The 2022 NFL free agency signing period is just days away. Which moves might your favorite team make when the frenzy gets started?
The 2022 NFL free agency signing period kicks off on March 14 at 12 PM ET when free agents can legally negotiate contracts with new teams.
The new league year officially starts on March 16 when all moves can be made “official” by the league and teams, which means we’re merely days away at this point from the fun and frenzy.
What should we expect? In the 2021 offseason, the salary cap decreased due to the effects of the pandemic. In 2022, the cap has risen up to over $208 million, and plenty of teams have plenty of money to spend. Expect a lot of money to be spent, and as always — expect the unexpected.
Let’s have some fun with 2022 NFL free agency predictions for all 32 teams, starting with the team that has the most cap space in the entire NFL, the Miami Dolphins.
2022 NFL Free Agency predictions for the AFC East
Miami Dolphins: Chris Godwin, WR (Buccaneers)
In life, there are some guarantees we all know about. Death and taxes are two that typically get brought up, but people forget about one absolute guarantee you can always take to the bank — Florida teams spending a lot of money in free agency.
Happens every single year.
The Miami Dolphins have a new coaching staff led by the creative Mike McDaniel coming over from San Francisco. They have the most cap space in the league, and they are motivated to get Tua Tagovailoa some help.
While the team is undoubtedly encouraged by the breakthrough of Jaylen Waddle in his rookie season, they also undoubtedly need some additional playmakers.
Chris Godwin is coming off of an injury, but Mike McDaniel could envision him in a similar role with the Dolphins as Deebo Samuel had with the 49ers.
The Bucs may have to franchise tag Carlton Davis which would leave the door open for Godwin to hit free agency. I’m predicting he stays in the state of Florida, making the move to Miami and pairing up with Jaylen Waddle.
Bonus: I also see the Dolphins going hard after offensive line help and franchise tagging TE Mike Gesicki.
New England Patriots: Christian Kirk, WR (Cardinals)
During the 2021 offseason, the New England Patriots went berzerk in free agency, spending more money than I think any Patriots fan had seen in the last decade combined.
All exaggerations aside, it was a completely uncharacteristic spending spree for the Patriots and it paid dividends as they went from being out of the playoffs to back in with a rookie quarterback under center.
Signings like Matt Judon, Jonnu Smith, Kendrick Bourne, and Hunter Henry paid off in big ways for the Patriots, who finished 6th in the NFL in points scored and 2nd in points allowed.
Even after last year’s spending spree, I think the Patriots are going to make some additional moves to upgrade the offense and a player like Christian Kirk, coming off of a very underrated season with the Cardinals, could be a great fit.
Kirk had 982 yards on 77 receptions with five touchdowns this past season with the Cardinals and he could bring the Patriots a nice weapon out of the slot.
The former second-round pick out of Texas A&M and Scottsdale native would have to leave his hometown to join the Patriots, but he might be exactly the type of complementary weapon the Patriots offense needs for young Mac Jones.
New York Jets: Dalton Schultz, TE (Cowboys)
The New York Jets built a foundation for their new regime in the 2021 offseason.
Head coach Robert Saleh brought his San Francisco flavor to the Big Apple, and entering year two, it’s clear that this Jets roster was in the infancy stages of a complete rebuild and overhaul when Saleh was hired.
Offensively, the Jets invested a lot in the 2021 NFL Draft, but they now need to bring in some experienced players who can upgrade that side of the ball right away in 2022.
Luckily for them, one of the deepest position groups in free agency also just so happens to be arguably their biggest need on offense — tight end.
It’s difficult to say, exactly, who is the “crown jewel” of the tight end position in this year’s free agent crop, but one of the best and most underrated is certainly Dalton Schultz of the Dallas Cowboys.
Schultz got the chance to shine with Blake Jarwin injured, and he shined bright enough to probably get upwards of $11-12 million per season on a new contract if the Cowboys don’t franchise tag him.
A former fourth-round pick in 2018 out of Stanford, Schultz has caught 141 passes with 12 touchdowns in the past couple of seasons.
He could be exactly the type of stable option at tight end this Jets offense needs moving forward.
Buffalo Bills: JC Jackson, CB (Patriots)
The Buffalo Bills’ 2021 season ended in an extremely disappointing defeat.
