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NFL

Predicting the top free-agent target for all 32 NFL teams

Before teams can start negotiating with free agents on Tuesday, March 7, NFL Nation analyzes who every team’s top target will be once the market opens.

AFC East | AFC North | AFC South | AFC West
NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West

AFC EAST

Running back Mike Gillislee

I do not believe the Bills will aggressively look to sign outside free agents, especially considering they have 22 unrestricted and four restricted free agents to consider bringing back. One of their restricted free agents, Gillislee, was among the NFL’s most productive running backs last season. On 101 carries, Gillislee led the NFL in yards per carry, touchdowns per carry, first downs per carry and third-down conversion rate on runs. The Bills might choose to tender Gillislee at a second-round level or higher to avoid a situation like last offseason, when they lost restricted free-agent wide receiver Chris Hogan to the Patriots for nothing. — Mike Rodak

Linebacker Lawrence Timmons

The Dolphins ranked 30th against the run last season and need two new starting linebackers for 2017. Timmons provides a physical, veteran presence Miami desperately needs behind stud defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. Timmons and holdover Kiko Alonso would provide a solid duo for the Dolphins, and they could finish their makeover at linebacker by filling the third spot with a top-rated rookie in the first or second round of April’s draft. — James Walker

Wide receiver Robert Woods

The Patriots have several internal free agents to re-sign, but let’s go with a player from another team for this one. In 2016, the Patriots signed Chris Hogan from Buffalo, and it soon became clear how catching passes from Tom Brady maximized the potential of a player who had been relegated to third on the Bills’ depth chart. The 6-foot, 190-pound Woods, who is one of the NFL’s better route-runners at the position, falls into the same category. If he was coming from an offense that featured better quarterback play, he’d be rated much higher. — Mike Reiss

Quarterback Mike Glennon

Glennon won’t be the cure-all to the team’s decades-old problem, but he could be a moderately priced bridge quarterback who will buy time as the Jets continue to develop Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty. The Jets have to be careful not to overpay for someone with only 18 career starts, but desperate teams tend to make illogical decisions — and the Jets are desperate for an experienced signal-caller. — Rich Cimini

AFC NORTH

Wide receiver Pierre Garcon

Garcon represents the best free-agent fit for a team looking to replace retired wide receiver Steve Smith. He’s a hard-nosed possession receiver with dependable hands who would pair nicely with the speed of Mike Wallace and Breshad Perriman. Garcon would fill the void of Smith in making the tough, contested catches and becoming the trusted go-to receiver for quarterback Joe Flacco. This signing wouldn’t create as big of a splash as Alshon Jeffery or Brandon Marshall, but Garcon delivers more reliability. Since 2013, he has the sixth-most catches in the NFL (332) and has averaged 979 yards receiving per year. — Jamison Hensley

Left tackle Andrew Whitworth

The Bengals are rarely active in free agency, so re-signing their own players will be a priority. With guard Kevin Zeitler looking like he’s on his way out the door, the Bengals’ longtime left tackle and team captain will become priority No. 1 to re-sign to keep some stability on the offensive line. — Katherine Terrell

Guard Kevin Zeitler

Cleveland’s two starting guards from last season, John Greco and Joel Bitonio, must come back from Lisfranc surgery. Adding Zeitler would allow the Browns to move Greco to center, assuming he’s healthy, and Cam Erving to right tackle, which would give him one last chance to show he belongs in the NFL. — Pat McManamon

Cornerback Prince Amukamara

The Steelers won’t dip their toes too deeply into free agency, but they will search for moderately priced help when available and could use one more quality cornerback. Amukamara, whose injury history might affect his price tag, has adequate size and athleticism and can play press-man coverage. Many of the top corners will be overpriced, but the Steelers could find a sweet spot with this second-tier option. — Jeremy Fowler

AFC SOUTH

Quarterback Tony Romo

This is an interesting question, because the Texans don’t have all that many needs in free agency outside of a quarterback, and they don’t have a lot of money to spend. Assuming the Cowboys cut Romo, the Texans will do their due diligence and see if they can add the veteran quarterback. They are a quarterback away from being one of the elite teams in the AFC. That, along with staying near his Dallas home, would be attractive for Romo. Houston likely can’t trade for Romo because of the veteran’s large contract, but if the team can figure out a deal to work with their available cap space, it is a possibility. If Romo isn’t cut, the Texans’ top priority is likely re-signing cornerback A.J. Bouye. — Sarah Barshop

