The NFL free agent market could see some action this week, as players like Montee Ball, Ray Rice, Wes Welker, Trent Richardson, Hakeem Nicks, Steven Jackson, LaMichael James and others could be signed and not have their salaries guaranteed for the season. Teams like the Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders, Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans and NY Giants could be interested in some of those names into Week 2 of the season.
Montee Ball and Trent Richardson were each released at roster cut downs at running back, while Hakeem nicks was let go by the Titans. Ray Rice, Wes Welker and Steven Jackson remain on the market from earlier this year and now that Week 2 is here, some of these veterans could sign deals. Teams often wait so that they can cut those players down the line if needed.
Also a qualifier, Richardson is clearly not an option for the Browns/Raiders, but those other players could be in the mix and that is why the names are mentioned above. UPDATE: Hakeem Nicks is among a group of players working out for the Cowboys along with Austin Pettis, Clyde Gates and Nick Toon.
Ball was let go by the Broncos after a swift fall over the past couple years and he has had some interest on the market already from teams. According to NFL.com, the Falcons were "interested" in Ball after his release, while the Browns have also "reached out" to Ball. The Browns brought in Robert Turbin after trading Terrance West, but he remains sidelined with an injury and that could lead Cleveland to look at some more options at running back.
Richardson fell off hard after signing with the Raiders and he has now flamed out with three teams, including the Colts and Browns. Richardson could get another look from a team if injuries happen, but right now he is on the outside looking in when it comes to getting another job. Welker remains available and teams like the Chicago Bears, NY Giants and Arizona Cardinals could look at him as an option while those teams deal with some injuries. Welker could be a solid depth option and Nicks also could be in the mix for some of those teams without depth at wide receiver.
The Browns have Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson as the lead backs right now and Turbin is still a few weeks away from coming back. The Browns have been mentioned in connection with Ray Rice this summer and the team could look at signing him, but right now no deal is close to happening. Ball comes in after playing in just five games last season and he was inconsistent with the Broncos, rushing for five TDs in two seasons with the team.
Last month the Browns were quoted in the Cleveland Plain Dealer about Rice and Mike Pettine said the team did not "rule out" signing the running back. Depending on how things go over the next couple weeks, Cleveland could look at adding another player to the mix behind Crowell and Johnson. The Texans have Arian Foster still working his way back, while the Cardinals have Andre Ellington banged up. For now Arizona will use David Johnson and Chris Johnson as the main options at RB.
Check here for more on available NFL free agents heading into Week 2.
