Secondary Impact

Photograph of:

Xavien Howard

Next week, everyone will focus on Wednesday, March 14th @ 4pm. Why? Because everyone (myself included) will be refreshing their phones to see which players your team may sign. Whether you follow Schefty, Rapaport, or Meriov, you will constantly be checking to see if your team spent some money. As we know though, it’s not always who gets to acts the quickest. Yet, it’s who acts the smartest. That’s why I am here to tell you one thing - be patient. If your team isn’t splurging on Day 1, it’s not the end of the world. And it also doesn’t mean your team won’t get real, impact players. We compiled a small list of players who won’t be signed Day 1 who will make an immediate impact on their new team in 2024. Call it a secondary impact…

1. Danielle Hunter, EDGE

   An obvious pass rusher who can move the needle. I can think of several teams that would benefit immensely from Hunter’s presence. Because of that, I think he’ll have a lot of suitors. Hunter should assess which scheme maximizes his ability on top of his pay, which will lead to him not sign immediately. A couple of teams have new coordinators, so that’s important to note in terms of his decision to sign. 

2. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Safety

   I noticed that teams who need a safety also need a CB. L’Jarius Sneed was franchise tagged by Kansas City, but he could ultimately end up being traded, and could potentially determine CGJ’s suitors. There were rumors he could go back to the Eagles and if that’s true, then you can rule out a first day signing for sure. I think it’s also important to note that elite players like this have contract demands that not many teams have the flexibility to accommodate. I wouldn’t rule out a potential return to Detroit either, as it seems he was the most important player on that defense when he was on the field last season.

3. Austin Ekeler, Running Back

   This one should come as no surprise. The reason I don’t think he’s going to be signed on Day 1 is pretty simple; Ekeler believes his value is extremely high. Well, prior to this season, I would be inclined to agree. However, due to his 2023 production and the aversion to rewarding running backs in free agency, Ekeler may be waiting for a bit. Not to mention Derrick Henry and Saquon are both free agents and they should get contracts before Ekeler does anyway. I will say this though. This isn’t necessarily a strong RB class, so securing a good run game is going to be important in the free agency market this year. But gone are the days of the workhorse back. There are maybe a handful of workhorses left in the league, and Ekeler is unfortunately not one of them.

4. Xavien Howard, Cornerback

   Xavien Howard is a name that two years ago contenders would be foaming at the mouth for. But after a lackluster performance in ‘23, I think he will be taking meetings consistently for the first couple of weeks in free agency to determine his best fit. I’m also adding that as of me writing this, Marshon Lattimore has become available. If that’s the case, that may be an option for those in need of an elite corner.  I have an inkling that upon the Chiefs decision on Sneed, we will know the destination of Howard. Spoiler alert: i think Xavien Howard will replace Sneed in Kansas City.

5. Za’Darius Smith, EDGE

    I don’t know what it is this year, but these edge rushers with some gas left in the tank can provide such a good punch for these fringe contenders. He’s up there in age, but Smith just contributed to a pretty stacked defense this past season in Cleveland. Now I think he returns to Cleveland, BUT there’s a team in the AFC south that our co-host Joseph Miglio loves that is in need of a veteran edge presence. With a new DC in Jacksonville, I think they may request his services.

6. Russell Wilson, Quarterback

   Ok, this one is kind of obvious. Russell Wilson was recently cut from his tumultuous tenure in Denver. The Broncos willingly decided to eat 85 million dollars over two years to have Wilson off their team. Let that sink in. Now the reason he’s not getting signed Day 1 is simple: He is in such a weird state in his career. He’s clearly a bridge quarterback. But the teams in need of a bridge quarterback are very slim, and are also in the position to potentially land another bridge quarterback/ quarterback of the future in Justin Fields. The impending decision from Chicago to trade Fields to draft Caleb Williams at 1 is going to influence which team decides to sign Russ. I personally think Wilson’s best fit would probably be in Pittsburgh if Fields is not sent there. But who knows. With these rumors floating surrounding the Falcons interest in Kirk over Fields, that could be unrealistic.