Cornerback A.J. Bouye

Defense is the theme of the offseason for the Colts. They’ve tried and failed in recent years to find a cornerback to go alongside Vontae Davis, who has made the Pro Bowl twice. Bouye will likely come with an expensive price tag, but he fits the mold of what the Colts are trying to accomplish with their roster improvements. He’s young (25) and has lockdown-corner skills. — Mike Wells

Guard Kevin Zeitler

The Jaguars’ guard play in 2016 was not very good, and upgrading the offensive line is the team’s No. 1 priority. Zeitler, who is regarded as the top guard available, can play both spots but would most likely slide in at left guard between tackle Branden Albert (who will be acquired in a trade with Miami on March 9) and center Brandon Linder. That would make the Jaguars significantly better on the left side, which should improve the run game and, the team hopes, take pressure off quarterback Blake Bortles. — Mike DiRocco

Cornerback Logan Ryan

The Titans have a big need at cornerback, and I suspect Ryan is less likely to get a crazy market than A.J. Boyue. When Titans GM Jon Robinson worked in New England’s front office, he had a hand in the Patriots’ decision to draft Ryan. He may not be the No. 1-type cornerback they need, but he’s the sort of player who can make the group better and understands exactly the sort of culture Robinson and Mike Mularkey are creating. — Paul Kuharsky

AFC WEST

An offensive lineman, take your pick.

Even John Elway said he hasn’t made the final decisions about who the Broncos can sign — he said the money “is not a bottomless pit” and that “the numbers have to make sense.” But Ronald Leary fits the Broncos’ free-agency profile in age (he’s 27) and his performance as a guard in the Cowboys’ offense. Leary started 12 games last season, and 15 in 2014. The question will be money seeing as the Chiefs just gave a five-year, $41 million deal this week to a two-year starter at guard in Laurent Duvernay-Tardif. If the Broncos want to sign one or two O-line starters in free agency, it will require a big slice of their salary cap space (expected to be more than $40 million). — Jeff Legwold

Defensive tackle Alan Branch

The Chiefs will have a massive hole, literally and figuratively, in the middle of their defensive line if Dontari Poe walks as a free agent. The Chiefs have some capable defensive linemen, most notably Chris Jones, Allen Bailey and Jaye Howard. But there’s nobody who can quite assume Poe’s duties, at least on running downs. New England’s Branch could be a short-term solution. Branch wouldn’t have to play much on passing downs, given the skill sets of Bailey and Jones. — Adam Teicher

Los Angeles Chargers

Offensive tackle Russell Okung

The 2017 draft class is weak at offensive line, and the Chargers need a player to bridge the gap if they decide to move on from King Dunlap at left tackle. Okung played all 16 games last season and is familiar with the AFC West from his time with the Broncos in 2016. The Chargers also plan to run the ball more in 2017, which fits Okung’s skill set. The Oklahoma State product could be a solid player to fill the void until the Chargers find a long-term answer at left tackle. — Eric D. Williams

Defensive end Calais Campbell

Imagine the Raiders going all in with a 3-4 defensive alignment, with Campbell and NFL Defensive Player of the Year Khalil Mack at defensive end and Bruce Irvin and Aldon Smith at outside linebacker. Even in a 4-3, Campbell could play inside, where the Raiders need more pass-rush help after finishing last in the NFL with 25 sacks. Campbell has averaged 7.0 sacks since 2009 and had eight sacks last season, along with three fumble recoveries and six pass deflections. The Raiders should have close to $43 million in cap space, but GM Reggie McKenzie still wants to extend Mack and QB Derek Carr. Campbell is expected to command up to $11 million a season, while linebacker Dont’a Hightower, another potential Raiders target, could get more. Running back Adrian Peterson could also be an option for Oakland on an incentive-laden deal. — Paul Gutierrez

