Matt Johnson
The first day of free agency in the National Football League on Monday saw many of the top NFL free agents come off the board. While many of the high-end skill players are gone, there are still quite a few big names and impact starters who should be signing shortly.
Let’s dive into our NFL free agency predictions for where the seven best players remaining will land.
Kyler Murray, Quarterback: Minnesota Vikings
Kyler Murray will officially be released on Wednesday, and it’s anticipated that he will sign with the Minnesota Vikings not long after. He can follow in the footsteps of Sam Darnold, revitalizing his career under head coach Kevin O’Connell. Minnesota would get an above-average starting quarterback on a bargain contract, while Murray gets to prove he can still play at a high level and use next season to land a major deal in 2027.
Related: Worst Contracts from NFL Free Agency Day One
Rasheed Walker, Offensive Tackle: Cleveland Browns
On Day 1 of NFL free agency, the Cleveland Browns signed guard Zion Johnson to bolster their offensive line. It’s now time to address offensive tackle. Walker doesn’t offer much as a run blocker, but he ranked fifth among left tackles in ESPN’s pass-block win rate (94%) this past season. He provides the type of stability in pass protection that Cleveland needs for whoever winds up at quarterback.
Related: Winners, Losers from NFL Free Agency Day One
Riq Woolen, Cornerback: Dallas Cowboys
A year ago, the Seattle Seahawks poached DeMarcus Lawrence from the Dallas Cowboys and went on to win the Super Bowl. Fast forward to this offseason, and we think Jerry Jones will try to pull some talent away from the defending champion’s defense. Riq Woolen certainly brings a personality that fits this franchise, but what’s really enticing are his physical tools and athleticism at 6-foot-4. He’s prone to mistakes, especially mental lapses, but we can’t think of a better coach for him to learn from than Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker. With this move, Dallas finally gets its No. 1 cornerback.
Romeo Doubs, Wide Receiver: New England Patriots
With Rashid Shaheed (re-signing with the Seattle Seahawks), Mike Evans (signing with the San Francisco 49ers) and Jalen Nailor (signing with the Las Vegas Raiders) all securing deals, the opportunity for California native Romeo Doubs to return close to home might be off the table. Fortunately for Doubs, the New England Patriots are in desperate need of help at wide receiver. Kayshon Boutte would function as the deep threat for Drake Maye, while Doubs is the do-it-all No. 2 receiver who can make contested catches, help as a blocker in the run game and run a diverse route tree. He’ll get paid, and he might wind up being Maye’s go-to guy.
K’Lavon Chaisson, Edge Rusher: Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles got priced out on bringing back Jaelan Phillips; we can’t fault Howie Roseman for not matching that deal. It does, however, create a void at edge rusher in Vic Fangio’s defense. For whatever reason, K’Lavon Chaisson seems to be flying under the radar a bit as one of the top NFL free agents remaining. He stood out last season in New England with 23 pressures and 7.5 sacks in 16 games and then took over in the playoffs with 10 QB hits, 4 TFLs and 3 sacks. We really like Chaisson as a situational pass rusher for Philadelphia.
Jauan Jennings, Wide Receiver: Washington Commanders
On the first day of NFL free agency, the Washington Commanders splurged on defensive improvements and depth. It’s now time for general manager Adam Peters to build a better supporting cast for quarterback Jayden Daniels. Peters served as the San Francisco 49ers’ assistant GM when they snagged Jauan Jennings with the 217th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and saw him blossom into an impactful No. 2 receiver. Jennings could easily slot into that same role for Washington, also helping as a blocker in the run game while bringing a level of physicality that is a bit reminiscent of Deebo Samuel.
Trey Hendrickson, Edge Rusher: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It’s a bit surprising that Trey Hendrickson wasn’t signed on the first day of NFL free agency, especially given all the other edge rushers that came off the board. With the Dallas Cowboys acquiring Rashan Gary, that landing spot seems to be off the board, and the Indianapolis Colts are now committing serious money to Alec Pierce and Daniel Jones. We believe that clears a path for the All-Pro edge rusher to return to Florida. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers need a big move after losing Mike Evans, and Hendrickson’s prowess as a pass rusher addresses a need they’ve had for two-plus years now.
