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Odell Beckham Jr., Chidobe Awuzie, James Conner and Zach Ertz have been amongst ESPN’s listing of gamers who may use a change of surroundings final yr. They bought theirs and made it work.
OBJ caught a landing within the Tremendous Bowl and earned a hoop with the champion Los Angeles Rams.
Awuzie began 14 video games at cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals and was an enormous cause they opposed the Rams in Tremendous Bowl LVI. Awuzie had two interceptions, 14 passes defensed and 4 tackles for loss — all profession highs.
Ertz and Conner have been a part of the large turnaround for the Arizona Cardinals, who made the postseason for the primary time since 2015. Ertz caught 56 balls after he was traded to the desert; Conner posted 18 complete touchdowns to rank third within the NFL.
So who wants to maneuver on this yr? A few of these names are repeats from final yr. And never everybody will make a smash at a brand new handle. However as you have simply learn, it could actually occur. Our NFL reporters provided up one candidate every from the group they cowl who may profit from new environment.
Leap to:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
NFC EAST
Guard Connor Williams
He began 51 of the 57 video games he performed for the Cowboys from 2018 to 2021. As a second-round choose, he was presupposed to be one other stalwart offensive line choose with Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick, Zack Martin and La’el Collins. It’s not that he performed poorly, he simply did not play nice on a regular basis. His energy improved over time and he was in a position to transfer nicely, however he was nonetheless topic to being overpowered and getting caught out of place. In 2021, he was penalized 15 occasions with 12 penalties accepted, which led to him dropping his job for a spell. He is set to be a free agent in March, and the Cowboys aren’t in place to say goodbye to a beginning lineman, however for all concerned it might be higher for Williams to discover a new house so he’s not consistently reminded of his penalties and falling wanting turning into a Professional Bowl kind taking part in alongside Smith and Martin for many of his 4 seasons. — Todd Archer
Tight finish Evan Engram
The expertise is at all times teasing. Yearly appears to be the one the place the first-round choose from 2017 will lastly get away. It is not going to occur in New York, although. Engram’s finest season (64-722-6) was his rookie yr. It is best for each events if he tries to stay as much as that potential elsewhere and doesn’t re-sign with the Giants. — Jordan Raanan
Extensive receiver Jalen Reagor
Expectations have been excessive in Philly when Reagor was chosen twenty first total within the 2020 draft, particularly contemplating the Eagles handed on Justin Jefferson to take him. Jefferson’s profession instantly took off, Reagor’s has but to, and that has created an ungainly pressure between participant (33 catches for 299 yards and two TDs final season) and metropolis. A recent begin would alleviate a few of the strain and permit Reagor to play extra freely. — Tim McManus
Guard Brandon Scherff
There isn’t any doubt Washington would love him again; he stays a high participant at his place. He has made one All-Professional group and he is a five-time Professional Bowler. However he additionally has performed on the franchise tag the previous two seasons and there was little professional motion towards a long-term deal, whether or not that is due to a need to go away or as a result of the tag made a deal troublesome. Washington did make a suggestion that will have made Scherff the highest-paid guard, however taking part in on the tag was a wiser enterprise resolution. The exhausting half for Washington now could be: What kind of contract do you supply? Scherff has not performed a full season since 2016 and has missed a mixed 22 video games the previous 4 years. Nearly as good as he’s, and regardless of a need to maintain him round, this relationship seems to have run its course. — John Keim
NFC NORTH
Extensive receiver Allen Robinson II
It wasn’t way back that Robinson was the man in Chicago, however 2021 modified all the things. He and Justin Fields by no means linked in a significant means, whereas second-year man Darnell Mooney emerged because the rookie QB’s go-to man. He generally is a stable No. 2 whereas the Bears seek for a No. 1. At this level, Robinson is like becoming a sq. peg right into a spherical gap. He wants to maneuver on. — Jesse Rogers
Exterior linebacker Trey Flowers
This is not a knock on the Lions group, which is within the midst of a rebuild, however at this level in Flowers’ profession he could possibly be an awesome asset to a championship contender or playoff-ready franchise. At 28, Flowers is a two-time Tremendous Bowl champion with New England, however was harm plagued this previous season for the Lions, which pressured the group to position him on IR for the second straight season after he harm his knee. His contract could possibly be a difficulty, although, after Detroit gave him $90 million over 5 years in 2019 with $56 million assured. — Eric Woodyard
Exterior linebacker Za’Darius Smith
