NFL free agency kicks off next week, and it's a loaded class, even looking beyond the players who were franchise tagged.
While Dak Prescott is now off the market, free-agent quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Ryan Fitzpatrick have a chance to be starters somewhere in 2021. At the skill positions, Aaron Jones, JuJu-Smith Schuster, Allen Robinson II, Will Fuller V and Jonnu Smith are among the talented, young players who will cash in and have big roles next season. There's also a great group of edge rushers and defensive backs available. There are also a few under-the-radar players who could thrive on new teams.
Where do the top players in this class fit best? That often goes overlooked, but it's a crucial part of the free-agent evaluation process. Teams can spend tens of millions of dollars to fill needs and create roster competition, but if those players don't fit in with how the coaching staff operates, the bust potential is much higher, and their production won't match the contract.
That's why I wanted to run through the best scheme fits for the top guys. Where could each player thrive? Let's start with the signal-callers:
Jump to:
QB | RB | WR | TE | OL
EDGE | LB | DB
Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB
Best scheme fit: Patriots | 2020 team: Dolphins | Age: 38
The Patriots could also be in play for a veteran such as Marcus Mariota or Jimmy Garoppolo. But I like Fitzpatrick in Josh McDaniels' offensive scheme. Give me an aggressive, veteran thrower who can deliver the ball off play-action and use his movement traits to escape/extend. In nine games last season, Fitzpatrick posted a QBR of 76.9 -- good for fifth overall in the league -- with a completion percentage of 70% on play-action throws. In New England, McDaniels can set the table for him on defined reads out of 12 and 21 personnel, and the arm talent is there to throw schemed-up verticals.
A one-year deal makes sense for Fitzpatrick, who also has enough second-reaction ability to play off-schedule. Chicago could be in the mix, too, as Matt Nagy still needs a No. 1 quarterback.
Cam Newton, QB
Best scheme fit: Washington | 2020 team: Patriots | Age: 32
Newton's 2020 tape with the Patriots was extremely inconsistent, including his ball location on timing and rhythm throws. If we are looking for the best fits here, however, then I see a spot for Newton with Scott Turner's system in Washington. There, Turner can scheme for Newton on quick-game/RPO throws while creating second-level windows to attack. Plus, with Newton's dual-threat ability, the QB run game is still a threat to opposing defenses. Last season, Newton rushed for 404 yards on 116 designed rushes -- with 11 touchdowns.
Newton could end up signing as a high-end No. 2 during free agency, and there is always a possibility that Washington moves up in the draft to land Trey Lance or Mac Jones in the top 15 picks. But the veteran Newton has the traits to produce in Turner's offense.
Note: Newton re-signed with the Patriots on Friday.
Andy Dalton, QB
Best scheme fit: Eagles | 2020 team: Cowboys | Age: 33
I expected more production from Dalton last season in the 11 games he played after Prescott's injury. He had a total QBR of just 53.8. And he could still be an option for multiple teams looking for a "bridge starter" at the position in free agency. I see him as a high-end backup behind Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia, however.
Think of Dalton as a veteran mentor who was has been in every game situation during his career. And the scheme fit works, too, under new Eagles coach Nick Sirianni. Dalton can throw the quick/intermediate game, use his movement ability on boot and deliver the ball on schemed-up crossers off play-action.
Jameis Winston, QB
Best scheme fit: Saints | 2020 team: Saints | Age: 27
With the expectation that Drew Brees retires, I see the Saints re-signing Winston as the projected starter in 2021. Yes, Winston threw only 11 passes last season, but he has the throwing and movement traits to produce in Sean Payton's heavily schemed route tree. And with Winston as the No. 1 in New Orleans, Payton can continue to use Taysom Hill as a versatile piece in the offensive game plan.
Remember: Winston is still only 27, and he's coming off a season in which he got to sit and learn behind one of the best quarterbacks ever. He could still have a long career ahead of him.
Mitchell Trubisky, QB
Best scheme fit: Titans | 2020 team: Bears | Age: 27
Trubisky could be a fit in Tennessee as a high-end No. 2 behind starter Ryan Tannehill in an offense that marries the run and pass games. From Weeks 13-17 last season in Chicago, Trubisky completed 73% of his passes in a heavily defined pass game, one that used play-action throws off outside zone looks. The role works here with a quarterback who also brings movement ability to the Titans in a backup role.
