PML free agency is upcoming, and there’s some big name players still negotiating with their current teams with just under 36 hours until free agency kicks off. Will some big star power enter free agency? Let’s dive into 10 intriguing stars of PML who may or may not be heading to unrestricted free agency!
1. Derrick Henry: 97 OVR SSXF 30 Year Old HB
The Eagles were rumored to be attempting to shop Derrick Henry under their previous regime after not being able to agree to terms with the future HOF RB. The new ownership has said they will look into franchise tagging Derrick Henry. But if they don’t? Either Henry will get massively paid by the Eagles…or will be the biggest free agent in the second offseason in PML history. We gotta think the Eagles will re-sign Henry, but that opens the door for the likes of Fletcher Cox, James Bradberry, and/or Robby Anderson to hit FA with the Eagles currently only having just under 30 mil of cap space without Henry on the books. The new GM is put under pressure quickly in Philly.
2. David Montgomery 91 OVR SSXF 27 Year Old HB
All signs point to Chicago’s bell cow back hitting free agency. The source? Well, their owner, who has stated multiple times the Bears will not re-sign David Montgomery. DMont is of the few star talents on a lackluster Bears roster with well over 100 million in cap space though, so we’re not going to count our chickens until they hatch as far as Dmont hitting FA.
3. Antoine Winfield Jr 89 OVR S 26 Years Old FS
Despite Tampa Bay having the adequate cap room to bring back the young stud safety, the Bucs front office has all but written that scenario off. Claiming Winfield Jr is not a scheme fit (aka not big and fast!), the Bucs GM is more than willing to let Winfield go into FA. And I’m sure there will be teams that will think of the son of the former Vikings standout CB as a scheme fit. UPDATE: Bucs GM now claims Winfield had no interest in re-signing with the Bucs and turned down multiple contract offers. A messy divorce on our hands here.
4. Logan Wilson 86 OVR SS 28 Year Old ROLB
This is a tricky situation in Cincinatti. While the Bengals currently are sporting north of 70 million dollars of cap space, the Bengals front office is preparing for having to resign the Joe bros during season 3. And Joe Burrow will command the bag. So Cincinatti actually currently has 3 85 OVR players set to hit FA. You have to think at least one of them re-signs. Is Logan Wilson the guy? Maybe. The most likely scenario here is Wilson gets franchise tagged by Cincinatti to have one last run. But the franchise tag doesn’t mean Wilson is guaranteed to play in The Jungle next season, because the possibility of a sign and trade is still in the air here.
5. Cameron Jordan 87 OVR SSXF 35 Year Old LE
Cam Jordan still has his abilities! And his ability to preform on the field. But who for next season? The Saints have navigated out of the cap trouble that plagued them the first 2 seasons of this CFM and now have over 60 million to play with. The most likely scenario here is Cam Jordan returns on a one year deal, whether it’s the franchise tag or a legitimate contract. But just like Logan Wilson, a franchise tag still opens the door for a sign and trade.
6. Clyde Edwards-Helaire 83 OVR SS 25 Year Old HB
The new ownership in KC has a lot of moving pieces to play with. But as of right now, not a lot of salary cap space. With approximately 16 million to share right now, the Chiefs would have to give a lot of that current space to re-sign CEH. The Clydesdale could be off to a new team this offseason, especially if the new Chiefs GM believes 3rd year back Isiah Pacheco is their guy. Is a franchise tag on the table? I’d say only if a handshake deal has already been agreed on. CEH is close to unlocking his 2nd ability, and the chase for a good ability could really drive the price up if KC moves on from the former first round pick.
7. AJ Dillon 85 OVR S 26 Years Old HB
Ahh, the Quadfather. Pretty simple scenario here…Green Bay can’t afford Dillon as long as Aaron Rodgers is under contract. But if Rodgers rides into the sunset, that clears up a staggering 40 million dollars of cap space for Green Bay. The decision is still not clear cut if Rodgers retires though. Rookie HB Cameron People impressed the Packers brass last season, even usurping Dillon in the depth chart during the NFC Championship game. Dillon is a potential tag and trade candidate if a handshake deal is on the table. But it’s looking more likely that Dillon will be apart of a star studded HB free agency crop.
8. Leighton Vander Esch 82 OVR S 28 Year MLB
The Cowboys are in a similar position as the Chiefs. You either bring LVE back and virtually eliminate yourself from free agency this offseason, or you let him walk and play with the cap space. With only 3 seasons left this cycle, you’re most likely not going to face any regression from LVE, and can still throw some content points into the man in some spots. He can also line up as a weak side linebacker in a 4-3, so his versatility could drive the price up. It currently is a toss up whether Dallas re-signs him or not, as they’ve kept their plans close to the vest.
9. Micah Hyde 86 OVR S 33 Year Old FS + Xavier McKinney 83 OVR S 26 Year Old FS
A 2 for 1 special in Buffalo! And barring something spectacular, both safeties will be hitting FA. The Bills are over 10 million dollars NEGATIVE against the cap entering free agency. Micah Hyde is still a versatile safety that can cover deep and man up when needed. And McKinney has a chance for a good redemption arc in PML despite his 86 speed. Buffalo trading for McKinney only to have him ride the pine and then hit FA is a weird one.
10. John Johnson 84 OVR S 28 Year Old FS + Grant Delpit 78 OVR S 25 Year Old SS
The Browns are just giving away their secondary huh. After having to let Greedy Williams walk last offseason, the Browns will now have to watch 2 solid safeties walk out the building. Oddly similar to Buffalo, the Browns are over 10 million in the red on cap space and can’t afford either their veteran safety or their young stud.
As we get close to FA we’ll keep an eye out and see if any of these guys sign with their squads, and update the situation. We will also add new potential FAs to the list for anyone who gets signed. Stay tuned!
