Top Remaining NFL Free Agents as 2019 Offseason Comes to a Close
By Parker White
NFL training camps begin this week and teams are already contemplating how they're going to trim down their 90-man roster to 53. We know injuries and training camp will dictate that, but so could the remaining names on the free agent market.
So, as the 2019 offseason wraps up and NFL teams are beginning to put their 53-man rosters together, here are the top names still available.
Top Remaining Offensive Free Agents
WR Michael Crabtree - You need a veteran receiver who can be a red zone threat? Michael Crabtree is your guy. In his lone season with the Baltimore Ravens last year, the 31-year-old receiver hauled in 54 receptions for 601 yards and 3 TDs. He's shown the ability to thrive when the quarterback moves the ball vertically down field. At this point, it shouldn't take much to bring him aboard.
RB Jay Ajayi - Ayayi looked like one of the up-and-coming running backs in the NFL after his 2016 season with the Miami Dolphins during which he rushed for 1,272 yards. Well, injuries have begun to pile up and he missed 12 games last year. He might be worth a flyer because he's special when healthy.
WR Dez Bryant - Bryant didn't play at all last season after tearing his Achilles just two days after signing a one-year deal with the New Orleans Saints in November. That certainly has had an impact on his market, but if the 30-year-old wideout can prove he's healthy, you have to think some team will take a chance on him.
WR Pierre Garcon - Just like Crabtree and Bryant, Garcon is veteran receiver who can augment a teams receiving corps. However, he played only eight games last year for the San Francisco 49ers after undergoing knee surgery for the second straight season.
RB Jacquizz Rodgers - The veteran certainly isn't a lead running back, but with teams looking for two and three backs to use all season, Rodgers can help a team in the run and pass game.
Top Remaining Defensive Free Agents
S Eric Berry - He's not the All-Pro safety he once was, especially after tearing his Achilles back in 2017. However, Berry is still a respected veteran who at the very least can provide secondary depth for a contending team. He was released by Kansas City in March, but would they think about bringing him back?
DL Mike Daniels - To save cap space, the Green Bay Packers the released former Pro Bowl defensive lineman. You have to worry about the foot injury he suffered last season, but he can be a true difference maker up front at the right price.
DL Mo Wilkerson - He only appeared in three games for the Packers last year after suffering a season-ending ankle injury. Obviously, his stint in Green Bay didn't go as planned, but this is a defensive end with two seasons of double-digit sacks, which is very enticing for teams looking for more pieces to pressure the quarterback.
OLB Nick Perry - Over two years ago, Perry signed a lucrative five-year deal to stay with the Green Bay Packers, but back in March he was released and is still looking for a job. Injuries have flared up and impacted his ability, but the former first-rounder is still under 30 years old. Pretty shocking he's still unsigned.
LB Mason Foster - He was just released a couple days ago, even though he's coming off a career year during which he tallied 131 tackles, 4 pass deflections and 2 sacks. He's a tackling machine that teams still value, so don't expect him to be sitting at home for much longer.