
March 13, 2022 was the day when free agency have officially begun in the NFL for the 2022 season, which now have people asking is this the most exciting year in free agency history within the NFL?
With the all the moves that have been made from former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill being traded to the Miami Dolphins to former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russel Wilson being traded from the team to the Denver and so on.
This year of free agency in the NFL will for sure be one to remember regardless of what else happens before the 2022 NFL season, but if you think free agency and big team signings are over with then you have another thing coming.
Look below to see the free agents that are still available and where they are predicted to land.
Joe Haden – Miami Dolphins
After being selected by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft as the #7 overall pick, there’s no question Joe Haden has been one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL ever since. Spending six seasons as Brown before being released mid season, he went on to find a new home in Pittsburgh by joining the Browns arch rivals the Pittsburgh Steelers after being recruited by former Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown.
Unfortunately for Haden, his time in Pittsburgh is mostly coming to an end after both sides have failed to reach an agreement on an extension deal that was proposed by Haden’s agent Drew Rosenhaus that would’ve set Haden up to retire as a Steelers and finish his professional football career in Pittsburgh and by looks of recent resigns of cornerbacks Arthur Maulet and Ahkello Witherspoon, the Steelers are looking to move on from Haden as they continue their rebuilding/reloading phase with the roster they currently have under contract.
One team that can benefit from this is the Miami Dolphins due lack of cornerback depth on roster, along with the need of another star cornerback in their secondary, the Dolphins can sure use Haden in their presence. Gaining wide receiver Tyreek Hill this pass week via trade, the Dolphins can continue by adding someone like Haden to pair up with Bryon Jones, Xavien Howard, Jevon Holland, and Eric Rowe. There will no question that this secondary will be one to be reckoned with, especially to how good they look on paper together.
Julio Jones – Indianapolis Colts
From being selected as the #6 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, Julio Jones’ career has taken the league to new heights within the wide receivers position. After spending a total of 10 seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, Jones have found himself a new home in Tennessee during the 2021 offseason as he was traded from the team to the Tennessee Titans in exchange of 2nd round overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Now that Jones was cut this past month from the Titans, he’s now shopping for a city and team that he can “home”, but at this stage in his career, what team can be the best fit for him?
The answer to that questions is the Indianapolis Colts and here’s why …
Most likely the Colts will bring veteran wide receiver T.Y. Hilton back and keep him paired with wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., but they both will indefinitely need some back up on the field. With that being said, the Colts will have their number one wide receiver within Hilton and a number two wide receiver Pittman Jr., but do they currently have someone who can be a legit number three behind them? The answer to that question will be no.
With colts need of another veteran wide receiver, along with his ties with the new quarterback in town Matt Ryan from their days in Atlanta, don’t be surprise if the Colts was to be the ones who’s land Jones this offseason.
Bobby Wagner – Los Angeles Rams
Wagner was selected was by the Seattle Seahawks as the #47 overall pick in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft, he went on to make eight pro bowls, making the AP First Team All-Pro six out of eight of those seasons.
After spending 10 seasons with the team and helping them win their first ever Super Bowl in 2013-2014 season, he was surprisingly released by the team after former quarterback Russell Wilson was traded to the team they defeated in Super Bowl XLVIII the Denver Broncos.
With losing linebacker Von Miller this offseason to the Buffalo Bills, the Rams can sure use a veteran or two in the linebacker position as they are once again thin within depth at that position.
Being from Los Angeles, it should not surprise anyone if Wagner was to return home and play for the Rams while sticking it to his former team, the Rams divisional rivals the Seahawks.
Tyrann Mathieu – Pittsburgh Steelers
Being selected in the third round as the #69th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, Mathieu went on to make four Pro Bowls (2015, 2019, 2020, 2021) and was selected First Team AP All-Pro three times in his career (2015, 2019, 2020), he was not resigned to the team and was then signed by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019, where he spent three seasons and winning a Super Bowl title that season he was signed.
By the looks of it, it’s coming clear as day that the Steeler seem to be moving on from strong safety Terrell Edmunds after four seasons. With that being said, the Steelers can be shopping for a safety to pair up with current free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and someone who will come make a splash in their secondary in an instant.
It’s clear with still the need at the quarterback, wide receiver, and offensive line position, the Steelers will not be prioritizing the safety this year in the 2022 NFL Draft.
If the Steelers are looking for someone who fits their 3-4 defensive system and who can help out current defensive backs Fitzpatrick, Ahkello Witherspoon, Cameron Sutton, and Arthur Maulet, then they should not look no further than they “Honeybadger” himself Tyrann Mathieu.
Stephon Gilmore – Carolina Panthers
Being selected in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft as the #10 overall pick by the Buffalo Bills, spending fiver seasons with the team before not being resigned after the 2016 season. He was then signed by the Bills divisional rival the New England Patriots.
Gilmore went on to make five Pro Bowls, making the First Team AP All-Pro team twice out of career. He also won defensive player of the year in 2019 and a Super Bowl title with the Patriots in 2018.
After he and the organization couldn’t agree to a contract extension deal, he was then signed by the Panthers in 2021. As he his listed as free agent, the chances of him leaving Carolina and joining another NFL team is pretty slim due to his lack of productivity on the field compared to his previous seasons, along with him being 31 years of age and turning 32 in September.
Expect him to be Carolina on a two – year deal on the veteran’s minimum.
T.Y. Hilton
Selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2012 Draft in the third round as the #92 overall pick, Hilton went on to make four Pro Bowls (2014,2015,2016,2017).
Being the age of 32 and not being what he once was, the chances of him signing a new deal with another team is slim to almost most likely not happening.
Due to a loyalty standpoint and team’s need of wide receivers, it’s most likely that the Colts will be not move on from Hilton.
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