Category: NFL Free Agency

What are the top needs for the Colts this offseason?

A look at some of the top needs for Indy.

Every team in the NFL has holes in their roster, some have more than others, and the Indianapolis Colts have their share of holes on the roster that could be addressed this offseason.

After coming off a rather disappointing finish to a 7-9 season, Chris Ballard and company will be looking to get the Colts back in the playoffs in 2020.

While the sudden retirement of Andrew Luck shocked the franchise, there was some silver lining. With a less-talented quarterback under center, the holes on the roster were exposed more, and now Ballard and his staff can go fix those holes this offseason.

Here are some of the bigger needs for Indianapolis heading into the offseason:

Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Finding the franchise QB

Ballard said in his end-of-season presser that “The jury is still out on Jacoby,” but he also said not to look at how Brissett finished the year and to also look at how he started the season. The Colts think they could get Brissett back to that level of play in 2020.

Ever since coming to Indianapolis, Ballard has preached competition and while as of now Brissett is the starter, there’s no real competition for his job with Brian Hoyer and Chad Kelly currently on the roster. This offseason would be a great opportunity to get some competition at that position.

The Colts could go after a veteran QB in free agency like Philip Rivers, Tom Brady, or Drew Brees. This seems the least likely to happen, mostly because Ballard doesn’t dabble in free agency and also because if Indianapolis were to sign a veteran, the expectation would be he’s now the starter.

Probably the most likely scenario is the Colts draft a quarterback. At pick 13, there are a few guys like Justin Herbert, Jordan Love, or Tua Tagovailoa. There are also QB at their 34th pick like Jacob Eason and Jake Fromm.

Most of these quarterbacks will be projects but they could provide a long-term answer at QB with Brissett playing on the final year of his two-year extension he signed last year.

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Jets Free Agent Profile: What to do with CB Brian Poole?

Jets Wire takes a look at whether or not New York should bring back cornerback and impending free agent cornerback Brian Poole.

Before Joe Douglas can focus on who he plans on targeting in free agency come March, he’ll have a handful of in-house decisions to make.

The Jets have 32 players set to hit the open market this offseason. Some don’t figure to factor into New York’s plans for 2020, while others it’s safe to assume the Jets would like to keep around for a while. Either way, Douglas has a lot of work to do in his first offseason on the job.

Brian Poole signed with the Jets in February after the Falcons let him go following the most productive season of his career. It wound up being Mike Maccagnan’s best move of the offseason, as Poole was New York’s best cornerback throughout 2019.

The Florida product earned only $3 million last season. It’s safe to assume he’s in line for a raise considering the way he performed for the Jets. Should Douglas pay the man? Let’s evaluate the situation in Jets Wire’s latest free agent profile.

Pros of bringing him back

The Jets took a chance on Poole and he repaid them by turning in impactful performances on a weekly basis. In a year in which New York’s cornerbacks were simply not good, his presence was much-needed.

Poole was excellent both in coverage and helping out in run support around the line of scrimmage. It’s rare that a nickel corner is willing to get physical at the line and be a willing tackler, but Poole was exactly that throughout 2019.

Saying the Jets are thin at cornerback entering 2020 would be an understatement. Trumaine Johnson and most likely Darryl Roberts are on their way out the door. Bless Austin showed promise last season but still has a long way to go. Arthur Maulet is a free agent. Letting Poole walk given the current state of the cornerback room would be a mistake.

Cons of bringing him back

Poole struggled with injuries at the end of 2019, missing two of New York’s final four games. His production also dipped a bit in the second half of the season with only 14 tackles and one pass breakup after a red-hot start to the year.

The verdict

There’s a reason why the cons part of this free agent profile is so short. Poole should without a doubt be back with the Jets in 2020.

Yes, his production did dip slightly at the end of the season, but it wasn’t realistic to expect the Florida product to rack up double-digit tackles every game for the whole season. The fact of the matter is, Poole is the perfect player to play the nickel in Gregg Williams’ defense. His physicality and coverage skills play perfectly into what Williams likes to do.

