Free agent market in the NFL | As always, a bit of everything

Miguel Bujold
The Press

MITCHELL TRUBISKY (quarterback, Buffalo Bills)

Comparisons to Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson, who were chosen after him in the 2017 draft, are unfair to Trubisky. Failing to be a star quarterback like the other two, Trubisky still won 29 of his first 50 NFL starts. In four seasons in Chicago and then in a reserve role at Buffalo in 2021, Trubisky completed 64.1% of his passes and totaled 64 touchdowns and 38 interceptions. We’ve seen worse. Let’s also not forget that Trubisky was not very well surrounded at the Bears and that he had played very little in the NCAA before being the second prospect selected in the draft five years ago. Trubisky is a fine athlete and already has over 1,000 career rushing yards (1,081) and is only 27 years old. At the very least, he will get the chance to fight for a starting position with a new team.

JAMEIS WINSTON (quarterback, New Orleans Saints)

In addition to Trubisky, who was a top pick two years later, the top two prospects who sold in 2015, Winston and Marcus Mariota, will also be available. Winston was having a good season before suffering a serious knee injury last fall. Having to contend with one of the league’s worst receiving groups, Winston had 14 touchdowns and just 3 interceptions when he tore ligaments in his knee in Game 7 of his campaign. Winston threw 30 interceptions in his last season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in 2019… Like Trubisky and maybe even Mariota, Winston could be on the verge of having his best seasons, he who is only 28 years old . These quarters do not yet have a lot of mileage and their acquisition will not cost an arm and a leg.

ROB GRONKOWSKI (tight end, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Even though his good friend Tom Brady is unlikely to play in 2022, the Gronk still hasn’t closed the door on the possibility of continuing his career. Gronkowski is still very productive, both as a receiver near the end zone and as a blocker. Aged 32, he could continue to be for a few more seasons. The teams wishing to add the veteran to their training will certainly be numerous, even more since Mike Gesicki (Miami Dolphins), David Njoku (Cleveland Browns) and Dalton Schultz (Dallas Cowboys) have received the franchise player label. of their respective team, which will prevent them from signing with the club of their choice.

LEONARD FOURNETTE (running back, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

We have seen over the past two seasons that Fournette was much more effective in an alternating system. The towering running back has generally shared the job with Ronald Jones II since joining the Buccaneers, which has seemed to keep him fresh. Fourth prospect selected in 2017, Fournette has only five seasons behind the tie and celebrated his 27^e birthday in January. After he tastes victory with the Bucs, it is assumed that Fournette will want to sign a contract with a quality team and there should be takers if his contract demands are reasonable. Among the other running backs that will be available, James Conner (Arizona Cardinals) and Melvin Gordon (Denver Broncos) are two other interesting options.

ALLEN ROBINSON II (wide end, Chicago Bears)

Robinson II is not very well known to the general public because he was part of two moribund attacks since the start of his career (Bears and Jaguars). However, it is considered the best receiver available on the market by a majority of analysts. In 100 games since the start of his career in 2014, Robinson II has had 495 catches for 6,409 yards and scored 40 touchdowns. He is an inviting target for his quarterbacks thanks to his size (6’2″ and 220 lbs) and his sure hands. However, it is questionable whether Robinson II can still be a quality first receiver, he who will be 29 when the season begins. Teams looking for a mainstay for their receiving corps, such as the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts, might still be tempted to offer him a rich contract.

JUJU SMITH-SCHUSTER (wide end, Pittsburgh Steelers)

Unlike last year, when he opted to return to Pittsburgh on a one-year contract, Smith-Schuster seems determined to test the free agent market fully. Smith-Schuster is ideally not a number one receiver, but is one of the NFL’s good complementary wide ends thanks to his toughness, ability to be effective in heavy traffic, and blocking skills. Although he places too much importance on his image and social networks, the former University of Southern California (USC) Trojans is a good team player and should attract the interest of several organizations to looking for a warrior at a position where they are scarce.

ODELL BECKHAM SON (wide end, Los Angeles Rams)

He’s really unlucky, this Odell… Finally happy and productive after joining the Rams, Beckham Jr. couldn’t fully savor the Super Bowl experience after tearing an anterior cruciate ligament. And since he is expected to miss a good part of next season due to this injury, his value took a serious hit a month before he could sign what would probably have been his last “big” contract. Due to his injury, his injury history and the fact that he is approaching his 30s, Beckham Jr. is unlikely to get any high offers. His best strategy might be to wait until November and shop around for his next team like he did last year after being released by the Cleveland Browns. This case could drag on…

TERRON ARMSTEAD (left tackle, New Orleans Saints)

According to many analysts, Armstead is the best free agent available this year. The player responsible for protecting the quarterback’s blind spot is one of the most important on any team, and Armstead is one of the most reliable in the league in that department. He is also very solid on ground games. The former third-round pick, however, is recovering from a knee injury and will celebrate his 31st birthday in July. But as we’ve seen with players like Andrew Whitworth and Jason Peters, in particular, good left tackles often find success in their late thirties.

RYAN JENSEN (centre, Buccaneers de Tampa Bay)

Jensen emerged playing alongside Tom Brady for the past two seasons. The red-maned center was definitely the leader of the Bucs offensive line. A physical and particularly intense player, Jensen is the best center available and should earn an annual salary of more than 10 million quite easily. Without Brady, and likely Jensen, Rob Gronkowski, Leonard Fournette and guard Alex Cappa, the Buccaneers offense may be unrecognizable in 2022.

BRANDON SCHERFF (garde, Commanders de Washington)

Teams looking for a guard will be spoiled for choice in the free agent market. Alex Cappa (Buccaneers), Austin Corbett (Rams), Connor Williams (Cowboys) or even our compatriot Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (Jets), if he chooses to continue his career, will all be available unless they sign a contract last hour. But the quintessential guard on the market will be Brandon Scherff, who is sure to become one of the highest paid players in his position soon.