The Bills had the Chiefs on the ropes in Kansas City with 13 seconds left in regulation. Unfortunately, that was all the time Patrick Mahomes needed to get his offense in position to tie the game.
In overtime, the Bills never touched the ball.
As good as Patrick Mahomes is, the defensive breakdown by the Bills was rather staggering. Changes need to be made, and perhaps some drastic measures need to be taken.
I’m sure most people think that JC Jackson will be franchise tagged by the Patriots, and he very well might. As of right now, they haven’t and if he does hit the open market, the Buffalo Bills should do what it takes to get him.
Not only is JC Jackson arguably the best defensive free agent on the market, but if the Bills can acquire him, they would be taking one of the best players off of one of the best defenses in the NFL, a team that just so happens to be in their own division.
Jackson’s 17 interceptions over the last two seasons are proof that his ball skills are elite. He’s always around the ball making plays and the Bills need someone like that to pair up with Tre’Davious White.
2022 NFL Free Agency predictions for the NFC East
Dallas Cowboys: OJ Howard, TE (Buccaneers)
The Dallas Cowboys could lose Dalton Schultz in free agency if they are unable to clear almost $11 million in additional cap space to be able to franchise tag him.
As you saw earlier in this NFL free agency prediction piece, the Cowboys lost Dalton Schultz to the New York Jets anyway.
Dallas spent most of its free agency budget in the 2021 offseason on exactly that — budget players. Mostly, players who wanted to come over and play on prove-it deals or play with defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.
They might need to have a similar approach in 2022 and that could lead to some intriguing one-year flyer types of players like OJ Howard.
Howard is an athletic freak and with the Cowboys poised to potentially lose both Michael Gallup and Cedrick Wilson in free agency, an athlete like Howard at tight end could be featured alongside Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb.
Howard was a first-round pick out of Alabama in the 2017 NFL Draft and the first two years of his career were outstanding. Then, injuries piled up, and the Buccaneers acquired Rob Gronkowski in the 2020 offseason along with Tom Brady.
Howard has been a reserve player and barely even a role player in the Bucs’ offense lately, so an opportunity to get maybe 80-100 targets from Dak Prescott in the Dallas offense? That could certainly resurrect his value.
Philadelphia Eagles: Allen Robinson, WR (Bears)
Even with three first-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, I think we’ll see an aggressive Howie Roseman during free agency and in terms of making trades.
Don’t we always?
Roseman and the Eagles won the Super Bowl just a handful of years ago but with the regression of Carson Wentz, this team was forced into an odd roster reload/reset that left people questioning whether they would be candidates to pick first overall in the Draft going in to last season.
The Eagles surprised almost everyone by winning nine games and making the playoffs, thanks to the playmaking ability of DeVonta Smith and the improvement of young quarterback Jalen Hurts.
Now, the question becomes — do the Eagles keep building around Hurts? I think the obvious answer is yes unless they have an opportunity to get a clear veteran upgrade with someone like Russell Wilson.
The Eagles have a solidified enough QB situation right now that a pursuit of former Penn State star Allen Robinson could make a lot of sense for them.
Jalen Reagor is not developing properly and the Eagles could absolutely use someone like Robinson on the other side of DeVonta Smith to take pressure off and win some favorable matchups.
Washington Commanders: Michael Gallup, WR (Cowboys)
The Washington Commanders absolutely need to figure out their quarterback position.
Now that the team has new uniforms and a new identity, fans are going to be expecting some kind of move at the quarterback position and it’s not like Washington hasn’t been trying.
They have tried first-round picks, they’ve tried free agency — they’ve tried it all.
Finding a quarterback is just not as easy as NFL fans think it should be or want it to be. Even without a quarterback, Washington needs to upgrade at the wide receiver position opposite Terry McLaurin.
McLaurin is a star and a building block for the Commanders but he’s going to need help.
Whoever is throwing passes for the Commanders will probably love having the combination of McLaurin and Michael Gallup if they can get it. Not only would the Commanders be taking a stud player from a division rival, but they would be creating favorable matchups for their WR1.
Michael Gallup is coming off of an injury, but when he’s healthy, I think he’s the perfect WR2 type who can take advantage of one-on-one coverage and make plays at every level of the field.
New York Giants: Ryan Jensen, C (Buccaneers)
The New York Giants need almost a total overhaul on the offensive line in the 2022 offseason.