Smith went from being the Packers’ most necessary defensive participant in 2019 and 2020 to a nonfactor in 2021. Sure, he handled a again harm that basically ended his season after Week 1 (he did return for the playoff sport), however there have been points even earlier than that. He needed a brand new contract final offseason and did not get one. He missed your complete offseason program and most of coaching camp, after which bought upset when he wasn’t elected a group captain. The Packers want all of the cap area they’ll get, they usually’d achieve $15.75 million by transferring on from him. — Rob Demovsky
Defensive finish Danielle Hunter
The Vikings have till March 20 to resolve whether or not they’re choosing up Hunter’s $18 million roster bonus that was added into his present deal final offseason. Minnesota reworked the defensive finish’s contract to set him as much as earn a large extension, however a pectoral tear final October restricted Hunter to simply seven video games in two seasons after a neck harm pressured him to overlook all of 2020. Nobody is aware of Hunter’s medicals and whether or not he’ll be capable to bounce again to being the participant who grew to become the quickest to notch 50 profession sacks higher than the Vikings. In the event that they imagine they’ll get a deal completed with their star defensive finish at a reduced price resulting from these accidents, he’ll be in purple going ahead. However after two disappointing years and together with his line of defense coach Andre Patterson now on the Giants, a commerce or launch would permit Hunter a much-needed recent begin, and the Vikings would save $14.64 million towards the cap. — Courtney Cronin
NFC SOUTH
Tight finish Hayden Hurst
The 2018 first-round choose’s function modified as soon as Atlanta drafted Kyle Pitts final yr. Hurst, whose fifth-year possibility wasn’t picked up by the group, had 31 targets final season (he had 25 extra catches than that in 2020) and solely 26 catches for 221 yards and three touchdowns. He has the abilities of a No. 1 or a No. 1B tight finish, and in Atlanta he seemingly would not get the pay or reps commensurate with that, so it is sensible for Hurst to go play elsewhere, the place alternative could possibly be extra plentiful. — Michael Rothstein
Tight finish Ian Thomas
He has been a coaching camp star since being chosen within the fourth spherical of the 2018 draft, however he has by no means emerged as a regular-season star. Positive, he is a reliable blocker. However by way of the receiving menace Carolina desperately wants at this place … not a lot. Thomas had solely 18 catches this previous season and solely 54 prior to now three mixed. He has solely 4 touchdowns in 4 seasons. It simply has by no means been an awesome match. — David Newton
Cornerback Bradley Roby
The Saints traded a third-round choose for the veteran starter throughout Week 1 of final season. However he wound up taking part in solely about one-third of their snaps whereas rotating in with rookie starter Paulson Adebo. Roby, 29, continues to be a high quality cornerback, however the Saints won’t wish to pay his $10 million wage contemplating their tight cap constraints. — Mike Triplett
Tight finish O.J. Howard
The nineteenth total choose within the 2017 NFL draft had just a few bouts of dangerous luck within the type of accidents — a ruptured Achilles ended his season prematurely in 2020 — and the group expressed religion in him by choosing up his fifth-year possibility final season. However even when Rob Gronkowski missed 5 video games in 2021 resulting from harm, Howard was nonetheless nowhere to be discovered. He managed simply 14 catches for a career-low 135 yards in 17 regular-season video games. He bettered that mark in simply 4 video games final yr. He is set to change into a free agent. — Jenna Laine
NFC WEST
Linebacker Jordan Hicks
Hicks requested for a commerce final offseason after the Cardinals drafted his replacements within the first spherical of back-to-back years. When he did not get it, he went out and began all 17 video games and led the group in defensive snaps. However after going via that final offseason, Hicks — like each participant — deserves to be on a group that appreciates him. That clearly is not Arizona. — Josh Weinfuss
Offensive deal with Joe Noteboom
The Rams drafted Noteboom with a third-round choose in 2018, with the plan being that he would study from and take over for Andrew Whitworth. Nonetheless, regardless of Noteboom’s improvement, that plan by no means materialized given Whitworth signed an extension and proved that he couldn’t solely proceed as a starter, however compete on the highest degree. With a number of alternatives to fill in as a starter, together with in an all-important divisional-round win over the Buccaneers, Noteboom proved he’s additionally fully able to beginning at left deal with within the NFL. If Whitworth places off retirement once more, it might be finest for Noteboom to maneuver on as an unrestricted free agent to someplace he can begin. — Lindsey Thiry
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo
