The NFL free agency period is fast approaching, with legal tampering beginning Monday. The window for teams to sign free agents opens Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET.
Several notable players are available, including Malik Willis, Tyler Linderbaum, Mike Evans and Jaelan Phillips.
Trades have already taken place. DJ Moore was traded to the Bills by the Bears, Trent McDuffie was traded to the Rams by the Chiefs, and David Montgomery was traded to the Texans by the Lions.
Bills Eye Depth in Free Agency
The Bills’ biggest need is pass rushers/outside linebacker. However, their need changed after the Bills acquired DJ Moore, but they could further bolster their wide receivers group this offseason. Joey Bosa and A.J. Epenesa are free agents.
DaQuan Jones is the free agent most likely to move. He started for four seasons under former Bills coach Sean McDermott. The Bills made a big splash by trading for Moore, and though more moves will come, some of the most important will be in identifying veterans who will sign team-friendly deals.
The team is expected to add depth free agents on inexpensive contracts. New defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard will bring in a revamped scheme, and younger talent will be emphasized. Jones, 34, has dealt with injuries and hinted on social media in January that he might not return to the Bills. One area to watch is interior offensive line. It’s a formula the team has used to find eventual starters in the past.
Dolphins Focus on Edge Rusher
The Dolphins’ biggest need is edge rusher. The Dolphins also need a quarterback, but they have Quinn Ewers and Tua Tagovailoa until they decide to release or trade Tagovailoa.
Miami is “light” at the edge-rusher position, according to coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. Chop Robinson is the only player in the position group with notable NFL experience. The Dolphins have eight draft picks this year, including five in the first three rounds, so they are a good bet to add a pass rusher early.
Zach Wilson is the free agent most likely to move. The former No. 2 pick signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins last offseason but was leapfrogged by Ewers when Tagovailoa was benched with three games remaining in the season. Wilson is only 26, and the arm talent is obvious; his most likely outcome is to land somewhere as a backup once again.
It is expected that they will move on from Tagovailoa.
Patriots Could Target A.J. Brown
- Stephen A. Smith says A.J. Brown is a “bit more special and physical” than Stefon Diggs.
- He thinks Brown would be a welcome addition to the Patriots’ offense.
As teams evaluate their needs and potential acquisitions, the coming days promise significant movement across the league.