As the NFL prepares for its legal tampering period, opening at noon ET on March 10, the spotlight turns to the myriad of free agents available this year. Quarterbacks such as Brandon Allen, Kyle Allen, Joshua Dobbs, Tyler Huntley, Josh Johnson, Case Keenum, Trey Lance, Easton Stick, Kyle Trask, and Zach Wilson are all up for grabs. This period marks a crucial time for teams to strategize and potentially overhaul rosters with fresh talent.
Quarterback Marcus Mariota had a remarkable season, showcasing his prowess with an 18-of-23 pass completion for 205 yards and two touchdowns against the Panthers. He further impressed with a 15-of-18 performance for 161 yards and two scores in a subsequent Week 18 victory over the Cowboys. In contrast, Zach Wilson had a challenging stint as a starter for the Broncos, achieving a 51.3 Total QBR that ranked him 21st from Week 7 onward. Despite being with the Broncos, Wilson never took the field in his lone season.
Among running backs, Ameer Abdullah has proven his mettle as a reliable third-down option. With the Raiders, he maintained an average of 4.6 yards per carry and successfully caught 40 out of 47 targeted passes. Meanwhile, Mason, who accumulated 536 rushing yards over five games, finds himself in a competitive position with Christian McCaffrey and Isaac Guerendo sharing the field.
The receiving corps sees notable names like Tee Higgins entering free agency, while Davante Adams faces uncertainty as a potential cap casualty. On the offensive line front, Trent Brown's recent history of injuries casts doubt on his reliability after missing 14 games in 2024 due to a torn patellar tendon. Additionally, some linemen who started last season may not return to their roles by 2025.
Tight end Lewis made history last year by becoming the first 40-year-old to play in the NFL with the Bears. Meanwhile, Tyler Higbee's future remains uncertain after signing a two-year, $17 million extension in 2023 and subsequently missing most of the 2024 season due to an ACL injury.
Financially, projections estimate that these players might command average annual salaries ranging from $3.5 million to $9 million. Teams will have to balance their budgets while filling critical gaps in their rosters.
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