Several months removed from the first wave of NFL free agency, several potential offensive starters and contributors remain unsigned.
While the first wave of 2020 NFL free agency and the draft are over, several eye-catching players remain on the market. Defenders dominate the top remaining spots in free agency, but several offensive players deserve recognition as well.
A trio of tackles joins an interesting cast of aging and injured veterans in the top 10 available offensive free agents in the early-third of June.
10. Jordan Reed, TE
The Washington Redskins selected Reed in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft. An underrated prospect, Reed began making an immediate impact on the offense. However, he started coming into his own in 2015. That year, Reed caught 87 passes for 952 yards and 11 touchdowns. The following season, Reed missed four games but made the Pro Bowl.
DeAngelo Hall, who played with Reed in Washington, had high praise for his former teammate, per NFL.com.
"Reed was unguardable when he was at full health, which, unfortunately, wasn’t often. I can say with full confidence that I’d take a healthy Reed over almost every single tight end I’ve ever played against — even Rob Gronkowski."
While Hall is probably the only man in the world comparing Reed to Gronkowski, the former Pro Bowl cornerback certainly highlights how talented Reed is when he’s healthy. Unfortunately, the tight end-wide receiver hybrid can’t stay healthy.
During his six-year career, Washington placed Reed on injured reserve four times, including in each of the past three seasons. With injury concerns, specifically concussions, mounting, the Redskins cut Reed in February.
Reed is worth signing to a short-term deal with little to no guaranteed money. He’s already shown Pro Bowl potential and is still only 29 years old. There’s always the risk that Reed lands on injured reserve again, but he’s a terrific player to have in a backup tight end role. He may never be a featured starter again, but Reed should get another opportunity in the NFL.
9. Josh Gordon, WR
Rumors recently tied Gordon to the Seattle Seahawks. While he spent time in Seattle last season, Gordon didn’t statistically produce like a starter. He also received a suspension for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances and substance abuse for a fifth time.
Under the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the rules regarding substance abuse are severely loosened, but Gordon could still face punishments under the old rules. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Gordon did apply for reinstatement and wants to play this coming season.
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Antonio Brown is another free agent wide receiver who could face punishment when he eventually returns to the NFL. Brown went through a whirlwind of scandals last season before finally getting arrested. As recently as 2018, analysts regarded Brown as one of the five best receivers in the NFL.
Both Brown and Gordon come with serious risks, which is why NFL teams haven’t taken shots at either veteran yet. However, should a playoff contender find themselves in pressing need of a wide receiver, expect the former All-Pros to get calls.
8. Devonta Freeman, RB
The Atlanta Falcons released Freeman in March, clearing $3.5 million in cap space. Freeman, who recently turned 28 years old, averaged a measly 3.6 yards per carry last season. He also missed 14 games in 2018 after sustaining multiple injuries.
Never a superstar running back to begin with, Freeman’s market seems almost nonexistent at this point. With teams snatching up other veterans like Todd Gurley and Carlos Hyde, Freeman looks like the odd man out. Recently, Tampa Bay’s Bruce Arians told reporters that Freeman is asking for a lot of money. Aging, injury-prone running backs coming off of poor seasons don’t have a lot of leverage in negotiations and often accept cheap one-year prove-it deals.
Freeman and former All-Pro LeSean McCoy are the best free-agent running backs on the board. Freeman made Pro Bowls in 2015 and 2016 while McCoy made five consecutive Pro Bowls between 2013 and 2017. However, McCoy produced fewer rushing yards over the past two seasons than he did in 2017 alone. He did not register a carry during Kansas City’s playoff run last season.
7. Delanie Walker, TE
The last time NFL fans saw Walker, he was still one of the best run-blocking tight ends in the league. However, the former Pro Bowler is losing the battle against his aging body and mounting injuries. After only missing four games during his first five seasons with the Tennessee Titans, Walker missed 24 games over the past two years.
In 2018, Walker broke his ankle during Tennessee’s season opener. He missed the remainder of the season. Last year, Walker appeared in seven games before landing on injured reserve because of issues with the ankle he broke in 2018. In March, the Titans cut Walker, clearing $6.4 million in cap space.
Walker made three consecutive Pro Bowl appearances from 2015 to 2017. During that time, he averaged 5.1 receptions and 58.6 yards per game. Over the past two seasons, those averages fell to 3.1 receptions and 33.4 yards per game. Nearing his 36th birthday, it seems highly unlikely that Walker will ever regain his peak form.
Nevertheless, a team looking for tight end depth should float a one or two-year deal out to Walker. Even if he doesn’t play a massive role in the passing game, maybe he can at least serve as a reliable blocker.
6. Demar Dotson, RT
Dotson entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and became the team’s starting right tackle by his third season. After ten seasons with the Buccaneers, Dotson is the best remaining right tackle in free agency.
Over the past three seasons, Dotson appeared in 41 games for the Buccaneers. Nearing his 35th birthday, health and consistency concerns could keep Dotson from signing a new contract until late in the offseason. The long-time Buccaneer began to show his age last year, but Dotson should become a one or two-year plug and play starter for a needy team.
