2018 NFL Free Agency Predictions
My favorite part of the NFL is starting in just a few weeks, the offseason. Strange to hear from an avid football fan, but while I love watching football, I love the offseason just a little bit more. Free agency, the NFL Draft, and trades are simply just a thing of beauty and so much fun to watch. These are the type of things that can completely change a team's fate or send them spiraling into continued failure. Just two days ago NFL.com analyst Gregg Rosenthal released his top 25 free agents for the 2018 offseason, plus some honorable mentions. While, I will predict based off of his list, every time I try to put the link to it in this article the entire article delete's. So, I'm just going to predict. For the sake of it, I will also predict some potential trades.
1.) Jimmy Garoppolo QB, San Francisco 49ers.
Prediction: Garoppolo re-signs with the San Francisco 49ers.
-The 49ers just traded their 2nd round pick for Garoppolo during this season, and there's no doubt with leagues highest salary cap that the 49ers will re-sign the quarterback that lead them to a 5-0 mark down the stretch.
2.) Kirk Cousins QB, Washington Redskins.
Prediction: Cousins signs with the Denver Broncos.
-There's no doubt the Broncos need quarterback help, and they need it fast or they'll waste a Super Bowl caliber defense. Now of course, some of that defense will have to be torn down in order to make room for Cousins. However, there are some replaceable pieces on that defense whether via cheaper free agents or draft picks. Lately, there's been many Broncos players just raving about Cousins' play at the quarterback position. I think John Elway and the Broncos may take a chance on the kid and pay him a lot in the process.
3.) Drew Brees QB, New Orleans Saints.
Prediction: Brees re-signs with the New Orleans Saints.
-Drew Brees is just part of New Orleans at this point. Not just the team, but the city itself. I imagine he'll be back next year to finish his career off as a Saints, that is unless they win the Super Bowl this season.
4.) Le'Veon Bell RB, Pittsburgh Steelers.
Prediction: Bell re-signs with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
-Bell came out yesterday and said if he receives the franchise tag this upcoming offseason that he will sit out the entire 2018 offseason, and maybe even retire. A little selfish to say before a playoff game, don't you think? Regardless, Bell is arguably the best running back in the NFL and the Steelers will make him as such. Even though, paying Bell will mean some other players are going to have to be cut.
5.) Demarcus Lawrence DE, Dallas Cowboys.
Prediction: Dallas Cowboys franchise tag Lawrence.
-The Cowboys salary cap situation is one of the worst in the league, despite that you can't just let players like Lawrence goes. Franchise tagging Lawrence gives the Cowboys another year to try and reach a contract agreement.
6.) Allen Robinson WR, Jacksonville Jaguars.
Prediction: Robinson signs with the Indianapolis Colts.
-Here you go, another player switching teams. Robinson had a tremendous 2015 season, followed by a decent 2016 season before getting hurt and missing this entire 2017 season. While the Jaguars would probably love to keep a wide receiver of Robinson's caliber on the team, they are lower on the salary cap scale. The Colts are projected to be one of the top 3 teams when it comes to the highest salary caps heading into the 2018 offseason. The Colts could choose to let Donte Moncrief walk in free agency, and instead pair the dynamic TY Hilton with Robinson. This is the type of splash signing rookie head coach Josh McDaniels would love to make.
7.) Teddy Bridgewater QB, Minnesota Vikings.
Prediction: Bridgewater signs with the Arizona Cardinals.
-I've heard that the Vikings front office loves Bridgewater, but for the sake of team's ability to win now, Case Keenum is the best QB choice for the Vikings.. After an awful knee injury kept Bridgewater out a season and a half, it's safe to say his toughness is admirable. That sort of toughness could sell the Cardinals rookie coach Steve Wilkes on Bridgewater, so Wilks can now focus on defense (his strong suit) in the draft.
8.) Sheldon Richardson DT, Seattle Seahawks.
Prediction: Richardson signs with the Washington Redskins.
-Richardson would be a nice addition to a Redskins defense that people could argue may be a playoff contender. If the Redskins want to get there they need to sure up their defensive line.
9.) Ezekiel Ansah DE, Detroit Lions.
Prediction: Detroit Lions franchise tag Ansah.
