The bulk of 2020 NFL free agents have been signed but the 2021 class could be absolutely loaded if they aren’t slapped with a franchise tag by their teams.
NFL teams have collectively spent a fortune on free agents over the last several weeks. There are still a few talented players looking for landing spots this offseason, but most franchises have already turned their attention to next year’s class of free agents.
At the moment, it looks like a star-studded group of players. Some of the big names will be locked up by their current teams before the hit the open market, but that’s going to be an expensive proposition for the incumbents. Quite a bit of Pro Bowl talent could still hit free agency.
The following five players all can change a team’s fortunes if they make a move. The list begins with a running back whose value transcends his position.
5. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints running back
The Rams’ recent decision to cut Todd Gurley is yet another signal that NFL teams do not value the running back position. That makes Alvin Kamara’s potential foray into free agency a fascinating test case for teams around the league.
Teams interested in signing him will correctly point out that the majority of his value actually comes in the passing game. He may line up in the backfield, but he makes a living turning short passes from Drew Brees into big gains.
Interestingly, Kamara’s future in New Orleans may be tied to that of his franchise quarterback. As long as the Saints keep Brees in the fold it will make sense to spend big money on one of his favorite weapons. If Brees elects to retire, it could cause the franchise to let Kamara test the open market.
If he does hit free agency, expect plenty of teams to throw lucrative offers in his direction. Running backs don’t have a lot of value around the NFL currently, but smart teams will understand that Kamara’s value isn’t defined by the position he plays.