The NFL free agent frenzy is set to begin this week as players can begin signing beginning March 17 at 4 p.m. ET, which marks the start of the new league year.
The reduction in salary cap has allowed for a much larger free agent pool but money may not be thrown around like it has in years past.
Multiple NFL insiders believe there could be a handful of one-year deals players may sign so they can re-enter the market next year when the cap increases and more money is to be made.
While much of the offseason chatter has revolved around the budding QB trade market, there are plenty of key free agents at different positions that can be impact players for teams.
Here are some predictions we have for the upcoming free agent class:
Jets make big splash with JuJu Smith-Schuster, Joe Thuney and Bud Dupree
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Hey now, that's music to Jets fans ears. But could this dream scenario really come true? Absolutely. The Jets have nearly $70 million in cap space — the second-most behind the Jaguars — and can afford to make a big splash or two (or in this case, three).
Smith-Schuster is not the best receiver available, but he is just 24 years old with tremendous upside. He can play the slot, which likely means the end of the Jamison Crowder era in New York. But Smith-Schuster could have star potential and evolve into the No. 1 target for whoever is QB for the Jets next season. If that QB is Sam Darnold, the two used to be teammates together at USC, for whatever it's worth.
In addition to improving the receiving corps, the Jets also need to fortify their offensive line. Joe Thuney would be a great fit for the Jets but the former Patriots guard will likely have a handful of suitors.
Bud Dupree may not be the best pass rusher on the market, but the Jets can likely add him on one-year deal to help bolster their defense/
Jameis Winston returns to Saints
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While the Saints and Sean Payton seem to be enamored with Taysom Hill, they also appear to have an interest in retaining Winston. The former first overall pick backed up Drew Brees last year but Hill was given the nod when Brees went down with an injury.
While Hill has had success in short sample sizes, there are still question marks about whether or not he can be a viable long-term replacement. By bringing back Winston, the Saints not only give themselves insurance, but would be able to evaluate both him and Hill and hold a quarterback competition in training camp.
Patriots sign Jonnu Smith and Yannick Ngakoue
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The Patriots have nearly as much money in cap space to spend as the Jets in free agency and have plenty to address on both sides of the ball.
They have already re-signed Cam Newton and traded for Trent Brown and you can bet the Patriots will sign one of Jonnu Smith or Hunter Henry to fill the Rob Gronkowski-sized hole at tight end.
Henry may be the more complete player, but Smith's ceiling is arguably higher. The 26-year-old had a career-high eight touchdowns last season and has seen an increase in targets and receptions each season since he broke into the league in 2017 — a sign his pass-catching abilities are only getting better.
The pass rush is also a priority for the Pats this offseason and Yannick Ngakoue is one of the best pass rushers available. The 26-year-old has recorded at least eight sacks in each season since being drafted by the Jaguars and would immediately become the team's best pass rusher and would bring a game-changing component to the Patriots defensive line.
Washington Football Team signs Kenny Golladay
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The Detroit Lions opting not to use the franchise tag on Kenny Golladay was a surprise, making him the top wide receiver available on the free-agent market.
Plenty of teams will be in on Golladay: the Patriots, Giants, Dolphins … but how about the Washington Football Team as a landing spot for the 27-year-old receiver?
WFT made an aggressive pursuit of Amari Cooper last offseason and adding another receiver opposite Terry McLaurin would give the franchise an impressive receiving corps to work with for whoever becomes quarterback there.
Washington has some cap space to do some spending, so keep an eye on them as the team that potentially lands Golladay.
Browns sign Carl Lawson
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How about this for an AFC North shake up?
The Bengals did not use their franchise tag on the 25-year-old defensive end, adding him to a list of impressive pass rushers available in free agency this year. While Cincinnati could still sign him, we know the Browns want another pass rusher to pair with Myles Garrett and Lawson could be the guy they land on.
Lawson has struggled with injuries since his rookie season, when he finished with 8.5 sacks, but he was healthy for most of 2020 and had 5.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in addition to a career-high 36 tackles. Adding someone like him could put the Browns in the driver's seat as the AFC North favorites.
Trent Williams and Shaq Barrett re-sign with their respective teams
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Williams may be the best offensive lineman on the market and Barrett is arguably the best pass rusher on the market, but neither the 49ers or the Bucs should let these guys out of their grasp.
Both will have other suitors, for sure. Barrett has his Super Bowl and may look to cash in, but if the Bucs match any offer he receives it's hard to envision him leaving a Super Bowl champion team.
Williams may be a little tougher to predict, but left tackles are hard to come by and the Niners may have to pay more than they'd like to keep him from signing with a team like the Colts or Chiefs.
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