We’ve reached that odd, quiet time in NFL Free Agency where the bigger deals seem to evaporate, even though there may be players out there that warrant some real money. We still get a few signings, and even trades, every day, but they’re mostly back-ups and special teamers at this point. If you were playing Madden, you could put together a solid and competitive lineup with 22 starters using just the guys available in free agency right now, so what’s the hold up?
Simply put, we’re too close to the draft to make any major moves. It’s a problem compounded because many of the top available free agents happen to be wide receivers and running backs and this upcoming draft, just barely three weeks away, is flush with both. When no one is even talking about Alabama’s T.J. Yeldon in the first two rounds, you know that signing a Steven Jackson, Chris Johnson or Ahmed Bradshaw isn’t going to be a priority this month.
We could see as many as six wide receivers go in the first round of the draft this season. Go into the second round and you’re looking at as many as 13 being off the board by then. Wes Welker might be a nice addition to your team, but how about Miami’s Phillip Dorsett who just laid down a sub 4.3 40-yard dash at his Pro Day and could be there in the middle of Round Two?
No, you don’t know other team’s draft boards, at least once you get out of the top five or six picks, so you have no clue what your team is going to look like come May 3, so you wait and see. And the bigger free agents on the market right now will have to wait and see with you.
Michael Crabtree, WR, San Francisco 49ers
2014: 68 catches, 698 yards, four touchdowns
Crabtree should already be signed somewhere and likely only has himself to blame. Though his production was way off last year, no one really blames him as his quarterback Colin Kaepernick sent 40 or so of the balls passed to him either skidding into the turf or launched them into the first row of the stands. According to the San Francisco media, Crabtree is “waiting for an appealing situation,” meaning he’s had offers, but doesn’t like the money and contract length he’s received.
Crabtree will land somewhere, probably on a two-year deal worth around $7 million and be very angry about it. His best fit, ironically, would be the Seattle Seahawks but Richard Sherman has likely burned that bridge for good.
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Greg Jennings, WR, Minnesota Vikings
2014: 59 catches, 742 yards, six touchdowns
Jennings is another guy that suffered from his quarterback situation in Minnesota, at least until Teddy Bridgewater took over. The Vikings were crazy to cut Jennings, especially since he developed some real chemistry with his rookie quarterback at the end of the season and was worth 12.6 yards per catch. Jennings is not a No. 1 wideout anymore, but he’s a solid No. 2 and would be an asset to any team’s passing attack. I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t end up back in Green Bay on a one-year deal. The Dolphins should have already signed him.
Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts
2014: 64 catches, 779 yards, two touchdowns
Wayne wanted to come back to the Colts for one more year, but the team was ready to move on. If Wayne still wants to play, and he might not, where he ends up will depend on his goals. If he wants another shot at a title, he’ll likely have to wait until a wideout on a contender goes down with an injury. If he doesn’t care and just wants to play, then a team with a young quarterback like Minnesota, Oakland or especially Cleveland should add him to help in that QB’s development. If the Titans draft Marcus Mariota, they should sign Wayne the very next day.
Stefan Wisiniewski, C, Oakland Raiders
The first move the Raiders made in free agency was signing a new center, Rodney Hudson, away from the Kansas City Chiefs. Does that mean there’s something wrong with the “other” top center in this free agency class? It was probably more about Wisiniewski’s offseason shoulder surgery and Hudson’s superior pass blocking, but it does raise a little bit of a red flag.
Like Crabtree, the Wiz has probably already fielded offers, but doesn’t find any of them that appealing. He’s visited the Seahawks, Titans, Patriots, Jaguars and Bears and should hook up with the Rams before the month is over.
Joe Barksdale, OT, St. Louis Rams
Barksdale is a solid starter at right tackle and, like Wisiniewski, probably isn’t finding the market to his liking as of yet. Barksdale is meeting with the Titans and the Rams definitely want to have him back at the right price. Barksdale’s problem is that the teams in dire need of a tackle should be able to draft one early in the first round, the Rams included. My guess is that if the Rams end up with a wideout like Kevin White or Amari Cooper at No. 10 come April 30, they work up a deal with Barksdale to return soon after.
Brandon Spikes, ILB, Buffalo Bills
2014: 54 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, three passes defended
Spikes is one of the best run-stuffing inside linebackers in the game and that’s his biggest problem in finding a home. On passing downs, Spikes is on the sideline watching. Still, his skillset is going to get him a job and, really, it should be back with the Bills, but they don’t seem interested in re-signing him. Other options could be the Jets, the Bears and the Cardinals.
Geno Hayes, OLB, Jacksonville Jaguars
2014: 51 tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble
Hayes has been one of the most underrated outside linebackers in football over the last two seasons. Hayes’ problem is that, at 27, he has the knees of a 34 year-old and last year sat out a day of practice each week to rest them. He still never missed a game and started 11 for the Jags. They should really bring him back, but if they don’t he could be a huge asset to a team like the Jets or Cardinals, especially if he can split time with a younger, developing player.