With new head coach Brian Daboll and new general manager Joe Schoen coming over from the Buffalo Bills, you can bet that there will be a clear emphasis on the offensive line in free agency.
Schoen and Daboll have seen firsthand what the impact of a veteran center can be on your offense with Mitch Morse coming over in 2019 from the Kansas City Chiefs and providing stability right smack in the middle of the offensive line.
Ryan Jensen could be a similar building block for the New York Giants.
The Pro Bowl center could be one of a mass exodus of players leaving the Buccaneers this offseason. He’s been one of the best and most durable centers in the NFL for a long time now, and if the Giants are going to have any sort of sustained success offensively, they need to invest in guys like this that can play at a high level consistently.
The Giants could be replacing as many as three or four starters on the offensive line and with Andrew Thomas’ progression last year at left tackle, he may be the only one really solidified in a starting role.
Jensen could come in and be an anchor from day one.
2022 NFL Free Agency predictions for the AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs: JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR (Steelers)
The Kansas City Chiefs will likely make their biggest move in free agency by re-signing left tackle Orlando Brown Jr.
Brown was acquired in a trade with the Ravens last offseason and he should be Kansas City’s top priority in 2022 after the debacle that was the Chiefs offensive line in Super Bowl LV.
After Brown, however, the Chiefs have a number of other decisions to make. As we have seen, this team is more than willing to go bargain shopping on either side of the ball to find guys to round out their roster, and many of those players have worked out well for them.
Melvin Ingram, anyone?
One of the positions the Chiefs have seemingly tried a number of times to upgrade but have failed is at wide receiver.
They tried hoarding Josh Gordon last year but nothing materialized with him and he didn’t make any significant contributions.
In the 2021 offseason, there were rumors that JuJu Smith-Schuster was actually really close to signing with the Chiefs over the Steelers but he decided to stay in Pittsburgh for another season. It’s safe to say he didn’t exactly enhance his value so the Chiefs might be able to get him in 2022 for a great price.
Denver Broncos: Haason Reddick, EDGE (Panthers)
The Denver Broncos will be seeking out some pass rush help in the 2022 offseason.
Could they pursue a reunion with free agent pass rusher Von Miller, who is coming off of another incredible postseason performance?
That’s possible. We know Miller loves Denver and considers himself a Bronco for life who bleeds orange and blue. With that said, Miller might prefer to join a clear contender and get paid in the 2022 offseason, but time will tell.
I think the Broncos will keep their options pretty open off the edge but with Bradley Chubb entering the fifth and final year of his rookie deal, this position will be a priority for general manager George Paton.
Paton has heavily emphasized elite athletic traits in players he’s acquired since becoming the GM a year ago, and Haason Reddick is another guy that would fit that bill.
Actually, coming out of Temple, Reddick had some pretty similar metrics as Miller himself, and over the last two seasons, he’s put together a lot of really impressive tape working primarily as an EDGE player, which is what he was great at while he was at Temple as well.
With 23.5 sacks, 34 QB hits, and 67 pressures the last two seasons, Reddick could find a home and a hefty contract in Denver this offseason.
Las Vegas Raiders: Stephon Gilmore, CB (Panthers)
The Las Vegas Raiders are going to have to go after some help at the cornerback position in free agency with the recent NFL Draft failures of Damon Arnette and even going a couple of years further back with Gareon Conley.
New general manager Dave Ziegler and head coach Josh McDaniels will bring the New England flavor to Sin City and with that tax-free income, they might be able to attract some big-name free agents.
Veteran Casey Hayward is also a free agent in 2022, so the Raiders are going to have to make some moves to upgrade the secondary.
Both Ziegler and McDaniels saw firsthand what kind of impact player Stephon Gilmore can be as he won Defensive Player of the Year as a member of the New England Patriots.
Although he’s older now, Gilmore is still capable of helping a team like the Raiders, who made the playoffs in 2022. In the AFC West, you can’t have enough guys that can get after the quarterback and make life tough on him in the secondary, and Gilmore can do exactly that.
He only played in nine games last season but still picked off a pair of passes for the Panthers, who acquired him in a trade.
Los Angeles Chargers: David Njoku, TE (Browns)
There is no shortage of NFL teams that I think would be intriguing options for David Njoku in 2022.
