Wild Card Free Agents: Where Will They Land?
The Pittsburg Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, and Tennessee Titans were the three AFC teams and the Chicago Bears, Seattle Seahawks, and the Washington Football Team were the three NFC teams to lose during the Wild Card Weekend. Each team must analyze what went wrong and use the off-season to make dire changes at positions and possibly coaches. Each team has free agents that will either seek a new contract with their current team, or take their talents elsewhere.
AFC
Pittsburg Steelers
JuJu Smith-Schuster WR
Though JuJu seemed to have a very up and down season especially competing with fellow wideouts Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool, he still produced throughout the year though maybe not to the numbers expected. In the wild card game versus the Browns, JuJu posted 157 yards and one touchdown, which I think helped his outlook, but with that being said the Steelers salary cap might interfere with him being resigned, and I believe they will use that money for a much-needed RB. JuJu is a young, talented, versatile wideout that had some pre-game antics as of late that left might make some in the Steelers management think twice, but I doubt other teams will.
The Dolphins is the best option for JuJu’s abilities. The Dolphins have a young rising QB in Tua and though they have Parker and Williams, JuJu could add depth and quickly become the #1 wideout since the other two receivers have a hard time staying healthy. JuJu is a reliable catcher, and that is something Tua’s offense could use to move forward in the AFC East and truly compete with the Bills. Juju might also land in New York with the Giants. They clearly do not have a #1 wideout, and if JuJu was picked up, he would satisfy that role immediately, and let’s be honest JuJu needs to be on a team where he is relied on as the #1 every game and not just some of them.
Indianapolis Colts
T.Y Hilton WR
Whoever is under center for the start of the 2021 season for the Colts will need a trusted, proven wideout to sling it to, hence the reason the Colts should resign and possess Hilton. Hilton’s 2020 season produced 763 yards and five touchdowns on 93 targets, now those aren’t insane stats by any means, but Hilton is a veteran and can add knowledge and depth to the young wideouts and still be relevant.
During the Wild Card game versus the Bills, Hilton was all but shut down with five catches for 32 yards, but this will not hurt him when the Colts decide to retain him for the 2021 season and possibly longer. If the Colts keep Rivers, then Hilton and Rivers will be the veteran duo needed to keep the Colts offense alive and kicking. If the Colts do not resign Hilton, it would make sense for the Jets to snag him so that he could help the potential incoming QB that the Jets are predicted to draft.
Tennessee Titans
Corey Davis WR
I for one was very surprised that the Titans failed to advance against the Ravens, and in that wild card game, Davis was shut down to 2 targets and no catches. Regardless, this has been a breakout season for the 25-year-old wideout. Slotted as the #2 behind AJ Brown, Davis produced 984 yards and five touchdowns. Davis could very easily become the #1 WR on a team in need. The Titans declined his 5th year option and might be regretting that, and even though Davis’s playoff appearance wasn’t one of glory, his season was, and he could command a higher contract.
The Patriots are a team that could sign him and immediately fire him up, and we know how Bellichik likes to feed talent. The Patriots fell short this season with their wide receivers, Harry has yet to preform, and Meyers led the team with 729 yards and no touchdowns. They need a talented, viable young stud like Davis. The Patriots also need to get back into fighting mode with the Bills in the AFC East, and they are all but guaranteed to trade for or sign a new QB, so they should consider Davis as a complement in the Bellichik offense. The Washington Football Team could also greatly benefit from Davis’s talent, and they have offseason money to spend. If it is the young dynamic Tyler Heinicke or comeback player Alex Smith taking snaps, they both need a confident, physical counterpart to Terry McLaurin, and Davis fits that bill.
Embed from Getty ImagesNFC
Chicago Bears
Allen Robinson WR
For the entire 2020 season, rumors flew about how unhappy Robinson was in Chicago especially since he had no consistency or rapport with a quarterback. Remember when the Bears extended RB Tarik Cohen’s contract instead of their star wideout. Well if you don’t, I know Robinson does, and he has made it clear he is open to a fresh start. Robinson is a very underrated WR who just recorded a career-high 102 catches for 1, 250 yards and six touchdowns.
Robinson was unproductive in the Wild Card game versus the Saints only having 55 yards in the air, but that performance won’t hinder teams desiring him to balance their offense. The Packers need another wideout to help Devante Adams, and it would be rich if the Packers swept in and took from the Bears. There is nothing better than in conference rivals stealing players! The Ravens also lack a true star WR and with Lamar Jackson needing a consistent one to throw too, Robinson might just be their answer. Robinson will wear a different jersey next season, who is ready to spend money and excel their offense is the question.
Seattle Seahawks
Chris Carson RB
The Seahawks had a average season, but the one thing that continued to struggle as the season rolled on was the offense. It lacked spark and consistency. Carson dealt with a foot injury this season, but he still posted 681 yards with an average of 4.8 yards a carry. He doubled that yardage in 2019, so think what could have been barring the injury setback and better coaching decisions.
Strong, powerful running backs are hard to come by in the NFL, so any team lacking would be smart to take a look at Carson. During the Wild Card loss to the Rams, though he only posted 77 yards versus the stout defense, Carson played 16 of the 20 running back plays. The Seahawks firing their OC might be the change needed to realize that they can be successful in both a pass and run heavy offense and not just rely on Wilson to throw. The Seahawks should resign or even tag Carson for their future but if they don’t Carson could easily land with the Steelers who need a stout RB to penetrate defensives.
Embed from Getty ImagesWashington Football Team
Though this isn’t a flashy free agent like a running back, QB, or Wide receiver, Scherff is a very integral part of the Washington offense. Scherff was named the team’s first All-Pro in 2020 since 1996. Scherff also only allowed three sacks in his 857 snaps. Even though he is 29, Scherff has proved that he still has gas in the tank and quarterbacks to protect. Scherff has been with the Washington franchise his entire NFL career, and the team would be wise to resign him to help whoever is under center make the deep throws to McLaurin and the new wide receiver Washington must sign. If they release him, I could see Scherff landing in Cincinnati to help Burrow when he returns to action!
It will be a very busy offseason with a great 2021 draft class and free agents league-wide. I’m ready to see what my team does, are you?
