The money will come in next week as the floodgates are due to open during the 2022 NFL free agent period. While the regular open market will be fun to watch, Pro Football Network decided to have some fun by presenting a simulated free agency draft using the 2022 NFL Draft order.
Free Agency Pilot Project 2022
While this exercise uses the April NFL Draft order, there are some basic rules. First, you need to take into account the salary cap of each team. In addition, the urgent needs of each unit and its suitability for each position will be taken into account. These mediators do not have long-term development prospects.
That’s what PFN invented:
1) Jacksonville Jaguars: DE Chandler Jones
The Jaguars desperately need to step up their pass rush this offseason, and Chandler Jones is sure of it. Jones can come in and make a difference right away. He’ll need a hefty salary, but the Jaguars have enough room to meet his demands.
2) Detroit Lions: CJC Jackson
The Lions are going with JC Jackson, the top free agent of lead PFN analyst Dalton Miller, to improve their background. Detroit has been missing a true #1 guard since Darius Slay was traded two years ago.
3) Houston Texans: S. Marcus Williams
While the Texans would love to shoot Jones and Jackson, they get a great consolation prize to set the tone instead. With Justin Reed likely to leave town, Marcus Williams could come in and be the face of the Texans’ defense.
4) New York Jets: CC Carlton Davis
The Jets need to completely redesign their defense in the image and likeness of Robert Saleh. Carlton Davis, a true top-level cornerback, will become a mainstay of the second plan. The Jets have enough room to burn Davis.
5) New York Giants: Gee Laken Tomlinson
The Giants are tight on cash, but new general manager Joe Shawn has begun making moves to get under the cap. While the Giants won’t be able to target top talent, a second tier lineman like Laken Tomlinson makes sense as a primary target. Tomlinson can come in and reinforce one of the defense’s starting positions.
6) Carolina Panthers: Tyranne Mathieu
The Panthers, like the Jets, have a lot of gaps to fill. However, while their QB situation remains a mess, the Panthers need a legitimate second-team playmaker. Tyrant Mathieu can come in from day one and set the tone for defense.
7) New York Giants (from CHI): DL Jordan Willis
Again, the Giants are in hell and Schoen needs to get out of the real hole. However, he should still be able to entice some quality second tier free agents with opportunities. Jordan Willis has blossomed as an all-around defender in San Francisco, and he could be a rising moving chess piece in the Meadowlands.
8) Atlanta Falcons: WR Allen Robinson
Matt Ryan remains in Atlanta, so the Falcons should prioritize a wide range of players this offseason. While the Falcons don’t have much room in the cap, their front office will be looking to replace Calvin Ridley. Allen Robinson is an alpha playmaker who has yet to play against a quarterback of Ryan’s caliber.
9) Seattle Seahawks (from DEN): DE Randy Gregory
After Russell Wilson’s blockbuster trade and Bobby Wagner’s departure, the Seahawks realign on both sides of the ball. The team struggled for years to achieve consistent passing. Randy Gregory can come in and help open a new wave in the top seven.
10) New York Jets (from Southeast Asia): C Ryan Jensen
Along with the need for defense, the Jets need to improve their offensive line. Ryan Jensen is coming to the end of his season and his veteran experience could do wonders for the Jets lineup and QB Zach Wilson. The Jets should prioritize a goal like Jensen in free agency.
11) Washington Commanders: J. Andrew Norvell
Now that Carson Wentz is in Washington, the commanders must protect him at all costs. Andrew Norvell could immediately step in and fill the void left by Brandon Scherff, who could be too costly to keep. Norvell has mostly played as a left-back, but he still needs to work well on the right wing.
12) Minnesota Vikings: TE Zach Ertz
The Vikings need to improve their passing game and Kirk Cousins can use another reliable throwing weapon. While some may consider Zach Ertz, Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson to be similar, more average choices, Ertz may enjoy the dual lighting provided to Thielen and Jefferson.
13) Cleveland Browns: DE Derek Barnett
The Browns are expected to lose Jadevon Clowney as free agents, so replacing him should be a Cleveland priority. With big money promised to Amari Cooper and David Njok already this offseason, the Browns are looking at second rung free agents on defense and pulling Barnett out of the pool. Barnett is an economical option that makes sense for general manager Andrew Berry.
14) Baltimore Ravens: LB De’Vondre Campbell
Fairy tales as old as time, songs as old as rhymes—the Baltimore Ravens and sports linebackers. Seriously though, De’Vondre Campbell would be an impressive tag team partner to put alongside Patrick Queen.
15) Philadelphia Eagles (from MIA): CB Darious Williams
The Eagles could use an upgrade at #2 guard when Steven Nelson goes free. Darius Williams is an up-and-coming player who would fit perfectly in the defense of Jonathan Gannon and minor player Dennard Wilson against Darius Slay.