Njoku is an athletic freak and despite already having spent five seasons with the Cleveland Browns, I think there’s a lot of untapped potential to his game that could absolutely be unlocked with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Not specifically because of their offensive scheme, but because of quarterback Justin Herbert.
Herbert has found ways to consistently get his playmakers the ball and maximize their talents, and Njoku would be no different in this offense.
Even though the Chargers passed on signing Hunter Henry to a big contract last offseason, I think with Jared Cook departing in 2022 in free agency, we could see them revisit the idea of paying a tight end this offseason.
This year’s free agent tight end group is outstanding, and Njoku is one of the highest upside options for any team to consider.
Adding him into the fray with the Chargers could be lethal to opposing defenses, especially if they are also able to find a way to retain Mike Williams.
2022 NFL Free Agency predictions for the NFC West
San Francisco 49ers: Brandon Scherff, OG (Commanders)
The San Francisco 49ers have some question marks offensively heading into the 2022 offseason.
Will Jimmy Garoppolo be back or will the Niners move full-time to Trey Lance?
Will Laken Tomlinson leave in free agency?
Even with some questions to be answered, the expectation is that things will keep right on humming along for Kyle Shanahan’s crew.
If the 49ers do move on from Laken Tomlinson in free agency, a player that has been quite good for them, I could see them bringing in Washington Commanders guard Brandon Scherff, who is a perfect scheme fit for the Shanahan offense dating back to his days playing at Iowa and starting off his career in Sean McVay’s offense with Washington.
Scherff would also be re-joining his former Washington teammate Trent Williams with the San Francisco 49ers.
If he can stay healthy, Scherff is one of the best interior linemen in the entire NFL. He has obviously struggled to do exactly that, but perhaps a change of scenery would be good for him. This offense, certainly, would be better with him in it.
Seattle Seahawks: Randy Gregory, EDGE (Cowboys)
The Seattle Seahawks are no strangers to taking shots on potential character risks in free agency or the NFL Draft.
When healthy and when not suspended by the NFL, Randy Gregory has proven to be a pretty fantastic pass rusher and edge player.
He is coming off of perhaps his best season as a pro, racking up 17 QB hits, 6.0 sacks, and three forced fumbles along with 29 total pressures.
Gregory thrived in Dan Quinn’s defense this past season and I think he can thrive apart from it, so long as he can stay on the field.
Carlos Dunlap paced the Seahawks with 8.5 sacks this past season and the defense, overall, had plenty of success, ranking 11th in points allowed over the course of the 2021 season.
With that being said, if Gregory’s numbers were transferred over to Seattle, he would have led the team in QB hits and he could certainly be an asset for this team off the edge.
I think even though he’s been in the league for a while now, Gregory has double-digit sack potential and perhaps his best days are yet to come.
Arizona Cardinals: DJ Reed Jr., CB (Seahawks)
Although Vance Joseph’s defense was good against the pass in the 2021 season in terms of yards allowed (7th-best in the NFL), they struggled to keep teams out of the end zone through the air.
The Cardinals allowed 30 passing touchdowns in the 2021 season, ranking 25th in the NFL.
The cornerback position in Arizona needs more players that can come in and make plays on the ball right away, because Byron Murphy can’t do it by himself (led the team with 12 PBU).
It seems like every year, NFC West teams like to poach guys from their rival teams and I think we could see the Cardinals try to do that in the case of a very underrated free agent, Seahawks cornerback DJ Reed Jr.
Reed was once a fifth-round pick out of Kansas State in 2018 by the San Francisco 49ers, so he’s already found his way to two of the four teams in the NFC West.
He played two seasons for the 49ers before catching on with the Seahawks, where he’s earned some significant playing time and has responded with some nice productivity.
Reed has a pair of interceptions in each of the last two seasons, and is coming off of a 2021 season in which he had a career-high 10 passes broken up and 78 total tackles.
Reed has really been growing as a playmaker for the Seahawks and stands to get a nice pay day in the 2022 NFL Free Agency period. In this case, he’s getting one from the Seahawks’ division rival Cardinals.
Los Angeles Rams: Cordarrelle Patterson, RB/WR (Falcons)
One free agent that isn’t getting nearly enough attention is Atlanta Falcons offensive weapon Cordarrelle Patterson.
Patterson was viewed coming out of Tennessee as a jack-of-all-trades but the NFL couldn’t quite figure out how to maximize his talent early on. Or, perhaps, Patterson’s game has just truly evolved in late-bloomer fashion.
