Predicting Where The Top Remaining Free Agents Will Land

DeAndre Hopkins/WR

Age is starting to catch up to Hopkins, but his production is unwavered. After his worst season in 2021, he bounced back a bit in 2022. He only played in 9 games but caught 64 balls for 717 yards for the non-contending Arizona Cardinals last season. Part of the season was also played with backup quarterbacks due to the season ending knee injury by starting QB Kyler Murray. While Hopkins may not be a number one option anymore, he would command the respect of any defensive coordinator and would bring some instant offense to any team he decides to join.

Prediction: New England Patriots
Even with New England signing Juju Smith-Schuster and inking DaVante Parker to brand new 3 year contract, don’t count out New England. Hopkins has a prior relationship with new OC Bill O’Brien from his time in Houston. Belichick loves him and with the young QB Mac Jones learning another a new offense, Hopkins can bring some insurance to the new offensive scheme.

Dalvin Cook/RB

By the best running back left for a team to sign, without question. He is coming off of a season where started every single game and gained over 1,400 yards of total offense with ten total touchdowns. That’s production any team would want on the football field. I know he has a knack for always being hurt, but he has played through most of it. He has started or played in double digit games every single season except for his rookie year in 2017. At age 28, he should have at least 3 more seasons of productive football in him before we see a decline.

Prediction: Miami Dolphins
Miami did re-sign (the often injured) Raheem Mostert this offseason and drafted speedster rookie Devon Achane out of Texas A&M. Mostert was finally healthy last season and had a career year and earned the extension, but Dalvin Cook is a more complete back. Miami’s offense under HC Mike McDaniels is a run first scheme like what we saw in San Francisco when he was the assistant to Kyle Shanahan. With the Jets, Bills and Patriots all expected to contend for a playoff spot, Miami must keep up with them. Cook went to high school in Miami and attended Florida State for his college football.

Free agent running back Dalvin Cook did NOT turn down visits with the New England #Patriots or New York #Jets, per league sources.

The 4x Pro Bowl back did indeed turn down a visit from one team, source says.

*A source confirmed as previously reported by @flasportsbuzz, that…

— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) June 28, 2023

Jadeveon Clowney/EDGE

The former number 1 pick finds himself as a free agent for the second consecutive season. After a stellar 2021 campaign, where he recorded nine sacks, we saw some regression last season. In 2022, Clowney only accounted for two sacks the entire season. He is getting up there in age and wear and tear but he can still be a force in pass rushing rotation for a contending team.

Prediction: Carolina Panthers
Clowney returns home to his hometown of the Carolinas. He attended high school in South Carolina and played at South Carolina. Frank Reich has assembled a very experienced staff this time around and one of the key hires was former Denver DC Ejiro Evero. This is significant because the scheme will be 3-4 base defense, where Clowney has thrived in his career. Panthers are expected to be a contender for the NFC South title. This move makes too much sense for all parties involved.

Yannick Ngakoue/EDGE

After another great season (this time in Indianapolis), Ngakoue finds himself in free agency. This will be his sixth team in 8 seasons at the age of 28. He was acquired by trade last season by Indianapolis for Rock Ya-Sin (now in Baltimore). He has posted at least 8 sacks every season since arriving in the league in 2016. His only knock is that he is one dimensional with sacks but doesn’t make other impacts throughout the game.

Prediction: Los Angeles Rams
With standout names in the edge rusher department this season, Ngakoue could be the one that makes an impact for this team. He has hired a new agent in Drew Rosenhaus, who is notorious for getting his players paid and well taken care of. Ngakoue wants a multi-year deal but those are hard to come by this close to the season. But if there is an agent that can get it done, it’s Rosenhaus.

Ezekiel Elliott/RB

The former All-Pro RB was released by Dallas this offseason after handing over the reins to the younger up and coming Tony Pollard. This release wasn’t so much based on production but more about money. Cowboys front office couldn’t afford to pay both Elliott and Pollard large contract numbers. So, Elliott was the odd man out. He still had a decent season with 876 yards and 12 TDs. His receiving yards fell off this past season.

Prediction: Minnesota Vikings
With the Vikings releasing Dalvin Cook in a similar cap-saving move, could we see Elliott join on small one year deal closer to training camp? Vikings have named Alexander Mattison the starter heading into training camp, and he has been impressive as a fill-in for Cook during his tenure. Elliott can bring some veteran presence and experience to this very young Vikings RB room. Generating competition at any position during training camp is never a bad idea.

“I know a lot of guys in the locker room would love for Ezekiel Elliott to come back.”@SlaterNFL talks about the possibility of seeing Zeke back in a Cowboys uniform 👀 (Via @NFLTotalAccess) pic.twitter.com/pSnkcNYjaM

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) June 26, 2023