Written by Chris Burke at SI.com
The draft is over, and teams now have three months until the preseason begins (Arizona vs. Dallas on Aug. 3) to keep tweaking their rosters prior to Week 1. Once the undrafted-free-agent dust settles, GMs will turn their attention back to the veteran free-agent market, to start picking through the pieces remaining there.
So, who’s looking for a team? Here are a few of the best players still available as the calendar flips over to May:
Jay Cutler, QB: The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport revealed during draft coverage that Cutler had interest in playing for the Texans, but the team wouldn’t return his calls. So, what’s that leave for the ex-Bear? If Cutler doesn’t opt for retirement, the options are rather limited, mainly to teams that missed out on a QB at the draft—the Jets still stand out. Otherwise, perhaps he latches on somewhere around training camp.
Best team fit: New York Jets
Colin Kaepernick, QB: The Kaepernick debate long ago stretched beyond merely what he can or cannot do on the field, but also keep in mind a report by ESPN’s Dan Graziano that Kaepernick was looking for $9-10 million per year. If those possible demands have lowered by now, Kaepernick at least played well enough last season to warrant a look.
Best team fit: Arizona Cardinals
LeGarrette Blount, RB: It’s certainly no surprise to see a 30-year-old running back on the market in May, even one coming off an 1,161-yard, 18-touchdown season like Blount had last year. There doesn’t appear to be much room left on the Patriots’ roster (although, who knows? Bill Belichick can’t seem to stop adding RBs). But there ought to be other teams looking for a between-the-tackles option.
Best team fit: Detroit Lions
Jamaal Charles, RB: The talent always has been there, but the health has not—and maybe still isn’t. Charles, 30, has played just eight total games the past two seasons and is still working back from surgery on each of his knees. He could be a steal for a team willing to roll the dice that he can stay healthy.
Best team fit: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Michael Floyd, WR: Floyd became a Super Bowl champion in New England—despite being inactive for the game due to injury—after he was dropped late last season by Arizona following a DUI arrest. So, the 27-year-old obviously comes with off-field questions. He never lived up to his 13th-overall draft pick billing, but he did average better than 900 yards receiving from 2013–15 as a Cardinal.
Best team fit: Baltimore Ravens
Anquan Boldin, WR: All signs point toward the 36-year-old Boldin playing at least one more season. (He told SI.com last summer, after signing with Detroit, that he’d love to retire as a Lion.) Boldin is what he is: a physical, reliable possession receiver. He averaged just 8.7 yards per catch last year, but finished with almost 700 yards and scored eight times.
Best team fit: Minnesota Vikings
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