The NFL offseason starts with free agency, where unsigned players can sign with teams for more money. However, the process can be confusing.
Four types of players become NFL Free Agents: restricted, franchise, transition and unrestricted. Each of these free agent categories has its own rules and requirements.
Okoronkwo
Obo Okoronkwo is the son of two Nigerian parents who moved to Houston to make a better life for themselves. He plays football, but it’s not the only way he gives back to his home city.
He has been a volunteer at NFL Africa’s Uprise camps in Africa and recently helped lead the organization’s first training camp in Ghana. He also teaches soccer to young kids in his community.
Okoronkwo is a highly talented edge defender with a PFF grade of 79.5 and Wins After Replacement ranking of 3. He was a fifth-round pick by the Rams in 2018. They drafted him after his dominant senior season at Oklahoma, where he led the nation in sacks and earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Smith-Schuster
JuJu Smith-Schuster has a chance to get his NFL career back on track after missing the bulk of 2021 due to a shoulder injury. He signed a one-year deal with the Steelers last offseason, and while it wasn’t as big of a contract as fans had expected, it’s not a bad one by any means.
He’s rated as the 42nd wide receiver on the list of top 50 free agents by Pro Football Focus. He’s got a lot of potential and could be a great fit for WR needy teams.
He’s a second-round pick and doesn’t qualify for performance-based escalators, which isn’t great, but he’s coming off a season where he caught 97 passes for 831 yards and nine touchdowns. If he can put together another season like that, Smith-Schuster might be in the market for a huge contract this offseason.
Allen
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is a free agent again, and there are rumors that he’s taking his time to negotiate his next deal. Per Pro Football Talk, the quarterback is focused on the season and doesn’t seem to be getting stressed out about signing his contract.
That’s a good sign for the Bills and Allen, as typically contract negotiations can lead to holdouts or trade talks.
The Bills gave Allen a six-year deal with $100 million guaranteed, which is the largest amount any NFL player has ever received at signing. In fact, it exceeds Dak Prescott’s $95 million deal that he signed in March.
The contract also gives Allen an average of $43 million per year over the new six years, which is a huge improvement from the $30 million per year he was making under his rookie deal. This is a significant step up in pay for a star quarterback, and if Allen continues to progress at the same pace over the next few years, he’s set up for a long career with the Buffalo Bills.
Pocic
Pocic is a solid center who has been a reliable starter for Seattle the past five seasons. He has started 80 games at guard, tackle and center in that span.
He has a good ability to block well on the run and is also effective in pass protection, according to Pro Football Focus. He is a great athlete, and his technique and use of his hands are very good.
His allowed pressure rate of 2.2% ranked sixth among qualified centers, and his blown-block rate was also sixth best. His lack of power and lack of pop on the move have some limitations, but he is a solid center in many ways.
Clowney
The NFL is expected to open the market for defensive ends this offseason. That means several teams could make a move for Clowney, if the Browns fail to retain him.
One potential option would be the Baltimore Ravens, who are in desperate need of pass-rush help after releasing veteran linebacker Matt Judon. With the addition of Clowney, Baltimore could add a dynamic edge rusher that'd complement the strong front seven.
The Seahawks were interested in Clowney last year, but he refused to sign a long-term deal with them. That made it tough for the Texans to get him off the franchise tag.