List of notable free agents after first week of training camp

There are some big-name options still available in free agency.

It’s usually slim pickings on the free agent market around this time of the year, but surprisingly, there are still several big-name players out there that remain unsigned.

Most of the notable talent is at the running back position with at least two or three potential NFL starters on the list. The Patriots could certainly use help at that position with Ty Montgomery going down with an injury.

They have mostly leaned on Kevin Harris and Pierre Strong Jr. as their top options behind Rhamondre Stevenson. Harris looks the most improved of the two, and they could make the decision to stick with him in the end.

However, they have visited with a few players on this list, including Ezekiel Elliott, Darrell Henderson and Leonard Fournette.

They’ve also reportedly considered a future visit with Dalvin Cook.

But there are more than just running backs on this list of NFL talent. Let’s take a look at some of the more notable unsigned free agents.

5 free-agent CBs the Colts could sign to replace Isaiah Rodgers

Here a few veteran CBs the Colts could consider to replace Isaiah Rodgers.

The Indianapolis Colts cornerback room already had plenty of question marks entering the 2023 season, and now they’ll be without one of their projected starters.

Former sixth-round pick Isaiah Rodgers Sr. was poised to be one of the starting cornerbacks on the boundary entering the final year of his rookie deal, but he was waived following a suspension due to violating the league’s gambling policy.

The Colts used three of their 12 selections in the 2023 NFL draft at the cornerback position in the forms of Julius Brents (second round), Darius Rush (fifth round) and Jaylon Jones (seventh round). All have promising traits to be significant contributors.

But the Colts may need to look at the free-agent market to bring in some veteran experience considering Kenny Moore II is the only player in the room with more than four career starts in the NFL.

Without further ado, here are five veteran free-agent cornerbacks the Colts could consider signing to replace the recently departed Rodgers:

12 remaining free-agent cornerbacks the Panthers could still sign

Here are 12 notable cornerbacks who are still available in free agency:

On Wednesday, ESPN NFL insider Field Yates suggested that the Carolina Panthers add some cornerback depth before the offseason comes to an end. But let’s be honest, we really didn’t need a reminder.

Between injuries to starters Jaycee Horn and Donte Jackson as well as the lack of reliable reinforcements behind them, the Panthers are still quite thin at the position. So, if they end up dipping back into the free-agent market this summer, here are 12 corners that could get a call.

10 available free agents who can still help the Colts

These free agents could still help the Colts in 2023.

The Indianapolis Colts just kicked off OTAs and are now in preparation mode in the lead-up to the opening game.

During this time the coaching staff won’t only be getting their players ready for the season but the front office is still evaluating the roster and deciding on if they want to bring on a veteran to add some depth and competition.

Per OverTheCap, the Colts are sitting with $16.2 million in effective cap space so they have enough room to make some additions. But Chris Ballard will also have to factor in the potential extensions for running back Jonathan Taylor, wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., and possibly other players that entering their final year of the contract.

There are a good number of notable veteran free agents available on the market but for Indianapolis, they have to consider where they are at as a state of a franchise.

With the team entering a rebuilding year and the development of Anthony Richardson, this season might not make much sense for them to spend money as if they are going after a Super Bowl. The focus should be on getting the younger players on the roster to get the snaps for their development for 2024 and beyond.

That doesn’t mean Ballard shouldn’t go sign some veterans to compete with this roster, there are some spots on the depth chart I believe could use some depth so here are some players that could help out the Colts this season:

The best NFL free agents remaining, pre-minicamp edition

As workouts and mandatory minicamps get underway in June, here are the best free agents left on the open market.

The end of May presents NFL teams with a brief respite in the action before offseason workouts begin at the start of June, and mandatory minicamps get underway in mid-June. From there, it’s a mad dash to the preseason, and all that comes after.

As teams prepare for minicamps and training camps, they’re also looking at the remaining holes in their rosters that they were unable to fill through the first wave of free agency and the draft. Even as summer comes, there’s still a fairly long list of players available as free agents who can help those teams fill those holes. Surprise releases can add to that talent, as the Arizona Cardinals’ release of receiver DeAndre Hopkins did last week.

The All-22: What DeAndre Hopkins has to offer his next NFL team

So here are the best remaining free agents left on the open market.