-Ansah has become a dynamic NFL pass rusher, and deserves to get paid as one of the best pass rushers in the league. Eventhough the Lions they are projected to have one of the top 10 salary caps heading into the 2018 offseason, they could use another year to negotiate with Ansah before making a final decision on whether to re-sign Ansah or not .
10.) Jarvis Landry WR, Miami Dolphins.
Prediction: Landry signs with the Baltimore Ravens.
-I'm not actually sure where to go with this one. I have heard reports that the Dolphins are looking to move on from Landry and other one's saying that the Dolphins and Landry are trying to reach a deal. I'm not sure what to believe, but I know the Ravens can no longer ignore their need for a wide receiver.
11.) Sammy Watkins WR, Los Angeles Rams.
Prediction: Watkins signs with the Chicago Bears.
-Watkins has constantly under exceeded the expectations that come with being the no.4 pick in the draft. He has only exceeded 1,000 yards once in his career. I'm not sure why the Rams would re-sign him, he was their 3rd best target this season. So why not let the Bears take him instead? Their current draft spot no.8 is a little too high to draft one of the top receivers from this draft class.
12.) Lamarcus Joyner DB, Los Angeles Rams.
Prediction: Joyner re-signs with the Los Angeles Rams.
-Joyner is a versatile tool, playing both corner and safety. Joyner is an above-average player, and may be the guy the Rams keep out of a few key free agents.
13.) Trumaine Johnson CB, Los Angeles Rams.
Prediction: Johnson signs with the Houston Texans.
-It's extremely uncommon that a player gets franchise tagged 3 straight years, and I don't think it'll happen again. Clearly negotiations between Johnson and the Rams have failed thus far, and it might just be time for the sides to move on from each other. If so, Johnson would be more than welcomed to a Texans secondary that needs urgent help.
14.) Case Keenum QB, Minnesota Vikings.
Prediction: Minnesota Vikings franchise tag Keenum.
-Keenum was a pleasant surprise for the Vikings this season, as he had them sitting at the no.2 seed in the NFC and made them a Super Bowl threat. The Vikings have a tough decision to make this offseason about who will be their franchise quarterback moving forward, with all three of the QB's on their active roster being free agents, but I believe Keenum will ultimately be their choice. Even if it takes another season of negotiations.
15.) Andrew Norwell OG, Carolina Panthers.
Prediction: Carolina Panthers franchise tag Norwell.
-Norwell is a well above-average NFL Guard. It wouldn't be a surprise if the Panthers do whatever it takes to keep Norwell on the team for 2018 and beyond.
16.) Malcolm Butler CB, New England Patriots.
Prediction: Butler signs with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
-Butler is a good NFL cornerback, but it seems apparent Patriots don't want him. This isn't uncommon for a Bill Belichick lead team, the Patriots seem to have no problem letting go of anyone so long as they keep winning without them. It's certainly not uncommon if that player was benched in the Super Bowl. The Buccaneers are projected to be top 5 in the salary cap, and could use some help in the secondary.
17.) Dontari Poe DT, Atlanta Falcons.
Prediction: Poe signs with the Houston Texans.
-Poe is by no means a superstar, but he could be very helpful to any contending team next season. The Texans look to have a revamped defense next year with JJ Watt and Whitney Mercilus returning from injury. Adding Poe to the middle of that defense could help make the Texans a legitimate Super Bowl threat in 2018.
18.) Dion Lewis RB, New England Patriots.
Prediction: Lewis re-signs with the New England Patriots.
-The Patriots will have to decide this offseason who their true no.1 running back is, with Lewis and Rex Burkhead both set to be free agents. I imagine they'll choose Lewis, who has been very productive late this season.
19.) Justin Pugh OG, New York Giants.
Prediction: Pugh signs with the San Francisco 49ers.
-A dream come true for the San Francisco 49ers, a nightmare for the New York Giants. The 49ers need offensive line help and simply have enough money to take Pugh from the Giants. A weak Giants offensive line gets weaker here.
20.) Nate Solder OT, New England Patriots.
Prediction: Solder signs with the Denver Broncos.
-The Patriots typically don't spend a lot of money to keep free agents, and this may be another player they let walk to save money. One mans trash is another mans treasure, the Broncos could use Solder's help.
21.) Sam Bradford QB, Minnesota Vikings.
Prediction: Bradford signs with the Cleveland Browns.
