The NFL season starts in a week and now the free agent market has a number of players that were just cut, including Stephen Hill, Champ Bailey and Michael Sam and after Hill's release from the Jets, teams like the Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears or Minnesota Vikings could be interested in signing him.
According to Pro Football Talk, the Panthers have interest in Hill and this comes after the team lost its top two wide receivers to free agency in Brandon LaFell and Steve Smith. The Panthers drafted Florida State wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin, but the team could use more at the wideout position. Hill had two disappointing years with the Jets, but he also had zero stability at quarterback and now he has the chance to start over after his release, as he was given a workout by the Panthers.
The Panthers are going young with Benjamin and Philly Brown and they also have Jason Avant and Jerricho Cotchery, but Cam Newton surely wouldn't mind another name in that mix. Hill has great size and speed and if he can get together his other issues with drops, he could be a valuable weapon. The Jets did not give him a chance at all and now he could link up with a team like the Panthers after making 45 catches for nearly 600 yards in two seasons with the Jets. Hill is just 23 years old and has massive upside as a 6-4, 215 pound player that has sub 4.40 speed.
The Jets opted to let Hill go despite that size and speed and it comes after he was criticized over the past two years for drops and other issues with his route running. The Jets look particularly bad in this case, as they traded up for Hill and passed on taking Alshon Jeffery, who had a fantastic season in 2013 and looks like one of the best young WRs in the league. The Jets now have Eric Decker in along with Jeremy Kerley and David Nelson and the team also has Greg Salas.
Champ Bailey was cut by the Saints in favor of younger players and he could be a nice target for teams in need of a corner. The Jets may look at Bailey and a number of other teams also could be in the mix for him. Michael Sam was released by the Rams and since the team has injuries at a number of positions, they did not sign him to the practice squad either. The Raiders need help at receiver and that makes Hill and option and they are also dealing with an injury to DJ Hayden and that could make Bailey a target as well.
Bailey has made his career as one of the most consistent corners in football and now he is a free agent after making 12 Pro Bowls in his career. Sam was a longshot to make the Rams as a seventh round pick and now the openly gay player is looking for a new home. Sam has the chance to sign onto a practice squad and right now teams have to weigh whether it's worth bringing him in or not, as he has not been a major distraction since coming to the Rams.