Aaron Jones, RB
Best scheme fit: Dolphins | 2020 team: Packers | Age: 26
Jones could still re-sign with the Packers, and he has been extremely productive there. And with dual-threat traits, he has the most value of any running back on the market. He has topped the 1,000-yard rushing mark in each of his past two seasons, with 96 receptions and 30 total touchdowns. And the fit is there for Jones with Miami in both the run and pass game. Think zone-run schemes here that cater to his short-area burst and vision, plus the pass concepts that can use his traits both out the backfield or when flexed from the formation.
By signing Jones, whom I also see as one of the top red zone runners in the league, the Dolphins can add more playmaking ability around Tua Tagovailoa.
Kenyan Drake, RB
Best scheme fit: Cardinals | 2020 team: Cardinals | Age: 27
The best fit for Drake's one-cut, north/south running style is back with the Cardinals in Kliff Kingsbury's offense. Drake, who rushed for 955 yards last season while playing on the transition tag, can get downhill with some juice out of shotgun/pistol alignments, while making himself available for quarterback Kyler Murray as an underneath outlet in the pass game.
And with Chase Edmonds still in the mix for the Cards, Kingsbury has two backs to share touches.
James White, RB
Best scheme fit: Buccaneers | 2020 team: Patriots | Age: 29
Bringing White back should be a priority for the Patriots given his route-running traits out of the backfield. He'd be a stellar fit, however, reuniting with Tom Brady in Tampa. If there is one element to upgrade in the Bucs' offense, it is the pass-game impact from the running back position. White would boost this offense given his ability to win underneath on flat routes and angles, plus his ability to find pockets of space on screen concepts.
In his final season with Brady in New England, White caught 72 of 95 targets for 645 yards and five touchdowns. White also would be a low-cost option for a Bucs team up against the salary cap.
Corey Davis, WR
Best scheme fit: Washington | 2020 team: Titans | Age: 26
Davis averaged 15.1 yards per reception in the Titans' play-action, heavy-pass game last season. He's a straight-line player, with some tightness in his lower body that shows up at the top of the route. He can bring some juice to an offense in Washington that lacked explosive play ability, though.
In this situation, Davis could work opposite of Terry McLaurin, upgrading the wide receiver position. Run the deep outs/corners and produce on middle of the field throws that give him windows to exploit.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR
Best scheme fit: Jets | 2020 team: Steelers | Age: 24
Smith-Schuster, who caught 97 passes in the Steelers' Air Raid system last season, would fill an obvious need at the position in New York, plus I really like the scheme match with new offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, who left Kyle Shanahan's staff to join the Jets. Smith-Schuster can run the in-breakers on the defined play-action throws, create after the catch on crossers/quicks/screens and attack the intermediate windows on deep overs.
In addition to the physical playing style Smith-Schuster would bring to the Jets, I see him as volume target who can make himself available for a team that could be starting a rookie quarterback if they decide to move on from Sam Darnold.
Will Fuller V, WR
Best scheme fit: Packers | 2020 team: Texans | Age: 27
The tape and the numbers tell us that Fuller is a legit vertical threat, with enough shake to set up defenders on deep, multiple breaking routes. Last season, he averaged 16.6 yards per catch, while recording 14 explosive play receptions (receptions of 20-plus yards).
Green Bay could go all-in for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, giving him a deep-ball threat who can lift the safeties to create more room for Davante Adams, with the ability to win one-on-ones outside of the numbers.
Marvin Jones Jr., WR
Best scheme fit: Bengals | 2020 team: Lions | Age: 31
With 18 touchdowns in his past two seasons, Jones has some scoring upside. And we know he can bring a vertical element to the field on deep corners and fade balls. With the Bengals, Jones steps in for free agent A.J. Green to work with Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd. That gives quarterback Joe Burrow three viable targets in the Bengals' schemed-up pass game, which would allow Jones to also run in-breakers/crossers out of 11 personnel.
Kenny Golladay, WR
Best scheme fit: Ravens | 2020 team: Lions | Age: 27
With the need to bolster the pass game in Baltimore to make a serious run in the playoffs, the Ravens should make a run at Golliday and give quarterback Lamar Jackson a proven No.1 wide receiver with the route-running traits, size/catch radius and scoring upside to create more pass-game production.
