NFL training camp is in full swing, the preseason approaches, and before long, the 2025 season will commence. It's time for the remaining veteran free agents to grab a chair.
Deep into this year's offseason process, a number of well-known players are still unsigned. Inevitable injuries could open jobs, and some clubs that wanted to give reps to younger players during offseason workouts might soon turn to veterans to solidify those positions.
With that in mind, let's play some NFL matchmaking, pairing 10 notable free agents with teams that make sense from the perspective of need and fit.
Last year wasn't pretty for Cooper in either Cleveland (24 catches for 250 yards and two TDs in six games) or Buffalo (20 catches for 297 yards and two more scores in eight games), but there should still be gas left in the tank. The 31-year-old can be a boundary weapon and knows how to find space in the red zone. The Chargers lost a receiver who could have provided those skills when Mike Williams decided to retire, abruptly ending his franchise homecoming. The L.A. brass has displayed confidence in the youngsters, but there was a reason Williams was signed to return this offseason in the first place. Cooper could serve as a veteran leader to the green corps. And he wouldn't be asked to be the go-to weapon, a role Ladd McConkey ran away with last year, instead buffering Quentin Johnston and providing a backstop if rookies Tre Harris or KeAndre Lambert-Smith stumble. Additionally, Cooper appears to be the type of grinder and leader Jim Harbaugh loves.
Big Blue reportedly met with Davis early in the offseason process, but the wideout has yet to find a landing spot. The connection with New York is obvious: General manager Joe Schoen was part of the Bills front office that drafted Davis in the fourth round in 2020, and head coach Brian Daboll was Davis' offensive coordinator in Buffalo for the first two seasons of his career. The Giants' receiver room is iffy behind the starting crew, led by stud Malik Nabers. Davis would provide field-stretching ability to pair with Darius Slayton. And camp injury scares to Nabers and Wan'Dale Robinson highlight this group's need for depth. After quickly washing out of Jacksonville, Davis profiles as a player who, in the right spot, could revamp his standing with a one-year contract. Given the familiarity with Daboll, New York makes sense as the setting for a prove-it deal.
At this point, it seems like the outside world cares more about the Steelers' WR2 gig than team decision-makers do. The offseason revamp of their aerial attack brought in DK Metcalf, who is a WR1, and tight end Jonnu Smith, who joins Pat Freiermuth as a good pass catcher at that position. But after trading away George Pickens, Pittsburgh appears to be banking on second-year pro Roman Wilson, who missed all but five snaps last year due to injury, and an aging Robert Woods to step up opposite Metcalf. If the Steelers want to finally break through their playoff doldrums, why not keep the party going with another veteran searching for a ring? Allen has dealt with injuries and struggled at times last year in Chicago, but he can still generate separation and would provide Aaron Rodgers with another experienced player who understands the nuances of the position. And while Allen and Woods are both 33, Allen's last 1,000-yard season (2023) is a much fresher memory than Woods' (2019). Allen's ability to play on the outside or slot would be a boon if Calvin Austin III and/or Wilson struggle to connect with Rodgers. The Steelers have gone all in this offseason. They shouldn't stop now.
Trading away Jonnu Smith and acquiring Darren Waller was certainly an interesting approach by the Dolphins at tight end. Counting on a formerly retired player who dealt with injuries even before he took a year off is a dangerous game. We saw last year how Mike McDaniel's offense can benefit from a pass-catching TE with move skills, as Smith finished second on the squad in receiving yards (884) and first in scoring grabs (eight). Adding another one of those players in Fant makes sense, particularly if the Waller gamble doesn't pan out. A first-round pick by Denver in 2019, Fant never produced gaudy stats, but he could always run and provided YAC when given space over three seasons with the Broncos and three more with the Seahawks. We know the Dolphins love speed, and they reportedly hosted Fant earlier this week. While Fant also has met with New Orleans and Cincinnati since being released by Seattle, Miami could provide him with the best chance to win a sizable role on a team in 2025.
