Tag: nfl free agents

How Chargers can replace Rashawn Slater for remainder of 2022 season

The Chargers have a few options for the next man up.

The Chargers will be without star left tackle Rashawn Slater for the rest of the season after he suffered a ruptured biceps injury in the loss to the Jaguars.

Still very early in the season, Los Angeles will have to figure out a plan to have Justin Herbert’s blindside protected.

They can stick with what they have in Storm Norton as the starting left tackle, but yesterday’s performance exemplified that he is not ready for that responsibility as he allowed eight pressures on 25 pass-blocking snaps.

Or, the team could move Norton to right tackle and Pipkins to left tackle. Pipkins performed admirably well last season at left tackle, allowing just three pressures on 43 pass-block snaps.

While replacing Slater’s skill level in a pinch is impossible, there are a few ways the team can still get competency from the position.

If they choose to look at outside options, let’s take a look at how the Bolts can replace Slater.

Pass rusher Jason Pierre-Paul remains an intriguing option for Cardinals

Jason Pierre-Paul remains a free agent, one that could exponentially help the Cardinals defense

We are just over a week away from the Arizona Cardinals’ season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs at State Farm Stadium. Superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes will face a Cardinals defense with plenty of question marks, particularly at the edge rusher position.

The Cardinals have a slew of promising young players at the position but are missing a veteran presence following the departure of Chandler Jones to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Jason Pierre-Paul, 33, remains a free agent and is the runaway best at his position left on the market. While Paul didn’t have the statistical numbers he would have liked last season, his 2020 season was very successful. He totaled 9.5 sacks and started every game.

Paul would be joining a similar attacking 3-4 defensive scheme in Vance Joseph’s defense, coming over from Todd Bowles’ unit in Tampa Bay. Assuming he has remained in playing shape, one could assume he would be a plug-and-play type of player.

The Cardinals released veteran OLB Devon Kennard from the active roster, opting to bring him back on the practice squad. They have question marks at the position with Markus Golden possibly holding in for a new contract.

Bringing in a Pro-Bowl caliber edge rusher like Paul, even at his age, would give the Cardinals defense a much-needed boost. It would alleviate some of the pressure on rookies and younger players at the position to perform at a high level immediately. A veteran like Paul could only help their development as well.

If the Cardinals went into week one with a veteran pass rush group of J.J. Watt, Markus Golden and Jason-Pierre-Paul, paired with their promising young talent, they’d be in a good place. The recent woes at the cornerback position would be aided by such a pass-rushing presence.

The Cardinals division and overall schedule this year is daunting. One can never have too many pass rushers.

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Which best remaining free agents make sense for Cardinals?

Which of the top remaining free agents could make sense for the Cardinals as the regular season approaches?

General manager Steve Keim has always maintained the Arizona Cardinals will be in the business of improving the team any any point in time. He’s proven that by making a trade in the last three seasons at the in-season deadline. Those three all turned out pretty well in Kenyan Drake, Markus Golden and Zach Ertz.

There are still a few remaining free agents of note who will likely be looking to join a team in the coming days, as the regular season is just under a week away.

Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar made a list of the league’s top remaining free agents as we enter Week 1. Let’s take a look at which of those could be matches for the Cardinals.

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NFL Network gives update on Odell Beckham’s status

NFL Network provides an update on Odell Beckham’s free agency

As the NFL season grows closer, former LSU wideout [autotag]Odell Beckham Jr[/autotag] is still without a home.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network recently had an update on Beckham’s status.

Rapoport pointed out how Beckham is still recovering from an ACL and could be exercising patience. Beckham might not be able to play early in the year anyway, so why not take more time to recover?

It doesn’t seem like Beckham is signing anytime soon. This would give Beckham a chance to join a contender down the stretch in good health.

The Rams have maintained interest, but there hasn’t been much smoke around other teams.

Teams like the Cowboys, Titans, or Colts could use his services. All three of those teams expect to contend but need some more depth at wide receiver.

In 14 games last year, Beckham caught 44 passes for 537 yards. He really shined in the postseason, where he had 288 yards and a couple of touchdowns.

That included a 113-yard performance in the NFC Championship game. In the Super Bowl, he put the Rams up 7-0 with a first-quarter touchdown.

In his eight NFL seasons, Beckham has eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark on five occasions and that total could be even higher if it weren’t for injuries.

Beckham is just 29 and could be an important part of an offense this year.

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Which free agent specialists are still available on the market?

Miami appears to be all set on special teams, but competition is always good.

After signing longtime New Orleans Saints punter Thomas Morstead on Friday, the Miami Dolphins don’t really have any holes on special teams.

