Best fits for 15 top NFL free agents - ESPN Insider

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Part 1 of 3

Picking best fits for 15 top NFL free agents
By Matt Bowen

As NFL free agency officially kicks off this week, it's important to note that a player's overall fit in a team's scheme is a critical part of the evaluation process. Yes, teams have a ton of money to spend as they target players to fill needs and create roster competition. But if those players don't fit in how the coaching staff operates, the bust potential is much higher, and production won't match the contract they sign.

With that in mind, let's pick out the best fits for 15 of the best free agents on the market. These are realistic fits, as I'm taking into account teams that also have money to spend. I'm also including each player's ranking from our Top 100 free agent list.

We'll start with the top quarterback on the market and hit several other players who could cash in this week:

Kirk Cousins, QB

Best fit: Minnesota Vikings | Rank: No. 1

With new offensive coordinator John DeFilippo bringing the Eagles' modern passing game -- a mix of West Coast routes, play-action and run-pass options -- to Minnesota, Cousins' skill set is a perfect match. He's an accurate thrower with the mobility and toughness to create off movement schemes. Plus, with the Vikings being set at the skill positions and featuring one of the league's nastiest defenses, Cousins is the final piece to making this team an early favorite to win the NFC in 2018.

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Allen Robinson, WR

Best fit: Chicago Bears | Rank: No. 10

Robinson tore his ACL early in the 2017 season, and that could affect his ability to land a multiyear deal in free agency. But Robinson's talent is legit, and the Bears have a desperate need to add proven weapons for quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. With new coach Matt Nagy installing a system that will cater more to Trubisky's skill set and athleticism, landing Robinson on a potential incentive-laden deal would give the Bears a 25-year-old wide receiver with the ability to win at all three levels of the field. And Chicago has the cap space to outbid other teams if needed.

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Trumaine Johnson, CB

Best fit: Cleveland Browns | Rank: No. 8

Cornerbacks like Johnson don't usually hit the free-agent market, but after playing two years on the franchise tag in L.A., he will get paid premium money. Cleveland has the cap space to offer top value for Johnson, and the Browns have a need for man-coverage corners, even after acquiring Damarious Randall. Plus, Johnson has a history with Browns defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. From 2014-16, Johnson posted 11 interceptions while playing under Williams with the Rams. Johnson's long frame, system fit and ball skills would be a major bonus for a Browns defense that forced the fewest turnovers in the league in 2017 (13).

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Jimmy Graham, TE

Best fit: Houston Texans | Rank: No. 5

Graham was underutilized in Seattle, and he doesn't run like he used to before suffering a knee injury in 2015, but his red zone matchup ability is still off the charts. In 2017, Graham caught 15 of 24 red zone targets and produced a whopping 10 touchdowns inside the 20-yard line. Throw the slant and fade. Keep it simple. Pairing Graham with DeAndre Hopkins would give young Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson two monster targets in scoring position, and the tight end also would benefit from Houston's heavy play-action passing game.

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Case Keenum, QB

Best fit: Denver Broncos | Rank: No. 3

If the Broncos fail to land Cousins, going after Keenum gives them a veteran quarterback to pair with a defense that is still primed to be one of the league's top units. Keenum tossed 22 touchdown passes in 2017, and he did a good job protecting the ball with only seven interceptions. That will sell in Denver, which had the second-most turnovers (34) in the league in 2017. Keenum can keep this team out of adverse field positions while using his movement skills to extend plays and make off-schedule throws. The Broncos already have two proven targets in Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. Now it's time to add a quarterback who can help the offense be more efficient.

 

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Part 2 of 3

Paul Richardson, WR

Best fit: Washington Redskins | Rank: No. 25

Jamison Crowder is entering the final year of his contract and Josh Doctson, who has shown flashes of his ability, is still developing. Signing Richardson would give the Redskins and new quarterback Alex Smith a big-play target in the route tree. In 2016, Richardson averaged almost 16 yards per reception (15.98) and produced 13 explosive plays (receptions over 20 yards). After 2017 signing Terrelle Pryor failed to produce returns in Washington, scooping up Richardson is the smart play for a team that needs a receiver to threaten defenses vertically.

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Anthony Hitchens, LB

Best fit: Indianapolis Colts | Rank: No. 30

With Hitchens' former position coach Matt Eberflus taking over as the new defensive coordinator in Indianapolis, and the Colts' glaring weakness at linebacker, this is a logical fit for the former Hawkeye. Hitchens has the versatility to play downhill as a Mike linebacker or bump outside to use his athleticism in space. The Colts fill a need here and add physicality on the second level with a linebacker who is just entering his prime.

