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Scouting and predraft evaluations all but consumed NFL front offices during the last month-plus. But the draft is over, and the focus shifts back to free agency.
There could be a bit of a rush to sign the best remaining unrestricted FAs on the open market. A number of intriguing players are still available on both sides of the ball. Most are of the veteran variety, with some looking for redemption coming off injuries.
Let s take a look at nine of the best and project landing spots based on potential fit. These players were chosen based on factors such as pedigree, recent performance and market demand.
Claims the Indianapolis Colts are worse than a season ago premature, overstated
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Indianapolis Star columnist and Stampede Blue friend, Gregg Doyel recently penned a story explaining how the Colts have almost certainly gotten worse since the team’s season ended in Buffalo earlier this year (subscription required). Doyel analyzed each position and explained how it is unreasonable to think the Colts are better now than they were at the end of the 2020 season, noting it’s the first time in Chris Ballard’s tenure this is the case.
While reasonable, the analysis falls short of taking an honest look at where the team was, at the players who departed and underestimates Ballard and the coaching staff’s ability to fill vacated positions with players who are likely or very likely to produce at higher levels than those they are replacing.
Favre, in a 45-minute interview with Wilde and Tausch, said he has not spoken with Rodgers since the draft. Their conversation that night concluded with Rodgers telling his predecessor they would touch base after his situation with the Packers is resolved, something that might not happen for some time.
Even though Favre emphasized he does not know the details of Rodgers rift with the Packers that became public Thursday, he predicted an ominous ending. Favre went as far as to compare Rodgers situation to Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders early retirement from the Detroit Lions. Sanders walked away from the Lions after his age-30 season in one of the most stunning retirements the sport has ever seen.
Players who opted out last season were eligible for between $150,000-$350,000. ESPN s Adam Schefter reported that James contract tolled last season, meaning he was playing under his 2020 contract this year, which had $10 million guaranteed for skill and injury, and another $10 million reserved for 2021.
In total, James could be out close to $20 million.
The 19th overall pick by the Miami Dolphins in the 2014 draft, James started 16 games in his first and third seasons in the league and 15 games in 2018. Injuries have cost him significant playing time in every other season, however.
Since signing a four-year, $51 million contract with Denver prior to the 2019 season, James has played three games at right tackle for the Broncos.
May 4, 2021
After not drafting a left tackle with any of the seven picks the Indianapolis Colts had in the 2021 NFL Draft, General Manager Chris Ballard may have a solution to the potential left tackle problem.
According to a report from NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero, the Colts are scheduled to meet with former Kansas City Chief and 2013 No. 1 overall pick Eric Fisher this week.
Fisher, who tore his Achilles in the AFC Championship Game in January, will likely miss a large chunk of the 2021 season, but with the Colts needing a long-term answer to the Anthony Castonzo retirement, Fisher makes all the sense in the world.