Garoppolo and the Niners have been on the trail to a divorce since San Francisco traded as much as No. 3 and drafted Trey Lance in April. Now, it is only a matter of discovering the best match. Chances are high, the Niners and Garoppolo’s representatives will work collectively to get one of the best compensation package deal whereas sending Garoppolo someplace he can have success. Take it from Jimmy G himself, there’s one thing to be stated for a recent begin: “Completely,” Garoppolo stated. “I do not know if it will be simpler or tougher. Annually’s troublesome on this league. I imply, it at all times is, however that is a part of the explanation I adore it. Nothing’s given to you, you have to earn all the things on this league and it is not simple. I believe that is simply one thing that I embrace and I form of take pleasure in in a means.” — Nick Wagoner
Defensive finish L.J. Collier
The twenty ninth choose of the 2019 draft was a wholesome scratch in seven of the primary 10 video games of final season as Seattle went with greater our bodies in the course of its new-look line of defense. If the Seahawks keep on with that in 2022, then they may once more view Collier as too small to play inside and never twitchy sufficient to play on the sting. He had three sacks plus a game-saving stuff whereas beginning each sport in 2020, however produced little in his different two seasons. — Brady Henderson
AFC EAST
Guard Jon Feliciano
Shifting on is sensible for each side. It is not a should, however it might be a sensible step. Feliciano misplaced his beginning function in the course of the 2021 season to Ike Boettger and Ryan Bates after stints on injured reserve and the COVID-19 listing. The Payments would save over $4 million by designating him as a post-June 1 reduce. Former Payments offensive line coach Bobby Johnson is now in the identical function with the Giants, and Feliciano has labored with Johnson for many of his skilled profession. It might be a logical reunion. — Alaina Getzenberg
Offensive deal with Jesse Davis
Davis nonetheless has one other yr remaining on his contract however was the Dolphins’ second-worst pass-blocking lineman in 2021. The worst was 2021 second-round choose Liam Eichenberg, and he is not going wherever contemplating his draft standing. Miami wants to enhance its offensive line and, logically talking, is extra more likely to transfer on from Davis, who’s the lone beginning offensive lineman from final season who was not drafted by the group. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
Extensive receiver N’Keal Harry
The thirty second choose within the 2019 draft was a wholesome scratch in a Week 17 win over the Jaguars, after which when he returned to motion within the group’s subsequent two video games, his affect was minimal. It had an end-of-the-road kind of really feel to it. Harry performed 28% of the offensive snaps and completed with 12 catches for 180 yards and no touchdowns final season, together with his main contributions coming as a blocker. Maybe a group that had a excessive draft grade on him would think about dealing a conditional late-round choose to see if a change of surroundings brings out his potential. — Mike Reiss
Extensive receiver Denzel Mims
The 2020 second-round choose has been a disappointment and could possibly be on the transfer earlier than or in the course of the draft. The present teaching employees did not draft him and hasn’t embraced Mims, a sloppy route runner who struggled to study the offense. He has had exhausting luck, too — accidents, meals poisoning (dropped 15 kilos) and COVID-19. In 20 video games, he has solely 31 catches and no touchdowns. There isn’t any denying his bodily expertise, nevertheless it’s not clicking in New York. Possibly he can reunite together with his former faculty coach, Matt Rhule, with the Panthers. — Wealthy Cimini
AFC NORTH
Offensive deal with Alejandro Villanueva
It is anticipated that the Ravens will reduce Villanueva after one season to create $6 million in salary-cap room. A longtime offensive lineman for the Steelers, Villanueva was a foul match at proper deal with and was unable to fill the void left by injured left deal with Ronnie Stanley. Villanueva allowed 17 sacks this previous season, three greater than some other participant, in accordance with ESPN Stats & Data analysis. This was a disappointing free-agent addition for Baltimore, which gave Villanueva $8 million assured. — Jamison Hensley
Cornerback Trae Waynes
Waynes got here throughout a few of the worst luck in two seasons with the Bengals. An injured pectoral stored him out of all of 2020 and a hamstring drawback stored him off the sphere lengthy sufficient in 2021 for him to lose his beginning job. With a cap hit of greater than $15 million for the ultimate yr of his deal, it is best for each side to maneuver on from one another. — Ben Child
Extensive receiver Jarvis Landry
Whereas taking part in via harm final season, Landry completed with simply 52 catches, 570 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns (although he had two extra on the bottom), and did not do a single interview via the group after Odell Beckham Jr. was launched midseason. Landry has an upcoming cap hit of $16.6 million however no assured cash left, creating a possibility for the Browns to maneuver on, ought to they wish to. Landry stated Tuesday that he would “like to remain” in Cleveland however added that he’s assured he can nonetheless be a contributor elsewhere. — Jake Trotter
1:10
Chris Canty says there’s a ton of strain on Baker Mayfield if the Browns launch Jarvis Landry.
