10 free agent fits for the Patriots heading into the offseason.
The New England Patriots enter 2023 with some glaring holes on the roster after missing the playoffs for the second time in three seasons. As of today, per Miguel Benzan (PatsCap), the Patriots have $34,067,070 in cap space.
The team could create more cap space by structuring contracts to fit, if needed. Before any signings get announced, let’s look at the players who could fit the mold in New England.
The Patriots may not spend as heavy as 2021, and certainly wont sign all of the top free agents. But what free agents fit well enough with the team to prompt a move in 2023?
Here are 10 players that could be future Patriots.
From @jzulgad: Free agency might be six weeks away, but it’s never too early to start having conversations about who the Vikings should sign
The NFL season has yet to come to a conclusion, but that hasn’t stopped football’s version of the Hot Stove from heating up with speculation about what teams might do and where free agents could be headed.
The process doesn’t officially start until March 15, so much of the talk is focused on Senior Bowl practices and the prospects for the April 27-29 draft in Kansas City. Free agency scuttlebutt will take off later this month when the NFL Combine is held in Indianapolis.
That’s where team executives and agents have been known to have conversations involving players who are still under contract. Some call that tampering, but we here at Vikings Wire refer to it as good old-fashioned fun.
We also figure why wait until the combine to begin speculating on whom the Vikings might target. The Vikings are expected to part ways with a few veterans to open cap space, so who might replace them?
Pro Football Focus and ESPN (subscription) both published their lists of the top 50 free agents. Some of these players could have the franchise tag put on them or return to their current team, but many will sign elsewhere.
Here’s a look at whom the Vikings could target, focusing on the positions at which they could use help.
Murphy’s season ends with a back injury. The Cardinals signed DL Michael Dogbe and elevated WR Pharoh Cooper and CB Nate Hairston.
The Arizona Cardinals announced some roster moves ahead of their Sunday night matchup at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They ended the season of cornerback Byron Murphy, signed a player to the active roster and elevated two from the practice squad.
Murphy, who missed the last five weeks with a back injury, was placed on injured reserve, ending his season.
To replace him on the 53-man roster, the team signed defensive lineman Michael Dogbe from the practice squad. He will likely get playing time with Zach Allen out with a hand injury.
The Cardinals also used standard elevations from the practice squad for two players. They elevated receiver Pharoh Cooper and cornerback Nate Hairston.
Cornerback Antonio Hamilton is questionable to play with a back injury, so if he is unable to play, the only two healthy cornerbacks on the roster would be Marco Wilson and Christian Matthew. Hairston gives them a third if Hamilton can’t play.
Cooper might be called upon to return punts and kicks. Greg Dortch has a knee injury but is okay to play, but he might only play offense.
The Cardinals had four players missing practice on Thursday.
The Arizona Cardinals already had begun the week of practice on Wednesday coming off the bye. However, as they play on Monday night, the first injury report of the week did not come out until Thursday.
On the Cardinals’ first report of the week, seven players were listed with four unable to participate.
Take a look at the studs in the Cardinals’ Week 2 comeback win in Las Vegas.
It’s always nice when the weekly studs and duds post has only studs.
The first half of the game against the Las Vegas Raiders, the Arizona Cardinals collectively were terrible. There wasn’t any finger-pointing or single performance that was lacking – the whole team played poor.
On the contrary, the second half featured a complete turnaround, in which everyone appeared to play better. Even A.J. Green, who was trying his hardest to make this list, clutched up to secure the game-tying 2-point conversion.
After one half in Week 2, it looked like the Arizona Cardinals were on the ir way to a blowout loss for the second week in a row to start the 2022 season. They were down 20-0 to the Las Vegas Raiders and were awful both offensively and defensively.
However, they rallied for 23 second-half points to force overtime and then won the game on a 59-yard fumble return for a touchdown by cornerback Byron Murphy.
Check out the play in the video!
The play ended capped the improbable win. The Cardinals were down 16 points in the fourth quarter, needing two touchdowns and two two-point conversions to even get to over time.
They did it, getting the second touchdown and conversion as time expired at the end of regulation.
The Cardinals turned the ball over on downs in overtime before the game-winning touchdown.
Raiders receiver Hunter Renfrow, who had fumbled just two plays before but had it recovered by teammate Foster Moreau, had the ball knocked loose by linebacker Isaiah Simmons. Murphy picked up the ball and took it the distance for the 29-23 win.
Byron Murphy nearly pulled a DeSean Jackson on this play!
Byron Murphy nearly had a DeSean Jackson moment on this game-winning touchdown for the Arizona Cardinals.
On Sunday, the Cardinals climbed back from a 16-point deficit in the fourth quarter to force overtime against the Las Vegas Raiders. On a drive with half the overtime frame over, the Raiders were able to endure a scare after Hunter Renfrow coughed up the ball as Las Vegas was able to recover.
Unfortunately for Renfrow, he fumbled the ball again a few plays later while fighting for yardage on a second and 10 at the Cardinals’ 39-yard line. Murphy snagged the ball and sprinted down the field for an overtime game-winning scoop and score for the dramatic finish!
While an incredible play from the Cardinals — and poor Renfrow — Murphy came oh so close to throwing away the game-winning touchdown before he even crossed the goal line!
This would've been very wild: Byron Murphy came awfully close to throwing the ball away too early on his scoop-and-score TD.
Check out what Cardinals players have worn No. 7 over the years.
We are only a week away from the start of the Arizona Cardinals’ 2022 regular season. In exactly seven days, the Cardinals will take the field at State Farm Stadium to take on the Kansas City Chiefs in the first game that counts.
Cornerback Byron Murphy is the current owner of No. 7.
He and other players who have worn No. 7 before him are below.
Following the three-year extension for safety Jalen Thompson, which other Cardinals could be next to get paid?
The Arizona Cardinals have made it a priority to keep their young, talented core intact moving forward. Following the massive contract extension for Kyler Murray, the Cardinals awarded safety Jalen Thompson a three-year deal.
Which players on the team could be next in line to receive an extension?
Texas’ defense needs to show improvement this fall.
Texas enters the 2022 season looking for improved results on the defensive side of the ball.
Defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski’s unit struggled to play consistent football much of last year. Texas finished outside the top 100 in both run defense and pass rush. Getting off the field on third downs was also a constant issue for the Longhorns.
Year No. 2 in Kwiatkowski’s system should prove beneficial for the Texas defense. Texas returns plenty of experience including the likes of super seniors De’Marvion Overshown, D’Shawn Jamison and Keondre Coburn. Those veterans are looking to end their career’s on a high note and help set Texas up well for the future.
The offseason addition of former TCU coach Gary Patterson was a major pull for Steve Sarkisian. Patterson is one of college football’s most accomplished defensive minds. He knows the Big 12 and is going to bring a fresh perspective to the coaching staff.
Here are three players ready to breakout for the Texas defense this fall.
