2019 NFL Free Agency Predictions

The NFL’s negotiating window will begin today at noon ET, as teams can begin talking about potential contracts before the start of the new league year Wednesday at 4:00 PM ET. A lot is up in the air right now, as some teams are pretty good at keeping their intentions under wraps until they actually come to an agreement on a deal. No one really knows what’s going to happen, and these could be way off, but these are my predictions for where 15 of the top free agents will sign this offseason.

 

QB Nick Foles: Giants

It seems a foregone conclusion that the Jaguars will sign Nick Foles, but there are now sudden rumors that Jacksonville might be interested in acquiring Ryan Tannehill. This could just be a ploy to drive Foles’ price down, but perhaps the Giants have just been silent about their interest in Foles. You would think a Giants team that wants to win now would strongly consider a guy that’s 10-3 in his last ten starts.

 

RB Le’Veon Bell: Raiders

I think Le’Veon Bell sitting out the entire season could cause some hesitancy on the part of Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock giving him a huge contract, but if the All-Pro running back isn’t getting valued as high as he wants by any team, he’ll have to settle for what he can get—which is where Oakland might come in with a nice offer. The Raiders know they must add offensive firepower to compete with the Chiefs and Chargers in the division, and Bell is another extremely hard worker like Antonio Brown (which is a big reason the Raiders pulled the trigger on Brown despite similar off-field concerns).

 

RB Tevin Coleman: Eagles

Tevin Coleman is going to make a lot of money as an extremely explosive and versatile runner that doesn’t have a ton of tread on his tires after mostly serving as the second option behind Devonta Freeman in Atlanta the last four seasons. He’d be the perfect guy to lead Philadelphia’s running back committee as someone that’d handle 15-20 touches per game and can split out to create mismatches for Doug Pederson.

 

RB Latavius Murray: Bills

The Bills are among the teams that should be interested in Tevin Coleman, but Latavius Murray could be a cheaper fit that could provide more of a different look while mixing in with LeSean McCoy (assuming McCoy remains in Buffalo). Murray’s punishing downhill running style and toughness would personify the mindset Sean McDermott and the fanbase want from the team.

 

RB Adrian Peterson: Packers

Adrian Peterson played at a high level last season, but it’s hard to find a fit for him because he’s going to want to start and get a heavy workload for whatever team signs him. Aaron Jones has played very well for the Packers his first two NFL seasons, and Jamaal Williams has done a solid job, too, so the team might not even consider this. But Peterson himself has had interest in joining Green Bay in the past, so maybe this is the year it actually happens. It might again take a while for Peterson to find a team.

 

WR Tyrell Williams: Bills

While I don’t believe Tyrell Williams is the top free-agent receiver available, there’s apparently going to be a ton of interest in him around the league. After the Bills were unable to acquire Antonio Brown, they might turn their attention to a big outside receiver that’s had a 1,000-yard season and could excel as more of a focal point on offense. He’d match up well with Josh Allen’s rocket arm in Buffalo.

 

OT Trent Brown: Bills

Dion Dawkins might be locked in at left tackle for the Bills, but either he or Trent Brown could slide over to the right side (where Brown played for the Niners until making the swift to the left side and playing great for New England last season) and give Josh Allen a couple of stud bookend tackles for the next several years. Brown might be ready to break the bank, so he might not mind potentially playing right tackle again.

 

G Rodger Saffold: Rams

The bidding might get out of control for Rodger Saffold, but the Rams are obviously going to try to retain him if possible. LA has some decisions to make this offseason, and keeping the left side of the offensive line together with left tackle Andrew Whitworth returning for 2019 is key, as they already must replace center John Sullivan.

 

LB C.J. Mosley: Ravens

The division rival Steelers could make things pretty interesting if they go hard after C.J. Mosley, but both Mosley and the Ravens seem optimistic about getting a long-term deal done. Inside linebackers typically aren’t too costly, so Baltimore has more than enough cap space to retain the four-time Pro Bowler from Alabama. It’d be a surprise if the Ravens let their former first-round pick, who is still only 26 years old, leave in his prime.

 

LB Jordan Hicks: Eagles

The only concern about Jordan Hicks is his injury history, but he’s an exceptional all-around player that fits in any scheme as an inside linebacker. Philadelphia has the cap space to retain one of their best defensive players, but it might come down to whether they throw big money at another player outside the organization like Le’Veon Bell.

 

LB Anthony Barr: Jets

Anthony Barr has done a great job as an outside linebacker in Mike Zimmer’s defense the last five seasons, but his potential might be fully unlocked in a 3-4 scheme. The Jets might run a hybrid scheme under new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, as they are apparently going to keep the 3-4 alignment despite Williams typically utilizing an attacking 4-3 defense. Barr’s versatility should mesh well with the unit no matter how the defense ends up shaking out.

 

DE Trey Flowers: Lions

The incumbent Patriots shouldn’t be counted out for Trey Flowers, but many regard the former fourth-round pick as the best defensive player available on the open market and his price might get crazy with a handful of edge players locked up or franchise tagged. The Lions have plenty of cap space to spend this offseason, and they need more talent on defense. If Matt Patricia is high on Flowers from their time with the Patriots, this could come together quickly.

 

S Earl Thomas: Chiefs

The release of former All-Pro Justin Houston freed up more cap space for the Chiefs, who have the room to make a big signing in free agency. Adding Earl Thomas alongside Eric Berry would give Kansas City a remarkably-formidable safety duo in a secondary led by two smart, experienced former 2010 first-round picks. The Niners are obviously another team to watch if they come with a huge offer, as Thomas is probably looking to get paid more than anything.

 

S Landon Collins: Lions

Again, Detroit needs to add more talent to Matt Patricia’s defense, and Landon Collins is a former All-Pro that had a Defensive Player of the Year-caliber season back in 2016. The coverage skills are apparently the main reason the Giants didn’t opt to franchise Collins, but he holds up well enough in coverage, and the Lions or whichever team signs him should have a clear role in mind.

 

S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix: Raiders

Raiders GM Mike Mayock had Ha Ha Clinton-Dix as his 16th overall prospect and top safety in the 2014 NFL Draft, and if I remember correctly, Jon Gruden was a big fan of Ha Ha during his time as a broadcaster. Clinton-Dix just has the feel of a good Raider to me, so this is one of the pairings I feel best about.