At kicker, they have Jason Sanders, who signed a pretty large extension last offseason before struggling to find consistency in 2021. Long snapper is held by Blake Ferguson, who has done a fine job in two seasons and is under contract for two more.

With all of that said, having competition through the offseason program and into training camp is always a smart idea, so there’s a chance the Dolphins look for veterans for that purpose.

These are the specialists that are still available to be signed.

What free agent cornerbacks and safeties are still available

The Dolphins seem to be set in the secondary, but they could look to add another veteran or two for depth.

After addressing Xavien Howard and Byron Jones‘ contracts and tendering Nik Needham, the Miami Dolphins seem to be pretty solid in the back end of their defense going into the 2022 season.

However, Miami be looking to add more veterans to help supply the unit with more depth. The Dolphins still have not replaced Justin Coleman or Jason McCourty who provided some of that last season, so if the team were to suffer an injury, it could be a blow that they might not be able to deal stay afloat.

These are the safeties and cornerbacks that are still available on the free agent market.

J.C. Tretter could really help solidify the Dolphins offensive line

It’s unlikely that a newcomer would take the right tackle spot, but what about center?

Throughout this offseason, the Miami Dolphins have clearly put forth a concerted when it comes to addressing the offensive line issues that have ailed the team in recent years.

In just the last month, the Dolphins have brought in Terron Armstead and Connor Williams who will likely end up taking over the left tackle and left guards roles, respectively. With Robert Hunt probably staying put at right guard, the Dolphins have two spots that could be considered up for grabs.

Miami moved on from right tackle Jesse Davis, who is now a member of the Minnesota Vikings, this offseason, and it looks like there will be a battle between Austin Jackson and Liam Eichenberg for that starting job.

That leaves center as a position that wasn’t great last year and could use competition. Michael Deiter started eight games there last season and is expected to have the inside track again, especially after he was praised by general manager Chris Grier at the annual meetings. However, he also said they want to add competition.

Where that competition comes from is unknown at this point, as they could look to the draft or free agency. If the route they decide to take is the latter one, the Dolphins shouldn’t look any further than former Cleveland Browns center J.C. Tretter.

Tretter, 31, had been with Cleveland for the last five seasons before his release this offseason, starting 80 of 81 possible games. This past year, he was Pro Football Focus’ sixth-ranked center and was the second-best when it came to pass-blocking.

Deiter was ranked No. 28 overall and No. 25 in pass-blocking.

Prior to his release, Tretter has been making $10.85 million annually, which was the sixth-highest AAV in the league. He would probably be looking for around the same money, which would be another big investment on the line, but it could be worth it.

The NFLPA president could bring some solid veteran leadership that could not only help the line now, but he could join forces with Armstead to help teach and mentor a group of younger linemen that could use the help.

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What defensive linemen, edge rushers and linebackers are still available in free agency

Could Miami use more help in the front seven?

In the last month, the Miami Dolphins have done a ton to improve their offense, but they’ve kept most of the same pieces from the 2021 season on the defensive side of the ball.

They’ve re-signed Emmanuel Ogbah, Elandon Roberts, Sam Eguavoen, Duke Riley and Brennan Scarlett to keep a front seven together that was really strong during the second half of last year. With that said, the Dolphins may still be looking to add more veteran contributors to that group to make it even better.

These are all of the free agent defensive linemen, edge rushers and linebackers that are still available to be signed.

What free agent offensive linemen are still available entering fourth week

The Dolphins may still be able to add veterans on the line.

Believe it or not, the 32 NFL teams are entering the fourth week of the 2022 league year, as time is flying at a remarkable pace.

The Miami Dolphins have made numerous moves that have improved their team, including their biggest weakness in 2021 – the offensive line. Through impressive cap management by general manager Chris Grier and senior vice president of football Brandon Shore, the Dolphins still have money to spend and may still be interested in using some of it to further upgrade those veteran big guys up front.

These are the offensive linemen that are still available on the free agent market.

What free agent wide receivers, tight ends are still available after DeVante Parker trade

Miami may be done adding at these positions, but, in case they aren’t, these are the names.

The Miami Dolphins have made a number of moves to address their pass-catching heading in 2022 by retaining their free agent tight ends, Mike Gesicki and Durham Smythe, as well as bringing in Tyreek Hill, Cedrick Wilson Jr. and Trent Sherfield to the receiver room.

Miami did, however, opt to move on from DeVante Parker, sending him and a fifth-round pick to New England for a third-round pick next year. While the Dolphins are probably done adding at these positions, it would still be a good idea to see who is available at this point.

These are the wide receiver and tight ends who are still on the market heading into the fourth week of free agency.