If you think NFL fans are glued to their TVs now, just wait until March rolls around. That's when things get really interesting. A time where teams start getting into bidding wars for some of the league's foremost talent. Seeing as how there are so many players set to hit the open market in March, and a majority will probably re-sign with their current teams, here are (in no particular order) seven top-of-the-line free agents that I believe will have a new home for the 2020 season.
#1 Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots
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This may come as a surprise to some, but there has to be a reason why Brady was denied a 3-year contract extension last off-season, right? The 42-year-old signal-caller will be 43 come August. Combine that with a very subpar season from Brady in 2019, and I think we have our answer as to why he was denied the extension. Now, that's not to say that he and the Patriots can't/won't reach a deal. But only time will tell.
If you ask me, I don't see Brady returning to New England in 2020, especially when you consider the rocky relationship that he and head coach Bill Belichick have seemingly formulated over the last several seasons.
If this indeed turns out to be the case, I -- along with many others -- can/have made a strong case to see Brady in a powder blue Chargers uniform next season. Surrounding the 6-time Super Bowl champion with a plethora of elite weapons in Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Melvin Gordon, Austin Ekeler and several others, might just be exactly what Brady needs to catapult his way to another Super Bowl.
Best landing spot: Los Angeles Chargers
#2 Amari Cooper, WR, Dallas Cowboys
Amari Cooper had himself quite the season, as the former first-round pick managed to snag 79 catches for a total of 1,189 yards and eight touchdowns this past season. Quite honestly, Cooper has more than earned himself a new contract this off-season.
That said, are we sure the Cowboys have the necessary amount of resources to sign Cooper to a long-term deal? There are several other players that Dallas could make of priority to re-sign first. Quarterback Dak Prescott and cornerback Byron Jones are just a few names that come to mind.
I can say with the utmost confidence that many Cowboys fans wouldn't be pleased if Jerry Jones were to let Cooper walk. Besides, when you consider not only the level of production that he's brought to this team over the past two seasons but also the spark and security blanket that has been provided to an offense that was extremely stagnant prior to his arrival, Dallas would be fools to let a player of Cooper's caliber walk out the door.
Keeping all of that in mind, if Cooper does hit the open market, the Indianapolis Colts would be a tremendous fit for a multitude of reasons. For starters, the Colts' passing attack was extremely sluggish in 2019, as they ranked 30th in total passing yards garnered per game with a measly 194.2.
Cooper would immediately give Jacoby Brissett a strong #2 wideout to pair alongside T.Y. Hilton. Secondly, Indianapolis has the most cap space this off-season with a whopping $92 million to work with. I know this signing would completely go against every off-season belief that GM Chris Ballard has religiously lived by since taking over in 2017, but if the price is right, a player of Cooper's caliber might be worth taking a serious look at this off-season.
Best landing spot: Indianapolis Colts
#3 Yannick Ngakoue, DE, Jacksonville Jaguars
Ngakoue has quietly been one of the league's best defensive ends for the last several seasons. The 24-year-old pass rusher racked up eight sacks this past season and has a total of 37.5 sacks, 120 tackles, and two forced fumbles for his short, yet dominant career. If Jacksonville were smart, they would lock up Ngakoue for the long-haul. Then again, they did just draft a pass rusher in Josh Allen, who could immediately slide to defensive end if Ngakoue were to sign elsewhere.
Pass rushers of Ngakoue's caliber are extremely rare and hard to find. He possesses all the right traits that any NFL team would look for in an elite defensive end. The former third-round pick would immediately bring a dominant presence to whichever team that'd be lucky enough to land him if he hits the open market this off-season.
To me, the Houston Texans would be a great fit for Ngakoue, seeing as how they just recently traded away defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and could use another top-tier edge rusher to pair alongside J.J. Watt. For the right price, this partnership makes almost too much sense.
Best landing spot: Houston Texans
#4 Chris Jones, DT, Kansas City Chiefs
Despite missing three games this season, DT Chris Jones still managed to rack up nine sacks, 23 tackles, and a forced fumble. Jones has increasingly become one of the best interior defensive linemen in the entire NFL. His numbers over the last two seasons speak for themselves (15.5 sacks, 35 tackles, and two forced fumbles in '18).