With the Atlanta Falcons this past season, Patterson became every fantasy football player’s favorite waiver wire pickup of the year as he racked up 1,166 yards from scrimmage and 11 total touchdowns offensively along with 434 yards as a kickoff returner.
Although the Los Angeles Rams don’t really need another receiver for next season, perhaps a player like Cordarrelle Patterson could work well in Sean McVay’s offense as a tandem running back and receiver out of the backfield, along with bringing his experience and prowess in the return game.
I love the idea of the Rams making a creative free agent splash like this and adding the veteran Patterson to their offensive arsenal.
Bonus
I also think the Rams are going to find a way to re-sign Von Miller, maybe to a deal for a maximum of 2-3 years. Miller was excellent for them after being acquired in a deadline deal from the Denver Broncos.
2022 NFL Free Agency predictions for the AFC South
Indianapolis Colts: Teddy Bridgewater, QB (Broncos)
The Indianapolis Colts have been on the year-to-year QB plan since Andrew Luck retired, and in 2022, it looks like it may not be anything different.
Head coach Frank Reich was with the Philadelphia Eagles in the early goings of Carson Wentz’s NFL career, and after Philip Rivers decided to hang up the cleats, the Colts became a natural trade destination for the former high first-round pick.
In the 2022 offseason, it seems like the Colts are once again motivated to make a change at the QB position, and one of the top available quarterbacks in free agency is Broncos starter Teddy Bridgewater.
Although Bridgewater isn’t going to come in and make the Pro Bowl (most likely), he provides a different type of player stylistically compared to Wentz, and might be able to provide a bit more consistency and a little less volatility.
Bridgewater is coming off of the best season of his career, which to this point is not saying all that much. He had a couple of concussions in 2021 which are certainly cause for concern moving forward, but some team is going to take a chance on him with a 1-2 year contract.
The Colts seem as likely as any QB-needy team to land on Bridgewater as a bridge option, believing he can thrive in their system and limit mistakes.
Houston Texans: Charvarius Ward, CB (Chiefs)
Are the Houston Texans a preferred landing spot for the top NFL free agents? Maybe not, but they were still one of the most active teams in free agency last offseason and we could see plenty of activity for Nick Caserio again in 2022 as he continues to tinker with both his coaching staff and his roster.
David Culley is out after one season and Lovie Smith has moved into the head coach’s chair for the Texans.
Lovie’s defense needs some help at the cornerback position and Charvarius Ward seems like the type of player in free agency that would either sign a short-term deal with Houston with a solid guarantee to hit free agency again in 2023 or maybe Houston will just see the 25-year-old as a potential building block and sign him to a longer-term deal.
One way or another, cornerback is a primary need in Houston as they continue to rebuild the roster from the ground up, and Ward has been a solid player for the Kansas City Chiefs defense.
He had two interceptions and 10 passes broken up last season in Kansas City along with 67 total tackles. He’s shown some value in the past as a blitzer as well.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Zach Ertz, TE (Cardinals)
It’s reunion time.
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ biggest acquisition at the tight end position last offseason under head coach Urban Meyer was a one-year deal for Tim Tebow to try a position switch.
In 2022, they’ve got to take a more serious approach.
It’s Doug Pederson’s show now in Duval County and there’s no doubt about the fact that Pederson likes the tight end position in his offense.
When the Eagles won the Super Bowl, they did it with Zach Ertz and Trey Burton. When Trey Burton left in free agency, Pederson went out and got Dallas Goedert to pair with Ertz.
In Doug Pederson’s offense, Ertz became one of the most productive pass-catching tight ends in the entire NFL.
I’m sure the Cardinals, who traded for Ertz last season, would probably love to have Ertz back if they can, but the Jaguars might throw a bunch of money at the veteran to come in and help Trevor Lawrence develop.
Ertz already has a ring, so his priorities in free agency will be interesting to monitor. Is he going to ring chase or is he going to go after the biggest contract?
The possibility of joining Pederson in Jacksonville could be very appealing to him.
Tennessee Titans: Alexander Johnson, LB (Broncos)
The Tennessee Titans need to work some salary cap magic to make moves in the 2022 NFL Free Agency period, but they should be able to do that and I think we could see them go bargain shopping.
