The NFL 2022 offseason will officially begin on March 16, but talks on the free agency are already underway. Expiring veterans could begin talks with other teams on March 14, and that doesn’t even take into account the uncertain future of big names like Aaron Rodgers, who may or may not return to Green Bay.
As we approach the open market, here’s an experiment on where some of the best names might end up and what money they could bring to the free agency – a look at 25 different potential landing sites for players in each position:
Note: The following players were not included as they are expected to re-sign with their current teams: Packers WR Davante Adams, Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin, Chargers WR Mike Williams, Rams WR Odel Beckham Jr., Chiefs OT Orlando Brown Jr., Bengals S Jesse Bates III.
Estimated deadlines: Three years, $ 61.5 million Per year: $ 20.5 million
Whether the Colts replace QB Carson Wentz, they need better pass protection. Armstead is a major upgrade for Eric Fisher when he is healthy, not to mention a proven leader in the locker room. GM Chris Ballard pays to protect anyone below the center.
Estimated deadlines: Four years, $ 72 million Per year: $ 18 million
Houston needs playmakers everywhere, but especially in the corner. New coach Lovey Smith gets a building block for his defense, and general manager Nick Caserio knows Jackson from New England. At 26, the former Patriot star instantly raises his average.
Estimated deadlines: One year, $ 17 million Per year: $ 17 million
A key part of the Rams Super Bowl rotation, he has the flexibility to be picky at 33, and a big one-year salary gives him a chance to take on another contender before re-evaluating in 2023 and-play no. 1 edge man.
Estimated deadlines: Two years, $ 33.5 million Per year: $ 16.75 million
Vic Fangio may be gone, but that doesn’t mean the new regime can’t invest in defense, especially with Bradley Chubb, who needs a real teammate for a quick pass, GM George Peyton, who is on par with cap space. and QB will probably be addressed through the draft.
Estimated deadlines: Four years, $ 66 million Per year: $ 16.5 million
Meeting! A-Rob may offer equally lucrative offers from more sprawling cities such as Miami and New England, but Trevor Lawrence is an attractive game, as is the knowledge of Jacksonville. Doug Pederson and Co. give your young QB a real number 1 goal.
Estimated deadlines: Three years, $ 49.5 million Per year: $ 16.5 million
Carolina needs QB, but unless they get a blockbuster deal, they’ll probably turn to the draft. Priority № 2 is the fixation of the porous line, and Sherf, despite fears of injury, is still elite in the interior.
Estimated deadlines: Three years, $ 48.75 million Per year: $ 16.25 million
Adherence to the Chiefs would be ideal, but Mathieu gets a pay raise and a chance to play under Ron Rivera here, while Washington gets a huge upgrade at the back end of a running secondary as he seems to be back in competition.
Estimated deadlines: Four years, $ 62 million Per year: $ 15.5 million
GM Howie Roseman sees the potential for Malcolm Jenkins 2.0 here, removing the bandages in a safe place for a resilient long-term central player. Williams, meanwhile, receives a salary that would have been more difficult in New Orleans.
Estimated deadlines: Four years, $ 56 million Per year: $ 14 million
Assuming Mike Williams returns widely, Justin Herbert already has a good weapon. However, Gesicki gives him a third big chance in the game of passes. Chargers have money to spend. Why not keep building around your star QB?
Estimated deadlines: Four years, $ 56 million Per year: $ 14 million
With a lot of money to play, the Jets got a real long-term response to Robert Saleh in the background, immediately improving their pass coverage with the Bucs tag candidate. The 25-year-old Davis wins while receiving the spotlight on the Big Apple.
Estimated deadlines: Three years, $ 40.5 million Per year: $ 13.5 million
Gregory has an off-field history and injuries, but that doesn’t stop the Seahawks. In dire need of a destructive presence, Seattle is betting on the rising talent of the Cowboy star as it recharges for at least one more Pete Carroll-Russell Wilson run.
