3 free agents who should take prove-it deals
Not every free agent is going to get a coveted long-term contract, and for some players, a short-term deal should be the goal.
One- or two-year, prove-it contracts give players who haven't hit the open market in their best forms a shot at rebuilding their reputations and cashing in big down the line.
Here are three players who should go down this route in the offseason:
Eddie Lacy
After looking like a stud during his first two seasons in the league, Lacy's career has trailed off significantly over the past couple of years.
In 2015, he looked ineffective and slow, and the Green Bay Packers soon moved him out of the featured role. This past season, Lacy wound up on injured reserve in October, and now heads into free agency with little shot at a long-term contract.
Whether it be with the Packers or elsewhere, Lacy should focus on reestablishing himself as a starting running back and try to put together a solid 1,000-yard season. At 26 years old, he has the time to do so and still earn a decent long-term extension in the future.
Matt Kalil
Like Lacy, Kalil appeared on his way to stardom after an impressive rookie campaign, but the former first-round pick has regressed to the point where he's not even a lock to earn a starting job next year.
While the Minnesota Vikings might attempt to re-sign Kalil and salvage something from their initial investment, they're unlikely to offer any long-term security - and the same goes for the rest of the league.
Kalil should use his leverage as a former top pick and the reputation it brings to find an ideal spot to resurrect his career. If he can recapture his Pro Bowl form, it's likely that a team will be willing to hand him a sizable deal in 2018.
Michael Floyd
This isn't exactly a choice for Floyd. No one is handing him a significant contract after his poor play and an extreme DUI that landed him a 24-day jail sentence.
Because of this, the wide receiver must pick his next destination carefully, or risk causing irreparable damage to his career. So, not only should Floyd seek a small deal, he should prioritize finding a team with a passing offense that can highlight his skill set.
Floyd will likely never become the star receiver some thought he could be after a dominant first half of the 2015 season, but the 27-year-old could face a decent market a year from now if he proves he can be reliable on - and off - the field.