There’s still about a couple of weeks left before the NFL preseason gets underway, and it’s never too late for teams to plug in some holes in their roster even though OTAs and minicamps are in the books.
There’s still a great number of available free agents on the market to say the least. As such, here are the five best available players ready and willing to get back on the field.
NFL News and Previews
- Washington Redskins vs. Kansas City Chiefs Preview - October 2, 2017
- Oakland Raiders vs. Denver Broncos Preview - October 1, 2017
- Carolina Panthers vs. New England Patriots Preview - October 1, 2017
- 2017 NFL Week 4 Picks and Predictions
The Top 5 Available Free Agents in the NFL
**view all 2017-18 NFL Season futures odds here
1. QB Colin Kaepernick
Had Colin Kaepernick not knelt during the national anthem last season, he probably would’ve been one of the first free agents off the board this offseason.
Unfortunately, Kaepernick’s racial protest has hurt his value. But strictly in terms of football prowess, he can certainly be a starter on any team. In the final 11 games of the previous season with the 49ers, he threw 16 touchdowns to just four interceptions and finished with a respectable passer rating of 90.7 despite not being known to be an accurate passer.
What makes Kaepernick shine is his mobility on the ground. With so many teams applying read-option plays in their offense, the Nevada product makes for an even more attractive prospect.
Best fit: Kaepernick makes for a perfect backup behind Seattle’s Russell Wilson, as both QBs have similar skill sets. But right now, the Ravens may give Kaep a look after Joe Flacco suffered a back injury that would put him on the shelf for a maximum of six weeks in the regular season.
2. QB Robert Griffin III
Like Kaepernick, Robert Griffin III is a terrific scrambler with a cannon for an arm. Sadly, injuries have derailed the 27-year-old’s career. Here’s a list of Griffin’s major injuries he suffered in the NFL: three concussions, a torn ACL, a dislocated ankle, and a broken shoulder bone. Simply put, his entire body’s quite messed up.
Still, one can’t help but ignore the potential RG3 has up to now, especially given his body of work in his first two seasons in the league, wherein he threw for over 3,000 yards in 2012 and 2013.
Of course there’s going to be a ton of risk in signing Griffin. Although, the former Offensive Rookie of the Year has probably accepted for the better that he’s no longer fit to be a full-time starter in the NFL. As such, he can still serve as a viable backup QB and for a relatively cheap price considering the value of his stock with all his health concerns.
Best fit: Again, similar to Kaepernick, the Seahawks could optimize Griffin’s talent the most. But as of this writing, the recently-relocated Los Angeles Chargers are giving him a hard look as a possible second-stringer behind aging quarterback Philip Rivers.
3. TE Gary Barnidge
Moving from one Cleveland Brown to another, tight end Gary Barnidge could very well be a diamond in the rough from the remaining pool of free agents.
Barnidge had a banner 2015 campaign, hauling in 79 catches for over 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns – all career bests and not even close to his other seasons in the pros. However, The Browns utilized the Bowling Green native much less last season, finishing with just 612 yards and two scores on 55 receptions. What’s more impressive is that he put up these numbers over the past couple of seasons with eight different Cleveland quarterbacks, and not very good ones at that.
The knock on Barnidge right now, however, is that he’s already 31 years old. But considering how tight ends like Greg Olsen and Delanie Walker didn’t produce at a high level until late in their respective careers, there’s still a ton of hope that Barnidge can bounce back tremendously.
Best fit: The Ravens and the Jaguars are both very thin at tight end, and Barnidge could fit in nicely with either of these two East Coast franchises.
4. CB Brandon Flowers
With teams giving priority defensive pieces this offseason, it’s rather peculiar that Brandon Flowers still hasn’t found a new home.
Flowers’ age (31) and multiple injuries are certainly causes for concern, but he’s also proved himself as one of the most reliable corners in the AFC West for the past decade or so. The former Pro Bowl selection has 21 picks – four returned for touchdowns – throughout his NFL career. He’s great in man coverage against outside and slot receivers alike, and he’s versatile enough in zone coverage as well.
What makes Flowers an interesting pickup is that he can bolster a secondary immediately or serve as a mentor to up-and-comers for teams with young cornerbacks.
Best fit: Pittsburgh’s one of those teams that has a young defensive backfield, so Flowers could have a late-career resurgence as a Steeler. He’s also been in talks with the Cardinals and Patriots already, making him the one player who’ll likely sign with a new team before everyone else on this list.
5. C Nick Mangold
Nick Mangold was a casualty of the New York Jets’ fire sale, as the 33-year-old center was not in line with the Jets’ plans to start a youth movement.
In this here list, Mangold is the most decorated of the bunch, having been to seven Pro Bowls and is a two-time First-team All-Pro selection. But as with most of the players we’ve covered, the Ohio State alumnus is an injury risk, having missed half of last season with two separate ankle injuries.
Should Mangold’s pass his physicals with flying colors, he could very well be a huge steal, even though he doesn’t have much left in is tank.
Best fit: Playoff contenders should be keeping tabs on Mangold’s recovery as a solid short-term solution in the O-line. The Dolphins and Ravens came to mind, but the Patriots could also be looking to pirate another player from within their own division as they’re wont to do.
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