10 best available free agents to fit Raiders needs

10 best available free agents to fit Raiders needs

It’s Friday, which means the end of the work week. It also means it’s been two work weeks since the free agent market opened for business. The Raiders handled their number one business, which was to land top free agent defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. His addition along with the return of Adam Butler and John Jenkins helped to solidify the definsive interior, but that still leaves them with plenty to do to get this team in good shape headed into the draft.

They have some $28.3 million in cap room with which to try and add some upgrades, competition, and insurance at several position still in need. And there is still some talent out there who could provide what they need.

This is the top ten free agents still on the market who could come in and fill a need position for the Raiders.

Who are the best available NFL free agent fits left for Eagles?

We’re looking at the best available free agent fits for the Philadelphia Eagles ahead of the second wave of free agency

The Eagles have undergone significant changes on both sides of the football field, involving player personnel and a retooled coaching staff.

The free agent period and NFL draft are Howie Roseman’s seasons, and the Eagles GM got off to a roaring start after inking running back Saquon Barkley to a three-year deal, signing improving pass rusher Bryce Huff and then bringing versatile defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson back into the fold.

Roseman then added talent to the backup quarterback position, acquiring Kenny Pickett from the Steelers for a 2024 third-round pick and two 2025 seventh-round picks.

The Eagles have since added wide receiver Parris Campbell, slot cornerback Tyler Hall, defensive tackle PJ Mustipher, and linebacker Oren Burks.

With the second wave of free agency set to begin, we’re looking at the best available free agent fits for Philadelphia.

5 Former first round reclamation projects for the Browns to target in free agency

The Browns have made it a trend to target former first round reclamation projects in free agency. Here are five that fit that bill this year.

The Cleveland Browns have made it a trend to attack free agency by targeting at least one former first rounder who requires a change of scenery. Could they do the same with names like defensive end Chase Young or offensive tackle Mekhi Becton when 2024 NFL free agency opens in March?

They’ve done it with safety Karl Joseph in 2020, defensive end Takk McKinley in 2021, and defensive tackle Taven Bryan in 2022. It’s a trend for the Browns to look at players with a great deal of upside who may just need a fresh start. It worked for McKinley, who unfortunately suffered a season-ending injury late in the 2021 season that hurt his chances of getting a new deal.

Especially spending on a tighter (although not penny-pinching) budget as well, this could be the way the Browns look to add young talent for cheap. It is a low-risk move that comes with a high reward if the player lives up to their potential.

Here are former first round reclamation projects the Browns could target when free agency rolls around this year.

Ranking 2024’s top 12 free-agent offensive tackles

Are there any hog mollies worth keeping an eye on in free agency?

Will the Carolina Panthers be able to find the fabled offensive line depth this offseason?

Here are the top 12 free-agent offensive tackles of 2024:

6 Jets to watch in Week 16 vs. Commanders

Here are six players from the Jets to watch in the team’s Week 16 matchup against the Commanders.

The New York Jets have been eliminated from playoff contention following a 30-0 shutout loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 15. After another disappointing loss, the Jets will take on the Washington Commanders in Week 15, who are another team that isn’t going to be in the playoffs.

The Jets could be starting their fourth different quarterback on Sunday as Zach Wilson remains in concussion protocol. With the postseason no longer a possibility, the Jets could use the final weeks of the season to give more snaps to some of their younger players to build momentum for next season.

Ahead of the upcoming matchup with the Commanders, here are six players from the Jets to watch in Week 16.

Two Jets land in PFF’s top 50 free agents for 2024

The Jets have a pair of upcoming free agents ranked among the best in the league for 2024.

Free agency in 2023 hasn’t exactly been kind to the Jets this season. They’re hoping for much better luck in 2024 as they push to make a Super Bowl run. That includes trying to re-sign some of their own free agents of which the Jets have some good ones set to hit the open market.

Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus recently unveiled his top 50 free agents for 2024 and the Jets have a pair of players cracking the list, one making it into the top 20.

That top-20 player is defensive end Bryce Huff at No. 18. The Jets gave Huff a second-round tender this past offseason as he was a restricted free agent. They can’t do that this offseason. They’ll need to pony up if they want to keep Huff, who is leading the team with seven sacks.

Huff set out to prove that his absurd pass-rushing efficiency in 2022 wasn’t an aberration, and he’s done just that in 2023 with a crazy high pass-rush win rate once again. Still, there’s a reason the team that developed the former undrafted free agent and sees him every day doesn’t like to deploy him against the run and hasn’t made much of an effort on an extension. This will be a nuanced negotiation for a designated pass rusher type — fortunately, that’s the richest facet to excel in for an edge defender.

Former Baltimore Raven and Chicago Bears pass-rush specialist Pernell McPhee comes to mind as a comparable player, as does Huff’s current teammate Carl Lawson.

Also making the top 50 from the Jets is offensive tackle Mekhi Becton, who worked his way back into the starting lineup in training camp in what became a prove-it season after the Jets declined his fifth-year option. It will be interesting to see if the Jets decide to keep Becton or start fresh at the left tackle position.

The former No. 11 overall pick of the 2020 draft has always had the athletic ability to play at a high level in this league — injuries have just destroyed a promising young career.

