With NFL free agency looming, the staff at NFL Fan Blitz has come up with one bold free-agent target for each NFL team. In this edition, our writers dive into the NFC East.
New York Giants: RT Daryl Williams or C Matt Paradis
When the free agency period begins on March 13, the Giants’ first priority should be resigning team captain Landon Collins. Assuming the quarterback conundrum will be addressed in the first round of April’s NFL Draft, then getting some beef up front on Big Blue’s offensive line should follow.
Clearing lanes for rookie dynamo Saquan Barkley and protecting whichever young signal caller cannot be understated enough for the future of this ball club’s success. Nate Solder was brought in last year to provide to a long term solution at left tackle. Second round mauler Will Hernandez slotted in next to him at left guard. Outside of them, the rest of this line is as porous as they come.
While it’s not the boldest move out there, this team doesn’t need Le’Veon Bell, it needs to support what they already have. Which is—on paper—one of the most dynamic offenses in the league.
Both guys have health question marks, but when healthy both have graded very high. Establishing a strong run game will help tremendously with Eli Manning’s progressing age or his young protege’s eventual learning curve.
– Nathan Richey
Dallas Cowboys: DE/LB Jadeveon Clowney
The Dallas Cowboys have major needs in free agency. The biggest priority for the Cowboys is to bring back their top two free agents Byron Jones and Demarcus Lawrence.
After that, it’s a guessing game as to what the Cowboys will do.
Most people are looking for the Cowboys to stand pat. But they if they want to make a statement, Dallas should go out and poach a star from the other Texas team; Houston Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney.
Clowney is in his prime. His pass rushing skills are not perfect, but But he possesses elite run stopping ability. He would fit perfectly with Lawrence on the opposite side of the line, and give Dallas one of the best defensive fronts in football.
Signing Clowney would not come cheap, but it would be a major boost to the team. It would help everyone on the defensive line get after the quarterback, which would take the pressure off of a young Dallas secondary.
Most of all, it would make Dallas’s offensive line better. Imagine them going up against him every day in practice. The Cowboys need another defensive star, and Clowney is the man that fits the mold.
– Austin George
Philadelphia Eagles: RB Kareem Hunt
The Philadelphia Eagles bold free agent signing this offseason should be running back Kareem Hunt. Roger Goodell has stated that his investigation into Hunt will be wrapping up in the coming weeks during his “State of the NFL” address and Hunt will most likely face a suspension.
The talk surrounding Hunt and the Eagles this coming offseason has serious merit, and it stems from when Hunt was cut. Sources around the league said Philly was looking into the former Kansas City Chief. The Eagles desperately need an every-down back and Hunt fills that hole in their offense.
Hunt is perfect for the style of offense the Eagles run because it is similar to the Chiefs, most likely because of head coach Doug Pederson’s time in Kansas City. Hunt can both run and catch the ball very well out of the backfield.
The best stat about Hunt is that he doesn’t fumble the ball; he has two fumbles in his last 1,401 touches between college and the NFL. This signing would come with baggage, but the Eagles have signed and traded for questionable guys in the past; plus, it makes football sense.
– Michael J. McCafferty
Washington Redskins: WR Cole Beasley
It’s no secret the Redskins have a mediocre receiving corps in Jamison Crowder, Josh Doctson, Michael Floyd, and Paul Richardson. Enter Cole Beasley.
Since his rookie debut in 2012, he’s put up some pretty decent numbers. Over Beasley’s career, he has caught 319 balls on 450 targets for 3271 yards and 23 total touchdowns.
He averages about 10 yards per reception, which might not be as much as other receivers, but the targets and receptions speak for themselves. Not to mention his perfect attendance from 2014 on, missing only a total of 8 games in 7 seasons.
Reliable, talented, and unhappy with his role in the current offense with the Cowboys, Beasley would be an excellent addition to the Redskins. No better way to get revenge than moving to an archrival right?
– Daniel Thomas
