The pursuit of free agents in the NFL begins unofficially on Monday and officially on Wednesday. Who will each of the 16 teams in the AFC target this year?
It’s the NFL’s version of the “Hot Stove League.” The speculation will continue but within the next few days, player movement around pro football will become a reality.
The 2022 offseason will be the league’s 30th edition of true free agency. On Monday, March 14th, the period often referred to as “legal tampering” begins as teams can negotiate with potential unrestricted free agents from other teams. Deals will be announced but nothing becomes official until 4:00 pm ET on Wednesday, March 16th. That is the real start of the NFL’s new fiscal year.
Likewise with the trades that have already been reported. So quarterbacks Russell Wilson (Broncos) and Carson Wentz (Commanders), edge-rusher Khalil Mack (Chargers), and wide receiver Amari Cooper (Browns) don’t become official until then as well.
NFL teams are already busy making moves before NFL Free Agency
Meanwhile, there are some notable free agents out there who can be signed immediately because they had their contracts terminated by their club. So the likes of middle linebacker Bobby Wagner, running backs Tarik Cohen and Carlos Hyde, defensive tackle Eddie Goldman, linebackers Kyle Van Noy, Cory Littleton, A.J. Klein, Anthony Hitchens, and kicker Greg Zuerlein – to name a few – can be scooped up immediately.
As for this exercise, here’s a look at the 16 teams in the AFC (listed from lowest seed to highest seed in the conference in 2021) and which potential unrestricted free agent could fill their biggest need. Keep in mind that every team can still make an effort to retain their own players.
Of course, there are still numerous clubs that have to get under the league’s $208.2 million salary cap (via Spotrac) by Wednesday afternoon. So who knows what this list of targets could look like over the next three-plus days.