The 2020 free-agency class if full of big names: Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Eli Manning and Philip Rivers. A look at 25 big names that will be on the free-agency market.
Jason Pierre-Paul
Jason Pierre-Paul has been derailed by injuries a couple times in his career. Serious stuff, too. However, the Tampa Bay Bucs’ defensive lineman is a force when on the field. He is 31 and his body has suffered a lot of wear and tear — off the field. So, do you take the chance on him or pass. He had 8.5 sacks in eight starts in 2019. Intriguing.
Melvin Gordon
Melvin Gordon may have forced the Chargers’ hand going forward with his holdout at the start of 2019. It didn’t work for the running back and it certainly didn’t pan out for the Bolts, who disappointed big time after a 12-win season the year before. He’s shown tremendous talent but the hold out has to make teams wonder.
Brandon Scherff
One of the first moves Ron Rivera should make it to try and keep Brandon Scherff in Washington. The offensive lineman is a stalwart and will only be 28 in 2020. He’s the kind of building block you can mold an offensive line around. Washington is going through rough times that will only get rougher is Rivera sees Scherff set sail for another team.
Hunter Henry
This would be a no-brainer if it weren’t for injury history. When Hunter Henry is on the field, he gives the Bolts’ attack a huge jolt. He’s quite the threat when you team him with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. Health has been a major problem and banking on someone with such a checkered medical chart is risky business.
Byron Jones
Mike McCarthy knows how important a strong defense is. He sees Sean Lee, also a free agent, aging. Byron Jones is 27 and heading into the prime of his career. As much as Dallas has other free agents with bigger names, the defensive back is someone Jerry Jones needs to open his wallet for and spend. Because if the Cowboys’ owner doesn’t, plenty of others will.
Bradley Roby
Will the Houston Texans lose anothe DB to free agency the way they saw Tyrann Mathieu exit for Kansas City last offseason? Bradley Roby (pictured, left) played 10 games for Houston. Not sure they want to invest in a guy who has played in 89 games but made 29 starts, although he did start every game he played for Houston’s secondary.
Bud Dupree
The Steelers have to love Bud Dupree in their linebacking corps. He had a career-high 11.5 sacks in 2019. That’s not the kind of production you want to see exit in free agency.
Eric Ebron
Eric Ebron is another intriguing free agent. The tight end who was once a first-round pick of the Lions saw a serious downturn in his production from 2018 with the Colts to 2019. He went from 66 catches and 13 TDs to playing in 11 games with 31 catches and three scores. Was 2018 a career year to be overlooked or can Ebron revive that going forward? Losing Andrew Luck as your QB can be hazardous to your stats.
Amari Cooper
You think there won’t be suitors for the former Alabama star after the production he has shown in Dallas? Figuring out how to squeeze everyone into the Cowboys’ salary sheet is going to be a challenge. If the bucks are not right, don’t be stunned to see Cooper move on to his third team.
Derrick Henry
This could be considered the ultimate salary drive. Derrick Henry has turned into one of the top backs in the NFL and has the Titans on the verge of a Super Bowl berth. If the Chiefs can’t stop the Heisman winner from Alabama, the Titans will be on their way to Miami.
Leonard Williams
The Giants have to decide if they want to commit to the player they acquired in the first trade the team made with the Jets. Williams is only going to be 26 but has yet to live up to his billing as the sixth overall pick in 2015. Interesting player to watch on the market.
Shaquil Barrett
Shaquil Barrett had quite the contract year with Tampa Bay in 2019. He had 19.5 sacks after notching only 14 total in his first four years with Denver. The $4M he made this season is going increase dramatically going forward. Here’s a player a lot of teams will be in on.
Arik Armstead
One of the major spokes in the wheel that is the Niners’ staunch defense. Arik Armstead has more sacks in 2019 — 10 — then he had in his first four seasons combined (9). He has found his groove and the Niners have a great front. Would not expect him to leave SF but the Niners have to come up with bucks to keep him away from plenty of other teams.
Robby Anderson
Robby Anderson is good for 50 or more catches a year and can catch the deep ball. He also can find himself in the headlines for the wrong reasons. The Jets’ wideout has yet to have an 1,000-yard season receiving or one where he caught 10 TD passes. In the right situation, his stats could balloon. That said, the Jets have been far from that place.
Matt Judon
Matt Judon stepped up his game with the exit of C.J. Mosely from Baltimore. It doesn’t make sense for the Ravens to lose another stud LB, especially one who has 24.5 sacks over his last three seasons. That said, Mosely walked to a huge deal from the Jets. That could make Judon’s negotiating position with the Ravens stronger.
A.J. Green
When the smoke clears from free agency, don’t be shocked to see A.J. Green in a uniform other than Cincinnati. The wideout missed the entire 2019 season — consider that good fortune — and will be 32 come the 2020 season. He’s going to want to play for a contender and the Bengals are many years away from that status.
Logan Ryan
Love the game of the Titans’ DB Logan Ryan. He can pick off passes. He can sack quarterbacks. He can tackle and he can force fumbles Who wouldn’t want this kind of player in their secondary? He’s going to be 29 next season and it a keeper if you are Tennessee but expect there to be a lot of competition for his services.
Jadeveon Clowney
A former No. 1 pick who should find his way to a big payday is Seahawks defensive lineman Jadeveon Clowney. Will Seattle look to sign him to a big deal? Remember, it send Frank Clark to Kansas City rather than give him megabucks. Feels like Clowney will find a number of suitors in the market and will wind up with an elite deal.
Marcus Mariota
When you are bumped by Ryan Tannehill, the future is not bright in Tennessee. Tannehill has the Titans on quite a roll and that signals the end of Heisman winner Marcus Mariota’s time with Tennessee. Having the No. 2 overall pick as a brittle backup is a luxury Mike Vrabel doesn’t have.
Jameis Winston
Just because you were a No. 1 overall pic does not guarantee greatness. Jameis Winston falls into the category with Tim Couch and David Carr while posting bigger numbers. The 30-30 season is more embarrassing than highlight. Tampa Bay needs someone who is consistent and not consistently throwing picks. The big question is who else will be a taker on a the Heisman winner from Florida State?
Eli Manning
Eli Manning had his sweet finish to a sour season for the New York Giants. It was nice to see the two-time Super Bowl champion exit in the style that made fans of Big Blue lucky to have him as a signal-caller. Manning is a Giant and it would be great to see him end his career as one rather than turning up in another uniform for what might not be a great run.
Philip Rivers
Hate to see someone go out on a down note but it could be time for Philip Rivers to retire. He had a rough second half of the season and it makes the decision for the Chargers to move on much easier. However, would another team take a chance on a guy with such huge numbers but precious little playoff success. Feels like the time to exit could be now.
Drew Brees
Sean Payton does not think Drew Brees is ready to hang up his cleats. “I see him on the field this upcoming season,” Payton said over the weekend on ESPN. If the quarterback does continue his career, expect it to be in the Big Easy. Plenty of unfinished business for the Saints and their star.
Tom Brady
What will the G.O.A.T. do? It would be sad to see him finish his career in any uniform other than New England. That doesn’t mean it won’t happen. Second acts don’t always go well and one has to worry that age works against Tom Brady. Although he would love to prove everyone wrong.
Dak Prescott
Been a long time since the Cowboys have gone to the Super Bowl. Is Dak Prescott another QB who can get a bunch of wins but not a deep playoff run or should Jerry Jones invest like is the present and future for Dallas? That’s a tough call, especially with the way 2019 ended on a downbeat.
