With the NFL draft in the rearview mirror and the opening of training camps still two months away, there are several intriguing veterans available on the free agent market. The latest addition is wideout DeAndre Hopkins, who was released by the Cardinals on Friday after three years with the team. Hopkins can still help a contender in 2023.
Which teams should target Hopkins and the other top unsigned players? Let's find ideal landing spots for 10 veterans and three more players who requested trades over the past two months.
When I evaluate free agent-team matches, I'm looking at how each player fits in a scheme, how each might be able to help immediately and whether the team has the cap space to add players. Remember: This late in the process, it's highly unlikely players will get multiyear contracts. They're looking at one-year, low-risk deals that include incentives to make some more cash.
Let's get into the list, and we'll go in alphabetical order, starting with the best quarterback on the market:
Teddy Bridgewater, QB
Best team fit: Detroit Lions
I see a void behind Jared Goff in Detroit, which should add a proven, veteran signal-caller. Bridgewater can be a high-level No. 2 and fit the Lions' play-action heavy pass game. He's a rhythm thrower with the movement skills to get on the edges in this offense's boot schemes, too.
Adding Bridgewater would also give third-round draft pick Hendon Hooker more time to recover from an ACL injury while acclimating to a pro passing offense. Bridgewater can still play; in 16 starts over the past two seasons, he has completed 66.1% of his passes while throwing 22 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions.
Frank Clark, DE
Best team fit: New Orleans Saints
The Saints addressed their front during the draft, adding defensive tackle Bryan Bresee and defensive end Isaiah Foskey with their first two picks. I would still look at Clark, however, because of his traits and the upside he would bring to coach Dennis Allen's scheme.
Clark can align in the Saints' loaded fronts to get edge one-on-ones opposite Cameron Jordan and loop inside on stunts and twists. In the Chiefs' postseason run to a Super Bowl title, Clark had 2.5 sacks and six pressures, so we know he still has some pass-rush juice. For a New Orleans team that wants to compete for the NFC South title, he could help in nickel and dime fronts.
Jadeveon Clowney, OLB/DE
Best team fit: Baltimore Ravens
Clowney is a straight-line power rusher who can set a hard edge versus the run game, and he would fit in coordinator Mike Macdonald's defensive scheme in Baltimore. Yes, his production declined in Cleveland last season -- he had just two sacks -- but the 30-year-old can still create disruption in both the run and pass game. Clowney can play off the edge or align inside as a stand-up defensive tackle in the Ravens' multiple fronts.
Baltimore turned over its front seven, and I see a part-time role for Clowney there.
Ezekiel Elliott, RB
Best team fit: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Elliott is still one of the NFL's top goal-line and short-yardage runners, and he would complement Rachaad White's skill set in the Bucs' backfield. In 2022, Elliott had 12 touchdowns with nine scores on carries inside the 5-yard line.
Yes, the 27-year-old's speed has declined at this stage of his career, and he's not going to give a team much as a receiver. We can see that on the tape. But as a No. 2 in Tampa, Elliott would bring value to the offense in key game situations.
Leonard Floyd, OLB
Best team fit: Carolina Panthers
I'm surprised Floyd is still on the market -- the 30-year-old is coming off three straight seasons of at least nine sacks. He would fit as an outside linebacker in base 30 fronts in the Panthers' defensive scheme under new coordinator Ejiro Evero.
The real impact here would focus on him as an edge rusher opposite Brian Burns in Carolina's sub packages. Floyd is a productive, veteran rusher with a long 6-foot-5 frame and the lower-body flex to turn the corner. Adding him would allow Evero to better scheme his pass-rush matchups.
DeAndre Hopkins, WR
Best team fit: Kansas City Chiefs
Hopkins was released by the Cardinals last week after the team couldn't find a trade partner. It wasn't because he couldn't play, though -- the 30-year-old was scheduled to count $30.75 million against Arizona's cap. He is still a detailed and savvy route runner, and he has great ball skills. He can create matchup advantages in scoring position. In nine games last season -- only five of those came with quarterback Kyler Murray on the field -- he caught 64 passes for 717 yards.
