Free Agency Day Three Predictions

Since the NFL’s legal tampering period opened for free agents on Monday, the league has been going absolutely crazy with free agent signings. The Patriots have so far given out around $150 million in guaranteed money, key FAs such as Trent Williams and Shaq Barrett have re-signed, and the Bears have found their new franchise QB in Andy Dalton. C’mon now Chicago. However, even after a wild two days of free agency, lots of names are still left untouched and lots of money is still available to be spent. Today, I am going to be going over three predictions I have for not only today but for the rest of free agency.

Kenny Golladay Finally Signs… with the Colts

According to overthecap.com the Colts are sitting on $38,088,614 in cap space and so far, have done next to nothing in free agency. Their big offseason move was trading for Eagles QB Carson Wentz but apparently, they are not eager to surround him with weapons. An aging T.Y. Hilton (that is if Hilton does indeed return to the Colts) and an unreliable Michael Pittman will not cut it, especially for Carson who needs all the weapons he can get. I think the reason the Colts have been so tame thus far is because they are working on making a splash in the highly coveted receiver market. Kenny G and Juju are still available to pick up and I expect the Colts to land one of these top names. I project this to be Kenny Golladay. The Colts are in dire need of more down field threats, giving Wentz the ability to spread the filed like he did so well in his first few seasons with the Eagles. Even though the Colts have their 2018 draft class waiting to be given their pay day, GM Chris Ballard knows how to get it done in free agency, and I will be thoroughly surprised if Indianapolis does not make a splash in the WR market. Spotrac.com has Kenny G at a projected contract of $85 million over five years making his annual salary just around $17 million.

Jaguars Make Another Splash

Even after landing Marvin Jones, Shaquill Griffin, and Tyson Alualu in the first days of free agency, the Jaguars still have an obscene $43,758,179 in 2021 CAP space. They secured receiver and corner, two huge needs, pretty quick but I think there is one more player they could sign that would elevate their defensive backfield to elite status. This player is Anthony Harris. We entered 2021 free agency with three phenomenal safeties at the end of the deals, Justin Simmons, John Johnson, and Anthony Harris. Simmons was franchise tagged and John Johnson signed at a “discount” to play with the Browns at $33.75 million over three years ($11.25 million per year on average). I expect the John Johnson deal messed with Anthony Harris’ negotiations quite a bit because it was expected Johnson would “set the market” and sign for around $14 million making him one of the top paid safeties in the league. However, Harris needs to sign somewhere and what better place than in Jacksonville. The Jags have the money, and they have the positional need. Putting out a defensive backfield of Shaq Griffin, CJ Henderson, and Anthony Harris would be terrifying for the AFC South, and for any other team the Jags play. With all this available money I think this is the move that makes the most sense for the Jags. As Trevor Lawrence’s arrival looms closer and closer, the Jaguars need to make sure they can field a reliable defense that can carry the team when the offense is having their natural growing pains.

Miami Lands Rodney Hudson

After the Raiders unexpected release of veteran center Rodney Hudson, I am pretty surprised he has not already been picked up. Although most teams have their center position locked down and are not looking to spend big time on a “lesser” offensive line position I think the Dolphins could generate a lot of positive play by signing him. With a relatively young offensive line the Dolphins are going to need an experienced vet to come in and lead the way. It is too early to decide the fate of the rest of the Dolphins line but adding veteran presence at the center position is never a bad idea. And with Hudson being one of the best pass protections centers out there, this signing would be a great help for Tua and his development.