Falcons Twitter reacts to Casey Hayward being released

Falcons Twitter expects the team to draft a cornerback now that veteran Casey Hayward has been released

The Falcons released cornerback Casey Hayward on Friday, just one year after signing the veteran to a two-year contract. The move saves Atlanta $5 million in salary cap space, leaving the team with just under $14 million for 2023.

Hayward’s release wasn’t a total surprise based on the Falcons’ recent additions. The team traded for former No. 3 pick Jeff Okudah, who was likely to start opposite A.J. Terrell next season. The 33-year-old Hayward appeared in six games last year before suffering a torn pectoral muscle.

Falcons fans on Twitter are convinced the team will draft a cornerback with the No. 8 pick now that Hayward has been released.

Falcons release veteran CB Casey Hayward

The #Falcons released veteran cornerback Casey Hayward on Friday afternoon

The Atlanta Falcons secondary is undergoing somewhat of a makeover this offseason. After signing free-agent safety Jessie Bates III and trading for cornerback Jeff Okudah, the team released veteran Casey Hayward on Friday afternoon.

Hayward signed a two-year, $11 million contract in 2022, but his season ended prematurely due to a torn pectoral muscle which landed him on the injured reserve list.

Hayward, 33, started six games for the Falcons last season, racking up 17 total tackles and three passes defended. His starting spot will likely be filled by Okudah in 2023, but this could also mean a cornerback is in play with the eighth overall pick in the draft.

Originally selected in the second round by the Green Bay Packers in 2012, Hayward has appeared in two Pro Bowls over his 11-year career.

By released the veteran defensive back, the Falcons will save $5 million, while incurring a dead cap hit of around $2 million, per Over The Cap’s projections.

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Falcons CB Casey Hayward may have long-term injury

Falcons HC Arthur Smith isn’t concerned about A.J. Terrell or Isaiah Oliver’s health, but said Casey Hayward may have a long-term injury.

The Atlanta Falcons won their Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers over the weekend, but the team’s defensive backs took a beating.

Not only were A.J. Terrell and Casey Hayward injured during Sunday’s game, Isaiah Oliver also went down during his first game back from an ACL injury. Lastly, Falcons defensive lineman Ta’Quon Graham left the game with a knee injury before returning in the fourth quarter.

Head coach Arthur Smith was asked about the injuries on Monday and indicated that Hayward was the only player the team is worried about long-term, per ESPN’s Michael Rothstein.

If Hayward is out, look for the Falcons to call upon second-year cornerback Darren Hall to start opposite Terrell in Week 7. Atlanta thoroughly outplayed the 49ers for much of the game despite the injuries in the secondary.

After the game, Smith said the Falcons were happy with the win but aren’t satisfied just being 3-3.

“We’re not going to be satisfied,” Smith said, “We’re going to continue to grow… and improve. It’s just a fun group to coach. I’m really proud of those guys.”

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Falcons secondary lands in ‘serious flaws’ tier of PFF’s new rankings

The Falcons secondary was ranked 22nd overall by Pro Football Focus, landing in the “serious flaws” tier.

Despite playing in one of the NFL’s worst secondaries last season, Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell established himself as one of the best at his position. The former first-round pick earned second-team All-Pro honors in his second year out of Clemson.

While the future is obviously bright for Terrell, what about the rest of Atlanta’s secondary? On paper, it appears to have improved, mostly due to the addition of Pro Bowl cornerback Casey Hayward — who will give the Falcons a nice one-two punch on the outside.

It’s those other spots in the secondary, mainly at safety, where the questions remain.

Falcons 2022 positional outlook: Upgrade or downgrade?

Upgrade or downgrade? Examining each position on the #Falcons 2022 roster following the draft.

It’s may be true that the NFL news cycle never stops, but it definitely slows down at times throughout the offseason. June tends to be one of the slower months as the high from the draft wears off and other sports come into focus.

Falcons fans are just happy to have some clarity in terms of what this year’s roster will look like. Aside from the obvious change at quarterback, the team added two new starting receivers, reinforced the running back and linebacker positions, and signed a Pro Bowl cornerback.

We’ve gone through each position group on the roster to determine if the Falcons have upgraded or downgraded from last year.