Free agency is exciting, regardless of the sport and even when the class of players does not include the luster of an elite group. And the 2020 NFL free-agent class features some big names to watch. But where will they all end up? And more important, where should they all end up?
Let's pull out the long-range lens and examine which team profiles as the best fit for each of the top 25 free agents for 2020, a list compiled by my colleague Kevin Seifert in October. Here are my thoughts on each player's best landing spot come March, factoring in any and all pertinent angles.
1. Tom Brady, QB
Best fit: New England Patriots
Brady has a chance to reach the open market for the first time in his career, leading to speculation as to whether he would head elsewhere for the final stages of his career. Although such a move is possible, staying in New England allows Brady a chance to continue to compete at the highest level and cement his legacy as a rare player who plays for the same team throughout his career. It would make sense for both the player and the team to negotiate another one-year extension that allows him to play into his age-43 season in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
2. Drew Brees, QB
Best fit: New Orleans Saints
There's no need to overthink this one either, as Brees has remained one of the NFL's best quarterbacks and leads a dominant Saints group again this season. The Saints have assembled a roster that is set to stay in the championship mix through at least 2020, and while the team admirably won with Teddy Bridgewater during Brees' absence due to a thumb issue earlier this season, Brees is the heartbeat of the franchise and a priority to keep beyond this season.
3. Philip Rivers, QB
Best fit: Chicago Bears
If not for the strong play of Ryan Tannehill, the easy route would have been suggesting Rivers to the Titans, who play in his home state. Obviously a return to Los Angeles is in play here, but Rivers' unsteady play this season has people at least wondering about his future. Chicago needs a quarterback fix and is in no position to draft one without a first-round pick. This would be a fun one.
4. Dak Prescott, QB
Best fit: Dallas Cowboys
This negotiation feels like it could drag on for a while, as Prescott appears bound for a franchise tag as a starting point. But all roads seem to lead back to Dallas, which makes sense for both parties. The Cowboys have their foundation in place at several key spots along the roster, with Prescott's status as the most pressing question hanging in the balance. But he has proved he's a star quarterback, deserves to be among the richest ever and can lead this team to contention.
5. Yannick Ngakoue, DE
Best fit: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jason Pierre-Paul restructured his contract and is now a free agent this offseason, as is Shaquil Barrett. So what the Bucs need is what Ngakoue presents: pure, relentless and consistent pass rush. The price tag will not be cheap -- a franchise tag could be the most likely option in Jacksonville -- but the Buccaneers need to capitalize on a roster that in some spots is ready to win.
6. Brandon Scherff, G
Best fit: New York Jets
The Jets tried to use Band-Aids on an offensive line flesh wound this past offseason, but the acquisitions of Kelechi Osemele and Ryan Kalil proved futile. Scherff is a no-nonsense road grader. Jets general manager Joe Douglas, a former college offensive lineman himself, should identify Scherff as a building block.
7. Teddy Bridgewater, QB
Best fit: Chicago Bears
The Bears need to hunt for a quarterback upgrade this offseason, but absent a first-round pick, free agency is their best avenue. As mentioned, Rivers is also an option, but Bridgewater was so impressive filling in for Brees earlier this season, including three starts with a completion percentage north of 70%. Similar to the situation in New Orleans, Bridgewater would land with a Chicago team that has a rock-solid defense and would be immediately good enough to compete again.
8. Marcus Mariota, QB
Best fit: Arizona Cardinals
I view Mariota as backup quarterback at this juncture of his career. And Arizona would benefit from Mariota's experience and ability to help Kyler Murray in his continued growth. While Murray has not been fully unleashed as a runner yet, Mariota has the requisite athletic ability to run some similar concepts if pressed into duty.
9. Jameis Winston, QB
Best fit: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
My own evaluation of Winston is that he is not a starting quarterback whom I'd feel comfortable relying upon for a full 16-game season because of his carelessness with the football. But after evaluating the Buccaneers' ability to acquire a new signal-caller, seeing their recent comments on Winston and understanding their overall commitment to him over the past five seasons, I'd expect he will be back -- with the franchise tag in play.
10. Jadeveon Clowney, DE
Best fit: Seattle Seahawks
While part of the package in acquiring Clowney was an assurance it would not use the franchise tag on him, Seattle almost certainly wanted to add him with a long-term vision in mind. Clowney had a slow start to the season on the sack front but is Seattle's unquestioned most disruptive edge player and can remain a defensive building block for the Seahawks going forward.
11. A.J. Green, WR
Best fit: Philadelphia Eagles
Even understanding that many of Philly's struggles this year at wide receiver have been about injury, it's still a major need. Green -- himself out this season because of an ankle injury -- is such a terrific talent and the type of player who would help rectify this offense's problems in a hurry.