Poole’s going to be worth a good amount on the open market, but he won’t be getting a contract that is out of New York’s price range. Douglas needs to do what he can to ensure Poole is back in green and white next season.

Jets Free Agent Profile: What to do with WR Robby Anderson?

Jets Wire takes a look at whether or not New York should bring back wide receiver and impending free agent Robby Anderson in 2020.

Before Joe Douglas can focus on who he plans on targeting in free agency come March, he’ll have a handful of in-house decisions to make.

The Jets have 32 players set to hit the open market this offseason. Some don’t figure to factor into New York’s plans for 2020, while others it’s safe to assume the Jets would like to keep around for a while. Either way, Douglas has a lot of work to do in his first offseason on the job.

Robby Anderson is the most important player Douglas has to decide on. The star wideout has already said he will not re-sign with New York before the beginning of free agency, but what should Douglas do once the Temple product hits the open market? Let’s evaluate the situation in Jets Wire’s first free agent profile of the offseason.

Pros of bringing him back

The Jets don’t exactly have a bevy of weapons for Sam Darnold to work with. Jamison Crowder was dynamic working out of the slot in 2019, but Darnold needs a bit more talent at his disposal than one receiver. That’s where ensuring Anderson sticks around comes into play.

Anderson is the deep threat that New York’s offense needs. He can take the top off the defense with his speed and is adept at high pointing the football to come down with acrobatic catches in jump ball situations. Anderson’s underneath route running has also drastically improved over the last year, adding another element to his game.

The Jets can’t afford to not stock the cupboard for Darnold entering his third year. How is he supposed to succeed if he has almost nobody to throw to? Not bringing Anderson back puts Darnold and a Jets offense that struggled to put points on the board at a major disadvantage.

Cons of bringing him back

The main issue with keeping Anderson in the Big Apple is the hefty price tag that follows him into free agency. According to Spotrac, Anderson is worth $11.4 million on the open market. The Athletic’s Connor Hughes reported he could be seeking a deal in the $13-15 million range. Is Anderson really worth the money considering he hasn’t established himself as a true No. 1 receiver?

There’s also the fear that Anderson might mail it on once he gets the contract he desired. Anderson spent all of 2019 motivated to earn himself a payday, but he had moments where he slipped up and took plays off. That’s not the best look, especially in a contract year when every penny is on the line.

What’s going to happen when Anderson’s money is in the bank and he doesn’t have to go out and earn it? That’s something every team bidding for his services is going to have to consider.

The Verdict

Anderson’s return to the Jets in 2020 is predicated on whether or not Douglas believes he’s worth paying. If Douglas is fully engaged in a bidding war for his services and willing to meet his contractual demands, Anderson will likely give the Jets a long look considering his familiarity with the organization and rapport with Darnold. If he isn’t all-in on paying Anderson what he wants, he won’t be a member of New York’s roster next season. It’s as simple as that.

Purely from an Xs and Os perspective, the Jets should do everything in their power to ensure Anderson re-signs with them. The wide receiver market is thin this offseason and Anderson is the cream of the crop assuming Amari Cooper remains with the Cowboys. With that being said, if Douglas isn’t 100 percent sold on Anderson’s asking price, he’ll have no issue finding Darnold a new No. 1 receiver to work with.

4 pending free agents the Colts should let walk

Colts should let these pending free agents walk.

2020 will be one of the biggest offseasons in recent Indianapolis Colts’ history. After finishing the season losing five of the final six games, the Colts finished 7-9 and have a lot of questions about their roster going into the offseason.

Indianapolis has a few free agents going into the offseason and with a projected $93 million in cap space, there is no strap for cash to keep the guys they want to.

The Colts have 14 unrestricted free agents. These players will be able to sign with anyone in March when the new league year starts. Or the Colts can sign them to an extension beforehand. But not all of the pending free agents should be re-signed.

Let’s look at some unrestricted free agents that the Colts should let go:

Indystar

K Adam Vinatieri

Last offseason, the Colts brought back Vinatieri on a one-year deal. As the oldest player in the league at age 46 going into the 2019 season, there were questions if Vinatieri could still kick at a high level.

