NFL free agency 2019: Notes and observations

We aren’t yet close to NFL free agency, but we can already tell which way the winds are blowing.

The beginning of the league year is on March 13, but the tampering window begins the afternoon of March 11. If history is any indication, we’re looking at most deals with the big players being in play by the time said window is over.

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Here are some notes and thoughts to keep in mind as we head towards NFL free agency…

• The Indianapolis Colts have the most cap space of anybody. However, don’t expect them to spend anywhere near to all of it. General manager Chris Ballard comes from the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs are typically very careful when it comes to dealing out huge contracts. After winning 10 games and beating the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round, Indianapolis is going to be a player. Although, don’t look for the Colts to break the bank time and again.
• Some very good players are going to come off the board before NFL free agency starts via the franchise tag. Jadeveon Clowney and DeMarcus Lawrence are not going to market. Clowney is getting the tag and Lawrence is either getting a tag for the second time or a long-term pact. Dee Ford is also in the conversation of being placed under the tag, although that situation remains fluid. The New England Patriots will also utilize their tag on someone. Whether it will be Stephen Gostkowski, Trent Brown or Trey Flowers is yet unknown.

Read: Steelers Won’t be Trading Antonio Brown to Patriots or Any Other AFC North Team

• Edge rushers are going to be overflowing in the draft. As a result, the market is a bit depressed for them in free agency. One source I spoke to within the league believes there are a whopping 12 edge rushers who could have first-round grades by the time we get to the draft on April 25. With that in mind, how many teams are going to spend wildly at that position, knowing they could land a terrific player in the draft and pay peanuts for four years?
• Golden Tate is going to get a terrific deal and surprise a ton of people when the numbers come through. Tate is a good player, but he’ll be paid like a great one because there are no other wide receivers worth talking about in free agency, and the rookie crop is average at best. Tate is 30 years old and he won’t be going to the Hall of Fame without a ticket, but a team desperate for help on the outside will overpay for his services.