Analysis
5/5/21
3 min read
Didn't Fill a Hole in the Draft? Here Are Some Free-Agent Fits
From the kickoff of free agency through now, the 33rd Team has identified 343 offensive and defensive free agents who could contribute on their new teams. As of Wednesday morning, that number has dropped to 68. Over four out of every five free agents have either been signed or retired. Earlier this week, we analyzed how each team addressed their key needs in the draft and how they fit into the offseason game plan. Now that the draft is in the rearview mirror, teams are onto the next step: final additions before training camp.
These are the top 30 free agents with some possible fits for teams that didn’t address their roster needs in the draft:
The 33rd Team’s Top 30 Available Free Agents:
Player, Pos, (Age)
- Kwon Alexander, ILB (27)
- Mitchell Schwartz, T (32)
- Eric Fisher, T (30)
- Reuben Foster, ILB (27)
- K.J. Wright, OLB (32)
- Ricky Wagner, RT (32)
- Jurrell Casey, DT (32)
- Richard Sherman, CB (33)
- Melvin Ingram, OLB (32)
- Kenny Vaccaro, S (30)
- Ryan Kerrigan, DE (33)
- Steven Nelson, CB (28)
- Malik Hooker, S (25)
- Darqueze Dennard, CB (30)
- Nickell Robey-Coleman, CB (29)
- Abry Jones, DT (28)
- Mike Pennel, DT (30)
- Sheldon Richardson, DT (30)
- Brian Poole, CB (29)
- Russell Okung, LT (33)
- Olivier Vernon, OLB (31)
- Bashaud Breeland, CB (29)
- Jason McCourty, CB (34)
- Mike Daniels, DT (32)
- Larry Fitzgerald, WR (38)
- Jabaal Sheard, DE (32)
- Justin Houston, DE (32)
- Trai Turner, G (27)
- John Simon, DE (31)
- Kelechi Osemele, G (32)
Indianapolis Colts, Cincinnati Bengals - OT
The Colts and the Bengals have an opening that needs to be filled with a starting OT. The Bengals drafted Jackson Carman, but he could use a year to develop. Grabbing either Mitchell Schwartz or Eric Fisher on a short-term deal would give him time.
Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns - LB
The Browns and the Packers both have holes inside their linebacking corps. The Packers are backed up against the cap, so they might be able to offer Reuben Foster a one-year “prove it” deal while the Browns target Kwon Alexander as the last piece to solidify their front seven (if he can stay healthy).
Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, Detroit Lions - EDGE
Each of these teams needs another edge player who can rush the passer. The three might end up fighting for Melvin Ingram and Ryan Kerrigan each of whom could have another season or two of good production left in them.
Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings - S
These two teams both need safeties and the two top safeties are Kenny Vaccaro and Malik Hooker. Hooker has flashed elite play but has been hampered with injuries. He may be another player who is given a one-year deal to show he can stay healthy before being invested in a multi-year contract.
