Teams take chances on free agents
back. But he slumped in his second go-around with the Jets, and now he might have legal issues.
Still, the free-agent offerings on defense appear more enticing: Calais Campbell, Dont’a Hightower, Chandler Jones (nonexclusive tag), Lorenzo Alexander. Wide receiver is perhaps the deepest spot for free agents on offense with Alshon Jeffery, Pierre Garcon, DeSean Jackson and Terrelle Pryor.
With Kirk Cousins tagged by the Redskins, likely making him the league’s highest-paid player, the starting quarterback market is rather bare. Considering that the other QBs available range from Ryan Fitzpatrick to Landry Jones to Mike Glennon (more on him later), Cousins would have been one popular guy if the Redskins didn’t swallow hard and pay him.
Who are the big spenders?
The Giants found free agency valuable in retooling, with defensive additions Damon Harrison, an All-Pro at tackle, Janoris Jenkins and Olivier Vernon helping lift them into the playoffs for the first time since 2011. They have cap room to satisfy Jason Pierre-Paul, and need to solidify the offensive line.
Tail enders Cleveland, San Francisco and Jacksonville — who happen to own three of the first four draft picks — are swimming in cap space. The Jaguars have not fared well in free agency, though.
Ominously, only a half-dozen teams have more flexibility with the cap than do the Patriots.
Aging but available
They are hardly old men outside the realm of professional sports. Within the NFL, such free agents as Julius Peppers (37), DeMarcus Ware (34), Vincent Jackson (34), Andrew Whitworth (35), Vince Wilfork (36), Trent Cole (34), Brandon Marshall (32), Vernon Davis (33), Chad Greenway (34), DeAngelo Williams (33), and Jahri Evans (33) carry caveats with their availability, like Peterson and Charles. Just how much do they have left?
Most, if not all of them, would command hefty money and each is unlikely to get anything resembling a long-term deal. With the exception of perhaps Whitworth, all are past their primes.
Their value, especially in this class, comes from their experience and the guidance they can provide, if only for one season, to the “kids” they would be leading.
Questionable QBs
Maybe we are being kind by categorizing the passers this way. Other than Cousins, there’s little proven talent on the market.
Glennon presents the most potential, albeit hardly franchise QB worthy. He was going nowhere in Tampa with Jameis Winston ahead of him, and several NFL personnel people believe Glennon has grown as a quarterback even with limited snaps that count.
Does that mean he’s headed for big bucks and starter’s status somewhere? Probably not, but he’s a more intriguing prospect than the rest of the 2016 cast of journeymen: try Josh McCown, Mark Sanchez, Matt Schaub, Matt Cassel, Brian Hoyer — you get the message.
Where are the bargains?
As always — just look at New England — there are value picks out there, guys who won’t cost a fortune or destroy a team’s salary structure. Maybe this year’s Chris Long (a free agent yet again, but with a Super Bowl ring, more expensive) is Bills linebacker Zach Brown.
Bengals guard Kevin Zeitler, Colts tight end Jack Doyle, Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye, Cardinals safety Tony Jefferson, Cowboys TE Gavin Escobar, Giants defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins and Patriots CB Logan Ryan won’t break the bank. They might enrich a new team with their less costly contributions.