Estimated deadlines: Four years, $ 52 million Per year: $ 13 million
Trevor Lawrence needs all kinds of weapons. Schultz gives him another. Removed from the Cowboys’ offense, he may not be as deadly, but new coach Doug Pederson has relied heavily on the bottlenecks before. He pays to get his QB another way out.
Estimated deadlines: Three years, $ 39 million Per year: $ 13 million
It’s a high price for a 30-year-old center, but Jenson was a nasty bodyguard for Tom Brady, and that’s exactly what the Bengals should want for Joe Barrow, especially with free space for caps.
Estimated deadlines: Three years, $ 37.5 million Per year: $ 12.5 million
After the loss of Henry Rugs, the Raiders greatly missed a constant deep threat to Derek Carr. Chark has something to prove after an injury near the Jaguars run, but he combines well with Hunter Renfrow in Vegas.
Estimated deadlines: Four years, $ 44 million Per year: $ 11 million
Perhaps one of the most underrated free agents in the 2022 class, Reed is only 25 years old and has 1.5 seasons of first-class cornering. San Francisco is bringing him back to his needy secondary under former Seahawks assistant Nick Sorensen.
Estimated deadlines: Two years, $ 21 million Per year: $ 10.5 million
Denver has already added a quick pass aid to this exercise, but Campbell is wearing a physical, entertaining pop of a missing ILB corps. New coach Nathaniel Hackett has witnessed his first-hand pick at Green Bay, and the Broncos have the money to spend.
Estimated deadlines: One year, $ 10.5 million Per year: $ 10.5 million
Call it a stimulus-laden deal, given that Gallup is retiring from injury, but it makes sense for both sides: Brownie-laden caps improve mostly barren reception corps, while Gallup gets a chance to be unofficial No. 1 before re-entering on the market.
Estimated deadlines: Two years, $ 20.5 million Per year: $ 10.25 million
Indie needs help catching passes, no matter how much GM Chris Ballard preaches patience with Paris Campbell and others. Valdes-Scantling gives them a real field stretcher to match the better-rounded Michael Pitman Jr.
Estimated deadlines: One year, $ 10 million Per year: $ 10 million
James Winston offers more, but figures to look elsewhere. Meanwhile, Teddy is the perfect stop for them: he knows the system, plays it safe and can easily slide into a backup role if / when they find a successor.
Estimated deadlines: Four years, $ 39 million Per year: $ 9.75 million
Being from a bad Bears O-line doesn’t necessarily make him a hot name, but Daniels is young (24) with a solid resume in a place in dire need of Miami. New coach Mike McDaniel gets an immediate improvement in the front as he strives to build a running game.
Estimated deadlines: Four years, $ 38 million Per year: $ 9.5 million
An underrated, rising part of the 49ers’ defensive line, Jones gives the Chiefs another great man to join Chris Jones in the defensive front that struck the 2021 leg. Steve Spaniello wants a stronger front.
Estimated deadlines: Two years, $ 18 million Per year: $ 9 million
Gerald Everett was a good chance for Russell Wilson in 2021, but Erz proved – right in front of Seattle in the NFC West – that he is still in the top 10 when he is healthy. Ertz is moving further west for the final round with an elite QB.
Steelers signs C Bradley Bozeman
Estimated deadlines: Three years, $ 27 million Per year: $ 9 million
Pittsburgh isn’t usually interested in exciting moves for older free agents, but Bozeman is only 27 and has had a career as the heart of the Baltimore line. No matter who is below the center, they need to strengthen the trenches.
Estimated deadlines: One year, $ 9 million Per year: $ 9 million
Turning to defense 3-4 under new coordinator Ed Donatal, the Vikings welcome an NFC North rival who can fill in the gaps – and that’s exactly how they happen to have a Pro Bowl story with Donatel from their time in Chicago.
Estimated deadlines: One year, $ 8 million Per year: $ 8 million
Mike Sparrow likes tough guys and Gronk’s personality fits right into him. He carries a pop as a blocker and catches passes, giving Tennessee a quick reference in the required position. The one-year agreement allows Gronk to ride in the sunset in 2023 if he chooses.