many NFL The roster will undergo only minor tweaks between now and the start of the 2023 season. But sometimes it’s the little tweaks that turn out to be big, with spring and summer additions bolstering key areas of depth for both major and minor contenders.
With that in mind, who are the best remaining free agents to spark interest before Week 1? And, in particular, where can they logically end? Let’s play matchmakers with a few big names who are yet to be signed:
Lost in Green Bay’s transition from Aaron Rodgers to Jordan Love is the fact that the Packers have yet to add a single veteran backup to their new quarterback. Wentz may be versatile, but he’s a battle-tested veteran opposite current reserves Sean Clifford and Danny Etling. He will also stay close to his Midwestern roots.
Arizona maybe 2024 is more concerned with competition, but with Kyler Murray recovering from an ACL sprain last year and aging backup Colt McCoy also coming off injuries, new coach Jonathan Gannon may be counting on Clayton Toon and David Blue to get them going as soon as possible. catch Bridgewater, meanwhile, is a steady stop Relations with the law and coordinator Drew Petzing.
Los Angeles doesn’t really need a running back as long as Austin Eckler is on hand, but Eckler is the best as a pass-rusher for Justin Herbert, and despite a relatively lackluster close season with the Cowboys, Elliott is still available. have While performing the role of movement. New Chargers coordinator Kellen Moore has also been familiar with Zach since their days in Dallas.
The Vikings have already addressed a wide receiver by spending a first rounder on Jordan Edison, whose route running skills should pair perfectly with the explosive Justin Jefferson. But Landry shouldn’t cost too much. If healthy, he’ll profile as strong competition for KJ Osborne in the slot, especially as Minnesota potentially moves even further amid the uncertain future of Delvin Cook.
When he cashed in on his Detroit debut in 2021 free agency, almost nothing went right for Goldaday. But the former big man’s frame will be welcome as a secondary option now that the Lions have their sights set on the playoff run, especially with Jameson Williams suspended to start the year.
They’ve got big pieces at quarterback and pass rusher with CJ Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. Now is the time to make sure the steroid can stay straight; While the places to settle are fine, Houston can stand out for its interior beauty. Jones began his career with the Texans long ago in Tennessee, and both he and Jose Scrugg are capable of playing guard and center.
Why not, right? Detroit has been busy upgrading their defense every bit this offseason, but they could still use a pure pass rusher opposite Eden Hutchinson, especially as they look to make a legitimate playoff push. Ngakoue’s book is written as a one-trick pony from the edge, but as a one-year flyer a la CJ Gardner-Johnson, there are big plays up top.
Seattle made sure to invest in their front seven this offseason, adding DerMont Jones and paying handsomely to join Jaron Reed. But the Seahawks could still use some juice off the edge, and Floyd, the rival Rams’ cap injured, has quietly put up at least nine sacks in three straight seasons. He can be a plug and play 3-4 outside linebacker for them.
He may be past his prime, but Peters still brings a lot of toughness to the secondary, and if San Francisco still considers itself an NFC contender, it could use added depth at tight end, where Emmanuel Moselli and Jimmy Ward Free agency went through. The team added Isaiah Oliver from Atlanta, but Peters’ outside experience could work out wide.
L.A.’s secondary is already headlined by Drouin James, but Brandon Staley is otherwise counting on sixth-rounder Alohi Gilman, who has nine career starts, to fill the other safety role in a potential contender. Staley also happened to oversee Johnson’s best years with the Rams, before the veteran cashed in with the Browns.