After suffering a knee injury that had him miss most of the training camp and the preseason, Vinatieri struggled out of the gate missing two field goals and two extra points in the first two games of the season. The Colts tried out some kickers but stuck with Vinatieri.

Vinatieri was put on injured reserve after going 1 of 4 versus the Tennessee Titans, one of which was blocked, and the Colts turned to rookie Chase McLaughlin.

McLaughlin finished the final five games 5 of 6 on field goals and a perfect 11 of 11 on extra points. Indianapolis re-signed McLaughlin to a one-year extension on December 30.

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8 free agents the Jets should bring back in 2020

Jets Wire breaks down which free agents the Jets should bring back next season.

With the 2019 regular season in the books, it’s time for the Jets to look ahead.

Joe Douglas has a lot of decisions to make in his first offseason as a general manager. New York has a whopping 32 players set to hit free agency. Some have no chance of returning to One Jets Drive. Others are certainly worth keeping around for 2020 and beyond.

So, which free agents should Douglas place an emphasis on keeping in the Big Apple? Let’s take a look.

Robby Anderson

Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

This one is a no brainer. The Jets aren’t going to get any better on offense in 2020 if they don’t have weapons. Anderson isn’t quite a true No. 1 wideout, but he possesses a skill set that can help Sam Darnold take the next step next season.

Whether or not Anderson returns to New York depends on if Douglas is willing to meet his contractual demands. If Anderson wants around $13-15 million per year, as The Athletic’s Connor Hughes reported, the Jets might be better off allowing the Temple product to seek a new home. He’s worth keeping around at the right price, though.

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6 free agents Colts should consider signing this offseason

Colts should be active in free agency this offseason.

There may still be two games left to play for the Indianapolis Colts (6-8) before the season ends, but they were officially eliminated from playoff contention following the embarrassing 34-7 loss against the New Orleans Saints (11-3) on Monday night.

Now that the Colts are officially out of the playoffs, much of the focus will shift to the development of the younger players on the roster and the options available for the front office during the offseason.

While it remains to be seen if any of these players will be re-signed by their respective teams, we will be taking a look at six free agents the Colts should consider signing if they hit the market:

AP Photo/Roger Steinman

WR Amari Cooper
2019 stats: 14 games, 71 receptions, 1,073 yards, eight touchdowns, 15.1 yards per catch

The Colts desperately need to splurge at the wide receiver position. Given the injuries amounting in the room and T.Y. Hilton getting up there in age, it is time for general manager Chris Ballard to add some elite talent to the room. That’s where Cooper comes in.

Though it is no guarantee the 26-year-old will hit the market, Ballard should be all over him if he does. Cooper’s talent would be a perfect fit for the scheme because his talent transcends scheme. He could plug right into the X-receiver role while Hilton works as the Z.

The Colts need to find a future WR1 for their offense and if Cooper hits the market, they shouldn’t afraid to splurge.

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Colts should benefit from projected 2020 salary cap increase

Colts will have plenty of salary cap space in 2020.

The Indianapolis Colts are going to have another offseason with boatloads of salary cap space in free agency, but they got even more help with the NFL revealing a projected increase in the salary cap for 2020.

While it isn’t official yet, the NFL made it known that the projections for the 2020 salary cap lies between the range of $196.8 million and $201.2 million. The Colts will have plenty of money to play with in March.

The Colts are projected to be among the teams with the most salary cap space again. Per Spotrac, the Colts are currently listed with $108.1 million in salary cap space, which is behind only the Miami Dolphins projection ($108.98). That is based on a projected salary cap of $199 million.

There are several areas the Colts could be in the market for. Adding to the pass rush is always a necessity, and there is good reason to believe they should be active in the wide receiver market.

With T.Y. Hilton increasing in age and dealing with injuries at a higher rate recently, the Colts need to find more starting depth in the wide receiver room. Entering free agency, that is likely their top need.

