As groups transition to the minicamp portion of their offseason exercises, there are nonetheless loads of high quality gamers left on the free-agent market seeking to catch on with a crew earlier than coaching camp begins close to the tip of July.
Listed here are the 5 greatest gamers nonetheless out there:
DeAndre Hopkins, WR
Whereas there’s no scarcity of groups keen on including Hopkins, the issue lies in the truth that the 30-year-old receiver is reportedly asking for Odell Beckham Jr. cash ($18 million). Many groups who’ve critical curiosity in Hopkins, who’s simply two years faraway from 4 straight 1,000-yard seasons, don’t have that type of cap area.
But when the previous Professional Bowler comes down on the type of cash he needs, the Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Payments, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans all have a necessity on the place, and Hopkins could be an on the spot enhance to the WR rooms of these groups.
Yannick Ngakoue, DE
It’s stunning Ngakoue continues to be out there given he’s solely 28 and nonetheless one of many premier pass-rushers within the league. He led the Colts with 9.5 sacks final season and ranked second on the crew in pressures (44) and QB hits (16) and third in hurries (23).
Ngakoue has by no means had fewer than eight sacks or 44 pressures in a season, and he may make sense for a crew seeking to shore up one aspect of its cross rush just like the Bears, Chiefs, Falcons, Giants, Packers or Titans.
Ezekiel Elliott, RBÂ
Though the 2022 season was Elliott’s worst statistically, he nonetheless had 12 touchdowns and almost 900 yards on the bottom whereas splitting time with Tony Pollard. Nevertheless, Elliott’s largest drawback isn’t whether or not groups consider he’s on the tail-end of his profession, it’s that groups don’t need to dish out some huge cash for working backs. The highest two free-agent backs, Miles Sanders and David Montgomery, each signed for 4 years or fewer and $6.25 million or much less per 12 months.
Elliott has had double-digit dashing touchdowns in three of the final 4 seasons, together with the final two years. He might not be the 1,400-yard again he as soon as was, however for an affordable wage (within the $3 million to $4 million vary), he may make lots of sense for groups needing RB depth just like the Buffalo Payments, Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos or New York Jets.
Frank Clark, DE
Solely 29, Clark continues to be a reliable edge-rusher who needs to be good for a minimum of 5 sacks, possibly extra in the precise system. Though it’s been 4 seasons since Clark had double-digit sacks, he nonetheless constantly will get to the quarterback, averaging 54 pressures, 40 hurries and 16 QB hits per season.
Groups can by no means have too many good pass-rushers, and Clark might be an possibility for a number of edge-rusher-needy groups together with the Bears, Bengals, Broncos, Colts, Falcons, Giants or Vikings.
Carson Wentz, QB
Whereas Wentz’s beginning days are probably behind him after two underwhelming years with the Indianapolis Colts and Washington Commanders, the previous No. 2 total decide may be an possibility for a crew both on the lookout for a mentor for a younger quarterback or a strong, reliable backup.
Groups just like the Inexperienced Bay Packers who may need a veteran to assist ease Jordan Love into his first 12 months as a full-time starter, or the Las Vegas Raiders, who’re one Jimmy Garoppolo harm or failed bodily away from turning to 37-year-old Brian Hoyer or rookie Aidan O’Connell, make sense as potential Wentz touchdown spots.