Adam Schefter makes a case for why the Bengals should trade A.J. Green before the deadline instead of letting him walk in free agency.
12. Amari Cooper, WR
Best fit: Dallas Cowboys
Is there really any need to overthink this one? The only question is how much it will cost the Cowboys to retain Cooper. They still have to sign Cooper's quarterback, Prescott, as well.
13. Byron Jones, CB
Best fit: Arizona Cardinals
Arizona general manager Steve Keim has shown a willingness to be aggressive in free agency when targeting preferred players. Jones would supplement a cornerback group led by Patrick Peterson. This is a position that the team should continue to add to through both youth (draft) and experience (free agency). And Jones would help right away.
14. Chris Jones, DT
Best fit: Kansas City Chiefs
Jones has become a play-wrecking force in Kansas City, piling up sacks while living in opposing backfields. He has a rapid first step off of the snap of the ball and the ability to shoot gaps and collapse the interior of a pocket. The Chiefs need him.
15. Trae Waynes, CB
Best fit: New York Giants
While 2019 first-round pick DeAndre Baker will become a better player going into his sophomore season, the G-Men need to continue to work hard to fortify their secondary. Waynes has plenty of speed and good on-ball production, and he can be a useful starter in their defensive backfield. But cornerbacks don't come cheap on the open market.
16. Anthony Castonzo, OT
Best fit: Indianapolis Colts
While Castonzo was not drafted by current general manager Chris Ballard, it would make tons of sense to extend him this offseason. The Colts have built a sturdy offensive line that sets the tone for their offense, with Castonzo anchoring the all-important left tackle spot. No reason to go anywhere.
17. Marcus Peters, CB
Best fit: Baltimore Ravens
Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta pounced on the chance to trade for Peters when the Rams made him available in part because of a need for future financial planning. The move has paid off, as Peters has blended in seamlessly and continued to do what he has long done: produced when the football is thrown his way. We'll see whether Jimmy Smith and Brandon Carr are back in 2020, but Peters and Marlon Humphrey (with a returning Tavon Young) make for an excellent cornerback foundation.
18. Chris Harris Jr., CB
Best fit: Houston Texans
After trading away both of their top picks in the 2020 draft already, the Texans' best chance to solidify roster weaknesses will be in free agency. Harris is versatile enough to play inside and out, flexing the confidence needed to be a man coverage corner against top wideouts.
19. Hunter Henry, TE
Best fit: Los Angeles Chargers
Henry is a legitimate, bona fide, no-doubt-about-it star when healthy. He has unfortunately dealt with multiple injuries early in his career but has returned strong this season and is one of the game's top tight ends. The Chargers need to ensure he's a part of their core to build around going forward.
20. Jason Pierre-Paul, DE
Best fit: Oakland Raiders
While a return to Tampa Bay may be in the cards, I think the rugged and explosive JPP would be a smart addition for the Raiders. Yes, the rookie class has provided immediate returns, and Maxx Crosby has potential aplenty, but there's no such thing as too much depth among pass-rushers. The Raiders are ready to make another leap in 2020.
21. Leonard Williams, DT
Best fit: New York Giants
The Giants didn't trade away multiple picks at midseason to not keep Williams around long term. I expect him back with Big Blue.
22. Jarran Reed, DT
Best fit: Seattle Seahawks
Reed has come a long way to develop into one of the Seahawks' best players when playing at his maximum ability. He's an explosive interior rusher and a force against the run.
23. Melvin Gordon, RB
Best fit: Kansas City Chiefs
Hear me out: The Chiefs have used a committee approach this season at running back with mixed results. I do not expect them to pony up substantial cash for a back this offseason, and I'm not convinced Gordon sees a robust market. Let's envision a scenario where Gordon doesn't fetch that long-term deal he desires and realizes a season in a high-octane offense to build his value back up makes sense for a payday in 2021. A modest one-year, prove-it deal? Sensible to me.
24. Emmanuel Sanders, WR
Best fit: San Francisco 49ers
Sanders has conveyed previously that he wants to play for a team that has a chance to compete at the highest level. Suffice it to say the 49ers fit the bill. While the team has made several investments in young wideouts, Sanders' professionalism and on-field production are a boon for the entire offense.
25. Bud Dupree, OLB
Best fit: Pittsburgh Steelers
It's been a breakthrough year for Dupree, who has set career highs in sacks, tackles, forced fumbles and fumble recoveries already this season in an impact role for Pittsburgh. The Steelers are wise enough to know they can't let Dupree out of their grasp, and it makes too much sense for him to stay in Pittsburgh and be a part of an enviable young defensive core.