The new league year officially began yesterday, and we’ve already hit the second wave of NFL free agency with moves slowing down. These are strong potential fits for some of the top remaining free agents.
WR Mike Williams: Chiefs
Due to the salary cap, the Chargers just released Mike Williams yesterday, so he’s just entering the free agent fray. Health is the only question for Williams, who is coming off a torn ACL from last September, and there should be a ton of teams interesting in the big receiver.
Frankly, when on the field and involved offensively, Williams is one of the top playmakers in football. He’s torched the Chiefs over the years, and he also happens to be someone that would fit right in offensively as a big perimeter threat for Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City. The thought of Williams on the outside while Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice navigate the middle of the field is a scary thought for the rest of the league as the Chiefs look to three-peat.
LT Tyron Smith: Commanders
Commanders fans are clamoring for the team to add Tyron Smith at left tackle, and his signing would fit what Washington has done to this point in bringing in extremely accomplished veterans like Zach Ertz, Austin Ekeler, and Bobby Wagner. Protecting their likely rookie quarterback is priority No. 1 for the Commanders, and Smith—if you are comfortable with him staying healthy—is a trusted option on the blindside.
DL Arik Armstead: Texans
After losing Sheldon Rankins to the Bengals, the Texans might want to pivot to former 49ers defensive lineman Arik Armstead, who played under Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans with San Francisco. Houston already added star edge rusher Danielle Hunter and former Titan Denico Autry among a bunch of moves, and Armstead is a natural fit for a team that could use a boost on the interior defensive line to create an incredibly fearsome pass rush across the board.
DL D.J. Reader: Lions
After transforming the run defense into one of the NFL’s best in that department last season, the Lions might add further beef at defensive tackle via Bengals free agent D.J. Reader, who is reportedly visiting Detroit today. Reader can pair with Alim McNeill to form arguably the league’s top defensive tackle duo. General manager Brad Holmes already added cornerback Carlton Davis in a trade with the Bucs, and he should obviously be trusted to push the right buttons and appears to have legitimate interest in Reader.
LB Devin White: Eagles
While it became an up and down relationship, I wouldn’t be shocked if Devin White didn’t like his free-agent market and decided to return to Todd Bowles’ defense—which brought back White’s friend in safety Jordan Whitehead—in Tampa. However, the Eagles present a very intriguing fit if White heads elsewhere. The former No. 5 overall pick and Super Bowl champion would fill a need for Philly, and I think the upside of an inside linebacker combo of White and Nakobe Dean, who can hopefully stay healthy in 2024, would be astronomical.
CB Tre’Davious White: 49ers
Tre’Davious White is coming off a torn Achilles, which complicates his free agency. However, the former Bills All-Pro is a tremendous player and locker room presence that teams should be interested in. A contender is the most likely path for White, and I think the Niners make a ton of sense. San Francisco hopes and expects to be in the championship mix again, and White could ultimately be a boost down the stretch if he can get to 100%.
CB Xavien Howard: Vikings
The Vikings have a little more money to play with after not re-signing quarterback Kirk Cousins to a monster contract, and former All-Pro cornerback Xavien Howard can re-join former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores with the Vikings. While in Miami, Flores did not want to trade Howard and praised his play as one of the best players on the team. It’s a natural fit for both sides.
S Justin Simmons: Rams
Following their success as a so-called “no-name defense” in 2023, the Rams might not want to go hunting for top free agents. However, in a saturated safety market, they might be able to get former Broncos safety Justin Simmons at a value. Simmons is yet another former All-Pro available, and while many have pointed to the Eagles as a landing spot given the presence of Vic Fangio, I believe he’ll land elsewhere after Philly brought back Chauncey Gardner-Johnson to go with Reed Blankenship. Jordan Fuller is a free agent for LA, so Simmons is a potential replacement if the team captain leaves.