2016 NFL Free Agency: 5 Signings That Would Scare The League
By Erik Lambert
Every year there is a plethora of talented players available in NFL free agency, and every year there is at least one or two teams that fans around the league hope and pray don’t get them because then it just wouldn’t be fair. What are some of those possible deals that would strike fear across the league? Here are some of the most promising examples.
Alshon Jeffery to the New York Giants
Keep this in mind. Odell Beckham Jr. has torn up the NFL the past two years, and done so with limited help from any of the other receivers. Victor Cruz can’t stay healthy. Rueben Randle offers little in the way of explosiveness. So imagine if the New York Giants were able to pry Alshon Jeffery, a Pro Bowler with 6’3” size and world class hands, away from Chicago. In just nine games this past season he had over 800 yards with four touchdowns. Beckham would become even more of a terror and Eli Manning an MVP favorite. New York has the money to make a deal happen if Jeffery becomes available.
Trumaine Johnson to the Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks already have one of the best defenses in football. What could they possibly need with another standout player on that side of the ball? As the saying goes, “The rich get richer.” Pete Carroll loves his corners big and athletic. Since the departure of Byron Maxwell, they’ve had a hard time filling that spot opposite Richard Sherman. How perfect would it be then if they swiping the 6’2” Trumaine Johnson, who had seven interceptions in 2015, from their division rival Los Angeles Rams?
Muhammad Wilkerson to the Houston Texans
Quarterbacks will have nightmares for weeks if this came true. Understand that the Houston Texans will have over $27 million in cap space this coming March. They have the best defensive player on the planet in J.J. Watt at defensive end and have searched for a pass rush presence to put opposite him. How frightening would it be if they landed Muhammad Wilkerson? This is a 6’4”, 315 lbs human being who can move and run like a linebacker. He suffocates the ground game, but also has 26.5 sacks over the past three seasons. Put him and Watt together and what have you got? Devastation.
Kelechi Osemele to the Los Angeles Rams
It won’t be long before Todd Gurley can declare himself the best running back in football. Despite missing three games with injury, he still managed 1,106 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Los Angeles Rams, winning Rookie of the Year honors and a Pro Bowl nod. So imagine if they plugged Kelechi Osemele, one of the best run blocking guards in the league, into that front. Perhaps experts could start thinking about Gurley being the next 2,000-yard rusher in NFL history.
Olivier Vernon to the Oakland Raiders
Khalil Mack was a one-man wrecking crew for the Oakland Raiders in 2015. He posted 15 sacks, ushering himself in as one of the premier young pass rushers in football. That said, teams will figure that out sooner or later and begin to slide more and more blockers his way. The only way the Raiders can prevent that is if they have somebody on the opposite side who can also apply pressure.
With Aldon Smith facing suspension, they can and should consider putting that $71 million of cap space to use. Olivier Vernon emerged in a big way this year with 10 sacks and a whopping 30 hits on quarterbacks. He’s ready to get out of Miami and might love the idea of seeing constant single-blocking because of Mack.