It feels like the Eagles have been speculatively linked to Simmons from the moment Vic Fangio took on the defensive coordinator role in Philly last offseason. It doesn't seem like Philly has been in a rush to fill the safety void created by the decision to trade Chauncey Gardner-Johnson to Houston. The Eagles have repped Cooper DeJean at safety early in camp -- potentially as a way to ensure the playmaker stays on the field in non-nickel situations. However, the Super Bowl champs could use a veteran presence on the back end. The 31-year-old Simmons might not be the same high-flier he was in his Denver days under Fangio, but he can still cover ground and fits well in his former coach's scheme. At this stage of his career, coming off his release by the Broncos last offseason and a one-year stint with the Falcons, Simmons will presumably be chasing a ring more than cash, which would fit Philly's cause.
Detroit continues to be the spot that makes the most sense for the soon-to-be 33-year-old, who spent the second half of last season there after being acquired via trade from the Browns. The shallowness of the Lions' pass-rush crew is well-documented at this stage. If injuries strike again -- always a concern for any team counting on Marcus Davenport -- that issue will be even more pronounced. No longer an every-down player, Smith can still produce pressure in spurts and is solid enough against the run. The recent report from Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press that the Lions have "had dialogue about" fellow free-agent pass rusher Matt Judon reads like a possible push to Smith's camp to get a deal done. All the reports of Aidan Hutchinson's return have been outstanding. However, continuing to address the need for adequate depth to support the Defensive Player of the Year candidate remains a priority in Detroit.
The comments from Asante Samuel Sr. regarding Miami persuaded me to look elsewhere for a landing spot for his son. The Vikings fit the bill. Minnesota has questions at corner outside of Pro Bowler Byron Murphy. Mekhi Blackmon is coming off a torn ACL sustained last July. Jeff Okudah has never lived up to his first-round draft billing and continues to bounce around the league. And Isaiah Rodgers has started 13 games in his career (missed all of 2023 due to suspension). The 25-year-old Samuel Jr. has his detractions, including questionable tackling, but could find a fit in Brian Flores’ system. There are injury concerns with Samuel Jr., too (he missed 13 games last season), but the talent is there to take a swing.
New England spent big this offseason to bolster the defense. That can still continue. The addition of Milton Williams upgraded the interior. Harold Landry adds experience on the edge, but he’s on the back nine of his career. Why not bring in another former Mike Vrabel player to fill out depth? Last season in Carolina, Clowney generated 5.5 sacks, a number that would have led the 2024 Patriots (underscoring the sad state of the pass rush under the previous regime). He is only a year removed from a 9.5-sack campaign in Baltimore. Clowney began his NFL career with Vrabel in Houston and played for both the coach and Patriots defensive coordinator Terrell Williams in Tennessee in 2020. At this stage, Clowney is a rotational contributor, but he’d immediately bring more credibility to an edge rush that has underwhelmed in recent years.
The Raiders' secondary underwent an overhaul in Pete Carroll’s first offseason with the franchise, including the departures of Nate Hobbs and Jack Jones. Bringing in a presence like Gilmore makes sense for a head coach who leans on his veterans. Turning 35 in September, Gilmore still has juice in his legs and wants to continue his career into Year 14. His size and length fit well in a Carroll defense, and he’d provide a buffer if young players like third-rounder Darien Porter struggle out of the gate. At a notoriously volatile position, having a known commodity like Gilmore during a year of transition can help Las Vegas turn things around under the new staff.
I’m going to use this final spot to highlight the tenuous nature of the Cowboys' 2025 offensive line revamp. Early in camp, Dallas lost guard Rob Jones to a neck injury. Starting left tackle Tyler Guyton is expected to miss four to six weeks. And right tackle Terence Steele is dealing with an ankle injury. Woof. Unfortunately for the Cowboys, the free-agent market at tackle is ugly -- unless Tyron Smith decides to unretire to help out. With that in mind, let’s ship the Cowboys some guard help. Dallas has expressed a desire to keep Tyler Smith at guard and let him grow there. Guyton’s injury not being season-ending keeps that option alive -- otherwise, the best option might have been to flip Smith to LT and fill the left guard spot. Hernandez, who recently announced he’s healthy after last year’s season-ending injury, would provide some insurance on the interior, owning the ability to play on the left or right side. It’s not a sexy addition, but given the attrition the Cowboys O-line has already experienced, ensuring there is depth in front of Dak Prescott feels vital if Dallas is to bounce back in 2025.
