NFL Free Agency 2019: Best remaining players littered with former stars

The compensatory pick period is over and NFL teams can now risk it all without paying later. The remaining players in 2019 NFL free agency are a who’s who of former stars. Would you rather have player A or B? Let’s play!

We may have forgotten, but a large batch of players remain unsigned in 2019 NFL free agency. This is tied to the compensatory draft pick system that rewards teams who lose out on value during NFL free agency. Recouping that value by signing other players cancels out compensatory picks. Thus, teams often wait until after the compensatory pick system runs its course to sign middle-tier veterans.

That happened on Tuesday, May 7 — for some reason. Any remaining free agents signed now won’t cost their new team anything besides money. Let the risk taking commence!

The list of available players is a who’s who of injury-plagued former stars and underachieving behemoths. The names are intriguing though. Assuming monetary compensation is similar (which we know it won’t necessarily be, but stay with us), let’s play “who’d you rather…?” We offer four sets of 2019 free agents and you pick who’s the best add for your team.

Two brothers from New York, Dan Salem and Todd Salem, debate the NFL 2019 in today’s NFL Sports Debate.

Team A needs an impact defensive lineman: Ndamukong Suh or Muhammad Wilkerson?

Todd Salem: The concerns about these guys come down to our opening thesis. Do you want an underachiever who can be known to loaf or a guy who may not be recovered from a major injury? I’d rather roll the dice with Wilkerson. At least I know he’ll give it his all when he’s on the field. Suh, it could be argued, has the higher ceiling, but how often does he even bother to try to reach it?

Dan Salem: I believe both Suh and Wilkerson will have great first seasons on their new teams, especially if they are on one-year deals. Both have shown to prosper when the incentives are high. Wilkerson was great on the Jets, but got disgruntled late in his tenure there. I’d grab him first because the baggage seems less and the motivation higher. Suh is leaving a championship team for one likely farther from contention. This could spell trouble.

Teams B needs a change-of-pace back: Jay Ajayi or Bilal Powell?

Todd Salem: Ajayi lost much of last year due to injury, Powell has never seemed to be able to hold onto anything more than a rotation role. I’d rather turn to Ajayi’s upside. When healthy, he was a lead back, which is something Powell has never been categorized as.

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Dan Salem: I’m a big fan of Powell, but he was always a complimentary running back. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a tremendous change of pace back and any team needing a strong second option should scoop him up. I’m looking at Green Bay and Carolina. But Ajayi is the more versatile player with a much higher ceiling. He could easily steal the starting job, or at least take over a game for his new team. I could see a reunion with his former coach now in New York if the Jets feel their depth behind Le’Veon Bell is lacking.

Team C needs an edge rusher: Ziggy Ansah or Shane Ray?

Todd Salem: Ansah is in the injury boat. Ray has been a classic, high-draft-pick underachiever. If teams trusted Ansah’s medical reports, I don’t see how he wouldn’t have already been signed. He was too talented previously. That leans me away from him and toward Ray. Maybe Ray just needs a change of scenery. We’ve seen it before. He could flourish with a new coach in a new system.

Dan Salem: My money is going to Ansah with a one season deal and a team option for year two. Assuming he returns healthy, there is no question about his ability to produce. Prove it deals are huge motivators for players and this is a perfect one to make. I’m wary of underachieving players like Ray because you never know what you might get. A change of scenery usually helps guys like him, but we just don’t know. If he’s willing to take a prove it deal, then the money is likely right. I just don’t like his upside as much.

Teams D needs safety help: Eric Berry or Tre Boston?

Todd Salem: Berry might be washed. Due to numerous, serious injuries, he isn’t the same All-Pro player he once was. But he could offer support at the position, as well as a high field IQ and tremendous locker room help. He is a presence that can help a team. Boston is probably the better player at this point in each’s career. I think the “captain in the locker room” deal can be overblown. I’d rather have the more impactful player on the field. Give me Boston.

Dan Salem: I can’t count on Berry to give me enough to warrant the money he likely wants. If a team is lacking a veteran presence on defense, then he is a solid addition. Otherwise, I would go with Boston. Always take the better player if all things are equal.