Tight finish Eric Ebron
Ebron entered Steelers coaching camp because the No. 1 tight finish, however rookie Pat Freiermuth constructed a robust reference to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and supplanted Ebron as the highest tight finish goal by midseason. Ebron, set to be a free agent, had a career-low 18 targets in 2021, down considerably from 91 in his first yr with the Steelers. After a season-ending knee harm on a landing towards the L.A. Chargers in Week 11, Ebron spent the vast majority of his rehab together with his household away from Pittsburgh. Ebron has the expertise and athletic capability to be a receiving menace, however to return to his 2018 Professional Bowl kind, he wants a recent begin. — Brooke Pryor
AFC SOUTH
Security Justin Reid
Reid outplayed his third-round draft choose standing in his 4 seasons in Houston, however he and the Texans didn’t get a contract extension completed earlier than or in the course of the season. Through the season, Reid was benched for violating group guidelines after he challenged head coach David Culley’s teaching in a group assembly. Now that Reid can hit the open market, the Texans do not anticipate Reid to be again in 2022. — Sarah Barshop
Working again Marlon Mack
It is simple to neglect that it was simply in 2019 that Mack rushed 1,091 yards as a result of the Colts have Jonathan Taylor, who the led the NFL in speeding in 2021, on the roster. It is due to Taylor and Nyheim Hines that Mack was mainly an afterthought on the depth chart final season. Mack, who tore his Achilles in Week 1 of the 2020 season, appeared in solely six video games whereas spending many of the season as a wholesome inactive. The Colts failed to maneuver Mack on the commerce deadline final season. He’ll be solely 26 whereas coming off a season the place he had solely 28 carries in 2022, so there should not be any questions on his capability to contribute nonetheless. — Mike Wells
Heart Brandon Linder
Linder’s subject is he cannot keep wholesome. He has missed 41 video games in eight seasons — together with 15 the previous two seasons — due to varied accidents/diseases. He additionally has the third-highest cap worth ($10 million) on the roster in 2022. There isn’t any lifeless cash to chop him. Backup Tyler Shatley has been stable in aid of Linder — and hasn’t missed a sport prior to now six seasons. The Jaguars may decide to re-sign Shatley as an alternative. — Michael DiRocco
Linebacker Rashaan Evans
Evans, a first-round choose in 2018, fell out of the rotation final season. Over 4 seasons, he began 59 video games however was a wholesome scratch for the Titans’ divisional-round loss to the Bengals. The midseason acquisition of Zach Cunningham and emergence of David Lengthy have led to Evans’ seemingly departure through free company. — Turron Davenport
AFC WEST
Working again Melvin Gordon III
The Broncos have sufficient cap area to re-sign a number of of their very own free brokers. It’s a massive listing that features three linebackers and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Gordon has spoken of his sometimes-bumpy relationship with the group’s trustworthy. First, he was the man who bought the large contract when Phillip Lindsay did not, after which final season he was the man who was preserving Javonte Williams from getting extra carries. For a group that has labored to attain touchdowns, Gordon has had 20 of them over the previous two seasons and has led the group in speeding in back-to-back years. He has stated he wish to come again, however Williams figures to be a high quality slot in Nathaniel Hackett’s offense and Gordon may merely need rather less drama about the entire thing. — Jeff Legwold
Defensive finish Frank Clark
The Chiefs reduce linebacker Anthony Hitchens on Tuesday, and Clark could possibly be subsequent. He has had some massive moments for the Chiefs however not sufficient of them. The group can save nearly $13 million towards their wage cap by releasing Clark, although they would want to search out some assist for his or her go rush in the event that they transfer on with out him. — Adam Teicher
Linebacker Cory Littleton
What, you thought I used to be going to say Derek Carr? Look, Littleton was presupposed to be the crown jewel of the Raiders’ free-agent class of 2020 as a game-changer in go protection. As an alternative, he struggled — mightily — and was changed by rookie Divine Deablo because the group made its playoff run late within the season. Maybe new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and his 3-4 scheme sensibilities can get extra out of him. As a result of in any other case, Littleton’s $15.7 million cap quantity is a large determine with which to deal. — Paul Gutierrez
Offensive deal with Storm Norton
Norton stepped in when Bryan Bulaga went on injured reserve after Week 1, however lacked quick-reflex talent for the place. He improved because the season went on however is definitely not a full-time substitute. The group may be capable to discover a higher proper deal with within the draft or in free company, and Norton may profit from a recent begin elsewhere. — Shelley Smith