The NFL free agent market has players like Junior Galette, Ray Rice, Evan Mathis, Chris Johnson, Felix Jones, Reggie Wayne and Wes Welker available coming into training camp and teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, Oakland Raiders, Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins, NY Giants and Seattle Seahawks could be interested in signing some of those names.
Evan Mathis is on the market and is reportedly a target for the Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos, while the Redskins are reportedly hosting Galette. Galette was released by the Saints last week after reports about him being a locker room issue and his connection to a video that allegedly showed Galette hitting a woman with a belt. According to NFL.com and Albert Breer, Galette is meeting with the Washington Redskins.
Galette reportedly is a target for the Dallas Cowboys, Oakland Raiders, Redskins and Bears and Breer reports that Washington is hosting the linebacker on Thursday. Galette is 27 and he has had his issues off the field, but he is considered to be a strong player and talent often wins out in the NFL. Galette is coming off of back to back season where he did not miss a game and put up double digit sacks in each of those seasons. Any team that needs help in the pass rush could look at Galette.
The Redskins just signed back Ryan Kerrigan and adding a player like Galette would be a huge boost for the defense, which was very inconsistent last season. Galette wore out his welcome with the Saints with reports about a bad attitude and a locker room fight with a teammate. Galette could get a second chance like Greg Hardy and the interest in him makes it look like he will.
Ray Rice is also looking for a second chance and it could be very hard for him to find a team. Rice of course was recorded in an elevator striking his then fiancé and since then he has been out of the league and now he is trying to make a comeback. According to ESPN.com, Rice has been calling around to teams and has had his past coaches also calling around trying to get him another tryout and chance in the league. ESPN also reported that an "unnamed team" nearly signed Rice, but "ownership" said no to the deal.
Rice likely would be signed to a minimum salary no matter where he ends up and at 28 with declining skills, it could be tough for him to find a team. In his last full season in 2013, Rice put up career low numbers across the board and decreased in rushing yards, TDs and receptions from the previous season. Rice could be an option or the Patriots or Cowboys or another team in need of an RB, but it will take some real ledge walking to sign him. According to Charean Williams on Twitter from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Cowboys do not have interest in Rice.
Check here for more on the interest in Galette and free agents on the market.