There were few surprises on the first day of the new league year, but a number of big-name players have yet to be signed. We take a closer look at the top names.
When the NFL’s new league year rolls around, we generally have an idea of who is going to hit the free agent market. This season, with the introduction of the NFL’s ‘legal tampering period’, teams began negotiating days before the March 14th deadline and on Wednesday we saw a flurry of confirmations of expected deals.
Most of the big names expected have already signed on the dotted lines for their new teams, but as usual, we’ve seen our fair share of surprise cuts of high-profile players.
With Kirk Cousins strongly expected to sign for the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday, let’s take a look at some of the top players still available whose destinations are yet to be determined…
Tyrann Mathieu
The highest-profile name on the market – and likely the most talented – is ‘Honey Badger’ Tyrann Mathieu, released by the Arizona Cardinals. The 25-year-old safety signed a five-year, $62m deal with the Cards before the 2016 season, but has struggled with injuries and didn’t live up to his All-Pro form from 2015.
He was due to make over $14 million this season, so he’ll certainly be looking for a big payday and will have plenty of suitors. Highly respected across the league, Mathieu has already received a ton of ‘pitches’ from players around the league.
Ndamukong Suh
The second overall draft selection in 2010, Suh has made headlines throughout his entire career, for good and bad reasons. He has been fined multiple times, suspended for stomping on an opponent’s head in 2011, but has also made the Pro Bowl five times and in 2015, he was made the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history when he signed a $114m dollar deal with the Dolphins.
After three seasons in Miami, and two under head coach Adam Gase, the team decided they have had enough. Gase, having jettisoned Jay Ajayi, Jarvis Landry, Suh, and now Mike Pouncey from the team in the last year for next to nothing between them, is clearly trying to build a team of ‘his guys’.
Suh is 31 years old, but he will still believe he has plenty left in the tank. So far, we know he has had a phone conversation with Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, and the Saints have made an attempt to bring him in for a visit. Like Mathieu, he will be in demand.
Jordy Nelson
Former Green Bay receiver Nelson is likely going to be the first player to sign from this group, with rumours swirling all over that the Oakland Raiders almost had him signed, while the Saints and Seahawks are attempting to pry him away. Earlier in the day, it looked like he’d be Jon Gruden’s newest addition, with Michael Crabtree being released in his wake, but it’s not over yet.
Nelson, now 32, was released on Tuesday after 10 seasons in Wisconsin. He was due to earn over $10m this season for his original team, but they decided to move on after the veteran posted his lowest yardage, yards-per-catch and touchdown totals in his last six years. Does he still have anything left in the tank?
Sheldon Richardson
Richardson began his career a New York Jet – as the 13th overall selection in 2013 – but fell out of favour and the team eventually shipped him to Seattle for receiver Jermaine Kearse and a second-round pick. He was a starter all season, and will have earned himself a big contract – even though this is the second time a team has let him go in two years.
The current favourites for his signature are the Vikings, who have apparently brought him in for a visit alongside Cousins today. We could be looking at a $50-60m deal for the 27-year-old defensive tackle.
Mike Pouncey
Miami’s purge looks set to continue on Thursday as they are expected to release center Mike Pouncey. They’ve reportedly signed guard Josh Sitton to a two-year deal, and followed up that move with a trade for 49ers’ center Daniel Kilgore. It’s only a matter of time before Pouncey will be on the market, according to Adam Schefter.
Stay tuned to our homepage for all the big-name signings and perhaps soon, the official confirmation of Kirk Cousins’ signing in Minnesota.
Free agency may be in full flow but we will also have all three days live of the NFL Draft on @SkySportsNFL at the end of April.
Neil Reynolds will host a preview show, a wrap show after day one and another wrap after the final day. Stay tuned to @SkySportsNFL for more details in the coming days.
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Sourse: skysports.com
