With the first barrage of NFL Free Agency over, teams may have their sights set on two former Bulldogs. Much of the big spending is out of the way, but there is still a group of players who will garner sizeable deals. According to ESPN’s top 15 remaining free agents, OLB Justin Houston and RB Isaiah Crowell are two of the best unsigned free agents left on the market.
Both Houston (KC Chiefs) and Crowell (NY Jets) were cut by their respective teams. They are especially valuable since they won’t count against their new teams’ potential Compensatory Picks. The Chiefs are changing to a 4-3 and Houston is a 3-4 OLB, so he won’t be a good fit in their new scheme. The Jets contrarily signed RB Le’Veon Bell and released Crowell to give Bell a stranglehold on the Jets’ RB touches.
Houston figures to sign to a 3-4 defense, like the Patriots or Jets, who are both in need of a pass rushing OLB. Houston is 30 years old and can provide a veteran presence on a team, while also producing. Houston racked up 9+ sacks in each of his past two seasons.
Crowell projects to join a team utilizing an RB by committee approach. There are good opportunities for him in Green Bay, Miami, Oakland, and many others. Crowell’s market is more expansive than Justin Houston’s, but he likely won’t be paid as well as Houston.
Beyond Crowell and Houston, there remain plenty of former Bulldogs who are looking for new teams. This list includes LB Ramik Wilson and WR Chris Conley.
Thanks to ESPN for the top remaining free agents article.