One player that could be a nice bargain for any team in the 2022 offseason is linebacker Alexander Johnson, who has been a productive starter for the Denver Broncos when healthy over the last three seasons.
Due to off-the-field issues, Johnson’s NFL career didn’t get started until he was 27 years old, and he didn’t become a starter until he was 28.
Although he will be 31 this season, it’s not like there’s a ton of wear and tear on his body.
Johnson’s role in Vic Fangio’s defense this past year was expanding due to the injury suffered by Josey Jewell, the defensive play-caller for Fangio. Johnson stepped into that role until he suffered a season-ending pectoral injury and did a good job.
I think with the Titans, Johnson could be a nice 1-2 year flyer type of player and someone who not only excels at defending the run, but can be used as a blitzer to get after the quarterback.
2022 NFL Free Agency predictions for the NFC South
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: TY Hilton, WR (Colts)
TY Hilton has been a lifer with the Indianapolis Colts, but it might be best for both parties to say goodbye in the 2022 offseason.
Hilton has not had over 1,000 yards receiving since the 2018 season and he’s missed quite a few games in recent years, but he’s a veteran player who could come on the cheap and still help your offense.
That might be exactly what the Buccaneers need in 2022.
Unfortunately, Tampa Bay won’t likely have Tom Brady in 2022 barring a change of heart for the recently retired GOAT.
With no Tom Brady, very little wiggle room on the salary cap, and a who’s who of pending free agents, dark days could be ahead for the Buccaneers.
Hilton has history with Bucs head coach Bruce Arians, so while this may not be the free agent move that really moves the needle for Buccaneers fans, it could be the kind of move this team makes out of necessity.
New Orleans Saints: Marcus Maye, S (Jets)
The New Orleans Saints are another team in the 2022 NFL offseason to watch as bargain shoppers.
What is New Orleans going to do at the quarterback position? Without Sean Payton, it’s hard to imagine this team is just going to keep on humming along offensively. They weren’t exactly doing so last year, the first year of the post-Drew Brees era.
Quarterback is the priority in New Orleans, as it is in a variety of NFL cities, but other areas need to be addressed as well.
After franchise tagging Marcus Williams in 2021, the Saints might finally be at the spot where they just can’t afford him anymore.
How about replacing him with another Marcus on a prove-it deal?
Marcus Maye suffered an injury in the 2021 season, so he might be able to be signed for a very team-friendly prove-it contract.
He could be a really solid option for the Saints on a one-year deal with the option of the franchise tag in 2023 if things work out for the best.
We could see New Orleans try to lock up their own — Marcus Williams — with a long-term deal, but it’s hard to know at this point if that’s the kind of move they can really afford.
Carolina Panthers: Laken Tomlinson, OG (49ers)
Laken Tomlinson is fresh off of his fifth season in a row with the San Francisco 49ers and his first Pro Bowl appearance.
He’s about to parlay that Pro Bowl bid into a big-money contract from someone in the 2022 NFL Free Agency signing period.
Luckily for Tomlinson, there is no shortage of teams in the NFL right now that need offensive line help in a desperate way.
I thought about pairing Tomlinson with his hometown Chicago Bears, which remains a very real possibility. I also thought about sending him to a cap-rich team like the Miami Dolphins wherehe could reunite with Mike McDaniel.
Ultimately, a variety of options make sense for him, including also the possibility of just returning to the 49ers. However, I chose to send him back to the Carolinas where he played his college ball at Duke.
The Panthers are in desperation mode this offseason. They not only need to figure out their quarterback position, but they need to get an offensive line in place for him.
Tomlinson could step in and be a source of consistency for Matt Rhule’s offense right away.
Atlanta Falcons: DJ Chark, WR (Jaguars)
Last offseason, the Atlanta Falcons decided to move on from franchise legend Julio Jones and trade him to the Tennessee Titans.
In the 2022 offseason, they are rumored to be getting ready to trade Calvin Ridley as well.
Who is going to be playing receiver for the Falcons in 2022? Your guess is as good as mine, but I think it’s safe to say we’ll see them be active in free agency and the NFL Draft in upgrading the position.
One of the more underrated players on the free agent market in 2022 is former LSU star and Jaguars second-round pick DJ Chark.
Chark has a Pro Bowl appearance under his belt but injuries and quarterback inconsistency have stifled his growth in recent years.
