5 bold predictions for NFL free agency
With NFL free agency on the horizon, some of theScore's football editors make five bold predictions about what will transpire:
Cousins signs fully guaranteed deal
Having grown fond of receiving every single dollar of his contract guaranteed while playing under the franchise tag the last two seasons, Cousins uses the likely historic fight over his services and his unprecedented leverage to command the NFL's very first fully guaranteed deal. Which team opens up its checkbook in such dramatic fashion remains to be seen - the final four is reportedly the Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, and Arizona Cardinals - but Cousins helps lay down the gauntlet for player power by eschewing the sometimes misleading huge yearly salary. - Jack Browne
Falcons bring in 4 former Seahawks starters
If the Seahawks are undergoing a mass exodus, they know where to flock. Falcons head coach Dan Quinn is a Pete Carroll protege and gets a quartet of Seahawks - Richard Sherman, Jimmy Graham, Paul Richardson, and Byron Maxwell - to join his team for a run at the Super Bowl, despite limited cap space. Sherman and Maxwell prove perfect fits for the Falcons' defensive scheme while serving as veteran mentors to Keanu Neal and Robert Alford, in a group teeming with talent. Richardson and Graham just make an already stacked Falcons offense entirely unfair, and Atlanta officially becomes Seattle South in pursuit of a title. - Arun Srinivasan
No running back 28 or older signs before draft
Darren Sproles, Frank Gore, LeGarrette Blount, Jonathan Stewart, DeMarco Murray, Doug Martin, and all the other free-agent running backs who have already surpassed their 28th birthday are in for a stressful few months. With a slew of talented rushing prospects in the draft and handful of good young runners in free agency, the elder statesmen of the NFL's running back fraternity must wait until May to know their next destination. Few teams have much of a need for running backs and invest their money elsewhere, with a chance of landing the next Alvin Kamara or Kareem Hunt with a mid-round pick. - Mitch Sanderson
Vikings spend over $47M, most in free agency
With the sting of missing out on playing in a home Super Bowl still fresh, the Vikings acknowledge their window to win will only stay open so long, loosen the purse strings, and spend the most in free agency. The front office uses up almost all of the $47 million in available cap space, clears more room by shedding some in-house talent, and spends that as well. Following the blueprint of the champion Eagles, the Vikings reload their barren quarterback depth chart, add depth on their offensive and defensive lines, and even sign another receiving weapon just for good measure. - Michael McClymont
Dez cut by Cowboys, becomes Jimmy G's top target
Despite both sides continuously denying a parting of ways, the Dallas Cowboys ultimately cut wide receiver Dez Bryant after June 1 to the dismay of Michael Irvin and free up a much-needed $12.5 million in cap space. Bryant then takes his talents to the west coast where he instantly becomes the No. 1 option in Jimmy Garoppolo and Kyle Shanahan's passing attack. Pierre Garcon and Marquise Goodwin performed well at times in 2017 as free-agent signees last year, but Bryant is a significant upgrade at the position. The 49ers rank fifth in available cap space, easily allowing them to outbid other suitors. - Esten McLaren
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