Alex Okafor rumors: 3 best fits

Free agent defensive end Alex Okafor is set to hit the free agent market next week, and should have no problem finding a potential suitor.

Okafor spent last season with the New Orleans saints after spending the previous four seasons in Arizona. Okafor put up a career high 43 tackles last year despite playing only 10 games after tearing his Achilles tendon. Okafor signed a one year “prove-it” deal with New Orleans in the 2017 offseason. Okafor could be set for a long-term deal this time around.

Okafor, 27, has plenty of gas left in the tank. With the ability to come off the edge, the five-year veteran provides invaluable depth along the front seven. Every year there is a veteran player that waits to sign until late in the free agency period.

This year, Okafor could be that guy especially after coming off a tough injury. Regardless, he should have plenty of suitors.

Best fits

1. New Orleans Saints

It simply makes too much sense for Okafor to re-sign with the Saints. New Orleans initially signed him to the one-year deal last year and loved what it saw. Keeping him should be a priority for this team.

Okafor also stated that he wants to remain a Saint back in December. When a player publicly states he wants to be back with a team it can go a long way. However, it takes two to tango and he’ll need the Saints to be interested as well.

2. Green Bay Packers

The Packers rarely make a huge splash in free agency, which would go along perfect with their identity. Okafor isn’t a flashy player by any means but he can definitely provide Green Bay with the defensive line help it needs on the edge. Aside from Mike Daniels, the Packers don’t have much going for them on the defensive line. Okafor seems like a natural fit with the Packers.

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3. Detroit Lions

Lions head coach Matt Patricia is a former defensive coordinator. He’ll be looking to shore up any and all defensive problems for his team this year. After going 9-7 the Lions weren’t too far from making the playoffs.

Anthony Zettel performed well for the Lions last year, but adding Okafor to the mix could be what the Lions are missing. Detroit’s defense struggled last season to step up when it was needed most. Okafor could be a great rotational player to dial up the pressure for Detroit.