With the end of the 2016 NFL Season having wrapped up on February 5th, with the New England Patriots winning Super Bowl LI, we can now begin to prep for the 2017 Season. Free agency is a big part of the offseason. Here at Inscriber Magazine we are dedicated to bringing you the best offseason coverage around. Today we will begin a position by position look at the top free agents available. We will begin with the obvious position; Quarterback.
Mike Glennon
Glennon is a 4-year veteran of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was drafted to be their next franchise QB. He has a solid arm and can make all the throws. It is possible that he re-ups as the backup QB for the Bucs, however, a team needing a bridge could look at Glennon. He is fully capable of being a starter in the NFL. A team like the New York Jets could be a landing spot for a player like Glennon.
Brian Hoyer
Hoyer was playing well in 2016 prior to being injured. He is coming off of a break of his non-throwing arm. At the time he had completed 67% of his passes with 6 TDs and no INTs. Hoyer could be a definite bridge for a team that is QB needy but is not in the market to pay a high-priced free agent or draft. I could see him staying in Chicago with the possibilities of Jay Cutler being released.
Matt McGloin
McGloin is going to be more looked upon as a quality backup that could start if needed. I do not see him being signed as a free agent and given the starting job. He has shown that he can come in and produce when needed but is not a 16 game QB. I could see him with a team such as the Minnesota Vikings or Tennessee Titans as their number 2 QB.
[Sean]
Case Keenum
There were times in 2016 that Keenum looked the part of starting QB. I believe that he began to feel the pressure from both the fans and Jared Goff himself, which is why he folded midway during the season. He benefits from a quick pass offense. I see Keenum being signed, again, by a team needing a veteran backup. Look for a team like maybe the Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills or Washington Redskins to possibly acquire his services during free agency.
Kirk Cousins
Cousins is by far the top QB of the 2017 free agency class. Will he make it to free agency is the question? Many believe, along with me, that he will be franchised. However, which tag will be given is going to be the leading question. There are several QB hungry teams that will look to acquire his services. This will undoubtedly drive up his price. I look for Cousins to lead a three-team race for his services. The San Francisco 49ers, The Cleveland Browns, the Washington Redskins all will be bidding for him. Who will place the highest bid? Wait and see.
Keep in mind that these are the top 5 free agent QBs as of now. These do not include potential release candidates such as Tony Romo and Jay Cutler. If they are added to the field it would, of course, change the landscape. Where do you see the top free agent QBs from the weak 2017 class ending up? You can leave your comments below.
Follow Sean Naylor on Twitter @NFLINSC.