As the 2020 season has officially come to an end, the NFL has transitioned into the free agency period. With players of varying talent levels and positions up for grabs, let’s take a look at the top three free agents in the league.
- Allen Robinson (WR – 28 years old) (Team: Chicago Bears)
Allen Robinson finished the 2020 NFL season with 1,250 receiving yards (9th best in the league), and 6 touchdowns. In an increasingly pass-heavy league where every team needs their own WR1, Robinson will likely be someone who is highly sought after.
Robinson was reportedly unhappy after not receiving a contract extension from Chicago in 2020 and with the front office’s overall direction with the team. These factors could sway his decision heading into free agency.
Possible destination: Washington Football Team
After releasing QB Alex Smith (saving them $14.9 million), the WFT now has almost $70 million in cap space. This salary cap freedom gives them potential to make a big splash in free agency, possibly signing a player of Robinson’s caliber.
Washington has proven to be a team whose success would dramatically increase with the addition of playmakers on offense to pair up with emerging star receiver Terry McLaurin. The Football Team finished eight worst in the league in total passing yards. Much of this was due to a lack of speed in its receiving core, resulting in limited separation against coverage. Adding Robinson could be the difference that could
Update: Robinson has been franchise-tagged by the Chicago Bears and signed his one-year, 18 million dollar contract to remain with the team for 2021.
- Bud Dupree (Linebacker – 28 years old) (Team: Pittsburgh Steelers)
Prior to tearing his ACL, Bud Dupree was on track to having another solid year, amassing eight sacks over just 10 games. The performance thus far silenced critics that believed his 2019 season, where he amassed 11.5 sacks after years of underperforming, was merely a fluke.
Dupree and Steelers linebacker T.J Watt led a Steelers team that went undefeated through their first 10 games. Dupree’s presence was sorely missed, as the Steelers defense would falter, with the team losing five of their last seven games.
The ACL injury could put his value into question. However, with Dupree only being 28 years old, teams should have little doubts about his ability to make a strong comeback.
Possible destination: Cincinnati Bengals
With a fair amount of available cap space, the Bengals are a team with a young nucleus on the offensive end, led by QB Joe Burrow. On the flip side, their defense was last in the league in total sacks (17), and gave up the 11th most points per game (26.5). It’s clear that they are in need of an elite edge rusher to wreak havoc on opposing offenses. Dupree could provide that needed spark with defensive end Carl Lawson likely leaving in free agency.
Update: Dupree signed a five-year 82.5 million dollar contract with the Tennessee Titans.
- Trent Williams (Left Tackle – 33 years old) (Team: San Francisco 49ers)
Having never played less than 10 games in a 16-game season, left tackle Trent Williams has been a symbol for reliability and excellence, leading to eight Pro-Bowl selections. After spending one season with the San Francisco 49ers, Williams is now back on the market.
The left tackle position is one of the most important positions in football, as this player is tasked with protecting the QB’s blind side from opposing defenders. Given that Williams has proven himself as an elite lineman for seven seasons in the NFL, he will likely be recruited by many teams in desperate need of offensive line help.
However, Williams’ age (33) would be taken into account by teams before offering a long-term contract.
Possible destination: Seattle Seahawks
After recent complaints from Seahawks QB Russell Wilson about a lack of protection on the offensive line in years past, the Seattle Seahawks’ front office has come to a crossroads with the star quarterback this offseason.
Trade rumors surrounding Wilson have reached an all-time high, with teams such as the Chicago Bears and the Las Vegas Raiders rumored to be possible destinations.
However, in an effort to keep Wilson, the Seahawks could choose to acquire a capable offensive lineman like Trent Williams to accommodate his needs. Wilson’s comments culminated from years of frustrations surrounding Seattle’s below-average offensive line. And rightfully so, as Seattle gave up the fifth most amount of sacks per game (3), and 48 over the course of the 2020 season, leaving Wilson with little breathing room in the pocket.
Update: Williams signed a six-year, 138 million dollar deal to remain with the San Francisco 49ers.
Coming off of a year where both offseason training camp and preseason was modified for teams in order to meet COVID-19 precautions, this upcoming offseason should come with a return to normalcy. With further time being given for these players to get acclimated to their new system and for their coaches to implement them into their gameplan, teams will strive to take huge leaps of improvement for the 2021 NFL season.
Article by Ben Kim of Walter Johnson High School
Graphic by Xiomara Choque of Montgomery College