There will be multiple teams with interest in Hopkins. The Bills fit here. The Jets, Patriots and Cowboys, too. Maybe even the Browns. With the Chiefs and coach Andy Reid, however, he could be used as a boundary target for Patrick Mahomes or work inside on leveled concepts to attack schemed voids in the coverage. Hopkins would join a title contender and upgrade the league's best pass game.
Justin Houston, OLB
Best team fit: New York Giants
Houston could fit with multiple teams in search of a veteran pass-rusher, but let's get him back under former Baltimore defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, who joined New York in 2022. Houston, who has 14 sacks over the past two seasons, played for Martindale in 2021, posting 4.5 sacks and 35 pressures. And we know the fit works for a Giants defense that can use him as a situational pass-rusher in pressure fronts.
Martindale's defense led the NFL last season with a blitz rate of 42%, which will create more one-on-ones for Houston with schemes that manipulate protection counts.
Yannick Ngakoue, DE
Best team fit: Chicago Bears
Ngakoue has notched 65 sacks over eight NFL seasons, including 9.5 in 2022 with the Colts. He can still get after quarterbacks.
In Chicago, he would fill a void for coach Matt Eberflus' defense, which added depth on the defensive line through free agency and the draft but still lacks a high-end edge rusher in passing situations. With Ngakoue in the mix playing opposite of free agent addition DeMarcus Walker, the Bears can boost their edge production in nickel fronts, which is critical for a defense that had a league-low 20 sacks last season. Ngakoue isn't a great run defender, but as a pass-rusher, he can play a role.
Marcus Peters, CB
Best team fit: Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders had six interceptions last season, which tied for the lowest total in the league. There's a real need for playmakers in the secondary. That's Peters, an aggressive, ball-hawking corner who has 32 interceptions over eight NFL seasons.
The scheme fit works well here, too, as Peters has the traits to break on throws in the Raiders' single-high coverages while also baiting the quarterback as a rolled-up flat defender in Cover 2. Even with the injury history -- Peters hasn't played a full season since 2018 -- his ability to create on-the-ball production would be an upgrade to the Vegas defense. The Raiders didn't draft a corner until Round 4 in April, so there are plenty of snaps available this season.
Dalton Risner, G
Best team fit: Los Angeles Rams
The Rams drafted guard Steve Avila in the second round in April, but I still see a spot for Risner to bolster the interior of their front. Risner's run block win rate in Denver last season (74.4%) ranked 10th among all guards. While he can be pressed in pass protection, he has the play strength to drop and anchor against power rushers.
This addition would be about adding depth and competition for a Los Angeles team that needs to upgrade along the interior line this season. According to ESPN Stats & Information research, Rams quarterbacks were sacked on 9.7% of their pass plays last season, the second-highest mark in the league, behind Chicago's 11.5%.
Potential trade candidates
These three players have requested moves away from their current teams:
Budda Baker, S, Arizona Cardinals
Best team fit in a trade: Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles signed safety Terrell Edmunds in free agency and drafted rookie Sydney Brown in Round 3, but would general manager Howie Roseman take a swing to land a veteran? Baker, who requested a trade in April, is one of the league's most urgent safeties. He has incredible play speed and would fit as a top-down defender in split-field coverages under new coordinator Sean Desai.
Baker had at least 98 tackles over the past five seasons, and he creates plays on the ball in coverage, too.
Devin White, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Best team fit in a trade: Tennessee Titans
White, who requested a trade in April, didn't play his best football in 2022, but his downhill acceleration and pursuit range would fit in Tennessee. Paired with free agent addition Azeez Al-Shaair, the Titans would have two stack linebackers with the traits to track the ball in the run game, pressure and roam the second level in passing situations.
The Titans have some salary cap issues -- White would want a new contract from the team that trades for him -- but they could figure out a way to give him a deal.
Jonah Williams, OT, Cincinnati Bengals
Best team fit in a trade: New York Jets
Williams, who lost his left tackle job after the Bengals signed Orlando Brown Jr. in March, isn't a perfect player. He allowed 11 sacks last season. But after the Jets didn't land one of the top offensive tackle prospects in April's draft, a trade for Williams would make sense, especially if it costs only a midround pick in next year's draft to get a deal over the line.
The 2019 first-round pick could challenge Mekhi Becton on the left side or start immediately at right tackle, solidifying the edge for new Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Plus, if he plays well, he could land a big extension.