Because the Jaguars aren’t likely to tag him, I think Chark will wind up as one of the better overall players to actually hit free agency.
At 6-foot-4, Chark has legitimate 4.3 speed and is a playmaker down the field.
Even if Matt Ryan is not the future for this organization, they are contractually tied to him for the 2022 season at least, so they might as well figure out ways to help him out at receiver instead of just taking all his guys at the position away and hoping players like Russell Gage and Olamide Zaccheaus can push the offense forward.
2022 NFL Free Agency predictions for the AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers: Marcus Mariota, QB (Raiders)
The Ben Roethlisberger era is over.
The Kevin Colbert era is about to be over.
What’s next for the Pittsburgh Steelers?
It’s going to be a year of transition, so it’s critical that the Steelers don’t back themselves into the proverbial corner and I don’t think they will. There are rumors that they love Malik Willis, and if it’s Mike Tomlin that loves Malik Willis, that’s one thing.
If it’s Colbert that loves Malik Willis? That’s not a corner Colbert can back the Steelers’ future GM into unless there’s some sort of agreement behind the scenes.
If the season started today, Mason Rudolph would get the ball for Pittsburgh. That’s not a position they can find themselves in six months from now.
Marcus Mariota is a former high draft choice with elite athletic traits that deserves another shot to prove he can be a full-time starter in the NFL. Things didn’t work out for him with the Titans, but his skills are there.
Now that he’s had time to learn and grow as a backup, perhaps with a supporting cast like he would have in Pittsburgh, Mariota could thrive.
Cincinnati Bengals: Terron Armstead, OT (Saints)
We all saw the Super Bowl. We all saw Joe Burrow on the ground and writhing in pain.
The Cincinnati Bengals are not even through with their rebuilding process and they already have a Super Bowl appearance in the Joe Burrow era.
Still, in his first two seasons, Burrow has been beaten and battered and already suffered a major knee injury.
That’s a problem the Bengals must address in 2022 without question.
In 2021 it was acceptable for them to go for a playmaker like Ja’Marr Chase instead of offensive tackle Penei Sewell because their rebuilding process had only just begun.
In 2022, the conversation is different. The Bengals have proof that their roster core is good enough to get to the Super Bowl. They have a ton of cap space and they are clear contenders in the loaded AFC.
The time is now to go out and spend money on the offensive line, and I think they absolutely will.
Terron Armstead might wind up being the best overall free agent that hits the market if players like Davante Adams and JC Jackson get tagged. The Bengals are a very logical destination for him even if that means Jonah Williams swallowing his pride and changing positions.
Baltimore Ravens: Tyrann Mathieu, S (Chiefs)
It has been a great run for Tyrann Mathieu with the Kansas City Chiefs, but it might be time for that pairing to come to an end.
Although I’m sure the Chiefs would love to have the Honey Badger back in the fold, they have to re-sign Orlando Brown Jr., they need pieces at receiver, and they need more talent off the edge among other things.
Still, Mathieu is kind of the heart and soul of that defense, so perhaps the Chiefs will move some other pieces around to be able to re-sign him.
If they can’t, I like the Ravens as much as any other possible destination.
Mathieu took to Twitter and said that he’d like to be the play-caller on whatever defense he goes to next, but the Ravens nearly signed Mathieu a few years ago when he signed in Kansas City, and there might be even more advocates for him in Baltimore nowadays.
Patrick Queen has expressed his interest in this over Twitter. Tony Jefferson — one of Mathieu’s teammates once upon a time with the Arizona Cardinals — would almost certainly welcome it.
Mathieu’s playing style just screams Baltimore Ravens so this might be one of the easier pairings in free agency.
Cleveland Browns: De’Vondre Campbell, LB (Packers)
De’Vondre Campbell ended up being one of the best bargain signings in the entire 2021 offseason by any team.
There were a lot of NFL fans dogging Campbell for the way he played in Arizona and Atlanta, but he became an All-Pro in Green Bay this past season with 146 total tackles, 6 TFL, 6 QB hits, two sacks, two forced fumbles, two interceptions, and five passes broken up.
He was all over the field for the Packers and Brian Gutekunst would probably love to bring him back, but right now, he has bigger fish to fry.
If the Packers let Campbell get to free agency, I think he’d be one of the quickest players off the board and I think a team like the Cleveland Browns could make a lot of sense.
