Free agent needs for Super Bowl LV contenders

The National Football League is proceeding as planned for the start of free agency, and there are a number of big-name players who could hit the open market Wednesday.

It’s also worth a look at some of the Super Bowl LV favorites and dark horse contenders to examine their possible needs when the free agent frenzy gets underway.

Kansas City Chiefs (Super Bowl LV odds: +600)

The Chiefs finally snapped their Super Bowl drought in February, and Patrick Mahomes at quarterback makes them the favorites to win it all again in 2021.  

Free agency will be difficult to navigate, as the Chiefs begin their title defense with outright odds of +600 at BetAmerica.

The Chiefs have only $8.6 million in projected cap space, according to Over the Cap. They placed the franchise tag on defensive tackle Chris Jones, a necessary move to keep the dominant defensive end in Kansas City.

Among the areas they’ll need to improve is the secondary. It may be difficult for them to make a major splash, given their cap situation, but a player the Chiefs reportedly have interest in is veteran cornerback Chris Harris Jr.

Harris has spent his entire career with the Denver Broncos but is expected to hit the open market. He’s coming off a down year in 2019, with one interception and one forced fumble, along with 56 total tackles.

San Francisco 49ers (Super Bowl LV odds: +900)

The 49ers were previously a longshot to sign Tom Brady, and then they became one of the favorites to potentially land his services.

New reports have surfaced over the weekend, and Brady to the 49ers appears to no longer be a possibility. It’s Jimmy Garoppolo’s team, even though it certainly appeared the 49ers didn’t have confidence in him throwing the ball during the playoffs.

If a splash in the quarterback free agent market isn’t in the cards for the team that was one quarter away from winning the Super Bowl, the No. 1 priority for the 49ers would likely be at safety.  

Jimmie Ward, who has spent the last six years in San Francisco, could become a free agent. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Damarious Randall have been mentioned as possible replacements for Ward, if he walks.  

New England Patriots (Super Bowl LV odds: +1400)

The biggest need for the Patriots may be at quarterback, if Brady becomes a free agent.   

Speculation is that Brady could go to the Los Angeles Chargers. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have also emerged as a possible destination. He could also re-sign in New England.

Which teams out there are willing to take a chance on Brady?

And what exactly would the price tag be? We're about to find out.

But if Brady walks, who would replace him? If NFL experience is a must, there are free-agent options out there, like Philip Rivers or Jameis Winston. Both struggled mightily last season with ball security. They threw a total of 50 interceptions combined. Rivers threw 20 interceptions and is 38 years old. 

If Brady leaves the Patriots may also choose a rebuild of their offense by pursuing a quarterback in the first round of the draft. New England has the 23rd overall pick and may need to make a significant trade to move up the order.

Seattle Seahawks (Super Bowl LV odds: +1800)

Coming off a surprise playoff appearance, the Seahawks have the opportunity to improve their roster in free agency with $38.5 million in available cap space. 

The Seahawks have odds of +1800 at BetAmerica to win Super Bowl LV. The greatest needs haven’t changed much in the last two years — improve protection of quarterback Russell Wilson and improve the pass rush. 

The Seahawks are reportedly still active in talks with defensive linemen Jadeveon Clowney and Jarran Reed, although the price for both may be too much for Seattle. 

Dante Fowler has been mentioned as a potential fit to improve the pass rush. The 25-year-old defensive end posted a career year with the Los Angeles Rams in 2019, with 58 total tackles, two forced fumbles, and 11 1/2 sacks. 

But Wilson isn’t getting any younger. He is 31 years old. It’s imperative the Seahawks are aggressive, both in free agency and the Draft, to build a championship-caliber team around their franchise QB, in order to maximize his remaining years in the NFL. 

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