NFC EAST

Safety Barry Church

Church might provide more value to the Cowboys than to other teams, developing from undrafted free agent to starter to captain. He missed four games last year and still finished second on the defense in tackles and led the unit in interceptions. The Cowboys value their own free agents more than going outside the building and will do what they can to keep him. — Todd Archer

Offensive tackle Russell Okung

The Giants are focusing their efforts on re-signing some of their own. They’ll add some other pieces, but they’ll mostly be second-tier players. Okung is their solution at offensive tackle after flirting with him last year. He stayed healthy in Denver and would at least give the Giants one proven offensive tackle. — Jordan Raanan

Wide receiver Kenny Stills

The Eagles want a receiver who can stretch the field and young playmakers who can grow alongside quarterback Carson Wentz. Stills checks off both boxes. He averaged 17.3 yards per catch this past season — good for third in the NFL behind DeSean Jackson and Chris Hogan — with nine touchdowns. Just 24, Stills could be paired with Wentz for years to come. — Tim McManus

Defensive end Calais Campbell

Campbell makes all the sense in the world for Washington, even though he’s 31. GM Scot McCloughan has said he doesn’t want to pay big money to free agents that old, but Campbell is the sort of player the Redskins lacked in their 3-4 front for a while: a lengthy end who can also be disruptive in a nickel package rushing inside. He’s a true pro who has taken care of his body. Once upon a time, McCloughan signed a young Justin Smith, who anchored the 49ers’ line; Campbell would give him an older version of that sort of player. — John Keim

NFC NORTH

Cornerback A.J. Bouye

Bouye is a 25-year-old lockdown cornerback who fits in Vic Fangio’s defensive scheme. After a breakthrough year in 2016, Bouye’s price tag in free agency will be expensive. But Chicago is flush with salary-cap space — projected top-five — and has a glaring need at cornerback. The only proven playmaker in the Bears’ secondary is Tracy Porter, who turns 31 in August. — Jeff Dickerson

Cornerback Logan Ryan

While the Lions could make a play for Ricky Wagner or re-sign Riley Reiff at right tackle, Ryan seems to be the type of player Bob Quinn is will like. Quinn has familiarity with Ryan from his time in New England; plus, the cornerback is an ideal No. 2 opposite Darius Slay. It would immediately strengthen the secondary and allow the Lions to focus on the front seven and the offensive line throughout the rest of free agency and the draft. — Michael Rothstein

Tight end Jared Cook

No less an authority than Aaron Rodgers said re-signing Cook should be the Packers’ priority this offseason. Their offense was measurably better with Cook on the field last season, even if he wasn’t the target. With Cook, the Packers went 10-3 (including playoffs) and Rodgers threw 25 touchdown passes and just three interceptions with a passer rating of 115.4, according to ESPN Stats & Information. It will take considerably more than the $2.75 million the Packers paid him last season. — Rob Demovsky

Guard Kevin Zeitler

Mike Zimmer has tried to sign a number of former Bengals since coming to Minnesota — with mixed results — but as the Vikings prepare to go after offensive linemen in free agency, Zeitler could be an ideal fit. The Vikings need a right guard after cutting Brandon Fusco, and an interior trio of Alex Boone at left guard, Joe Berger at center and Zeitler at right guard would represent a marked improvement over their 2016 depth chart. — Ben Goessling

NFC SOUTH

Wide receiver Taylor Gabriel

The speedy target is a restricted free agent and a player general manager Thomas Dimitroff said the Falcons intend to tender, probably at the second-round level (approximately $2.8 million). Even with the tender, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Falcons and Gabriel agree to a long-term deal at some point, considering the explosiveness Gabriel brings to the offense opposite Julio Jones. Not to mention Gabriel said he wants to be a Falcon forever. Gabriel tied Jones for the team lead with six touchdown receptions last season. — Vaughn McClure

Offensive tackle Matt Kalil

Look for the Panthers to make a run at the Minnesota Vikings left tackle, who missed most of last season with a hip injury. It makes sense on many fronts. The Panthers remain unsure about the future of left tackle Michael Oher (concussion), and tackle Mike Remmers is set to become a free agent. Kalil, the brother of Carolina center Ryan Kalil, could be had at a reasonable price of around $5 million a year. Even if Oher returns and Remmers re-signs, Kalil adds competition and depth. — David Newton

