Free Agent Frenzy
Free Agent Frenzy
With the season ending, and only the Super Bowl left to play, it is time to start taking a peek at the stacked Free Agency market ahead of us. Who needs a receiver? The next cornerstone piece to an organization? Ultimately, who is the player that is going to take his new team to the Super Bowl? We are going to look at some of the key free agents following the end of the season, that can turn the NFL upside down based on their decision.
Le’veon Bell, RB
Probably the most talked about free agent is former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’veon Bell. Bell sat out the entire 2018 NFL season due to the lack of agreement to a contract with the Steelers. When on the field, Bell is considered one of the top running backs in the NFL. His ability to display patience, vision and his ability to catch passes out of the backfield is incredible. In 2017, Bell had 1,291 rushing yards and 655 receiving yards with a total of 11 TD. The problem with Bell isn’t on the field, it is off. He has been suspended two times for drug use and has had issues with contracts numerous times. Two teams that I feel can fit Bell the most are the New York Jets and the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles have a very good offense, they are just lacking a running back. They have a good committee with Wendell Smallwood, Josh Adams, and Darren Sproles (Jay Ajayi on IR) but Bell is a lot better than all these guys, and he could join Zac Ertz and Carson Wentz to make a dynamic offensive threat. The problem is that the Eagles have come out and said they are not going to sign him, so the perfect fit seems to be gone for Bell. For the Jets, Bell would be the focal point of the offense and would give Sam Darnold an option to throw to. Bell isn’t old, and he could be the start of bringing the Jets back to the playoffs.
Prediction New York Jets
Teddy Bridgewater, QB
Once known as a quarterback that can lead a team to the Super Bowl, Teddy Bridgewater’s career has been a whirlwind. In 2015, Bridgewater led the Minnesota Vikings to an 11-5 record, and a berth into the playoffs. In that season, he only had 14 TD and 9 INT, but the future looked extremely bright for him and the Vikings. Before the 2016 season, Teddy blew out his knee in practice. This injury was so devastating. One doctor described it as having a bullet wound in his knee. Bridgewater would miss the entire 2016 season and made an appearance in the last regular season game of the 2017 season. That is almost two years out of action for Bridgewater. Bridgewater, who was with the Jets at the start of the 2018 season, was traded to the New Orleans Saints, where he started one game (Week 17). Two teams immediately jump to my head when I think of a fit for Bridgewater: the Washington Redskins and the Denver Broncos. For Washington, they are expecting Alex Smith to miss the 2019 season with a broken leg that ended his 2018 season. Teddy Bridgewater is still young, so if Smith were to make an unsuccessful comeback, he could become the franchise QB for the ‘Skins. As for Denver, Case Keenum is not the future. Denver is looking to get younger, starting with rookies Phillip Lindsay and Bradley Chubb, and Keenum just isn’t a fit for Denver. A big factor for both teams is that this year’s draft class is very weak on Quarterbacks. The next class, however, includes Tua and Fromm. So, if Bridgewater does not pan out for these teams, they would be able to draft a quarterback in a more talented draft class.
Prediction Washington Redskins
Earl Thomas, S
Like the Le’veon Bell situation, Earl Thomas had a contract dispute with the Seahawks. He was in trade talks before the season, but a deal never got done. His season, unfortunately, got cut short when he broke his leg in Week 4 against the Cardinals. Thomas is arguably a hall of fame talent, but his broken leg and his age not getting any younger can raise a question, but there is no doubt that he would be a difference maker for any team that signs him. In his 9-year career, he is a 3-time All-Pro and a 6-time Pro Bowler. He has 28 INT and 684 Tackles through his career. A team that keeps popping up with his name is the Dallas Cowboys. Before the year, there were many talks of him getting traded there, and Jerry Jones has shown extreme interest in Thomas. Earl Thomas has also made it publicly known that he would love to be a Dallas Cowboy. Expect Jerry to pull the trigger and overpay for a 30-year-old safety with a broken leg, even though he will still be a difference maker on the field.
Prediction Dallas Cowboys
-By Richie Dordas