Predicting where the 20 best NFL free agents available will sign
GLENDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 12: Carlos Dunlap #8 of the Kansas City Chiefs gets set against the Philadelphia Eagles after Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. The Chiefs defeated the Eagles 38-35. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
The 2023 NFL Draft is over. Teams are busy filling holes with undrafted free agents and veterans. Here are 20 of the latter and where they could wind up.
As has been the case for basically 30 years.NFL free agency begins, and the better players are gobbled up within the first three or four weeks. However, there is still some experienced talent out there available to all 32 clubs.
Now that the NFL draft is over, teams will look to fortify some holes on their rosters with veterans inking one-year contracts. There has been a bit of a surge lately but as of this writing, these 20 performers could help just about any team. Enclosed are predictions of where these players could wind up.
NOTE: Salary cap information courtesy of Spotrac.
20. DE/OLB Carlos Dunlap
The defending Super Bowl champions used the last pick in the first round in April on Kansas State defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah. Earlier this year, they also cut ties with veteran pass-rusher Frank Clark (more on him later). Carlos Dunlap played in all 20 games (including playoffs) with the Chiefs in 2022. He finished the regular season with 39 tackles and four sacks while knocking down eight passes.
Re-signs with Chiefs
19. WR Julio Jones
It’s been a rough three-year stretch for the veteran wideout who ranks 16th in NFL history in receiving yards (13,629). Julio Jones has played for three different teams (Falcons, Titans, and Buccaneers) and missed a total of 21 games over that span. He caught 24 passes, two for TDs, in 10 games this past season, and also scored in the playoff loss to Dallas. Could Dan Quinn recruit the 12-year performer?
Signs with Cowboys
18. ILB Deion Jones
It’s very interesting to note that the Indianapolis Colts had 12 draft choices in April and used half of those to help the 15th-ranked NFL defense from this past season. General manager Chris Ballard also added his share of veterans in free agency. In either case, the club did not add an experienced linebacker. Seven-year pro Deion Jones played 11 games for the Browns in 2022 and finished with 44 tackles and 2.5 sacks.
Signs with Colts
17. DE/OLB Jadeveon Clowney
The first overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans and a three-time Pro Bowler with that franchise has become a journeyman defender who could still help a team due thanks to his nose for the football. Jadeveon Clowney makes for a good bookend but has never been the standout pass-rusher many have expected. However, the nine-year pro is still a big asset when it comes to stopping the run.
