8 Available NFL Free Agents Who Could Start for Contending Teams

In an age of parity in the NFL, we understand that all 32 teams are playoff contenders on April 2. And we are not trying to disparage any franchise. But in this instance, we have to set up some rules.

Here, we are going to be specific in terms of what a contender is, although that is a very subjective topic. For this piece’s purpose only, we will list the 12 teams that reached the playoffs in 2014, along with the seven other clubs that finished 8-8 or better. That’s 19 of the league’s 32 clubs.

Are we saying all eight players will have banner years in 2015? Do we have each of these performers heading to the Pro Bowl? The answer to both questions is "no."

But we do think these NFL veterans could open the season for any number of clubs. And we will make at least one suggestion for each of these players.

After all, that’s why we’re here.

RB Pierre Thomas

Rick Osentoski/Associated Press

It’s been written before (at least by this author) that Pierre Thomas may be the most underrated running back in the league.

Unfortunately, the longtime New Orleans Saint missed five games this season. The team cut him loose this offseason after eight years, 6,353 yards from scrimmage and 40 total touchdowns.

Perhaps the most appealing aspect here is Thomas’ receiving ability. He’s totaled 327 career catches and usually comes up with those hard-to-earn yards on screen passes.

With Shane Vereen off to the New York Giants, a team like the New England Patriots could certainly take advantage of those skills. And the fact that there’s not a lot of tread off the tire (818 career carries) could make him a vital addition to any struggling ground attack.

Could Start For: Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions, New England Patriots

WR Greg Jennings

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

He’s totaled 552 career receptions for 8,083 yards and 63 touchdowns in nine NFL seasons with the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings. Yet wide receiver Greg Jennings remains out of work…for now.

Earlier this week, we felt the two-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl XLV champion would have been a terrific pickup for the Houston Texans. On Wednesday, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reported the club added free-agent wide receiver Nate Washington, formerly of the Tennessee Titans.

Jennings was released this offseason after the Vikings swung a deal to get wideout Mike Wallace. Jennings totaled 127 catches, 10 for scores, in two seasons with the Vikings.

A team like the Baltimore Ravens, who watched Torrey Smith bolt to San Francisco via free agency, could pair him with the seemingly ageless Steve Smith Sr., which would give opposing defenses something to worry about.

Could Start For: Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers

G Dan Connolly

Elise Amendola/Associated Press

Versatile offensive lineman Dan Connolly has spent the last seven seasons with the New England Patriots and was a primary starter for the team up front during the last five years.

But he remains an unrestricted free agent and has seen action at not only both guard spots, but center as well.

He could still return to the defending Super Bowl champions, who have already lost their share of starters this offseason. The rival Buffalo Bills hope to get better play from their offensive line this season after the club finished 25th in the NFL in rushing in 2014. 

Meanwhile, the San Francisco 49ers lost three-time Pro Bowl guard Mike Iupati to free agency. Connolly would be a nice fit.

Could Start For: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers

G Justin Blalock

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Over the course of eight seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, guard Justin Blalock started 125 out of 128 regular-season games for the franchise.

This offseason, the club's new regime parted ways with the veteran blocker. So far, Blalock hasn’t received a lot of attention. Back in mid-March, Josh Katzenstein of The Detroit News reported that the eight-year pro visited with the Detroit Lions. Also, last month, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com told us Blalock “checked in” with the Tennessee Titans.

It would not be a surprise to see Blalock sign with the Lions or latch on to another contender. The Seattle Seahawks lost left guard James Carpenter in free agency to the New York Jets. However, Blalock may not sign until after the NFL draft.

Could Start For: Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks

C Chris Myers

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Things have gotten very interesting lately for two-time Pro Bowl center Chris Myers.

Aaron Wilson of National Football Post was among the many reporting that Myers visited the Seattle Seahawks this past Monday.

On the other hand, many people have tried to connect the dots between the 10-year pro and new Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak, who Myers played for in Houston, where he started every game the previous seven seasons.

On Wednesday, Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post had the details on a trade that brought center Gino Gradkowski to the Broncos via the Baltimore Ravens. He could battle Manny Ramirez for the starting job or simply wind up being a little added insurance.

Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs are still on the lookout for a replacement for Rodney Hudson, while the Seattle Seahawks still have to find a successor to Max Unger, dealt to the Saints this offseason.

Could Start For: Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks

ILB Brandon Spikes

Elise Amendola/Associated Press

There appears to be an awful lot of football left for inside linebacker Brandon Spikes.

When you consider that the New England Patriots' 2010 second-round pick has only played five seasons, it’s quite surprising that Spikes hasn’t found a team to play for in the upcoming season.

After four seasons in Foxborough, Spikes shuffled off to Buffalo last offseason and signed a one-year deal with the Bills. He played all 16 games, made 10 starts and finished sixth on the club with 54 tackles.

According to Pro Football Focus, he was on the field for 519 plays and was the NFL’s ninth-ranked inside linebacker vs. the run this past season. Buffalo finished 11th in the league against the run one season after giving up the fifth-most rushing yards in the NFL.

For any number of teams that could use some help with their run defenses, he would be a logical solution.

Could Start For: Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs

SS Bernard Pollard

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

It adds up to nine seasons, four NFL teams and one Achilles injury.

Hard-hitting safety Bernard Pollard saw his 2014 season cut short after five games. This offseason, the Tennessee Titans cut short his days with the team after two seasons.

When healthy, the defender can raise the play of a defense with his physicality. And that could be just what a team like the San Diego Chargers is looking for.

As we know from Pro Football Focus, neither Marcus Gilchrist nor Jahleel Addae did much to distinguish himself at the position this past season. The former signed a free-agent deal with the New York Jets.

Pollard seems like a common-sense solution to a defensive unit that ranked ninth in the NFL in 2014 in total yards allowed but was a mere 26th vs. the run.

Could Start For: San Diego Chargers

FS Thomas DeCoud

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The Indianapolis Colts have a Super Bowl-caliber offense with quarterback Andrew Luck and his slew of offensive weapons, which now includes free-agent additions such as running back Frank Gore and wide receiver Andre Johnson.

However, in recent years, the team's defense has not lived up to its billing. This past season, the Colts got great play out of Pro Bowlers such as cornerback Vontae Davis and strong safety Mike Adams, but more must be done.

Right now there’s a hole at free safety, as the Colts released LaRon Landry this offseason and Sergio Brown signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. It seems like a nice landing spot for Thomas DeCoud, who seeks to play for his third different team in as many seasons.

Released one year ago by the Atlanta Falcons, the former Pro Bowler latched on to the Carolina Panthers. He finished fifth on the team in tackles (50) and also knocked down three passes. Still, the Panthers opted to cut him loose.

He may not be a permanent solution, but DeCoud could give a team like the Colts a little insurance while they develop a younger player.

Could Start For: Indianapolis Colts

All free-agent information and player signings/transactions are courtesy of Spotrac. Depth chart information comes via Ourlads. Unless otherwise noted, all player and team statistics come from Pro-Football-Reference.com and ESPN.com.