By Sean Gannon

March 25, 2020

*Fun Fact this list has three former #1 overall picks*

1. Jadeveon Clowney, Edge, Seattle (31 tackles, 3 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 3 pass defense, 1 int, 1 td)

It’s not often that you see a former number one overall pick on the market for this long while other guys are signing contracts. However, Clowney is demanding $20 million dollars a year from teams, just below DeMarcus Lawrence’s $21 million and Frank Clarks $20.8 million. Teams are hesitant to give him that kind of contract, similarly to Leonard Williams, because there isn’t the same production of stats that make teams want to pay someone. All this being said he was a monster last year. If you pull up the Seahawks tape almost every play was, he making something happen, he might not have gotten the tackle or the sack, but if it wasn’t for him the play wouldn’t have been blown up the way it was. Clowney is 27 years old, a great edge rusher that can attack the running back and get after the quarterback, he improves teams defenses and has proven that on two teams. I can’t believe that he is still on the market but a team is going to luck out when they get him.

2. Cam Newton, QB, Carolina *Using 2018 stats; Only played two games in 2019* (67.9% completions, 3,395 pass yards, 24 td, 13 Int, 488 rush yards, 4 td, 6 fumble)

Cam Newton was officially cut from the Carolina Panthers yesterday, a move that was anticipated after Carolina couldn’t get a trade suitor. It’s not often that there is a former MVP on the market especially at his prime age (30) and mouth dropping athletic ability. Yet here in an already unusual 2020 free agency is exactly where we find ourselves. Cam had an injury plagued 2018 offseason and 2019 regular season and never got to step on the field between shoulder surgery and a foot injury. A full season of rest, recovery, and keeping the mind/body in shape along with a full offseason to continue this regiment we could be looking at a 2015 MVP Cam out for a vengeance now that he is 100% healthy in 2020. There are a few teams looking for a quarterback that didn’t make a move for him, I suspect, because of the contract he was currently under, which was giving him $21.1 million this year. But now that he was cut any team can sign him to a deal that they see fit. Newton can lead a team to a championship, and the first team that comes to mind with huge MVP shoes to fill is the Patriots.

3. Markus Golden, Edge, NYG (72 Combined Tackles, 10 Sacks, 1 Fumble recovery, 1 TD)

Golden was the bright spot in the Giants defense this year and he had a career resurgence in 2019, quadrupling his sack total from 2018 and more than doubling his total combined tackle total as well. He is not the same disruptor as Clowney is when coming off the edge and his number don’t pop out the way other edge rusher do. But he is a solid starter that can immediately impact and improve a defense and help teach the younger the players on any team. Good edge rushers are hard to come by, especially a proven veteran like Golden. I know that this year’s draft has a lot of edge rushing talent, but any team would be getting a huge upgrade rushing the quarterback with Golden on their squad.

4. Jameis Winston, QB, Tampa Bay (60.7% Completions, 5,109 yards, 33 TD, 30 Int, 250 rush, 1 td, 12 fumble)

Winston is out in Tampa and hits the open market at only 26 years old and similar to Newton with a lot of athletic ability. Last year wasn’t his best, being the only quarterback to throw for 30+ touchdowns and interceptions in the same year. Turnovers have to be limited for him and I’m sure that is a contributor to why no one has signed him yet. This current offseason Winston has had Lasik eye surgery, a trim in his meniscus and recovered from a broken thumb he suffered earlier on in the season. All the areas that have now been healed or repaired are key for a quarterback’s success to make the throws and SEE the receiver’s down field and limit turnovers moving forward. Winston is young, has a lot of talent and can make the big throws, 2019 wasn’t his best year, and that hasn’t helped him so far this free agency but a change of scenery and the right coach, he is a franchise quarterback.

5. Jason Peters, OT, PHI (13 games played/started, 10 penalties)

At 38 years young Jason Peters hits the free agent market ready for a new location after a decade in Philadelphia. I know 38 years old isn’t the age a team may want for its blindside tackle, however over the last two seasons has started 29/32 games and has only let up six sacks. Despite his age he is still playing at an elite level, and a team that is just on the cusp of making the Superbowl, or a deep playoff run will need to protect their quarterback. Going after Peters on a one to two-year deal could have a huge positive boost on a shaky offensive line. And for anyone thinking that an older guy can’t play at a high level or shouldn’t be in the NFL id like for you to take a look at Andrew Whitworth for the Rams.