It will be interesting to see if general manager Chris Ballard changes his process at all when it comes to spending heavily. Given that the Colts desperately need help at wide receiver and at some other positions, it could happen.

Regardless, they will have the resources to spend willingly if he feels the need to do so.

NFL provides expected projections for 2020 cap: Eagles will have money to spend in free agency

NFL provides expected projections for 2020 cap: Eagles will have money to spend in free agency

The Philadelphia Eagles have some glaring holes in their roster and thanks to an increase in the expected salary cap for next season, Howie Roseman should have room to maneuver.

Ian Rapoport just reported that the 2020 NFL Salary Cap is projected to increase somewhere between the range of $196.8 million to $201.2 million.

The Eagles were expected to have about $40 million in cap space before the increase and with the news from the NFL, Philadelphia could start the offseason with about $48m-$55m in available cap space per Over The Cap.
Salaries continue to rise across the NFL at key positions, and the Eagles have made three of their players among the highest-paid at their positions.

The Eagles made guard Brandon Brooks and tackle Lane Johnson the highest-paid at their respective positions with contract extensions agreed to during this season, and Carson Wentz got the most guaranteed in NFL history also.

The Eagles could look to extend Malcolm Jenkins or take cap space into next season when quarterback Carson Wentz’s cap number goes from $8.4 million to more than $18.6 million under the terms of his four-year, $128 million extension he signed.

Colts should move on from Adam Vinatieri this offseason

Colts shouldn’t re-sign Adam Vinatieri.

Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri has been in the league longer than a handful of players have been alive and even though he’s battling a season-ending injury, there’s a chance he might want to continue playing.

After the Colts placed Vinatieri on the injured reserve list, the 46-year-old has a decision to make about his future. He can hang it up and retire as the greatest kicker of all time. Or he can try to recover from knee surgery to return in 2020.

Regardless of what Vinatieri decides to do, the Colts should move on and find a new kicker.

First, Vinatieri’s career accomplishments should be acknowledged. He’s the greatest kicker of all-time—recording the most points scored and field goals made in a career. He leaves behind a legacy of consistency that might not ever be seen again.

He’s a surefire first-ballot Hall of Famer and a guarantee to be in the Colts Ring of Honor.

However, his struggles in 2019 are exactly why the Colts should move on. Battling injuries throughout the season and recording what was his worst campaign by far, Vinatieri was a part of the reason the Colts find themselves out of the playoff race.

It’s harsh but true. If the Colts had a more consistent kicker—one that didn’t miss 14 kicks in 12 games—there is a high chance they would still be competing for a playoff spot with three games remaining. His 14 missed kicks are the third-most in a season ever.

The good thing is, the Colts don’t have to worry about a contract. Seeing as Vinatieri was on a one-year deal, there are no obligations for the Colts to have him on the roster unless general manager Chris Ballard believes it is the right move for the team, which would be a questionable move, to say the least.

Finding a consistent kicker isn’t an easy thing to do. Only a handful of teams truly have a kicker they can rely upon week in and week out. The Colts used to be that kind of team. Now, they aren’t.

It will be an interesting situation to watch this offseason, but if the Colts truly want to be competitive in 2020, the plans shouldn’t include re-signing Vinatieri.

Why Eagles should pursue Odell Beckham Jr. in 2020 instead of top WRs in draft

Eagles should pursue Odell Beckham Jr. in 2020 instead of top WRs in draft

The Philadelphia Eagles have several needs to address during the offseason, with plenty of salary cap space to navigate.

Wide receiver is a position of need for Philadelphia and with Nelson Agholor unlikely to return, his departure could free up another $9 million in cap space to utilize in free agency or via trade.

Jay Glazer dropped a bombshell on Sunday when he revealed that Odell Beckham Jr. has started to voice his displeasure with the Browns. In Glazer’s report, Beckham Jr. has reached out to opposing players and friends around the NFL about getting out of Cleveland sooner, rather than later.

