Best Fits for Notable Players Who Have Been Cut Before 2024 NFL Free Agency
In the lead-up to the official start of NFL free agency next week, several notable veteran players have hit the market preemptively via releases.
Where might those guys fit best?
Let's look at six potential difference-makers who are early to the free-agent party project where they might fit in best based on team need.
S Jamal Adams
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Jamal Adams isn't the player he used to be. The three-time Pro Bowler was a second-team All-Pro in 2020 but has only two interceptions in 22 games over the last three seasons.
It's possible that he'll rediscover some of that magic in a fresh setting. After all, Adams doesn't turn 29 until October.
Still, because the market is already becoming flooded with defensive backs, Adams might linger as a free agent for quite some time. Eventually, a contender or fringe contender in need of help at strong safety will come calling.
Best fit: Green Bay Packers. Rudy Ford is about to become a free agent and isn't a standout presence anyway, while they might also have to replace free safety Darnell Savage. Adams could also help bolster Green Bay's linebacker corps, and he wouldn't have to be the star.
LB Jerome Baker
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Jerome Baker arguably peaked with seven sacks and 112 tackles in 2020, but he's still been an effective and consistent starter since then, and he turned only 27 in December.
The Ohio State product might never be an All-Pro, but he's capable of being an effective regular starter for several years to come.
The Miami Dolphins likely know that and might try to bring him back on a more team-friendly contract, but there should be plenty of interest elsewhere in Baker on the open market.
Best fit: Minnesota Vikings. Jordan Hicks turns 32 this summer and is slated to hit free agency. It would thus make a lot of sense for new Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores to make a strong push for Baker, who was at his best under Flores' tutelage in Miami.
CB Xavien Howard
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Xavien Howard is a proven playmaker who is only one year removed from his fourth Pro Bowl campaign. The 30-year-old might not haul in a league-leading 10 passes again like he did in 2020, but he surrendered an opposing passer rating of just 81.3 last season in Miami.
Howard technically hasn't hit the market yet, but the Dolphins have stated that he will at the start of the new league year. At that point, expect a flood of interest to come his way.
Best fit: Houston Texans. Howard is from Houston and played college ball at Baylor, while the cap-rich Texans could use a veteran presence in the secondary in place of impending free-agent corner Steven Nelson. It would be nice to see Howard and young Derek Stingley Jr. together in the defensive backfield for an emerging Texans team.
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S Justin Simmons
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NFL teams know what they'd be getting in Justin Simmons.
He may not be a perennial All-Pro much longer, but the 30-year-old has intercepted at least three passes in six consecutive seasons and has missed only seven games over that span. He's also quite versatile and is a strong locker room leader.
Simmons might not be able to carry a defense, but he could help put a fringe contender over the top.
Best fit: Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles' secondary became problematic as the 2023 season progressed. While young free safety Reed Blankenship was hardly to blame for that, he doesn't have Simmons-level talent.
Plus, new Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and defensive backs coach Christian Parker both spent extensive time coaching Simmons in Denver.
CB Darious Williams
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Darious Williams might be coming off a stronger season than anyone else featured here, along with most of the soon-to-be free agents leaguewide.
The 30-year-old intercepted four passes, forced two fumbles and allowed one of the lowest opposing passer ratings (63.9) in the league in 2023. He isn't always super consistent, but he has game-changing ability overall.
Williams had a $10.5 million cap hit, and he wasn't an ideal fit for new Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen's system. The Jags' loss will be another team's gain.
Best fit: Detroit Lions. Not only does Williams' style suit Aaron Glenn's attacking defense, but it also makes sense for the Lions to add a veteran playmaker as they stock up for a potential Super Bowl run in 2024. Williams worked under now-Lions defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend over the last two years in Jacksonville, and currently Lions general manager Brad Holmes was the one who originally brought Williams to the Los Angeles Rams in 2018.
QB Russell Wilson
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We all saw what happened to Russell Wilson over the last two years in Denver. It's possible that he's toast at age 35. But there's still a chance that the nine-time Pro Bowler simply hit a career speed bump with the Broncos and can bounce back in a new setting.
Wilson isn't old in quarterback terms, and it's not as though he had a strong supporting cast or was exposed to much consistency in Denver.
Wilson still has the skills and the resume to become an elite starting quarterback again, so long as he's surrounded by the right pieces in 2024.
Best fit: Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta isn't in position to land one of the top quarterbacks in this year's draft, but it does have the offensive talent to contend with a high-end quarterback. Meanwhile, Wilson could benefit from a lower-stress situation within a run-happy offense featuring young, talented weapons like tight end Kyle Pitts, wide receiver Drake London and running back Bijan Robinson.
A short-term deal here would make a ton of sense for both sides.
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