On Monday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. EST, the formula for free agency changes. That’s when the window closes for compensatory picks to be awarded to teams whose former players, now unrestricted free agents, are signed by other teams. With that in mind, you can expect a flurry of signings for the players still on the open market. It’s likely why the Saints, who have all but agreed to terms with former Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston, haven’t officially announced the deal.
Here are the best free agents left on the open market, and whose agents should be seeing an uptick in their minutes once the comp pick equation comes to a close.
QB Cam Newton
From Week 1 through Week 12 of the 2018 season, Cam Newton completed 69.6% of his passes for 2699 yards, 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Only eight quarterbacks had more touchdown passes in that span. Only five had a higher completion percentage. Only six had a higher passer rating than Newton’s 103.7.
And then it all fell apart. Injuries limited Newton’s effectiveness when he was on the field, and in 2019, he managed just 89 attempts. But if it’s true that Newton has recovered from the shoulder and foot injuries that stood in his way over the last two seasons, he’s an outstanding mid-priced option for any team in need of a quarterback who can still get it done in the right system.
WR Taylor Gabriel
The Bears released Gabriel in February following an injury-plagued season in which he saw action in just nine games, catching 29 passes in 48 targets for 353 yards and four touchdowns. But in a vertical, multi-receiver system with a quarterback that has a better GPS than Mitchell Trubisky does, Gabriel has a lot of potential as an outside and slot weapon who can test defenders up the seam.
OT Jason Peters
Last season, Peters was what he has been through most of his career — one of the strongest and most consistent tackles in the game. At age 37, he allowed just three sacks and 25 total pressures in 62 pass-blocking snaps for the Eagles. Philadelphia chose to let Peters hit the free-agent market, and he’s a short-term option at this point, but any team in need of a plug-and-play starter right now at the left tackle position (and that’s a lot of NFL teams) should be highly interested in the nine-time Pro Bowler.
EDGE Jadeveon Clowney
Based on comments from Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider, it appears that Seattle is ready to move on from Clowney, who excelled for them in 2019 when healthy following a trade with the Texans. Clowney has seen his projected market collapse in a relative sense, but as the Seahawks proved, he’s still a force multiplier when he’s tasked to put his hand on the ground from the edge and hunt for the quarterback. This may come down to Clowney’s side understanding what his market is at this point.
EDGE Everson Griffen
Imagine if you could acquire a veteran pass rusher who is coming off one of the best seasons of his career. That’s what the team that acquires Griffen will accomplish. Last year he notched 70 total pressures, his highest total since 2015, and his 30 run stops point to his complete skill set. He’d be an ideal addition to any team in need of a strong-side end to complement a apeed-rusher.
EDGE Markus Golden
Golden has always been under the radar as a quick pass-rusher from the edge, even though he put up 12.5 sacks for the Cardinals in 2016. Last season, his first and last with the Giants, saw him put up 10 sacks, 64 total pressures, and 39 run stops. Injuries have limited his potential at points in his career, but his bounce-back season with Big Blue proved what he can accomplish as an edge defender who can run the arc against offensive tackles, and move inside through gaps with estimable quickness.
CB Logan Ryan
The former Patriots cornerback is now best-known for the pick-six that ended Tom Brady’s tenure in Foxboro, as New England lost to the Titans in the wild-card round. Encouraged to move on in free agency after signing a three-year, $30 million contract with Tennessee in 2017, Ryan gives up big plays at times, but he’s an above-average slot defender who can likely be signed at a bargain price.
CB Darqueze Dennard
The Bengals re-did their cornerback room with Vikings cast-offs Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander this offseason, which left Denard on the outs. The Jaguars tried to sign the veteran to a three-year, $13.5 million contract in March, but the deal fell apart due to financial issues. Limited to just nine games and five starts last season, Dennard played well for the most part when he did see the field, with the versatility to play outside or in the slot.