Glazer successfully predicted Beckham would be on the move last year, and although the wide receiver was cordial in accepting the trade, Cleveland certainly wasn’t his city of choice.

Cleveland traded Jabrill Peppers, a first-round pick and a third-round pick to the New York Giants for him, and Beckham is still under contract with the Browns gave him some new money to appease the move.

Beckham has struggled this season, hauling in 57 catches, for 805 receiving yards and two touchdowns in 12 games. A change of scenery could reinvigorate Beckham Jr. but with the most talented crop of wideouts in recent history set to enter the NFL, should the Eagles or any other team forsake a future NFL star for a proven commodity.

There are at least 8 potential first-round picks in a loaded 2020 draft class that could see as many as 9 wideouts go in the top 100 picks.

1. Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
2. CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma
3. Laviska Shenault Jr., Colorado
4. Henry Ruggs III, Alabama
5. Tee Higgins, Clemson
6. Jalen Reagor, TCU
7. Tyler Johnson, Minnesota
8. Michael Pittman Jr., USC
Sage Surratt (Wake Forest)
Justin Jefferson (LSU)
Tylan Wallace (Oklahoma State)
Devonta Smith (Alabama)

When healthy, Beckham Jr. is a weapon that could take the Eagles over the top and could pair with DeSean Jackson to form a dynamic duo, capable of burning teams deep from the outside, or the slot. Add in Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert, Alshon Jeffery and a second-year vet in JJ Arcega-Whiteside, and you have the potential for an efficient and explosive offense.

The downside of adding Beckham Jr. comes with his mercurial personality and the tons of media scrutiny that he’d bring to an already sensitive and ornery locker room. If it works, the Eagles are an NFC power for years to come, but not getting Beckham Jr. on the same page with Wentz or an already established locker room could bring back scenes from the “Dream Team” that imploded in one disastrous season.

The wild card in the entire scenario is Howie Roseman’s penchant for hitting and missing on draft picks over the past few seasons. Roseman is shrewd and one of the best when it comes to the salary cap and key free-agent deals.

His Achilles heel lies in his inability to always get the draft process correct.

Roseman and the Eagles haven’t had many home runs in the bottom half of the first round, and Derek Barnett’s struggles this season, along with Mack Hollins highlight concerns going back as far as 2011.

Roseman did great with Fletcher Cox, Mychal Kendricks, and Nick Foles, but can you imagine if he put a higher grade on Russell Wilson and selected him late in the second round instead of Vinny Curry?

In 2013, Roseman’s first year working alongside Chip Kelly, the Eagles landed Lane Johnson and Zach Ertz with their first two picks. Roseman lost his draft privileges in 2014 and 2015 but returned in 2016 to draft Carson Wentz, Isaac Seumalo, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, and Wendell Smallwood.

Jalen Mills might be the highlight of the 2016 class, as he was selected in round seven. In 2017, the Birds Super Bowl season, Roseman took Barnett, Sidney Jones, and Rasul Douglas.

He also selected several Eagles who are no longer with the team, such as Mack Hollins, Donnel Pumphrey, Shelton Gibson, while hitting on Nate Gerry late in the draft.

Roseman drafted Dallas Goedert and Avonte Maddox, two productive starters in 2018, and then hit on the draft’s top left tackle last April, with Andre Dillard. He’s taken criticism for JJ Arcega-Whiteside’s struggles, but for the most part, Roseman hasn’t been a bad judge of talent.

In acquiring Beckham, Roseman can provide Carson Wentz with the show-stopper he deserves on the outside, while still having Arcega-Whiteside, DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jeffery on the roster as well.

Throw in the Eagles current struggles with player development, and already prime and developed Beckham Jr. would make even more sense.

If it’s not Jeudy or Lamb, do you risk using a first-round pick on a wideout, when there could be a greater need for CB help if they move on from Sidney Jones or lose Ronald Darby in free agency?

With the draft being so deep at wide receiver, Roseman could still target a wide receiver in the second or fourth round, while utilizing one of the compensatory picks he’s stashed away for further wheeling and dealing could land a cornerback as well.