In this edition of free agency signings, our staff shines a spotlight on an NFC North that underwhelmed as a whole last season.
Chicago Bears: S Tyrann Mathieu
The Chicago Bears could shock the league and decide to let both safety Adrian Amos and nickel cornerback Bryce Callahan walk in free agency. A move like that would almost certainly indicate something big is coming.
In a situation where both Bears starters hit the market, Chicago could essentially replace both guys with one big signing of free safety Tyrann Mathieu.
The Honey Badger would play opposite of Pro Bowl safety Eddie Jackson in most situations. He also has the ability to fill the void Callahan would leave as the nickel back.
If the Bears decide to play this scenario, the only thing they would have to ensure is another safety is ready to play opposite of Jackson in the situation Mathieu lines up as the nickel back.
– Alex Modine
Minnesota Vikings: WR Golden Tate
The Minnesota Vikings are a team that doesn’t have too much cap space. Their front office has shown to be very resourceful when rearranging salaries, and are usually able to obtain the players they want.
With all of this being said, the bold free agent signing that makes all the sense in the world for the Vikings would be Golden Tate. It is no secret, outside of Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen, the Vikings are hurting for a true third Wide Receiver. Tate fills that need perfectly.
Tate knows the NFC North all too well, and having him in purple will allow all Vikings fans to breathe easy for once when they hear his name. He is great at YAC (yards after catch), and having him in the slot gives Kirk Cousins a true third option. Tate might not be the flashiest free agent, but the Vikings spending the money and ending up with three truly talented wide receivers? It might be hard to pass up.
– Steve Lamplugh
Green Bay Packers: S Earl Thomas
The Packers need help at safety after they let Morgan Burnett sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers and traded away their Pro Bowl safety Ha-Ha Clinton Dix at the trade deadline last season. During the season they were so thin at the position, they had to have Tramon Williams play safety instead of cornerback.
Signing Thomas would give the Packers someone reliable in the defensive backfield and someone who could make an immediate impact.
There could be an argument to sign Landon Collins, who is five years younger than Thomas, but he has proven to be one of the best at his position over the last couple of years. Since 2010, Thomas has snagged 28 interceptions and has over 400 tackles. Signing Thomas would give the Packers a ball-hawking safety for the first time since Nick Collins, who had his career ended in 2011 due to a neck injury.
Thomas would also give the Packers yet another veteran in the defensive backfield and someone younger players like Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson can learn from.
– Hau Khuong
Detroit Lions: WR Chris Conley
The Detroit Lions have a list of potential cap casualties this off-season, and though they are not quite in salary cap “hell” they certainly aren’t swimming in cash like the Cleveland Browns. One of these casualties might be mainstay wide receiver Marvin Jones.
With a cap hit of $9.2 million for 2019, it may be hard for general manager Bob Quinn to justify paying his No. 2 WR that kind of money following Kenny Golladay’s first 1,000-yard campaign in 2018. With that being said, it would be a shocker for the Lions to cut Jones outright and hold onto his $5.4 million in dead cap. A trade would seem likely and there should be some interest from contenders for a WR of Jones’ caliber.
Assuming Quinn can make a move to clear Jones’ contract from his payroll, the team should look to secure a younger and cheaper option to fill that secondary wideout role and give quarterback Matthew Stafford some additional weaponry heading into 2019. Enter former Kansas City Chiefs receiver, Chris Conley.
Conley, 26, finished the 2019 campaign with 32 receptions, 334 receiving yards, and five touchdowns as the third WR and fifth overall receiving option on an incredibly versatile offense in Kansas City with QB Patrick Mahomes. Should he be given the opportunity to see more field time with another big-armed QB in Detroit, Conley could surely flourish into a true second option for Stafford in 2019.
– Keaton Henry
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