The Lions should be in on trying to re-sign Golliday, too, and we could see both the Colts and the Patriots in the mix as well.
Curtis Samuel, WR
Best scheme fit: Giants | 2020 team: Panthers | Age: 25
Samuel should draw strong interest on the market due to his versatility in the game plan and his dynamic traits after the catch. In 2020, he caught 77 passes for 851 yards, and he also logged 41 rushing attempts for 200 yards.
With the Giants releasing veteran Golden Tate, I like Samuel in New York. This is an offense that lacks juice at the wide receiver spot, and I believe Samuel can be schemed both inside and outside of the numbers, in addition to the manufactured touches the Giants can create on-fly sweeps and screens to get him loose in space.
John Ross III, WR
Best scheme fit: Rams | 2020 team: Bengals | Age: 25
Ross had only two receptions in three games for the Bengals last season. In 2019, however, the former first-round pick averaged 18.1 yards per reception. He has elite speed. And, in L.A., I see Sean McVay and the Rams adding a deep-ball target for quarterback Matthew Stafford. Schemed shot plays that use the high-end arm talent of Stafford to create explosive plays, in a pass game that should be more vertical in 2021.
Hunter Henry, TE
Best scheme fit: Chargers | 2020 team: Chargers | Age: 26
Henry should draw real interest on the market. He will be just 26 at the start of the 2021 season, and the route-running traits are there to function and produce in most NFL offenses. However, I still see the best fit for Henry back in L.A. with quarterback Justin Herbert and working under new offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi.
Lombardi can scheme Henry on spacing concepts, and bring a more vertical approach with the tight end on seams and corners off play-action out of 21 and 12 personnel groupings.
Jonnu Smith, TE
Best scheme fit: Bills | 2020 team: Titans | Age: 26
Smith, who caught eight touchdown passes last season in Tennessee, has the dynamic traits to produce in an offense with more throwing volume. And he gets that here in Brian Daboll's system. In addition to upgrading the position in Buffalo, Smith would give quarterback Josh Allen a boost on middle-of-the-field throws, while also occupying safeties to create more one-on-ones for wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
There is seam-stretching ability with Smith, plus the run-after-the-catch traits to tack on numbers in the open field. And given Daboll's ability to scheme players open in one of the NFL's best red zone packages, Smith could emerge as a top target for Allen inside the 10-yard line.
Rob Gronkowski, TE
Best scheme fit: Buccaneers | 2020 team: Buccaneers | Age: 32
With the expectation that Gronk comes back for another year (or two), then the Bucs are the easy pick here for the veteran tight end. With a defined role in both 11 and 12 personnel, plus the iso throws in the red zone, he can still create production in the Bucs' offense with Tom Brady at quarterback.
Plus, given Gronk's ability as a blocker in the run game, and on maxed-up play-action throws in pass protection, I would offer the tight end who caught two touchdowns in Tampa's Super Bowl LIV win a two-year deal in free agency.
Trent Williams, OT
Best scheme fit: 49ers | 2020 team: 49ers | Age: 33
Williams will be 33 at the start of next season, but how many guys can play the position as efficiently as the veteran tackle does on tape? I see Williams as a top-10 tackle in the league, with the movement traits in pass pro to counter the top edge rushers in the NFC West, plus he has the athletic ability to climb to the second level in the zone run game. His best fit is back with the Niners in Kyle Shanahan's offense.
Joe Thuney, G
Best scheme fit: Bengals | 2020 team: Patriots | Age: 28
Thuney is a technician up front, a strong positional blocker with the movement traits to pull or climb. And his high-level football awareness shows up in pass protection. That's a fit for a Cincy offensive line in need of upgrades to protect quarterback Joe Burrow. The Bengals could use the No. 5 overall pick in April's draft on a tackle, too.
Corey Linsley, C
Best scheme fit: Steelers | 2020 team: Packers | Age: 30
With Linsley expected to move on from Green Bay, could the Steelers make the numbers work here? The tape tells us that Pittsburgh failed to create consistent movement off the ball last season, and with Maurkice Pouncey retiring, there is a need for the Steelers at the center position. Linsley would upgrade this offensive line due to his easy movement traits.
