NFL: Cam Newton, Nate Solder, Jason-Pierre Paul, Cole Beasley and Odell Beckham Jr, the best free agents available
The training camps of all the NFL teams are already well underway, but there are a handful of good players in free agency still waiting for a call.
NFL training camps have kicked off the official on-field activities of the 2022 season, with all 32 teams in pursuit of a shot at the Super Bowl.
Over the next five weeks, hundreds of players will fight within their organizations for a spot on the opening match roster.
Despite how crowded the sites where each franchise holds its preseason may seem, there are still a good handful of men with great resumés within the league waiting for a call.
Within the free agent squad are several players that at some point in their career were selected to the Pro Bowl and even a quarterback named NFL MVP.
Here’s a list of the top five free agents in the NFL
Odell Beckham Jr./WR
One of the best wide receivers in recent years is without a team right now, but let’s be clear: it’s not because the end of his days in the NFL is around the corner. Odell Beckham is recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament that he suffered while playing the last Super Bowl in the uniform of the Los Angeles Rams. Several organizations are interested in the star receiver, but prefer to wait for the final evolution of his injury.
Last year was not his best campaign in terms of numbers (537 yards, five TDs), but he was a fundamental part of the unit that the Rams built to get the SB ring.
Cam Newton/QB
After his last two seasons in the league with the New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers, Cam Newton still believes he has the potential to fill a backup quarterback spot. In a sport where the great differentiator is the quarterback, every team needs a backup quarterback. It’s clear that Cam’s best times on the field are already part of the history books, but he still has the fire to compete.
Last year he threw for 3,341 yards with 12 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
Cole Beasley/WR
During three seasons in Buffalo, Beasley became a wide receiver who got the tough yards with runs down the field. Beasley has proven to be a player with reliable hands, but last year he was mired in controversy when he openly declared himself an anti-vaxxer, which led to several problems within the Bills. During the previous campaign he had 693 yards with 75 percent of his passes caught.
Ndamukong Suh/ DT
He was once recognized as one of the most fearsome pass rushers in the entire NFL landing a record contract at the time with the Miami Dolphins. Time spares no one and Suh has slowed down, but he has also gained experience that can help any defense level up. Last year he got back into form by recording 13 quarterback hits and six sacks.
Nate Solder/ OT
Taken by the New England Patriots in the first round of 2011, Solder immediately performed at the highest level within the NFL. His financial reward came when he signed a $62 million contract in 2018 with the Giants. Things didn’t go the way both parties wanted, but Solder is a 34-year-old who can fill the left tackle position.