More importantly than anything else, Becton is on pace to play more snaps in 2023 than he did over his first three seasons combined. The 6-foot-7, 363-pound dancing bear looked leaner in training camp and has performed admirably as a pass protector despite the revolving door of quarterbacks operating behind him. He has the ability to be the lead blocker to the play side but has gotten caught up in the muck this season when pull-blocking across the formation, getting his feet tangled and ending up on the ground.

Jets Week 15 injury report: Jason Brownlee out, Carter Warren doubtful

WR Jason Brownlee is out and offensive tackle Carter Warren is doubtful for Week 15 against the Dolphins.

The Jets released their injury report and game statuses Friday for their Week 15 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Two players — QB Aaron Rodgers and WR Jason Brownlee — are listed as out. With Rodgers practicing, he has been listed on the injury report but has yet to be activated from injured reserve. The Jets have until Wednesday to do so.

Rodgers was listed as a limited participant Thursday and Friday and was even starting to push his practice habits a little. Brownlee did not practice all week with an ankle injury.

Offensive tackle Carter Warren is doubtful for Sunday with a hip injury. After missing Week 14 against the Houston Texans, Warren did not practice all week, likely causing him to miss another game. Max Mitchell would get another start at right tackle if Warren cannot go…if Mitchell plays himself. Mitchell is questionable with a neck injury. He was limited all week.

Also listed as questionable for the Jets: DE John Franklin-Myers (ankle), FB Nick Bawden (knee), C Joe Tippmann (shoulder) and DE Will McDonald (knee). Franklin-Myers, Bawden and Tippmann all practiced in full Friday while McDonald was a late add Friday with a knee injury and did not practice.

Quarterback Zach Wilson was on the report with a knee injury but practiced in full all week. He is good to go for Sunday.

For the Dolphins, safety DeShon Elliott (concussion) and guard Robert Hunt (hamstring) are both out. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill highlights the questionable Dolphins as he did not practice all week with an ankle injury.

Also listed as questionable for the Dolphins: RB De’Von Achane (toe), OT Terron Armstead (knee/ankle), OL Liam Eichenberg (calf), FS Jevon Holland (knees), CB Xavien Howard (hip), OT Austin Jackson (oblique) and OLB Andrew Van Ginkel (oblique). All were listed as limited participants Friday.

Jets to activate Duane Brown off injured reserve

Jets to activate Duane Brown off injured reserve

The Jets will be getting back Duane Brown this season after all. On the last day they had, the Jets activated the offensive tackle from injured reserve. He will be available to play Friday against the Miami Dolphins.

Brown was placed on injured reserve with a hip injury on September 24. The Jets opened the 21-day practice window for Brown on November 2. Thursday was the final day they had to bring Brown back onto the active roster. Had they chosen not to activate Brown, he would have remained on injured reserve for the rest of the season.

This allows the Jets to have both Brown and Billy Turner available in a week where Mekhi Becton could be a true game-time decision following his ankle injury Sunday, though Becton has been pushing to play. Becton was limited in practice Wednesday.

Look for the Jets to put Brown back at left tackle and Becton to right. The Jets are set to start their eighth different offensive line combination against the Dolphins.

The Jets also signed Xavier Newman to the active roster. He’ll start at right guard. Jake Hanson and Tanzel Smart were elevated from the practice squad. Chris Glaser, right week’s starter at right guard, was released.

Jets Wednesday injury report: Michael Carter looks unlikely for Friday, Duane Brown decision Thursday

Michael Carter II looks unlikely to play Friday while the Jets have to make a decision by Thursday on Duane Brown.

The Jets may have to try and stop Miami’s offense Friday without nickel cornerback Michael Carter II. After missing Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills, Carter is looking unlikely to play Friday against the Dolphins after missing practice Wednesday with a hamstring injury following him being listed as out during Tuesday’s walkthrough. It may be another week with Brandin Echols in the slot.

The other big story of the week involves offensive tackle Duane Brown (hip). The Jets have to make a decision on Brown by Thursday, as that is the final day of his 21-day practice window to be activated from injured reserve. If the Jets do not activate Brown Thursday, then he is out for the rest of the season. Brown has been listed as a full participant since having his window opened but it may be a 50/50 chance of him returning.

Mekhi Becton (ankle/knee) is pushing to play Friday but the injury was affecting him during Wednesday’s practice. He was limited Wednesday. He could be a game-time decision. The good news up front for New York is that the Jets should at least have Billy Turner available if need be. Turner practiced in full after missing time with a finger injury.

In terms of available players, everyone practiced in some capacity except for Carter and everyone who did practice was a full participant except for Becton and linebacker Sam Eguavoen (hip).

6 Jets to watch in Week 12 vs. Dolphins

Here are 6 players from the Jets in the team’s Week 12 matchup against the Dolphins on Friday.

The New York Jets will have a quick turnaround after their 32-6 defeat to the Buffalo Bills in Week 11. For the first time in NFL history, the league will have a game on Black Friday, with the Jets slated to take on the Miami Dolphins at home on primetime.

It has been a forgettable month of November for the Jets, who have lost three straight games to fall to 4-6 on the season. The Jets are currently projected for the 11th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, which isn’t ideal for a team that has their sights on still making the playoffs.

In what is a vital game in terms of a potential miraculous return by Aaron Rodgers late in the season, here are six players from the Jets to watch in Friday’s divisional matchup versus the Dolphins.