Defensive end Jabaal Sheard

The Saints have labeled an edge-rushing DE as a “must” for this offseason, but their options ran thin when Jason Pierre-Paul, Melvin Ingram and Chandler Jones were all hit with the franchise tag. That leaves Sheard as one of the best second-tier options. He has battled inconsistency in his six-year career with the Browns and Patriots, but with 36 career sacks, he has shown that disruptive ability the Saints crave. And New Orleans has always shown a preference for bigger edge rushers who can fit four-man fronts, so Sheard’s size (6-foot-3, 265 pounds) is a plus. — Mike Triplett

Wide receiver DeSean Jackson

If quarterback Jameis Winston gets his way (he’s made no secret about the fact that he loves Jackson), the Bucs will go after the three-time Pro Bowler, who would give the Bucs the top-flight speed that they have lacked the last several years. Jackson’s would pose a real dilemma for opposing defenses who double-teamed and shadowed Mike Evans all season long. The Bucs have approximately $69 million in cap space too, which means they can afford him. — Jenna Laine

NFC WEST

Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery

The Cardinals will enter free agency with only one big, tall play-making receiver on their roster in Larry Fitzgerald since they cut Michael Floyd in December after his DUI arrest. After next season, Fitzgerald may retire, making Jeffery an intriguing option for Arizona to pursue in free agency. He’s 6-foot-3, 218 pounds and a natural playmaker. His suspension is something the Cardinals could get past in favor of pairing another dynamic receiver, who could work the sideline and help take the top off defenses with Fitzgerald and quarterback Carson Palmer. And after next season, Jeffery could be left as the Cardinals’ No. 1 receiver, easing a transition into the offense’s future. — Josh Weinfuss

Wide receiver Pierre Garcon

The Rams need a couple of dynamic, playmaking wide receivers, and Garcon is a good place to start. New head coach Sean McVay knows Garcon well from his time with the Redskins from 2012 to 2016, when the WR played in all but six games and racked up 4,549 receiving yards. Garcon would love nothing more than to be reunited with McVay in Los Angeles, but he’ll probably end up going to the highest bidder, and nearly half the league will be interested. Garcon remains a solid, consistent receiver heading into his age-31 season. He’s physical, runs good routes and is still dangerous after the catch. He may not blow by defenders vertically all that much, but he’s great at those 15- to 20-yard in-breaking routes that McVay loves so much. He would be a nice complement to Tavon Austin. — Alden Gonzalez

Cornerback A.J. Bouye

The 49ers have needs all over the roster, but there aren’t many big-ticket players set to hit the open market who make sense in new coordinator Robert Saleh’s 4-3 defense. Bouye is an obvious exception, given that Saleh’s scheme is built on the same principles as the Seahawks. A tall, long cornerback capable of covering one side of the field is a good place to start for a defense that was 28th in yards per attempt allowed in 2016. Bouye is only 25 and looks the part of an ascending player who could be entering his prime. An added bonus for the 49ers: Signing a top corner would give San Francisco the freedom to move Jimmie Ward to free safety if they wanted. — Nick Wagoner

Offensive tackle Russell Okung

GM John Schneider said at the combine that the Seahawks were too young on the offensive line last year. Okung could step in, serve as the leader of the group and fill a major need. One of the risks in signing free agents is that organizations don’t know for sure how they’ll fit in from a culture standpoint. That won’t be an issue with Okung, who spent six seasons in Seattle. He turns 30 in October and had an up-and-down year with the Broncos in 2016. But if Okung signed with the Seahawks, he’d instantly be their most dependable tackle. Bringing him back makes a lot of sense if it doesn’t take a ton of guaranteed money. — Sheil Kapadia

NFL

Sources: LB Foster sent home from combine

Former Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster, a potential top-10 pick in next month’s NFL draft, was sent home from the Indianapolis scouting combine for a “heated altercation” he got into Friday with a hospital worker, according to multiple sources.

All one NFL spokesman would say was that Foster was being sent home for “personal reasons.” He did not want to comment further.

