With the Super Bowl behind us and eyes set on the draft combine, NFL teams are now focused on one thing: Finding the missing pieces. Some need more pieces than others but every year proves valuable in building through the draft and key free agents. As far as the free agent market, here is a look at the biggest names available that we know of so far.
Matt Forte, Running back, Chicago Bears
Where he should go: The New England Patriots. Forte has already announced that Chicago is parting ways with him, making him the most valued running back on the market. There is already talk that he will join the New England Patriots alongside Dion Lewis.
Where he will go: The New England Patriots. The Pats won’t overpay but they won’t have to. Forte wants a ring and New England will give him one. At age 30, a short-term deal where he catches backfield passes from Tom Brady is something he should not turn down.
Alshon Jeffery, Wide Receiver, Chicago Bears
Where he should go: Where Jay Cutler isn't. No. Most realistically, The Detroit Lions. If the talk of Calvin Johnson retiring is true, they need a young, top of the line, pass catcher. Jeffery fits this bill. He is a phenomenal deep threat.
Where he will go: The Chicago Bears. The aforementioned Matt Forte was an unfortunate casualty for Chicago. We all know they wanted to keep him but it looks like he was sacrificed to the free market so that the Bears could work their salary cap and franchise tag Jeffery. An extension in-season, however, is up to whether or not Cutler evolves into the franchise quarterback he should already be.
Von Miller, Linebacker, Denver Broncos
Where he should go: The Denver Broncos. Do I need to explain this? He is the Super Bowl MVP for a championship defense. Miller is getting paid.
Where he will go: The Denver Broncos. Denver would risk losing every other free agent they need to resign to either franchise tag or extend Miller. They are not a stupid team.
Lamar Miller, Running back, Miami Dolphins
Where he should go: The Denver Broncos. The salary cap may not favor the champions in this case but without knowing Peyton Manning’s immediate future, they should secure a bruising back that can absorb carries so C.J. Anderson does not fall quickly to injury from overuse.
Where he will go: The Miami Dolphins. It may not be his choice. Miller is far and away the best player on a mess of a Miami team. Without the ability to give a big contract and with other free agents not being of priority, Miller will undoubtedly be franchise tagged for next season.
Muhammad Wilkerson, Defensive end, New York Jets
Where he should go: The New York Giants. The other team in the big apple is already targeting Wilkerson according to various sources. The Giants need a pass rush badly and can pay and effectively use Wilkerson. Jason Pierre-Paul has proved expendable and the big contract he literally blew away should go to Wilkerson.
Where he will go: The New York Giants. Many teams are interested and Wilkerson, as a versatile and powerful pass rusher, can go anywhere in the league. It’s an almost certainty, however, that he will at least hit the open market. The Jets already have other good pass rushers and have other great players they may need to franchise tag.
Josh Norman, Cornerback, Carolina Panthers
Where he should go: The Carolina Panthers. Norman fits so well into this system and is a part of the reigning NFC Championship team. He would have been defensive player of the year if J.J. Watt was a human being.
Where he will go: The Carolina Panthers. Carolina doesn’t have big names entering the market outside of Norman. They operate the cap well and could probably extend him. Even if they can’t, he will be franchise tagged and they will draft and sign offensive linemen, their only missing piece to the puzzle.