NFL free agency was moving at an insane rate nearly an entire week before the “legal tampering period” commenced. Although it wasn’t solely free agent deals, the league took a left turn and morphed into the NBA offseason. Massive moves are taking place left and right. Let’s make one free agent prediction for each of the 32 NFL teams ahead of the market opening next week.
NFL Free Agency Predictions
Do not fret if the free agent your favorite team signs in this exercise is lesser-known, over the hill, or a reclamation project. Some teams are better at manipulating the cap and tinkering with contracts than others. Plus, some teams tend to stay out of the first and second wave of free agency entirely, opting to build through the draft instead.
NFC free agency predictions and landing spots
The AFC was already becoming like the old Western Conference in the NBA, with most of the star power confined to one side of the country. If we include the NFC West, football feels similar. However, almost all of the quarterback power is packed into the AFC now that Russell Wilson is a Bronco.
NFC North
The North might continue to go through significant changes over the next few weeks. There are rumors that the Vikings could be heading toward a rebuild, which could be prudent considering Aaron Rodgers is staying in the division.
Chicago Bears
The Bears have some money to burn and many needs to fill. Bradley Bozeman would be a significant upgrade over Sam Mustipher. And at just 27, Bozeman could form a long-term combination with Justin Fields in the middle of the Bears’ offense.
Detroit Lions
Oh, how I wish this is where Jameis Winston would end up, but I know he won’t. The Lions must go out and attack wide receiver with a vengeance. After spending years with Jacksonville, DJ Chark Jr. may want to play for a contender — but money talks, baby! Chark has a good frame, great speed, and the ability to win at all three levels when healthy. He’s not an excellent fit with Jared Goff, but Chark helps build a foundation outside of Amon-Ra St. Brown for the future.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers’ salary cap space looks like PVT Dalton’s first Navy Federal Credit Card statement right now. They’re way in the red but are spending loads of dough on an extension for Rodgers and the franchise tag for Davante Adams.
I think a young, former second-round linebacker could be an excellent, inexpensive reclamation project for the Packers. Rashaan Evans was supplanted in Tennessee and will be looking for a new home. The Packers could do a multi-year deal to make the first-year cap hit as minimal as possible.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings may make for the most mysterious moments of March. They could move on from most of their big names and try to completely rebuild in fast forward. With that in mind, they could make a move similar to the Packers and try to revitalize Leighton Vander Esch’s career.
NFC South
The NFC South might be the worst division in football as we head into 2022. Can anyone in the South make a few splashes?
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta was sneakily one of the worst teams in the NFL last season, despite finishing with seven wins and being in the playoff hunt for most of the year. With holes everywhere and not a lot of money to spend, it’s tough to get a feel for where they could even start. But they’ve needed a pass rusher since 2016, so an excellent all-around edge defender like Uchenna Nwosu — who won’t command a huge contract — could be an excellent long-term option.
Carolina Panthers
There is absolutely no reason for the Panthers to let Haason Reddick walk. He should absolutely, positively be back with Carolina on a long-term deal. Until they find some semblance of a franchise quarterback, they’ll need to lean on strong defensive performances.
New Orleans Saints
It better be Jameis Winston. The Saints would be crazy to let him walk if his market is anywhere near what it was a season ago. He was on pace for the NFL’s second-best expected points added per play before his injury. Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian finished 24th and 25th, respectively.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
If the Buccaneers want to continue to compete in the NFC, they should keep star center Ryan Jensen around for as long as possible. He’s a warrior who has remained healthy throughout his career. He hasn’t missed a regular-season game since 2016.
NFC East
The NFC East is the Cowboys and then everyone else. However, Dallas is taking what seems to be an ultra-conservative approach in 2022, which could allow others to close the gap.
Dallas Cowboys
There’s no way they let Randy Gregory walk out the door as a free agent. His market probably isn’t as hot as it should be based on his talent, but that’s because he’s been suspended for more games than he’s played in the NFL. He’s nearly 30 and only has 50 games under his belt. Dallas should get a steal on his deal.
New York Giants
Fix the offensive line. The Giants have to give Daniel Jones a real shot at proving he can be a franchise quarterback. They’re way over the cap right now but could create space through restructures. Once done, I think they end up signing an older-but-still-reliable interior blocker. Mark Glowinski could be a name to watch.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have been devoid of talent at the linebacker position for quite some time now. Their pass defense was lackluster in 2021, and much of it had to do with being weak in coverage over the middle of the field. Philadelphia ran a lot of softer zone coverages in 2021, which would be perfect for Bobby Wagner, one of the best zone-coverage linebackers in the NFL throughout his career.
Washington Commanders
The Commanders are another spot I felt could be a good fit for Winston, but they felt the need to try and save Carson Wentz instead. They don’t have a ton of space, but if they want to make a splash, they can move money around. They’ve needed a legitimate free safety for years, and Marcus Williams could be the answer. It would allow Kamren Curl to be the Swiss Army knife he was built to be.
NFC West
The second-best division in football. While the Seahawks look to retool, the rest of the NFC West aims to compete for a division title.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals lack effective cap space at the moment but, like other teams, will almost surely create space before Wednesday hits and free agency commences. With Chandler Jones realistically searching for a new home, Arizona should acquire a pass rusher. Justin Houston should be a target for Arizona. He wouldn’t play a considerable number of snaps, but his work as a designated edge rusher is still precious.
Los Angeles Rams
It appears Odell Beckham Jr. has found a home in the NFL. Even after tearing his ACL in the Super Bowl, he seemed happy as a Ram. The injury also complicates what looked to be a rising market for the former freak of nature. But now, he’ll most likely miss significant time in 2022. That allows the Rams to sign him to a backloaded multi-year deal.
San Francisco 49ers
For the love of all things holy, please go find a cornerback who can play! Levi Wallace would be a great fit in the 49ers’ zone-heavy coverage scheme. He also won’t break the bank, which is something San Francisco needs given their current cap situation.
Seattle Seahawks
They may be in a bit of a retooling phase, but they best not allow Quandre Diggs to leave the building. Diggs is one of the best free safeties in the NFL. And at 29, he still has tread left on his tires.
