The NFL free agent market still has some notable names, as Chris Johnson, Evan Mathis, Jermaine Gresham, Wes Welker, Reggie Wayne, James Jones, Felix Jones, Ben Tate and Daniel Thomas are available and teams like Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, NY Giants and San Francisco 49ers could be interested.
Training camps are opening up in just under a couple of weeks and that could push interest in players available on the market, especially for Mathis and Gresham. According to Pro Football Talk, Mathis has been receiving interest from a number of teams and the Miami Herald reports that the guard said "he expects" pursuit will "ramp up" heading into camp. Gresham has also received interest from teams, as Pro Football Talk reports that the Saints and Raiders have been interested and that the tight end will also meet with the Arizona Cardinals.
Chris Johnson could have more interest as training camp gets closer, as Jason LaCanfora of CBS Sports reports that Johnson is expecting things to "pick back up." Johnson has been on the market all offseason after playing with the Jets and he had some off the field issues after he was shot earlier in the year. Johnson said that he is getting back to being fully recovered and that he will be ready for training camp if he finds a landing spot. Johnson said he is "waiting and working out and seeing what my next situation is going to be."
The Dallas Cowboys appeared to be an option for a free agent running back this offseason, but the team has been consistent about sticking with the plan of Joseph Randle and Darren McFadden at the top of the depth chart. That doesn't mean the team won't add someone for camp, but right now it appears that Lache Seastrunk, Ryan Williams and Lance Dunbar are the main backups. The Cowboys reportedly worked out Felix Jones, Daniel Thomas and Ben Tate earlier this offseason and they signed Seastrunk as a depth option for camp.
Gresham has been on the market all offseason, as he needed to undergo back surgery and teams have waited to see how he has recovered. The Raiders had early interest in Gresham before the procedure happened, while the New Orleans Saints reportedly have been looking at Gresham for a "couple months." Gresham reportedly is not expected to be back with the Bengals and Adam Schefter at ESPN reports that Gresham is meeting with the Cardinals this week.
Arizona is lacking depth at tight end after John Carlson retired and Gresham could be a good fit for the Bruce Arians offense, as he is a good pass catcher and an above average blocker. Last season Gresham had 62 catches for 460 yards in 15 games played for the Bengals.
Mathis is considered to be one of the better guards in the league and teams like the Dolphins, Bears, Cowboys and Vikings all could be interested. The Denver Broncos also could be a fit for either Gresham or Mathis after dealing with injuries at tight end and on the offensive line this offseason. Wayne is another veteran wideout on the market and he could have some interest from the New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans before camp.
Check here for more on free agent interest in Jermaine Gresham, Chris Johnson, Evan Mathis and other players on the market.