16) Philadelphia Eagles (from IND): S. Couandre Diggs
Speaking of Sly, his best friend Coandre Diggs is likely to change the city after the Seahawks’ rapid descent into a complete overhaul. Slay has already hinted that Diggs could be hired by the Eagles, as the team has two open spots in the starting lineup, while Anthony Harris and Rodney McLeod are also set to become free agents.
17) Los Angeles Chargers: TE Rob Gronkowski
If there is one quarterback who can convince Rob Gronkowski to avoid retirement, it has to be Justin Herbert. Gronkowski can go to Los Angeles, continue to get support, make tons of money and play with one of the best young QBs in the league.
18) New Orleans Saints: QB Teddy Bridgewater
Teddy Bridgewater has run out of steam in the Carolinas and Denver over the last two years, so it might be time to head back to New Orleans. The Saints need someone to compete with Tice Hill for the starting QB position, and Bridgewater needs to be cheap enough that the Saints can afford it despite the confusing cap situation.
19) Philadelphia Eagles: WR Christian Kirk
The Eagles could use veterans, and DeVonta Smith and Kes Watkins have turned into intriguing playmakers. With Smith, Watkins, and Kirk in the Eagles lineup, they could throw the ball regularly. The Eagles will go wide this offseason, and adding someone with experience like Kirk will help the passing game.
20) Pittsburgh Steelers: QB Jameis Winston
The Steelers’ options as a quarterback aren’t impressive. While they continue to promote the possibility of Mason Rudolph taking over as QB1, Jameis Winston would be perfect competition for former stunt double Ben Roethlisberger. At the very least, Winston will get Rudolph to “earn” the job.
21) New England Patriots: DE Jadeveon Clowney
With the Patriots going through more changes than ever before, adding a premium lineman to the roster would be a good move for the franchise. Jadevon Clooney can come in and take the lead right away.
22) Las Vegas Raiders: CC Stephon Gilmore
The Raiders need all the help they can get from the rally department on either side of the ball. Josh McDaniels has known Stephon Gilmore since his days in New England, and the pair could try to establish a similar patriot culture in the west.
23) Arizona Cardinals: OLB Emmanuel Ogba
With Chandler Jones likely to leave town, the Cardinals will have to try and replace his production. Emmanuel Ogba is likely to be stuck in Miami, but for this exercise, he would be the perfect replacement for Jones.
24) Dallas Cowboys: DT BJ Hill
Like the Giants and the Saints, the Cowboys cannot afford to be too active in free will. Most likely to wait to make a move in the second wave, BJ Hill would be the perfect addition to the defensive line. Hill can play multiple positions and be used on all three downs.
25) Buffalo Bills: TE CJ Uzomah
While Dawson Knox was a solid #1 tight end, the Bills could use even more power in this position. CJ Uzoma will most likely stay in Cincinnati. But if he gets out of line, Buffalo will step up because Josh Allen knows how to distribute the ball.
26) Tennessee Titans: WR Juju Smith-Shuster
While A.J. Brown has turned into a true No. 1 winger, the Titans need to establish a foothold in midfield. Juju Smith-Shuster could be a solid target for Ryan Tannehill in this slot.
27) Tampa Bay Pirates: Gee Connor Williams
With the loss of Ali Marpet to retirement, the Buccaneers have a huge hole in their offensive line. There is also a chance the organization will lose center Ryan Jensen and defenseman Alex Kappa. Connor Williams can enter and immediately take one of the security positions. Signing him will probably be cheaper than keeping Jensen or Kappa.
28) Green Bay Packers: CC Casey Hayward
A real homecoming to celebrate: Casey Hayward is a big deal for the Green Bay Packers, who should be all-inclusive with the return of Aaron Rodgers. Hayward can move along the secondary line, create turnovers and block the middle of the field.
29) Miami Dolphins (from San Francisco): G Brandon Sherff
The Dolphins need all the help they can get on the offensive line. Brandon Scherff can come in and immediately improve the right side of the defense. The Dolphins have a lot of money, and they should help Sherff set a new bar for free agency guard contracts.
30) Kansas City Chiefs: S. Marcus May
With Tyranne Mathieu likely to leave town, the Chiefs could use the upgrade against fellow security Juan Thornhill on the side roster. Marcus May needs a chance at redemption after a tough last year with the Jets. Joining a Super Bowl contender on a one-year contract could help May boost his stock for another run as a free agent.
31) Cincinnati Bengals: OT Terron Armstead
The Bengals are desperate for help on the line. If they feel like they can be eternal rivals, you can look in the veteran tackle market. Terron Armstead is the best lineman among free agents. Although he is well into his 30s, a three-year deal could be beneficial to both parties.
32) Detroit Lions (from LAR): WR DJ Chark Jr.
The Lions have a ton of holes to fill, but their wide receiver group is an absolute pit of despair. After re-signing Josh Reynolds, the Lions are still in need of a third member of the big trio. DJ Chark Jr., Reynolds and Amon-Ra St. Brown sound like a quality starter band to us.