Should the Chiefs choose not to re-sign the 25-year-old stud, there are plenty of NFL teams that would be willing to pay a pretty penny for a player of Jones' caliber. Rightfully so, too. As entertaining as it may be for Jones to hit the open market, Kansas City would be fools to let him walk away without a long-term contract extension. But hey, we've seen crazier things take place during free agency before, right? After all, this is the NFL we're talking about.
If Jones were to hit the open market, I have no doubt that he'd be looking for a multi-year deal and would probably become one of the highest-paid interior defensive linemen in the league today. Similar to Amari Cooper, the Colts just sound too perfect for a player like Jones. Of course, as I mentioned before, GM Chris Ballard's MO when handling free agency has been short-term deals.
However, Indy's "Tampa 2" defense is dependent upon their pass-rushing success -- particularly from the interior. Jones would be an immediate upgrade for the Colts, who struggled mightily to generate a consistent pass rush in 2019.
Best landing spot: Indianapolis Colts
#5 Brandon Scherff, G, Washington Redskins
Yes, guards are important, too. Just as Quenton Nelson. Not only are they important, but they're extremely difficult to find. Washington's Brandon Scherff would bring about all kinds of attention if he were to hit the open market.
At 28 years old, Scherff would be an immediate boost to any offensive line that is deprived of a solid starting guard. The one turnoff, if you will, is Scherff's overall health. The former first-round pick hasn't played a full 16-game season since his rookie year in 2015. Concerning? Perhaps. However, that shouldn't discourage teams that are in dire need of offensive line help (*coughs: I'm talking to you, Seattle and Minnesota).
Aside from the health concerns, Scherff is a dominant run blocker who will come in and set the tone for any run-based NFL team. If Washington decides to let Scherff walk, I really like Minnesota as a possible landing spot this off-season. Why? Simple. The Vikings are a run-first football team and could certainly use an upgrade at guard. Scherff would not only be an immediate upgrade to one of the NFL's worst units, but he would also be a key factor in paving running lanes for the Vikings' star back, Dalvin Cook.
Best landing spot: Minnesota Vikings
#6 Jack Conklin, T, Tennessee Titans
Here's another top-tier offensive lineman that could potentially be available in March. Unlike Washington's Brandon Scherff, Conklin has started 16 games in three of his four NFL seasons, so durability isn't really a concern here. Conklin is an all-round dominant offensive tackle that possesses the ability to knock around opposing defensive ends and pancake them in the running game.
In fact, Conklin allowed just one sack this entire season. Impressive, right? And if you want to know more about his run-blocking ability, just ask the NFL's leading rusher in 2019, Derrick Henry. The former first-round pick out of Iowa helped pave the way for Henry to rush for 1,540 yards while averaging 5.1 YPC.
If Conklin were to hit the open market, the Seattle Seahawks should offer him whatever he wants. Seriously. Well-rounded offensive tackles are hard to find nowadays and Seattle's right tackle position has been a constant revolving door for far too long. Not to mention that they have a Hall of Fame quarterback, in Russell Wilson, that should be protected at all costs. Conklin would certainly provide that and then some for the Seahawks in 2020.
Best landing spot: Seattle Seahawks
#7 Robby Anderson, WR, New York Jets
Yes, I do consider Robby Anderson to be a top-tier free agent. I mean, have you seen this guy play before? His 6'3" frame combined with his track-like speed makes him a perfect fit for any NFL team in need of help at the wideout position.
Anderson, who's been extremely productive over the last several seasons, is a match-up nightmare for any opposing defensive back. His combined 1,531 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns over the last two seasons speak for itself. Don't fool yourself. The Jets would regret letting Anderson walk away without a contract extension.
Even though we're not sure what's going to happen in New England, I think Anderson would be a perfect fit. He would give Brady and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels a big-bodied, explosive playmaker that has the ability to beat you in a multitude of ways.
This, of course, is if both Brady and McDaniels return to New England in 2020. Whether they return or not, New England desperately needs wide receiver help. Anderson would be a tremendous addition to Patriots' passing offense that was about as dry as the Sahara Desert in 2019.
Best landing spot: New England Patriots
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