-Bradford for the life of him cannot seem to stay healthy. However, teams keep taking chances on him. The Browns are likely going to need a bridge quarterback for a season or two, and this may be the only starting job available for Bradford during the 2018 season.
22.) Star Lotulelei DT, Carolina Panthers.
Prediction: Lotulelei signs with the Cleveland Browns.
-The Panthers already have Kawann Short at defensive tackle so Lotulelei is not a must have for the Panthers. The Browns could use their projected no.2 highest salary cap to grab another run stopper outside of Danny Shelton.
23.) Bashaud Breeland CB, Washington Redskins.
Prediction: Breeland re-signs with the Washington Redskins.
-In a division where the Redskins have to face Odell Beckham Jr., Alshon Jeffery, and Dez Bryant twice a season each you need as many cornerbacks as you can get. After trading Kendall Fuller, the Redskins should try to bring Breeland back.
24.) Morgan Burnett S, Green Bay Packers.
Prediction: Burnett re-signs with the Green Bay Packers.
-A poor Packers secondary can't really afford to get any worse if they want to be a Super Bowl contender in 2018.
25.) Carlos Hyde RB, San Francisco 49ers.
Prediction: Hyde re-signs with the San Francisco 49ers.
-The 49ers played themselves out of potentially drafting an upgrade, so they should look to sign Hyde for at least one more season.
-Honorable Mentions
*I'm not gonna spend as much time explaining these as the other ones.
1.) Nigel Bradham LB, Philadelphia Eagles.
Prediction: Bradham signs with the Los Angeles Chargers.
2.) Vontae Davis CB, free agent.
Prediction: Davis signs with the Cleveland Browns.
3.) Tyler Eifert TE, Cincinnati Bengals.
Prediction: Eifert signs with the Dallas Cowboys.
4.) Jimmy Graham TE, Seattle Seahawks.
Prediction: Graham re-signs with the Seattle Seahawks.
5.) Brent Grimes CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Prediction: Grimes retires.
6.) Marqise Lee WR, Jacksonville Jaguars.
Prediction: Lee re-signs with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
7.) Jordan Matthews WR, Buffalo Bills.
Prediction: Matthews signs with the New York Jets.
8.) Jerick McKinnon RB, Minnesota Vikings.
Prediction: McKinnon signs with the Seattle Seahawks.
9.) Julius Peppers DE, Carolina Panthers.
Prediction: Peppers retires.
10.) Terrelle Pryor WR, Washington Redskins.
Prediction: Pryor signs with the Buffalo Bills.
11.) Eric Reid S, San Francisco 49ers.
Prediction: Reid re-signs with the San Francisco 49ers.
12.) Weston Richburg C, New York Giants.
Prediction: Richburg re-signs with the New York Giants.
13.) Kenny Vaccaro S, New Orleans Saints.
Prediction: Vaccaro signs with the Washington Redskins.
14.) Mike Wallace WR, Baltimore Ravens.
Prediction: Wallace signs with the Arizona Cardinals.
-Trades
1.) Nick Foles is traded to the Buffalo Bills for a 2nd and 5th round pick.
-You know that it's going to be an interesting offseason when the prior Super Bowl winning quarterback could be on the market. While the Eagles could hold onto Foles as an insurance policy in case Carson Wentz gets hurt again, Foles trade value has never been higher than it is right now. The Bills seem likely to move on from Tyrod Taylor this offseason, and Foles would be a great option for the Bills next season.
2.) AJ McCarron is traded to the Jaguars for a 2nd-round pick
-I'm not sure so sure what to do with McCarron, because I feel like I have covered every quarterback vacancy between my mock draft and this article. However, I never really covered the Jaguars potential opening.
3.) Muhammed Wilkerson is traded to the Tampa Buccaneers for a 5th round pick.
-Wilkerson's value has slipped in recent years, and the Buccaneers number one priority may be to find a defensive end in the first round. However, they could save that pick for Minkah Fitzpatrick (as projected in my mock draft, trade for Wilkerson, and build a strong defense heading into 2018.
4.) Tyrod Taylor is traded to the Baltimore Ravens for a 4th round pick.
-This trade will surprise some people, and I'm sure people will think this means the Ravens are moving on from Flacco, but I see this as a way for the Ravens to try and pressure Flacco into performing better. Taylor started his career with the Ravens, and may welcome a return.
