With the Super Bowl now in the rearview mirror, teams are beginning to focus on the 2022 NFL Draft for ways to improve their rosters. But that’s far from the only tool franchises will use to reinvent their personnel groups. Many teams will look towards free agency to land a superstar talent, while others will use it to add some necessary depth. As a whole, the 2022 free agency class is a talented group, which could shift the balance of powers within divisions.
It isn’t the most star studded group we’ve ever seen, but there’s enough top-end talent to entice some teams into writing some hefty cheques, especially with cap space projected to increase to roughly $208 million. That means there’s a significant chance we’ll see lots of activity. And, if that’s the case, then here are some names who could find themselves in the midst of a bidding war for their services.
10. Ryan Jensen, C, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jensen has been the anchor for one of the NFL’s best offensive lines of the past two years, but his impressive play goes back even further for the Buccaneers. After a three year stint with the Ravens, Jensen signed with Tampa Bay back in 2018 and has been a force on the offensive line ever since. He’s a good pass blocker, but it’s the run game where Jensen makes the most impact.
He’s posted a run block grade of at least 73.0 in the last three seasons with the Buccaneers and is a devastating downfield blocker who likes to get downhill and create holes in the second level for his teammates. The Buccaneers’ gap scheme has been able to maximize his strengths, but Jensen would probably fit in just as well in a zone-run offense.
A disciplined player – only taking six penalties in 2021 – Jensen couldvery well become the highest-paid center in the NFL after Corey Linsley and Frank Ragnow both earned mega-money deals last offseason. He’s now on the wrong side of 30 and plays a physically demanding position, but Jensen has never missed a game for Tampa Bay. He’ll have a decision to make now that Tom Brady has retired: stay loyal or join another potential contender?
Best fits: Tennessee Titans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
9. Marcus Williams, S, New Orleans Saints
Still only 25-years-old, Williams has evolved into a leader in the Saints’ secondary and has quietly become one of the NFL’s premier safeties. The unfortunate target in the “Minneapolis Miracle”, Williams has only continued to grow from that point onwards and has had a PFF grade of at least 78 over the last three seasons as a top 10 safety in all but one of his NFL campaigns to date.
There’s a lot to like about Williams’ game but it’s zone coverage that remains his calling card. He has the athleticism to play as a deep third safety, but considering the overwhelming league-wide shift to two-high coverages, Williams could fit on a number of defenses as a deep-half safety. He led all safeties in forced incompletion percentage in 2021, per PFF, and his ball-playing skills have helped him snag 15 career interceptions.
In man coverage situations, Williams can come down to the second level of a defense and play the rat or cover the deep middle zone. The only real knock on his skillset is his ability to play man coverage consistently.
Best fits: Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets
8. Allen Robinson, WR, Chicago Bears
Despite appearing to be quarterback-proof and putting up good numbers in bad passing offenses for his entire career, Robinson’s luck finally ran out with the Chicago Bears in 2021. He made it clear that he didn’t want to be with the team heading into the season, but the Bears front office elected to keep Robinson with the hope that he could help rookie quarterback, Justin Fields, acclimatize to the NFL. Instead, he put up the worst numbers of his career, catching 38 of his 66 targets for just 410 yards and a touchdown.
At his best, Robinson is a true number one receiver in any NFL offense. He’s physical, can beat press coverage, and rarely drops the ball. He isn’t blessed with elite speed, but his well-rounded game means that isn’t much of a problem. His touchdown production isn’t that impressive, but Robinson’s size and ability to high point the ball means he can be a real red-zone target in any passing offense.
There’s a very good chance that a team undercuts the market and snags Robinson on a friendlier long-term deal due to his poor performance in 2021. Whoever gets him will be very, very happy with the acquisition.
Best fits: Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles
7. J.C. Jackson, CB, New England Patriots
The New England Patriots’ rich history of turning late-round picks and undrafted free agents into stars strikes again, this time with cornerback J.C. Jackson. After playing in 2021 on a second-round restricted free agent tender, Jackson joins the 2022 market as the best man-coverage and likely best all-around corner.
Physical with elite ball-playing skills, Jackson was targeted 104 times in the regular season, allowing just 52.4 of those targets to be hauled in – tied for the ninth-lowest percentage in the NFL (min. 169 coverage snaps). On top of that, he snagged 8 interceptions – second-most in the NFL – and had the seventh-most pass breakups (12).
No cornerback was targeted more times in man coverage than Jackson, but he allowed just 30 of those 63 targets to be brought in while earning a man coverage grade of 89.0, best in the NFL. He hasn’t been nearly as effective in zone coverage which could deter a few teams, but any man-coverage scheme defense will likely have Jackson at the top of their offseason shopping list.
Best fits: Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots
6. Chandler Jones, EDGE, Arizona Cardinals
The EDGE market is healthy this season. The likes of Jadeveon Clowney, Randy Gregory, and Harold Landry will be on the hunt for big-money deals, but there are only two top-tier edge defenders on the market this year. One of them is Chandler Jones.