Yannick Ngakoue, Edge
Best scheme fit: Jets | 2020 team: Ravens | Age: 26
Ngakoue has the best pass-rushing traits of any edge defender on the market. We can point to his quickness off the ball, the natural bend or the disruptive ability to create impact plays.
He would fill a major need for the Jets in Robert Saleh's defense, where they can scheme one-on-ones for Ngakoue to win edge matchups. Keep an eye on the Colts here, too.
Bud Dupree, Edge
Best scheme fit: Seahawks | 2020 team: Steelers | Age: 27
After tearing his ACL late last season, Dupree could start the season on the PUP list. But given the need for an edge rusher in Seattle, he fits as a sub-package edge defender with the traits to create disruption for a contending team. And he could get a one-year prove-it deal from the Seahawks.
Trey Hendrickson, Edge
Best scheme fit: Bills | 2020 team: Saints | Age: 26
Hendrickson is looking at a multiyear deal after a breakout season with the Saints, where he had a career-high 13.5 sacks. While I don't see scheme-transcendent edge rusher traits here, he has shown the ability to win with speed to power and active hands. Plus, his high-energy play-style would fit the Bills' defensive culture.
The Bengals also make sense for Hendrickson, especially if they let Carl Lawson walk in free agency.
Shaquil Barrett, Edge
Best scheme fit: Buccaneers | 2020 team: Buccaneers | Age: 28
I expect the Bucs to work out a three- or four-year deal to keep Barrett. And even though his sack totals dropped from 19.5 in 2019 to 8.5 last season, he's a key part of a Tampa pass rush that took over the postseason.
With schemed twist stunts and favorable pass-rush matchups, he has the traits to win one-on-ones and use his short-area speed to close on the quarterback.
Haason Reddick, Edge
Best scheme fit: Cardinals | 2020 team: Cardinals | Age: 26
I would work to keep Reddick if I were running the Cardinals, even after the move to bring in veteran J.J. Watt. This would allow defensive coordinator Vance Joseph to use Reddick and Chandler Jones off the edge, with Watt aligned inside out of the Cardinals' multiple pressure fronts. And, Reddick, who had 12.5 sacks last season, has juice off the ball with the ability to win one-on-ones.
Matthew Judon, Edge
Best scheme fit: Titans | 2020 team: Ravens | Age: 29
Edge rusher has to be a priority for the Titans through free agency or the draft. And Judon is a great fit there. He has 22.5 sacks in his past three seasons with Baltimore. While Judon doesn't have high-end traits, he can be schemed out of pressures and overload fronts where he can win with both strength and power.
Leonard Floyd, Edge
Best scheme fit: Chargers | 2020 team: Rams | Age: 28
With Melvin Ingram on the free-agent market, I could see new Chargers coach Brandon Staley bringing in Floyd to rush opposite Joey Bosa. After Floyd was cut by the Bears last year, he had a career-high 10.5 sacks in Staley's system last season. Staley schemed four- and five-man fronts that allowed Floyd to use his first-round traits -- bend, length, short-area burst -- to win one-on-ones.
Romeo Okwara, Edge
Best scheme fit: Browns | 2020 team: Lions | Age: 26
I wouldn't be surprised if Detroit re-signs Okwara, who is coming off a 10-sack season and is just entering his prime. With Cleveland looking for a pass-rusher opposite Myles Garrett, though, I have the Browns landing Okwara, who can play as a 7-technique defensive end. And the tape is solid here, for a rusher who has both power and counter moves. That'd be an outstanding duo.
Carl Lawson, Edge
Best scheme fit: Colts | 2020 team: Bengals | Age: 26
The Bengals should make a play to keep Lawson, but I like the idea of the edge rusher in Indianapolis to fill a major need for the Colts. With the disruptive traits of defensive tackles DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart, the Colts could use Lawson on stunts or set him up with one-on-ones off the edge. And that's where we see the power in his hands, short-area juice and the effort plays that lead to pressures.
Melvin Ingram, Edge
Best scheme fit: Patriots | 2020 team: Chargers | Age: 32
Ingram is likely past his prime, and he didn't have a sack in five games last season. But he's talented. And in Bill Belichick's defense, I could see the Patriots using Ingram as a schemed-up pass-rusher who can slant inside off stunts or loop to the edge.