When Pro Football Focus (subscription required) ranked the top 85 free agents back in early April, Dotson came in 18th. Jason Peters was the only offensive lineman to receive a higher ranking.
5. Kelvin Beachum, LT
The Pittsburgh Steelers originally drafted Beachum with a seventh-round pick in 2012. By his second season, Beachum earned a starting spot on Pittsburgh’s offensive line. Alongside other rising stars, Beachum put together the best seasons of his career. However, he’s struggled in some areas since leaving the Steel City.
Beachum only appeared in six games during the 2015 season before landing on injured reserve. As a result, Pittsburgh did not extend his contract, and Beachum spent the 2016 season playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars. After 2016, Beachum signed a three-year, $24 million deal with the New York Jets.
In his three seasons with Gang Green, Beachum started 45 games. While he’s a reliable starter, Beachum is far from a Pro Bowler or superstar. He struggles in the run game but holds his own against the pass rush. Considering the lack of quality left tackles in the NFL, it’s surprising that Beachum doesn’t have a new home yet.
4. Taylor Gabriel, WR
With the wide receiver market drying up, Gabriel could be the best receiving option left except for a few questionable veterans. Since entering the NFL in 2014, Gabriel has offered offenses a dynamic speedster, capable of going over the top or turning short passes into longer plays.
In 2018, Gabriel signed with the Chicago Bears, cashing in on some promising performances from previous seasons. That year, Gabriel started 11 games and finished with a career-high 688 receiving yards, the third-most on his team. He also set a career-high with 67 receptions. The Bears went 12-4, narrowly losing in the Wild Card Round.
Unfortunately, injuries limited Gabriel to nine games in 2019. He finished the year with only 29 receptions for 353 yards and four touchdowns. Poor quarterback play certainly didn’t help.
The Bears cut Gabriel in late February, clearing $4.5 million in cap space. While he’s not a top receiving threat, Gabriel could be a terrific third option on a contending team.
3. Jason Peters, LT
Peters entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2004. During the peak of his career, Peters amassed nine Pro Bowl selections in ten years. He also earned two First and four Second-Team All-Pro selections. However, Peters’ glory days are far behind him, and the veteran left tackle remains without a team.
Despite inconsistent play and injury concerns, Peters started 29 games for the Philadelphia Eagles over the past two seasons. Now, the 38-year-old is looking to sign with the third team of his long career. While he might seem washed up, Pro Football Focus (subscription required) claims the veteran has plenty of gas left in his tank.
PFF’s Ben Linsey ranked the top 25 offensive linemen in the league after Week 15 last season. Peters ranked tenth because he held the fifth-best grade among tackles at the time. Peters finished the season with an 82.4 grade. He allowed three sacks on 872 snaps.
2. Larry Warford, RG
The New Orleans Saints cut Warford in early May after drafting his replacement, Cesar Ruiz, with the 24th overall pick in the NFL Draft. Warford made Pro Bowl appearances during each of his three seasons in New Orleans, but the Saints cleared $7.75 million in cap space by releasing the veteran guard.
While the Saints believe Ruiz offers a higher upside than Warford at a more reasonable rate, several teams could desperately use a player on Warford’s level. PFF’s Linsey had Warford ranked as the 20th best offensive lineman in the entire NFL through Week 15 last season. PFF also claims that Warford only allowed two sacks on 970 snaps.
Warford might not qualify as an All-Pro candidate, but he’s a consistent guard who could upgrade most offensive lines.
1. Cam Newton, QB
At first, it looked like Cam Newton would wait to hear his name called in free agency. The former league MVP did miss 14 games last season, and questions about his health abound. With the pandemic setting in, fans and analysts understood teams might not feel confident in their ability to evaluate Newton. However, the veteran’s free agency is starting to become ridiculous.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers somehow got physicals for both Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski, an injury-prone former superstar, during the height of the pandemic. Todd Gurley recently passed his physical with the Atlanta Falcons, making his deal with the team official. Yet, people still claim Newton is unsigned because teams can’t meet with or evaluate him. That’s not the situation anymore.
During the offseason, several teams acquired quarterbacks that are by far inferior to Newton. The Chicago Bears traded for Nick Foles to presumably nudge the eternally mediocre Mitchell Trubisky along. The New York Jets signed Joe Flacco, who won’t even be cleared for contact until sometime in September, to backup the struggling Sam Darnold. Brian Hoyer, Case Keenum and Marcus Mariota also all received backup jobs.
Perhaps teams view Newton as a player not capable of accepting a backup position. Even if that’s the case, the Auburn product could still start for at least four or five teams in 2020. If Newton is open to taking a backup role, he could almost sign anywhere, depending on the available cap space.
Newton is one of the few quarterbacks with multiple years of starting experience still available on the market. Blake Bortles and soon-to-be 41-year-old Josh McCown also possess several years’ worth of starting experience, but Newton is the more appealing product. With the way things are going, the 2015 league MVP could wait until the opening weeks of the 2020 season before signing with a new team.