Two of the Browns’ leading tacklers from a season ago — Anthony Walker and Malcolm Smith — are headed for free agency.
Campbell would give Cleveland another athletic option at the linebacker position to pair up with Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, one of the star rookies from the 2021 NFL Draft class.
2022 NFL Free Agency predictions for the NFC North
Chicago Bears: Morgan Moses, RT (Jets)
The Chicago Bears and new general manager Ryan Poles understand that the offensive line must be emphasized in the 2022 offseason.
Poles, a former offensive lineman himself, was just part of reshaping the offensive line with the Kansas City Chiefs and they looked under every stone to do it.
They brought Kyle Long out of retirement, they found multiple starters in the draft, they signed free agents, they traded for Orlando Brown Jr.
They did whatever it takes.
The offensive line rebuild for the Chicago Bears could require very similar TLC.
Chicago might have a building block in Teven Jenkins, but at this point, it’s hard to know that for sure. Interior lineman James Daniels is slated to hit free agency, so there will need to be a complete overhaul of this unit.
The tackle position is not currently deep on the free agent market, but we’ll see how much that changes once there are cap casualties added into the mix.
For the time being, Morgan Moses is one of the top players set to hit free agency in 2022 at the tackle position with his best ability being availability. This dude simply does not miss games.
He could pencil in as a starter for the Bears immediately at right tackle.
Minnesota Vikings: Austin Corbett, OG (Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams swung a trade for Austin Corbett, who was considered a bust for the Cleveland Browns in 2019.
Corbett shed the bust label and has been a solid starter for the Rams at the guard position.
With Kevin O’Connell and a host of other offensive coaches coming over to the Minnesota Vikings from the Los Angeles Rams, it stands to reason that a player or two could follow them to Minneapolis.
Corbett makes as much sense as any given the lack of consistency the Vikings have had at that position in recent years.
It doesn’t help that the Vikings gained absolutely zero clarity last year with third-round pick Wyatt Davis, who didn’t play at all for the team despite their obvious need at the position.
Is Davis a fit for the new regime? How are they supposed to evaluate him with no tape?
I think there’s a chance we could see the Vikings bring in a player like Corbett on a short-term deal and give Davis an opportunity to compete, but they already know what Corbett brings to the table and he could be an instant starter for them.
Green Bay Packers: Rob Gronkowski, TE (Buccaneers)
The Green Bay Packers have made plenty of impressive roster moves in the Brian Gutekunst era.
One thing that I simply cannot agree with, however, is his lack of willingness to pursue talent at the skill positions, specifically at wide receiver and tight end.
That’s not to say that he hasn’t done anything but the lack of first-round talent on offense is well-documented at this point, and the Packers haven’t exactly gone out of their way to upgrade the receiver position in recent years.
Rob Gronkowski would represent arguably the most aggressive upgrade the Packers will have made in recent years if they could find a way to convince him to come to Green Bay.
Who would love a beer-soaked Lambeau Leap more than Rob Gronkowski?
Gronk could retire again, but he could also go out and get a huge contract from some team. I realize the Packers have to get under the cap in general before they make a move like this, but if Aaron Rodgers is coming back, that won’t be an issue.
Gronkowski has spent his entire career, to this point, with Tom Brady. Finishing it out with the back-to-back MVP sounds like a pretty sweet way to make $30-40 million and finish out your career.
Detroit Lions: Marcus Williams, S (Saints)
The Detroit Lions may not be a destination free agents are going to flock to, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be able to convince big-name players to come and play for them if the price is right.
After playing on the franchise tag in 2021, Marcus Williams is due for a massive deal from some team. Who better to pay him than a team with coaches that already know him extremely well?
Dan Campbell and Aaron Glenn were on the New Orleans Saints staff, and Glenn coached the defensive backs there, specifically.
This coaching staff in Detroit knows Williams well and they could sell him on being part of their rebuild, reload, resurgence — whatever you want to call it.
Say what you will about Detroit in 2021 — that team played hard for the “rookie” staff and it’s obvious that players respond to the coaches they have there.
I think a player like Williams, who is shockingly still only 25, is a clear candidate to reset the safety market on a 3-year contract and then sign another big-money deal when he’s just 28.
A team like the Detroit Lions could very well make him the highest-paid safety in the game, having him come be a centerpiece of their roster rebuild and culture reset.