Foster, the top-graded inside linebacker for many teams, was scheduled to go through team interviews Friday night and testing Saturday, none of which will happen now, according to sources. Foster was scheduled to fly home to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on Saturday.

Reuben Foster is recovering from recent rotator cuff surgery to his right shoulder and was not set to participate in drills at the combine, a source told ESPN. Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire

NFL officials are reviewing the procedures that contributed to the incident to see if they can make improvements and ensure it doesn’t happen again, per league sources.

Another league source said there was a “miscommunication” that allowed the argument between Foster and a hospital worker to escalate.

Foster had been waiting for an extended period for what the NFL calls his “pre-exam,” when he grew increasingly impatient and began questioning a hospital worker.

The hospital worker did not take kindly to Foster’s words, and eventually the two were face-to-face, in a heated exchange.

Other players were there at the time, and the NFL is questioning them to get a full account of events.

But one league source said the league has to review the procedures and create better communication so that players understand what is happening and why there are delays.

According to AL.com, Foster said “nothing happened” in a live Instagram video posted Saturday.

“Y’all, stop asking me what happened, for real,” Foster said in the video, according to AL.com. “Nothing happened.”

Foster said teammates were with him at the time of the incident and could verify what happened.

“I’m chilling with my people right now,” Foster said in the video. “My agent backs me. I’m staying low. When I get my chance, I’m taking advantage of it. I’m telling you. That’s all I know.”

When asked about Foster on Saturday, his former teammate Jonathan Allen said he didn’t know what had happened but called the situation “surprising” and “disappointing.”

Tim Williams, a defensive end who was at the Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital at the same time, said he was in a different group and couldn’t say exactly what happened.

“We were all waiting for our names to be called. He was with the linebackers and I was with all of the D-line,” Williams said. “I was in a different room.”

Foster is a potential top-10 pick, and one team executive said last night that he thought “Foster was a legitimate top-three pick” coming into the combine.

Foster is recovering from recent rotator cuff surgery in his right shoulder and was not scheduled to participate in drills at the combine. In his video chat, Foster said he’d be out of the sling in a week.

“Everything ain’t perfect,” he said. “I’m good. I just have to think. I just had to sit back and relax and think about what I really want.”

Foster’s projected recovery timetable was about four months, a source told ESPN’s Adam Caplan, which is well ahead of the start of training camps in July.

Foster was Alabama’s leading tackler last season and a unanimous first-team All-American. He also won the Butkus Award, given to the nation’s best linebacker.

Information from ESPN’s Jeff Legwold and The Associated Press was used in this report.

NFL

Several combine running backs could fit Bucs' offense

Here’s how some of the top performers at running back, a position of need for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, did in their workouts at the NFL Scouting Combine this week. This includes how their talents stack up and how the Bucs could use them:

Dalvin Cook, Florida State: His 4.49 40-yard dash was the seventh-fastest among running backs, and he posted a 30.5-inch vertical leap. At 5-foot-10, 210 pounds, he’s got the size and physicality to be a feature back at the next level and could be plugged into Doug Martin’s spot without much trouble. He’s an electrifying playmaker and can catch the ball well. His 759 yards after contact last season were most in college football. Ball security will be an issue — he logged 16 fumbles in three seasons. He also said that he needs to improve in pass protection, a natural deficiency for a lot of backs coming out of college. He said it would be a “dream come true” to reunite with Jameis Winston down in Tampa.

Dalvin Cook’s array of skills were on display at the NFL combine. Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports

Leonard Fournette, LSU: Should fans be concerned that he posted a poor 28.5-inch vertical? No, unless he plans to hurdle defenders (he’s better served running through them) or dunk on a goal post, although it is a drill that measures explosiveness in the lower body. He ran a 4.52 in his 40 — at 240 pounds, that is very impressive. He came very close to Cook and Christian McCaffrey’s times despite being more than 30 pounds heavier. He has the build and running style to be fed the ball 30 times a game, which is critical in setting of play-action for the Bucs. He can certainly run between the tackles, averaging 7.06 yards per carry on inside runs in 2016. His 162.8 rushing yards per game in 2016 led the FBS. He did have an ankle injury last season but said it’s 100 percent now.