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Sheldon Richardson, DT

Best fit: Detroit Lions | Rank: No. 6

Richardson flashed at times on the Seahawks tape, but the hype surrounding the former Jets defensive lineman as a plus-fit to the Seattle front didn't bring the expected results. Richardson still has value on the market, however, as he will be only 27 at the start of the season and he can play in multiple fronts. That's a fit for new Lions coach Matt Patricia, who used hybrid fronts while he was in New England. With Haloti Ngata scheduled to hit the market, adding a defensive lineman still in his prime years would be a bonus for the Lions and their new scheme.

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Malcolm Butler, CB

Best fit: Houston Texans | Rank: No. 22

Butler's mysterious benching in Super Bowl LII will have to be addressed, and his 2017 tape wasn't as sharp as I expected it to be before the season. But the Texans' need for a technique-based cornerback with coverage skills is real. Houston ranked No. 24 in passing defense last season and would welcome Butler's ability to challenge routes and tackle. He's an upgrade for Romeo Crennel's unit. I also thought about San Francisco here, as the 49ers still need corners even after signing Richard Sherman.

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Dion Lewis, RB

Best fit: Indianapolis Colts | Rank: No. 21

With veteran Frank Gore moving on, the Colts need a new feature back to handle the majority of the workload. Enter Lewis, a back with the ability to slip tackles and push the ball inside despite his smaller frame. In 2016, Lewis averaged 4.98 yards per carry, and his 2.61 yards per carry after first contact tied for best in the league with LeGarrette Blount. In addition, Lewis can catch the ball out of the backfield, and his open-field ability shows up in the screen game. With Marlon Mack still in play for the Colts as a change-of-pace back, Indianapolis can get the early-down production it needs from Lewis in Frank Reich's new system.

 

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Part 3 of 3

Sammy Watkins, WR

Best fit: Los Angeles Rams | Rank: No. 11

At age 25 with size/speed measurables at the position, Watkins should draw interest from multiple teams on the market. Is there truly a better fit than Sean McVay's offense in L.A.? Despite catching only 39 passes last season, Watkins produced eight touchdowns, and he has the vertical speed and sudden burst to create explosive plays after the catch. Plus, McVay will generate opportunities for Watkins because of the system's formation flexibility. That means stack, bunch and movement to get Watkins out into the route scheme. Like Robinson, Watkins could be looking at an incentive-laden deal with his best bet for success back in L.A.

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Andrew Norwell, G

Best fit: San Francisco 49ers | Rank: No. 4

The 49ers jump back into the mix with Norwell to grab the best offensive lineman on the market. This is another case of using the cap space to upgrade a key area of Kyle Shanahan's offense while boosting the 49ers' interior blocking in the zone running game. Norwell, who will be 26 at the start of the season, has the movement skills to climb the second level and the counter ability to win in pass protection. That's an upgrade as the Niners continue to be aggressive under Lynch.

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Trey Burton, TE

Best fit: Baltimore Ravens | Rank: No. 17

The Ravens could make a run at Graham, but I see Burton, who will be only 26 at the start of the season, as the better fit for a Baltimore passing game that is desperate for middle-of-the-field targets. Burton has 60 receptions over the past two seasons, and he added five touchdowns in 2017. In Baltimore, Burton can help boost a Ravens third-down passing game that was tough to watch on tape, while also giving quarterback Joe Flacco an athletic target in the red zone.

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Jerick McKinnon, RB

Best fit: Tennessee Titans | Rank: No. 38

With Derrick Henry entering 2018 as the No. 1 back in Tennessee, new offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur needs a third-down back in his offense. McKinnon would give the Titans the versatility out of the backfield to impact the passing game for quarterback Marcus Mariota. Quick, high-percentage throws and the screen game. Plus, with McKinnon's ability to find daylight, the Titans can use him against nickel fronts on shotgun and pistol runs. This is a good fit for a team transitioning to an offense that meshes more with today's NFL game.

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Aaron Colvin, CB

Best fit: New York Jets | Rank: No. 15

Colvin played in the slot for the Jags with the league's top cornerback tandem -- Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye -- locking down wide receivers outside of the numbers. However, Colvin has the skill set to bump outside, and the Jets have the cap space to pay him like a starting cornerback. Remember, coach Todd Bowles wants aggressive cover corners in his system. It's time for Colvin to take that opportunity in a system that will fit his talent base.

 

[Tharvot]

I don't necessarily disagree with anything on the list. However, I would point out that the Cowboys are in need of a WR and perhaps they'll take a look at Allen Robinson. Their limited cap space may hamper that a bit tho.

 

[DirtDirtDirt]

I really like the Graham to Houston idea, that team can really use a pass catching TE

And id be surprised if Mckinnon doesnt land with the Giants with Shurmer