the Deebo trade.
Projected Contract Value via Spotrac: Three Years $45,863,529 (15.28 Million AAV)
Will Fries, IOL - Minnesota Vikings
Fries is a tough guy to nail down, given his season-ending injury this year, but he was one of the NFL's best right guards up until then for the Colts. Should the Bears let Tevin Jenkins walk, they should be all over him, but without knowing their direction at right guard, the division-rival Vikings make a ton of sense, with Dalton Risner hitting the open market at 30 and off a poor year at that. It would be dicey going into this season with Fries and Christian Darrisaw coming off of season-ending injuries, but the payoff could be gigantic.
Projected Contract Value via Spotrac: Four Years $56,517,428 (14.12 Million AAV)
Khalil Mack, EDGE - Philadelphia Eagles
Until the Eagles actually send in the call to make a mega deal for Myles Garrett, a reunion between Khalil Mack and Vic Fangio is on the table. It would have to be for less than market value, but it would give the former DPOY a shot at an elusive ring, and he'd be a part of a rotation off the edge rather than having to play a ton at 34 years old. It feels worth the trade-off for me anyway.
Projected Contract Value via Spotrac: Three Years $70,911,135 (23.63 Million AAV)
Drew Dalman, IOL - Chicago Bears
With how wretched center play was for the Bears this last season, Dalman, who was spectacular for the Falcons this year at center, should probably be one of the Bears' first moves this upcoming week. The good news, according to Jeremy Fowler, is that Dalman is definitely on Ryan Poles's and the Bears' radar, and I would expect his number to be a bit higher than what the folks at Spotrac project; likely double as a matter of fact.
Projected Contract Value via Spotrac: Three Years $20,263,836 (6.75 Million AAV)
Nick Bolton, LB - New England Patriots
New England's defense became a shell of itself last year when they lost JaWhaun Bentley, literally plays into Week 2 vs. Seattle, and never really recovered in the front seven. They've already begun retooling things in that room by letting go of Sione Takitaki, but depth at linebacker is paramount out in Foxborough. Seeing as the Chiefs are concerned with Trey Smith, and rightfully so, it appears Nick Bolton is set to hit the open market, barring anything last minute, and this is the exact kind of player a team like New England should want to bring in for Mike Vrabel: A Green Dot 'backer who could make life easier on Bentley, who turns 29 in late August. Bolton's only 24 years old and is as good a big game player as they come; Don't'a Hightower-esque if you will.
Projected Contract Value via Spotrac: Four Years $49,030,152 (12.25 Million AAV)
Honorable Mentions:
- Jamien Sherwood, LB - San Francisco 49ers
- Dre Greenlaw, LB - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Amari Cooper, WR - Los Angeles Rams
- Jonathan Jones, CB - Buffalo Bills
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