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All 32 teams have officially started training camp, but there are still a handful of potential impact players who haven’t found a home.
The market for some of the veterans who have been left on the sidelines is starting to heat up. The Buccaneers took Julio Jones off the market, signing the former All-Pro wide receiver at a one year contract a week after signing Kyle Rudolph.
As training camp gives teams a better idea of who they have on the roster and as injuries occur, it’s safe to assume there will be more opportunities for free agents.
Here’s a look at the best available options based on recent production, health and potential impact in 2022 and which teams should be interested.
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Anthony Barr isn’t the playmaker he once was as a four-time Pro Bowler; That doesn’t mean the 30-year-old can’t help an NFL defense right now.
Barr is a step slower than he used to be, but he was still a functional player for the Vikings last season. He led the team with three interceptions and had 72 tackles in 11 games.
Most importantly, it showed that you can stay relatively healthy. After missing all but two games in 2020 with a torn pectoral muscle, he recovered to play 11 games in the 2021 campaign.
Barr’s versatility and complete game help him crack the roster. He still has some juice as a pass-rusher with 10 total pressures last season and is not completely lost in the coverage.
It’s not going to turn around a defense, but a team that could use depth in its linebacker rotation could do worse.
Best Fit: Dallas Cowboys, Washington Commanders, New England Patriots
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Age is a big concern for Duane Brown at this point in his career. He will be 37 years old this season and brings with him 14 seasons of mileage on his odometer.
That hasn’t stopped him from being on the pitch and playing at a high level so far. Last season he made 17 starts for the Seattle Seahawks, earning a respectable 71.5 rating from FFP.
According to ESPNBrown ranks seventh among all offensive tackles in pass block win rate since 2018.
There are plenty of teams that could benefit from having an experienced left tackle with early potential. However, Brown’s free agency got more complicated. He was arrested july 10 for alleged possession of a concealed weapon and is scheduled to appear in court on August 3.
That could hurt his chances of finding a team before the matter is resolved. However, if he is still cleared to play, it would make sense for some teams that could use the veteran competition at tackle.
Best Fit: Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets
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Will Fuller V is a significant health risk. The 28-year-old receiver has a long list of injuries throughout his career and had as many ailments in 2021 as he made catches (four).
Still, when Fuller is healthy, he’s a dangerous deep threat capable of taking the top off a defense.
The last time he was healthy he posted a career-high 11.7 yards per target and a stat of 53 receptions for 879 yards and eight touchdowns in 2020. Then again, he only played in 11 games while dealing with hamstring injuries and the groin. .
Last season, a broken finger ended Fuller’s season. So it’s not like all the injuries have been the kind that will linger into the next year.
At this point, Fuller is worth the risk. It would be a great addition to any team that is short on receiver or in need of a burner. Even if he misses a handful of games in 2022, he could help a team make the playoffs.
Best Fit: Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts
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It’s interesting that Eric Fisher is still available given his solid play for the Colts last season.
The former Chiefs tackle has never been an elite option, but he has been solid throughout his career. This year, he ranked 46th among all tackles ranked by FFP.
The biggest thing Fisher had to prove in 2021 was that he could bounce back and play at a reasonable level. After suffering a torn Achilles tendon in 2020, there was reason to doubt he could still start.
He ended up making 15 starts for the Colts as part of the offensive line that paved the way for Jonathan Taylor to have 1,811 rushing yards, proving he’s still a viable tackle.
Now he awaits the call of a team willing to give him a chance again. At this point, he could take an injury, but there are still a few teams that could benefit from Fisher coming in and competing for a spot.
Best Fit: Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins
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At this stage of the game, durability, consistency and versatility are highly in-demand traits when it comes to offensive linemen.
That’s why Daryl Williams is listed as one of the highest-ranked free agent linemen available.
Williams is not a dominant blocker. He has never been a Pro Bowler or All-Pro selection. However, if he’s the weak link on the offensive line, he’s a good unit.
The 29-year-old has played in every game possible in each of the last three seasons, so durability isn’t an issue. Within those games, he has been useful at tackle and guard, offering the kind of positional versatility that can be enormous up front.
Williams was at his best in 2020 when he only allowed three sacks and was rated at 79.4 per PFF.
That would be an upgrade for several teams at right tackle. Even if he can’t usurp the starter at that position, he also offers a strong option at guard. Anyone with uncertainty on the right side of the line should look at Williams.
Best Fit: Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, Tennessee Titans
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Trey Flowers’ season in Detroit was a disappointment. There is no way around that. But compared to the rest of the free agents left on the market, Flowers has one of the best combinations of age, production and experience.
Flowers’ numbers with the Lions are poor when considered in light of the five-year, $90 million contract he signed in 2019. However, when you think about the type of pay he’s likely to receive this time of year, he could be a steal
The rim defender’s passing numbers have been disappointing. He only had 3.5 sacks in his last two injury-plagued seasons. However, he published a PFF grade of 83.3 in 2020 thanks to his work defending the race.
Flowers dealt with knee and shoulder injuries last season, so his health is a concern. But there is still a chance that he will do everything right and return to form in 2022 with a bargain contract.
That’s a scenario where a team that needs edge depth should be willing to bet.
Best Fit: New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals
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Center isn’t generally considered to be a prime position along the offensive line, but JC Tretter is one of the best in the league.
The fact that a Tretter quality hub is still available is a surprise. Last season, he ranked seventh among all centers for FFP. just gave up a sack and committed just five penalties while earning a 78.7 PFF rating.
Tretter is a strong run blocker and an elite pass protection player. He has had to have his managed workload in practice but has played 100 percent of offensive snaps in 16 games for each of the past six seasons.
That’s the kind of consistency and durability that many teams would be lucky to have at the epicenter of the offensive line.
Tretter makes too much sense for a team that needs to replace its center or has a center that could improve the line by moving to guard.
Best Fit: San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins
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To understand what Odell Beckham Jr. can bring as a last-minute free agent, look no further than the 2021 playoffs.
OBJ emerged as a key component of the Los Angeles Rams’ Super Bowl run. He had 21 catches on 26 targets for 288 yards and two touchdowns, giving Matt Stafford a reliable No. 2 receiver against Cooper Kupp.
Unfortunately, he suffered a torn ACL in the Super Bowl, which is likely why he remains unsigned.
jeremy hunter ESPN reported on an episode of Stand up in June which could be October or November before the receiver is 100 percent recovered from his injury. That leaves a lot of questions, but the teams that are interested in getting into the Beckham business aren’t the ones that care too much about winning games in September.
Instead, it’s the teams that have everything in place to make a Super Bowl effort, but could use one more playmaker. That includes his previous team, but also a few others that might make sense as the season goes on.
Best Fit: Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs