NFL Free Agents 2022: Predictions for Biggest Names Left on Market
We're getting close to the start of the 2022 NFL season, football fans! Only one week of the preseason remains, final roster cuts are on August 30, and Week 1 will kick off on September 8.
As teams are busy whittling rosters to the 53-player limit, many are also keeping an eye on the free-agent market. As position battles are being settled, roster holes inevitably become exposed. Some quality players who could plug a hole or two happen to still be available.
The free-agent pool will grow deeper as players are released during final roster cuts. Here, though, we'll focus on those who have remained unsigned all offseason. We'll examine some of the biggest names left on the market, what they can offer a team in 2022 and where we envision them landing.
Players are listed in alphabetical order.
Odell Beckham Jr.
1 of 4
It's not a huge surprise to see wideout Odell Beckham Jr. available. While he did help the Los Angeles Rams win Super Bowl LVI, he also suffered a torn ACL in the title game. This means that he's highly unlikely to contribute early in the regular season, if at all.
However, Beckham proved last year that he can provide a boost down the stretch and in the postseason, so teams are interested. According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, Los Angeles is one of several potential suitors.
"He's continued to receive interest from several teams, contending teams," he told NFL Network.
Rapoport noted the Rams have "maintained interest" in Beckham and that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were interested before signing Julio Jones. He also mentioned the Green Bay Packers as a team that could have interest—though this feels like speculation.
Buffalo Bills pass-rusher Von Miller—another player who joined the Rams in-season last year—is either campaigning for Beckham in Buffalo or dropping hints that a deal could be on the horizon.
Most recently, Miller posted an Instagram story featuring Beckham in a Bills uniform and the Drake song "What's Next" (h/t Ryan Talbot of NYUp.com and Syracuse.com).
The Rams have a little more cap space with which to work. They have $8.3 million available, while Buffalo has $4.4 million. However, Beckham may be more concerned with finding his best opportunity to win another Super Bowl.
Both Los Angeles and Buffalo should be contenders this season, and it's impossible to know what Beckham is thinking. Based on Miller's breadcrumbs, though, the expectation here is that Beckham tries to chase a title with a new team in 2022.
Prediction: Beckham signs a two-year deal with Buffalo.
Sheldon Richardson
2 of 4
Defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson might not be as prolific as Beckham, but he's definitely one of the most notable names left on the market. A 2013 first-round pick of the New York Jets, Richardson has also had stints with the Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings (twice) and Cleveland Browns.
Last season with Minnesota, Richardson logged 39 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 18 quarterback pressures while appearing in all 17 games.
While the 31-year-old might not be viewed as a high-end starter anymore, he could certainly aid a defense as a rotational player. Just about any team looking for help against the run and/or an additional interior pass-rusher should be happy to have him.
A return to Minnesota would make plenty of sense, as the Vikings could use the defensive boost. Last season, the Vikings ranked 26th in rushing yards allowed and 30th in total yards allowed.
The Vikings also have $5.9 million in cap space available.
A return to Cleveland, where Richardson played in 2019 and 2020, could also make sense. The Browns lack proven interior depth, and they could be open to re-signing him, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.
"[Richardson] is good in the locker room and would be a strong mentor for a young player like fourth-round pick Perrion Winfrey. He also has a knack for keeping Myles Garrett motivated," Cabot wrote in July.
The Browns lead the league with $45.7 million in cap space. If Richardson is financially motivated, Cleveland can make the most enticing offer.
Prediction: Richardson signs a one-year deal with Cleveland.
Ndamukong Suh
3 of 4
Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh might not be the same consistent game-wrecker he once was, but his reliability is unquestionable. He hasn't missed a game since 2011 (disciplinary suspension) and has never missed a game due to injury.
Last season, Suh played 63 percent of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defensive snaps and finished with 27 tackles, six sacks and 19 quarterback pressures. He started all 17 games for the league's fifth-ranked scoring defense.
For most defense, Suh could still be a quality starter. At worse, he could be a high-end rotational player.
Suh is another player in whom the Vikings appear interested. Minnesota had "multiple conversations" with Suh early in the offseason, according to Tyler Dragon of USA Today. However, the team's limited cap space could be a problem.
The Las Vegas Raiders are also interested in Suh, though again, the financials could be tricky. According to Tashan Reed of The Athletic, the Raiders are interested but perhaps not at Suh's $9 million-per-season asking price.
Las Vegas, though, has $22.6 million in cap space available. Its willingness to meet Suh's demands could hinge on the franchise's belief that it can chase a title this season. If the Raiders believe that they can contend, expect them to make a push for Suh.
Prediction: Suh signs a one-year deal with Las Vegas.
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JC Tretter
4 of 4
There might not be a more reliable offensive lineman available than center JC Tretter. The 31-year-old hasn't missed a game due to injury over the past five seasons—he missed one game on the reserve/COVID-19 list in 2021.
The fact that Tretter is available this late in the offseason is surprising. However, Browns guard Joel Bitonio has a theory as to why. His theory involves Tretter's status as the NFLPA president and his push for player safety.
"Maybe some of the owners don't appreciate what he brings to the table on certain topics, where he's trying to protect player safety and things of that nature," Bitonio told reporters. "It seems a little suspicious to me."
Teams generally want to win above all else, and Tretter could help one do just that in 2022. Two franchises stand out as prime destinations for him. The first is the Buccaneers, who appear unlikely to have starter Ryan Jensen after he suffered what appears to be a significant knee injury in training camp.
The second is Cleveland, where Tretter spent the last five years of his career. The Browns placed both Nick Harris and Dawson Deaton on injured reserve, and while they do have Ethan Pocic, Tretter could strengthen the position considerably.
The Bucs have $6.9 million in cap space and could make Tretter a reasonable offer if they so choose. The Browns, though, could outbid any team if they decide that Pocic can't get the job done.
Prediction: Tretter signs a one-year deal with Cleveland.
*Cap information via Spotrac. Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference
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