NFL players Wes Welker, Hakeem Nicks, Montee Ball and Joseph Randle are some of the notable free agents on the market and teams like the St. Louis Rams, Oakland Raiders, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers could be potential landing spots. The Steelers, Niners, Packers and Bears have dealt with injuries in recent weeks and could fill depth with some free agents.
Wes Welker and Hakeem Nicks previously worked out for the Giants, while Montee Ball reportedly is a target for the Bears. According to Adam Caplan at ESPN, the Rams have brought in Welker, Nicks and Vincent Brown to work out at wide receiver. The Rams passing offense has not done much this season and the team could consider adding a free agent for some depth alongside Tavon Austin and Kenny Britt. UPDATE: The Rams are signing Wes Welker. UPDATE: Randle has officially been suspended by the league for violating the personal conduct policy.
Welker has said to the media that he is hoping to get another chance to play in the NFL, while Nicks has had a few workouts since getting cut by the Titans. Nicks worked out for the Giants and the Patriots this season after spending last season with the Colts. Nicks signed with the Titans but did not make it out of the preseason. Brown was previously with the Chargers and he was with the Raiders and Colts after that, but did not stick long with either team.
UPDATE: The Patriots have lost Dion Lewis for the season, the team previously worked out Montee Ball and could sign him.
Joseph Randle was released by the Dallas Cowboys after dealing with an off the field issue from earlier in the year and he cleared waivers. According to ESPN.com, Randle is now a free agent after he was not claimed by any team. Right now there is not major movement on Randle, but he played fairly well while averaging 4.1 yards per carry for the Cowboys and that could get him a look from another team. Randle had 313 yards rushing in six games this season.
Nicks and/or Welker could be options for teams dealing with injuries at wide receiver, including the Packers, Ravens, Buccaneers and 49ers. The Packers have been dealing with injuries to Ty Montgomery and Davante Adams after losing Jordy Nelson this summer, while the Ravens lost Steve Smith to a season ending injury. Anquan Boldin has been banged up for the 49ers, while Vincent Jackson has been dealing with injuries for the Buccaneers and Louis Murphy is out for the season for Tampa Bay.
The 49ers already added Pierre Thomas as a free agent and the team has also been using Kendall Gaskins with the injuries they have at running back. Reggie Bush is out for the season, while Carlos Hyde and Mike Davis both dealt with injuries this week. The Niners may just stick with Thomas and Gaskins until the other two players can return and they likely will use an RB rotation through the back stretch of the season to keep the group fresh, including Hyde, who has dealt with multiple injuries this season.
Montee Ball reportedly has been considered as an option for the Bears, as Chris Mortenson reported last week that the team was "discussing" adding Ball. The Bears are reportedly going to be without Matt Forte for at least two games and right now Jeremy Langford has stepped into the starting role. Latavius Murray is dealing with a concession and one of the free agents could be an option for the Raiders if he misses time.