With Week 15 of NFL action already started, it’s time to look ahead to the impending 2019 NFL free agency.
In this five-part series, we’ll break down the top 25 players who’ll be deciding whether they want to remain with their current teams or take their talents elsewhere when they hit the open market in March.
For part one of the 2019 NFL free agency preview, we’ll be counting down the first five players on the list.
25. RB Kareem Hunt
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While he is one of the most talented free agents available, signing running back Kareem Hunt would certainly cause a lot of controversy. Hunt was released by the Kansas City Chiefs and placed on the commissioner’s exempt list after a video came out of Hunt shoving and kicking a woman in a Cleveland hotel back in February.
Being placed on the commissioner’s exempt list is the equivalent of being suspended indefinitely, so there is no way of knowing when Hunt would be able to take the field for his new team. Of course, if the incident with Ray Rice is any indicator of what to expect here it is possible Hunt will never play another down in the NFL.
That being said, the offensive production that Hunt can add to a team may be attractive enough to get a team to test the waters once outrage about the incident has died down.
Prior to his suspension and release, Hunt ran for 824 yards and seven touchdowns according to Pro Football Reference. He also hauled in 26 catches for 378 yards and seven receiving touchdowns.
24. OT Daryl Williams
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Daryl Williams was the Carolina Panthers starting right tackle until he was placed on injured reserve after suffering his second knee injury of the season. Williams tore his right MCL and dislocated his patella in the first week of training camp but opted not to have surgery, instead he elected to rehabilitate his knee. Despite being cleared to play in the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys, Williams didn’t make it through the game before suffering another knee injury.
There’s no word on a timeline for Williams’ recovery, but it is possible that he will return to the field in 2018. Williams became a full-time starter for the Panthers in 2017, starting all 16 games at right tackle. Over the course of his career, Williams has started 29 games and played in 40 games.
23. WR Golden Tate
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The Detroit Lions made headlines this season when they decided to trade Golden Tate to the Philadelphia Eagles for a third-round pick. Tate is in the final year of his contract and the price tag to keep him in Honolulu blue was too steep for the Lions.
Prior to the trade, Tate made 44 receptions for 517 yards and three touchdowns in eight games for Detroit. He has just 19 receptions for 189 yards and one touchdown since being traded to Philly.
Tate has 600 catches, 7,125 yards, and 38 touchdowns for his career. All these stats are brought to you courtesy of Pro Football Reference.
Tate will be 31 years old when the 2019 season starts.
22. OT Trent Brown
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With the best prospective left tackles in the NFL, including Jake Matthews, Taylor Lewan, and Duane Brown, signing contracts during training camp this year, Trent Brown is the best option for teams looking for a tackle to protect the blind side
While it’s become increasingly rare for a plus starter on the offensive line to reach the market, the Patriots have many key players in the final year of their respective contracts. This could mean that another team will have a chance to lure Brown away.
21. CB Ronald Darby
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The 2019 NFL free agency looks a little scare when it comes to cornerback options. While there will be plenty of veterans like Brent Grimes, Morris Claiborne, and Orlando Scandrick available as short-term solutions, there aren’t many young building blocks that’ll be up for grabs. Enter Ronald Darby.
The Florida State product entered 2018 on the final year of his rookie contract and was counting on a good year to boost his value in free agency. Unfortunately, Darby suffered a torn ACL during the Eagles Week 11 matchup with the Cowboys.
According to the advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus, Darby was among the 30 best cornerbacks in the NFL this season before going down with the injury. In nine games this season, Darby recorded 43 tackles, 12 passes defended, and one INT.
Darby could still earn a huge free-agent contract like Trumaine Johnson did this year, but he may start next season on the physically unable to perform list, which would greatly impact his value. If Darby isn’t going to be ready for the start of the season he may just look to re-sign on a one-year deal with the Eagles.
That’ll do it for our first look ahead at the 2019 NFL free agency. Be sure to check back for the remaining 20 players on our list.