This would be a great match for a veteran who has 49 career sacks -- and is the type of low-cost, high-ceiling move Belichick likes to make.
Jadeveon Clowney, Edge
Best scheme fit: Raiders | 2020 team: Titans | Age: 28
The Raiders need difference-makers up front in their zone-heavy defense under new coordinator Gus Bradley. They should take a shot with Clowney on a one-year deal filled with incentives.
The veteran is coming off an injury, and he has only three sacks in his past past seasons. He's an explosive, linear pass-rusher who can be schemed, however, and he has the ability to track down runs from the backside given his pursuit speed.
Lavonte David, LB
Best scheme fit: Buccaneers | 2020 team: Buccaneers | Age: 31
David will be 31 at the start of the 2021 season, but all we have to do is turn on the tape of the Bucs' Super Bowl LV win to see his impact and value in Todd Bowles' defense. David has the traits to match tight ends -- as we saw versus Travis Kelce -- with the second-level speed to cut off the ball in the run game or make plays in space. He's a prime fit next to Devin White.
Matt Milano, LB
Best scheme fit: Eagles | 2020 team: Bills | Age: 27
Milano would be an upgrade at linebacker in Philadelphia, and the traits are there to play a three-down role for the Eagles. He can be schemed as a rusher off pressures (3.5 sacks last season), and he will play off-contact to find the ball in the run game, too.
Plus, with the ability to drop in coverage, and move in space, Milano can match in zone coverage or close windows as an underneath hook defender in sub packages.
Desmond King, CB
Best scheme fit: Titans | 2020 team: Titans | Age: 26
The Titans traded for King at midseason in 2020, and his best bet is to return. King, who also has special-teams value as a returner, is a physical slot corner with ball skills who can tackle in space. He can play as a top-down curl defender or use his physical traits in coverage. And given how much late movement and disguise the Titans use in the secondary, King fits as a sub-package defender.
Shaquill Griffin, CB
Best scheme fit: Seahawks | 2020 team: Seahawks | Age: 26
I see the Seahawks bringing back their No. 1 cornerback. Griffin has enough top-end speed to match or recover vertically, and he's a tremendous match for the zone-heavy Seattle defense in both single-high and split-safety coverages. That's where we see Griffin use his physical tools in coverage or when tackling in the run game. Griffin, who had three interceptions last season, has the ball skills to create turnovers.
John Johnson III, S
Best scheme fit: Lions | 2020 team: Rams | Age: 25
Johnson's playing style jumps on the tape. He's an urgent defender who can drive on the ball from a quarters alignment or spin down to play as an underneath robber/curl defender. There is transition speed in his game to close on receivers, or run the alley to track down ball carriers. While Johnson recorded only one interception in 2020, he has eight career picks and plenty of on-ball production.
In Detroit, with the expectation that new defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn runs more split-safety schemes, Johnson's play-speed and disruptive traits fit.
Anthony Harris, S
Best scheme fit: Browns | 2020 team: Vikings | Age: 29
Harris had better tape and production in 2019 with the Vikings, where he checked in with six interceptions. I still like his fit in Cleveland's heavy split-safety defense, and he could get a multiyear deal after playing on the franchise tag last season.
The Browns' defense caters to Harris' rangy play-style as a quarters or deep-half defender, where he can cut routes or overlap the ball to create impact plays.
Richard Sherman, CB
Best scheme fit: Raiders | 2020 team: 49ers | Age: 33
Sherman played in only five games last season, and he's not the same player he used to be. With Gus Bradley running the defense in Vegas, however, Sherman is an easy fit as an outside 1/3 corner who can match verticals, squeeze in-breakers and tackle in the run game.
Plus, Sherman would bring his unique intangibles to the defensive back room in Vegas, for a coaching staff that wants veteran leaders in the building.
Malik Hooker, S
Best scheme fit: Eagles | 2020 team: Colts | Age: 25
Hooker played in only five games last season due to an Achilles injury, and he suffered a torn ACL during his rookie year. But he has first-round traits as far as range and ball skills, and he's still young.
In Philly, he fits as a deep half/post defender for a defense that needs to create both on-ball production and impact plays at the safety position. I would sign Hooker to a one-year deal and bet on the high-level traits.