Kareem Hunt, Toledo: Hunt’s 36.5-inch vertical was fifth-highest among running backs but he disappointed in the 40, running a 4.66 after hoping to run under 4.50. He looks very similar to Martin on tape. He’s not a burner, but has good pad level, hits the hole hard and keeps his wheels moving. He’s patient and does a great job of seeing a tiny hole and turning it into a big run. The Bucs love explosive plays, which are defined as runs of 12-plus yards. Hunt had 37 of them in 2016, tied for eighth in college football. His 113 explosives over the last four years were second in that span. He averaged 123.6 yards per game over the last three seasons. The Bucs have met with him.

Alvin Kamara, Tennessee: Kamara gained a lot from his combine workout. He posted a 4.56 40, 14th among running backs, and a 39.5-inch vertical, the highest at the position. After his workout, he turned heads in receiving drills — he’s got great hands, which you can see on his college tape. At 5-10 and 214 pounds, he could become an every-down back but rarely touched the ball more than 20 times in a game, spending much of his time as a backup to Jalen Hurd. Can he be a workhorse? His versatility is a plus. He can catch passes out of the backfield, line up wide, and play special teams. On tape, he looks more like a guy who would operate best in space, contributing in the short passing game and getting to the perimeter, but he averaged 6.35 yards per rush on inside runs last season. A true one-cut runner. He’s an energetic runner, but how powerful is he?

Marlon Mack, South Florida: Mack posted a 4.50 40, ninth among running backs, along with a 35.5 vertical (eighth) and a 10.5-inch broad jump (fourth). He shattered every rushing record at USF, averaging 6.69 yards per carry in three seasons and 100.3 yards per game in that span. Defenders never caught him from behind. He’s has great patience and vision waiting for holes to develop, shows great balance in staying on his feet and has cutting ability to make defenders miss. Body-type-wise he looks to be more of a complementary back at the next level versus a workhorse despite his heavy workload in college. He can do a lot more than just run the ball — he can be a pass-catcher, too. He has had conversations with the Bucs and, along with Hunt, is a great example of the value this draft has at the position.

NFL DraftRound 1: April 27, 8 p.m. ET
Rds. 2-3: April 28, 7 p.m. ET
Rds. 4-7: April 29, noon ET
Where: Philadelphia

NFL draft home page »

• 2017 NFL draft order »
• Mel Kiper Jr.: Mock 2.0 »
• Todd McShay’s Top 32
• McShay: Top prospects by position
• Todd McShay: Mock 2.0 »
• Mel Kiper Jr.’s Big Board »
• Mel Kiper Jr.: Top 10 by position »
• Pro day schedule for prospects »
• Underclassmen who have declared »
• NFL draft player rankings »

Christian McCaffrey, Stanford: McCaffrey posted a 4.48 in the 40, fourth-fastest at the position, a 37.5-inch vertical (tied for second). He had an 11.03 in the 60-yard shuttle, the best among all running backs, so he redeemed himself from a poor showing in the bench press (10 reps). In drills, he looked explosive and changed directions seamlessly. He’s a polished route runner with soft hands that can be used in the passing game, hence why he also worked out as a receiver. His skill-set far exceeds that of a traditional running back, and the Bucs shouldn’t use him that way. This is an ‘X’ factor type of player who Koetter could run inside (he’s better off-tackle though), and use as a scatback, slot receiver, out wide, and as a punt returner and kick returner.

Samaje Perine, Oklahoma: He’s the other back from Oklahoma, the one not named Joe Mixon. He had people talking after he put up 30 reps on the bench press, the most of all running backs. At 5-10 and 233 pounds, he ran a 4.66, which isn’t very fast (keep in mind, Fournette ran a 4.51 at 240) but he’s a bruising, downhill runner and can handle short-yardage situations. He does run with stiff hips. It should be noted that he was also used as a blocker for Mixon, the more-famous OU back, so he could handle some fullback responsibilities at the next level. The Bucs don’t have a fullback on their roster currently (tight end Luke Stocker is the team’s best run-blocking tight end).

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