Any NFL club aiming to seriously upgrade its roster through free agency in June is clearly not adept at personnel management, but small tweaks can still be made as the summer begins. While headliners such as Colin Kaepernick and Anquan Boldin remain unsigned, it’s often lesser-known players that can make incremental differences once the season gets underway.
Using our master list of 2017 free agents, let’s take a look at the best remaining free agents on the offensive side of the ball:
Quarterback
Based on pure talent, Colin Kaepernick is far and away the best free agent quarterback remaining on the board. But the myriad of explanations — or as may label them, excuses — for his inability to land a contract thus far have been well-documented. Concerns about Kaepernick’s political views, his workout regimen, and even his diet have been used as justifications for his never-ending free agent status, and the only club that’s expressed serious interest thus far is the Seahawks, who ultimately passed on the former 49ers signal-caller in favor of Austin Davis.
Christian Ponder‘s place as the No. 2 free agent quarterback speaks volumes about the lack of available passers, as the 29-year-old hasn’t attempted a pass since 2014. Still, he’s a former first-round pick with a more successful track record of playing from the pocket than any other QB on this list. Hill, meanwhile, is now 37 years old, but had a decent showing as the Vikings’ opening day starter last season, and was mildly effective as a seven-game starter in 2014.
While Robert Griffin III may possess the largest upside of any free agent quarterback aside from Kaepernick, he simply hasn’t shown the ability to remain on the field for any substantial amount of time. Signed to a two-year contract by the Browns prior to last season, Griffin managed to play in only five total games was subsequently released. His persistent difficulty with reading defenses and staying in the pocket could limit his opportunities.
Running back
Chris Johnson‘s 2016 campaign never got off the ground, as injuries limited him to only four games and 95 rushing yards. But the 32-year-old ran for more than 800 yards the year prior, and teams have reportedly reached out to express interest this offseason. The same can’t be said for Rashad Jennings, who is now touring with Dancing With The Stars, but his ability as a third-down back should help him garner interest if he’s serious about continuing his career.
While DWTS wasn’t in the cards for DeAngelo Williams, he is set to make his pro wrestling debut on July 2. It’s unclear if Williams, now 34, is ready to hang up his cleats, but his yards per carry average dropped a full yard in 2016. Denard Robinson and Bobby Rainey, meanwhile, are back-end roster types who will only earn a roster spot based on their receiving ability and special teams prowess.
Running back, clearly, is a young man’s position, and if teams are interested in more youthful players, there are backs with age on their side. Karlos Williams, George Farmer, Tyler Gaffney, Jonathan Grimes, Ronnie Hillman, and Antonio Andrews are all unsigned and age-27 or younger.
Fullback
While players such as Kyle Juszczyk and Patrick DiMarco landed healthy contracts this offseason, most NFL clubs aren’t deploying a fullback with regularity, lessening the demand for lead blockers such as Jerome Felton. While he, Zach Line, and Paul Lasike may have to wait for an injury to strike before finding a new home, Marcel Reece‘s excellent receiving ability could allow to ink a contract sooner rather than later.
Wide receiver
Anquan Boldin just keeps on ticking: even in his age-36 campaign, Boldin managed 67 receptions and eight touchdowns for the Lions. A red-zone threat that can’t be overlooked, Boldin is taking his time searching for a new contract, and may prefer to play close to his Florida residence. Detroit and Baltimore both remain interested in Boldin.
After Boldin, the list of available wideouts drops off dramatically. Veterans such as Stevie Johnson, Vincent Jackson, and Eddie Royal offer experience, but they each come with health question marks. Johnson missed the entirety of the 2016 campaign with injury, while Jackson and Royal played in only five and nine games, respectively.
Aside from an established pass-catcher such as Boldin or Jackson, any receiver signed at this stage of free agency is likely going to need to contribute on special teams. With that in mind, receivers such as Quinton Patton, Griff Whalen, Marcus Easley, Bryan Walters, or the recently waived DeAndrew White could be in consideration for deals based on their ST ability.
Tight end
I’ve already laid out the free agent case for Gary Barnidge earlier this year, noting eight clubs that could use the veteran pass-catcher. Like many players on this list, he may have to wait for an injury before he ink a new deal, but he could end up as a bargain for a lucky team. The Jaguars, Broncos, Bills, and Panthers are among the squads that have been linked to Barnidge thus far.
While Barnidge would bring a steady element to nearly any offense, Ladarius Green is a higher-risk, higher-reward player. Plagued by injuries all season in 2016, Green was released just one year into a multi-season pact with the Steelers, but he has no plans to retire. When he was on the field a season ago, Green managed 16.9 yards per reception, so the talent is still there.
Jacob Tamme may still be recovering from shoulder surgery, which could limit his market, but the 49ers were reportedly interested in him earlier this year. Michael Williams, meanwhile, is a former offensive lineman who essentially act as a sixth OL (he boasts only three career receptions). Nevertheless, he would be a solid addition for a club that needs extra protection up front, like the Bengals or Rams.
Offensive tackle
Aside from quarterback, offensive tackle may be the position with the least amount of free agent talent available. Ryan Clady tops the list of available tackles, but he only managed to play half the season in 2016. He’s missed eight or more games in two of the past three years, so he’s unlikely to garner anything more than a heavily incentive-laden contract.
Austin Pasztor‘s inability to find a free agent contract is quietly one of the more interesting questions of the free agent period. In his first season as a 16-game starter at right tackle, Pasztor earned positive grades from Pro Football Focus, which gave him excellent marks in the passing game. And he’s only 26 years old! A multi-year deal seemed assured earlier this year, and the fact that Pasztor is still unsigned is extremely surprising.
The rest of the options at offensive tackle are reserve-quality, as Mike Adams, Will Beatty, and Matt Tobin combined to start all of two contests in 2016. Teams with question marks along the offensive line heading into the offseason should have addressed the tackle position by now — if not, they aren’t going to find much help now.
Interior offensive line
Nick Mangold has been linked to the Ravens for some time, and Baltimore — which is set to start the inexperienced John Urschel at center — still seems like the best fit for Mangold. But the two sides are reportedly in a “holding pattern,” with money serving as the likely barrier between a union. It’s unsurprising that the Ravens aren’t willing to offer Mangold much in the way of a contract at this late juncture, but a deal between the two sides seems to be in the best interest of all parties.
The Chargers released three veteran offensive lineman — Orlando Franklin, King Dunlap, and D.J. Fluker — earlier this year, and while Fluker has landed a contract and Dunlap decided to end his career, Franklin is still on the open market. He’s met with the Jaguars, but the guard-needy Dolphins have no interest in signing the 29-year-old. As Mike Guerrelli of Pro Football Focus recently explained, Franklin’s best success came alongside Peyton Manning, who is noted for his control of the pocket.
Tre’ Jackson has already had a busy offseason, as he’s been waived by the Patriots, claimed by the Rams, waived by the Rams, and worked out by the Bears (all since April!). Clearly, his health is a question mark, but if Jackson can right his physical woes, he could be a steal for the team that signs him.
Take the top eleven and you’d have a team that would score 24 on the defense of either the Browns, Jets or Bills
So you mention Griffins persistent issues with staying in pocket and reading defenses as a reason he may not find employment, but dont mention that Kaepernick has those same issues and that could be a reason he hasnt found a job.