2021 NFL Free Agents: Predictions for Players Who Will Command Most Interest

NFL free agency is the time of year in which franchises reexamine their rosters and look for the pieces that will help them improve, evolve and hopefully earn a Super Bowl ring in the coming year. For some teams, it is an excuse to restock talent. For others, it is the opportunity to pluck one player from another team, fill a hole on their roster and take the next step toward a world championship. 

This offseason, several recognizable stars will enter free agency, with their destinations not immediately known.

Quarterbacks Dak Prescott and Mitchell Trubisky find themselves uncertain of their destinations, while a highly valued pass-rusher like Shaq Barrett will command attention and dollars from a team one cog away from the big game.

In preparation for the transaction-heavy period of the NFL calendar, take a look at these highly sought-after impending free agents and where they may end up next.

Dak Prescott

Ron Jenkins/Associated Press

The gruesome compound fracture and dislocation of his ankle that ended Dak Prescott's season may call into question his availability for the start of the 2021 season, but what is not is the work he is putting in to be as ready as possible when that time comes, per Jori Epstein of USA Today.

Counting the small victories on his road to recovery, Prescott will do everything in his power to be ready by kickoff next September. The question remains whether it will be in a Dallas Cowboys uniform or that of another team.

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones reiterated in an interview with 105.3 The Fan in Dallas (h/t Dallas Morning News) that there is no nervousness or hesitation to sign their 2016 fourth-round draft pick.

"We're not nervous to sign Dak," he said Dec. 9. "I think his makeup is all the right things. He's an amazing man off the field, he's a great leader in our locker room, a great player and that's why we've wanted to sign him long-term."

Jones blamed the salary-cap hit as the one thing holding up negotiations.

Prescott started off 2020 at his statistical best. He lit up the league, netting three consecutive 450-yard games and, although he has not played in two months, still has more touchdowns than division rival Daniel Jones of the New York Giants.

As beloved as he is by the Cowboys, and as much of a locker-room leader as he is touted by his teammates, it would seem highly unlikely he does not end up back with the team as part of a long-term deal. Both Jones and father Jerry are master negotiators, and Prescott has made it clear that he wants to remain in Dallas.

The two sides will work things out, and the next time Prescott is able to suit up, it will be with the blue star on the side of his helmet. 

Projection: Re-signs with Dallas

Shaq Barrett

Mark LoMoglio/Associated Press

Shaquil Barrett had a monster season in 2019, amassing 19.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, an interception and 58 tackles. While he did not reach those numbers this year, the 28-year-old is still a disruptive force for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who must be accounted for on every play.

The drop-off in numbers, though, may prove to be just enough for the Bucs front office to reevaluate whether Barrett is worth dealing out a big contract for in the offseason, especially as the team loads up on help for Tom Brady on the opposite side of the ball.

Given how valuable pass-rushers are in today's NFL, there will be a demand for Barrett's services.

Perhaps with another Super Bowl contender.

The Tennessee Titans have struggled at rushing the passer throughout the season and are currently the league-worst in terms of third-down pass rush. Vic Beasley from Atlanta and Jadeveon Clowney from Seattle were brought in specifically to help shore up that area, but injuries and lackluster play have made for diminishing returns.

Bringing in an explosive player like Barrett would help give the defense the jolt it needs so that it does not go to Green Bay and get smacked the way it did Sunday night by a quarterback like Aaron Rodgers, who can pick the defense apart if there is no concern for a rush.

Tampa Bay, suddenly a spender in the league, may throw money at Barrett, but with the attention in that organization very clearly on the offensive side of the ball, look for the explosive rusher to find a home elsewhere with a team that seriously needs his services.

Projection: Signs with the Titans

Mitchell Trubisky

Gary McCullough/Associated Press

Mitchell Trubisky's subpar play earlier this season got him benched in favor of Nick Foles, despite a 3-0 record. The Bears proceeded to fall into a slump that threatened their playoff chances and the future of head coach Matt Nagy.

An injury to Foles in Week 11 allowed the former No. 2 overall draft pick to resume his role as starting QB, and all he managed to do was light a fire under the offense that has scored less than 30 points in only one of the last five games—four of which Chicago won.

While a great deal of that sudden offensive onslaught can be attributed to recommitting to the run game and the excellent play of back David Montgomery, there is no denying that the team that has taken the field since Week 12 is different than what it had been under Foles.

Which begs the question: After Chicago declined Trubisky's fifth-year option, making him a free agent, does the storied franchise break the bank to re-sign him?

Inconsistent play and questionable decision-making are still trademarks of the University of North Carolina product, but it is impossible to deny how much of a difference-maker he has been for a Bears team that figures to be a difficult out if they make it into the postseason.

Trubisky has not had a game with less than a 97 passer rating over the last four weeks. While those games have come against Detroit, Houston, Minnesota and Jacksonville, you can only beat the teams on your schedule.

Will he have to play infinitely better than he ever has if the Bears hope to beat the Packers and cash their ticket to the playoffs?

Absolutely.

Is the team playing well enough under him? 

Yes.

That may be just enough to land him back in Chicago. Even if he is not the anointed starter.

Projection: Re-signs with Chicago

Jam-Packed Wide Receiver Group

Emilee Chinn/Associated Press

Chicago's Allen Robinson II, Detroit's Kenny Golladay, Pittsburgh's JuJu Smith-Schuster and Tampa Bay's Chris Godwin are all set to hit free agency this offseason, and demand for the wideouts should be high.

Robinson was the subject of trade talks as late as November but remained with Chicago. After the Bears were unwilling to give him a big-money deal following a strong 2019 season, it is unlikely the team will break the bank to reward him for a season that has not been up to par with last.

Godwin and Smith-Schuster have both struggled to regain form in 2020.

Smith-Schuster has been more recognized for his social media posts than a key figure in Pittsburgh's offense, while Godwin has struggled with injuries and an ever-evolving relationship with new quarterback Tom Brady.

Golladay's own injuries have kept him off the field in what should have been a lucrative season for the underrated receiver.

All four of those wideouts can be difference-makers for any team. They have proved it in years past. The question is whether teams will shell out big money to either retain or gain their services.

Robinson has been the most consistent of the bunch, even if he is not the most explosive or dynamic. He is a great hands guy, a possession receiver who can beat any corner. He is reminiscent of the great Tim Brown of Oakland Raiders.

A team like Jacksonville or Miami, both in need of wideouts, could be in play for him. Ditto for Godwin and Golladay, both of whom have proven themselves number ones for their respective teams.

Smith-Schuster, if he leaves Pittsburgh, is best suited in an offense in which he can play opposite a big-time threat. He benefited exponentially from having Antonio Brown across the field from him in his rookie season and could thrive somewhere like Arizona, with DeAndre Hopkins, or even Green Bay, where he could take some of the pressure off Davante Adams and provide Aaron Rodgers another quality target.

Projections

• Golladay signs with New England
• Robinson signs with Miami
• Godwin re-signs with Tampa Bay
• Smith-Schuster re-signs with Pittsburgh.