The 31-year-old started the 2021 season on fire, racking up 7 pressures and 5 sacks in the opening game win against the Titans but would only add six more sacks the remainder of the way. He still totaled 47 pressures and 15 QB hits and has proven to be one of the most dependable pass rushers of the decade, racking up double-digit sacks in 7 of his 10 seasons.
Jones’ production as a run-stopper has dipped over the last few years, but he’s still reliable enough as a three-down player for a team to feel comfortable investing in him.
Best fits: Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals
5. Orlando Brown Jr., OT, Kansas City Chiefs
Wanting to shift from the Baltimore Ravens starting right tackle to a franchise left tackle, Orlando Brown Jr. requested a trade in the off-season. The Ravens obliged and Brown wound up with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Brown’s first season as a franchise left tackle of a traditional drop-back offense was solid. He did allow 9 QB hits, tied for most among NFL tackles, but Brown had a pass-blocking grade of 74.2 and is still only 25 years old. Whoever signs him will do so with the intention of making him their starting left tackle for the next half-decade.
He isn’t a dominant run-blocker, but his size means he can cause considerable problems for defenders at the second level. Brown is still working towards his peak, but the signs so far are good.
Best fit: Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins
4. Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The second Buccaneer on the list, Godwin had a career year in 2021, hauling in 98 catches for 1103 yards and 5 touchdowns before a torn ACL ended his season. The former third-round back has been one of the best complementary Z receivers in the NFL for a few seasons now. He’s shown he can win in the slot – where he plays the majority of his snaps – as a zone-beater, and has the elite speed and size to win on the outside.
Godwin will only be 26 years old by the time the 2022 season is underway and he’s fully expected to recover from his injury, so maybe it’s time the former Penn State wideout takes up the role of a true X receiver, although he may be more suited to playing alongside another elite wideout.
To fully make that jump to an elite pass catcher, Godwin needs to win more consistently against man coverage. He caught just 62 percent of his catches when faced with man coverage and had 1.64 yards per route run, compared to catching 74 percent of his catches in zone coverage while averaging 2.07 yards per route run.
Best fits: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Commanders
3. Terron Armstead, OT, New Orleans Saints
Armstead might be the best offensive tackle to hit the open market in years. He’s had a pass-blocking grade of at least 80.0 in all but one of his NFL seasons and a pass-blocking grade of 85.6 this season – fourth-highest in the NFL. His run-blocking has dropped off in recent years but there are no real weaknesses to his game. At his best, Armstead is a top-5 left tackle in the NFL.
The only question lingering over Armstead is injuries. The last two years of his career before 2021 were relatively healthy, missing only three games in total. Before that, Armstead had played in just 40 games the last four seasons, dealing with knee and elbow injuries. There’s also the added caveat that Armstead is on the wrong side of 30, playing a high-impact position.
Based on his injury history, it’s understandable to view Armstead as a gamble, but the market for him will still be very active. He’s versatile enough to fit in any blocking scheme and would make almost any offense in the NFL better by acquiring him.
Best fits: Jacksonville Jaguars, Cincinnati Bengals
2. Von Miller, EDGE, Los Angeles Rams
Miller might not be at his peak anymore, but the soon-to-be 33-year-old proved why he’s still one of the league’s best edge rushers in 2021. His 91.2 PFF grade was fourth among all defenders in the regular season and postseason and his performances in the playoffs fully vindicated the Rams’ decision to trade for Miller at the trade deadline.
No edge rusher had more total pressures than Miller in the playoffs (22), and his pass rush win rate of 27 percent was the highest amongst all defenders (min. 32 pass-rush snaps). Miller is still a pure three-down edge rusher and it’s hard to see an immediate decline in his play due to his elite athleticism and ability to pressure the passer and defend the run.
The Rams are the logical favourites to retain Miller’s services, but the market for the three-time First-Team All-Pro defender will be vast. Any team searching for a stand-up pass rusher must make the call.
Best fits: Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins
1. Davante Adams, WR, Green Bay Packers
Davante Adams is the crown jewel of the 2022 free agency market. He’s arguably been the best receiver in the NFL over the last three to four years, totaling 432 catches for 5310 yards while adding 47 touchdowns in the process. There’s not much to dislike about Adams’ game. He has the best release off the line in the NFL, is an elite route-runner, has impeccable hands, and can line up all over the offense.
Adams made it known that he wants to be the highest-paid receiver in the game, and while he’s earned that right, it might be tough to get a contract in the region of $30 million a year. He’s a game-changer on offense, though, so there could be a receiver-needy team out there ready to pay for his services. That also makes it tougher to see him remaining in Green Bay.
Wherever he lands, Adams will be the number one receiver and will continue to carve up all coverages. He’s in his prime and has no real major injury concerns. A transcendent receiver that can help any offense, Adams is the real deal.
Best fits: Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers
-Thomas Valentine
Twitter: @ThomasValenfine