The Best Fits For Five Remaining Upper Echelon NFL Free Agents

The NFL free agent frenzy has slowed to a stroll, which means the leverage has now switched from players to teams.

There is still plenty of talent available, and this is a critical time for contenders that only need one or two more pieces to round out a strong roster. 

There is enough available money that the following veterans won’t have to sign for too much of a discount, but the bank-breaking deals are gone. Here are five difference-makers that could land in promising destinations in the next few days or weeks.

WR Odell Beckham

Best fit: Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs shockingly traded star wide receiver Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins on Wednesday, robbing quarterback Patrick Mahomes of his most explosive passing threat. Kansas City still has tight end Travis Kelce, and Mahomes is still Mahomes, so the offense should still put up points.

However, Kansas City’s goal every year is a Super Bowl championship, and the departure of Hill is a serious blow. However, it frees up money, and the Chiefs could turn to Beckham, Jr. He may miss most of the season after suffering a torn ACL in the Super Bowl, but the Chiefs would only need him to find his footing by the playoffs, which is a doable timeline.

CB Stephon Gilmore

Best fit: Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys are in decent shape at cornerback, with Trevon Diggs, Anthony Brown and Jourdan Lewis, but it never hurts to add talent at an integral position. Dallas has lost some key players this offseason and would be well-served to add a potential shutdown piece like Gilmore.

Free agents left in PFF's Top 50

LB Bobby Wagner
EDGE Jadeveon Clowney
CB Stephon Gilmore
DB Tyrann Mathieu
WR OBJ
DT Akiem Hicks
EDGE Melvin Ingram
WR AB
DT Calais Campbell
OT Duane Brown
TE Gronk
EDGE Justin Houston
EDGE Jerry Hughes
WR Jarvis Landry
CB Steven Nelson

— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) March 23, 2022

The AFC has made all of the headlines this offseason, and the NFC has plenty of question marks beyond the Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the top. The Cowboys are still good enough to be in the Super Bowl conversation, and Gilmore could team with Diggs as a potentially elite pairing.

Edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney

Best fit: Arizona Cardinals

Clowney never seems to hit the jackpot in free agency. He often settles for one-year deals, which would seemingly interest Arizona GM Steve Keim, who has basically sat out free agency to this point.

The Cardinals have major holes at No. 2 wideout, No. 1 cornerback and edge rusher. The addition of Clowney would shore up the pass rush and be an adequate replacement for Chandler Jones at a cheaper price. Keim would still have work to do after a move like this, but it would be a good first step in fielding a team capable of pursuing a title in 2022.

T Duane Brown

Best fit: Indianapolis Colts

The Colts traded for quarterback Matt Ryan, and the roster is good enough around him that this should be the team to beat in the AFC South. GM Chris Ballard has expressed confidence in Matt Pryor to play left tackle, but Brown is a more experienced option.

Even though he is 37 years old, Brown has been one of the better blindside protectors in the NFL for years, and it would be a nice stopgap signing. Ryan is immobile, and keeping him upright is key.

S Tyrann Mathieu

Best fit: Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers have one of the best safeties in the NFL in Minkah Fitzpatrick, so why not double up? It’s a surprise Mathieu remains on the market, but even a age-29, he remains one of the better defensive players in the NFL.

Still an elite safety just waiting to be signed..who gets @Mathieu_Era⁉️ pic.twitter.com/NZf4WNbdaT

— JPA Football  (@jpafootball) March 23, 2022

Pittsburgh is going to need its defense to do the heavy lifting next season, unless Mitchell Trubisky finally puts it all together. The group is already very good, and bringing in Mathieu would give it another playmaker in the secondary.

Pittsburgh is good at finding talent at a reasonable price, and a Mathieu signing could fit that bill.