Some of the biggest names in this free agency period come with the most baggage. From fines, to personality issues, to impending suspensions, to injury histories and to pile-driving their girlfriends into a mountain of assault rifles, this group of big-name players comes with some well-deserved concerns.
But regardless of all that, they’ll all end up somewhere. Whether it’s wrapping up a successful career with a mediocre final season in a weird jersey like Emmitt Smith did in Arizona, bouncing back from injuries to once again become one of the best players at your position like Kurt Warner did in Arizona or try to jump to a Super Bowl contender like Bryant McFadden did in Arizona.
Arizona historically signs a lot of free agents, is what I’m saying. Which brings us to our first big-name guy…
Frank Gore, RB, 49ers
2014: 255 carries, 1,106 yards, four touchdowns
Gore is entering the final contract of his career and along with the coaching mess in San Francisco, a great player migration is happening as well. The 49ers open the offseason nearly $3 million over the cap, so it’s likely they won’t sign any of their free agents, especially mid-seven-figure guys like Gore.
Where he should end up: Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals need a significant upgrade at the running back position and Bruce Arians isn’t afraid to roll the dice with an old guy. At 31, Gore should still have two good years left in him and ready to plug in to Arizona’s offense immediately.
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Michael Crabtree, WR, 49ers
2014: 68 receptions, 698 yards, four touchdowns
Crabtree? Crabtree? You come at free agency with a sorry receiver like Crabtree? Actually, Crabtree isn’t “sorry” at all, regardless of Richard Sherman’s thoughts on the matter. Crabtree’s lack of production has a lot to do with incredibly poor play at quarterback by Colin Kaepernick. Back when Alex Smith was the 49ers QB, Crabtree had an 85-catch, 1,105-yard, nine-touchdown season. That’s something he’ll be able to repeat on his new team and for not too big a price.
Where he should end up: San Diego Chargers
The Chargers have a decision to make on retaining Eddie Royal, who has been incredibly productive in his time in San Diego. Royal is a legit NFL receiver and a good one, but Crabtree has the potential to be a great one and the clock on Philip Rivers is ticking.
Ray Rice, RB, New Jersey Superior Family Court
2014: N/A
Ray Rice won his suit against the NFL and is free to resume his career. The only question is if anyone will sign him. But, frankly after his incredibly disappointing 2013 with the Baltimore Ravens (214 carries, 660 yards, four TDs, 3.1 yards per carry), who would want to? Any team that signs Rice will have to hope he can return to his 2009-2012 form when he averaged 1,267 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground and 610 yards and a couple of touchdowns through the air. Rice was a high-powered weapon in those days and if a team could help him recapture that magic, he could be the winning piece in a championship puzzle. Just ask the 2012 Ravens who wouldn’t have even made the playoffs, let alone won the Super Bowl, without him.
Where he should end up: Buffalo Bills
Rex Ryan says he’s building a team of bullies and then proved it by signing Richie Incognito Monday. Who better to add to his gang of toughs than the best elevator left-jab in Atlantic City? And for likely the league-minimum no less.
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Greg Hardy, DE, Panthers
2014: four tackles, one sack, one forced fumble
After Ray Rice won his own court battle to be re-instated and Hardy just had his domestic violence case dismissed after paying off his former girlfriend that he bull-dogged into a cache of M-4 carbines, Hardy’s return is almost assured, at least after he likely serves a six-game suspension. Without his Susanne Sugarbaker-sized baggage, Hardy would have been an incredibly rich man in this free agent period. He already made over $13 million sitting on his couch in 2014 because the Panthers hit him with the franchise tag after his second straight double-digit sack season which got him named to the Pro Bowl and probably helped finance the stack of Ak-47s he bounced his girlfriend’s head off of.
Where he should end up: Dallas Cowboys
Hardy would be huge upgrade over George Selvie, who the team could lose in free agency this season. Any team that signs Hardy or Rice will meet with a lot of criticism, but if you don’t think Jerry Jones has the balls to sign Hardy, then you haven’t seen the giant new set he just had custom-installed.
Brian Orakpo, OLB, Redskins
2014: 24 tackles, 0.5 sacks, one pass defended
Orakpo has spent two of the last three seasons on injured reserve, but that one year he didn’t was what your grandfather would refer to as a “doozy.” In 15 games in 2013, Orakpo had 60 tackles, 10 sacks, 4 passes defended and a pick. In fact, in his four relatively healthy seasons Orakpo has averaged 56 tackles and nearly 10 sacks. At 6-foot-4 and 257 pounds, Orakpo is the prototype 3-4 outside linebacker and with half the NFL running that scheme, somebody is going to gamble on the oft-injured star.
Where he should end up: Indianapolis Colts
The Colts need help in their 3-4, even if they get Robert Mathis back from the hookah lounge he spent his 2014 suspension in. Both their starting outside linebackers in 2014 delivered 10 sacks combined, so Orakpo is a significant upgrade, even if Mathis sobers up and finds his Benz keys.
Doug Free, OT, Cowboys
Free was a key player and lockdown right tackle on the best offensive line in the NFL in 2014 and with just two or three other legitimate OTs out in free agency, Free is about to make some bank.
Where he should end up: Minnesota Vikings
An up-and-coming team with a young quarterback needs a veteran tackle. The Vikings have the money to burn, already over $18 million under the 2015 cap and should be able to sign anyone they want in this free agency period. They should really want Free.
