After deep diving into defensive free agents, let’s flip the script and check out the offensive market for this week’s edition of Tyler’s Take.
Trey Smith
Trey Smith of Tennessee watches during the American Team practice for the NCAA Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala., on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton, File)
Trey Smith searches for a new team coming off his rookie contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. Across the 2024-2025 campaign, the right guard helped Patrick Mahomes by taking pressure off him. In the regular season, Smith gave up zero sacks and only let five defenders get by him to hit Mahomes. In addition, the former Volunteer allowed a total of 26 pressures. Moreover, the 26-year-old carried his blocking dominance into the playoffs, letting up one hit and quarterback takedown. To add on, the big man thrives on blocking for the run game, as he slips into No. 10 with a rating a little under 81, according to PFF. However, Smith struggles more with protecting during passing plays, with a 70.6 grading, per PFF. Overall, the Tennessee native sits at No. 14 amongst 135 guards, per PFF, who gave him a 78.8 grade. With that said, the right guard will get paid and find a new home.
The New England Patriots could land the veteran guard, as rookie quarterback Drake Maye scrambled all year due to the lack of protection up front. To add on, the team was the worst-ranked O-line in the 2024-2025 season, per profootballnetwork. Money also does not play a factor in signing Smith, as the franchise holds the most cap space, with a little over $128 million, per PFF.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) carries against Cleveland Browns cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Tee Higgins
Tee Higgins hits the market after spending the 2024-2025 season with the Cincinnati Bengals under a franchise tag. The star wide receiver noted that he “would love to be here in Cincinnati [but it’s] not in my control,” according to Sports Illustrated. Even with Ja’Marr Chase on the field, the 26-year-old still put on a show, tying for the sixth most touchdowns this year with 10, per ESPN. Despite missing four matchups following a hamstring pull before week one and a quad injury midseason, via Draft Sharks, Higgins continued to shine. The former Clemson Tiger hauled in 73 receptions for a total of 911 yards, nearly securing his third 1000-yard season. Despite Higgins wanting to return, the Bengals need to pay Chase and Trey Hendrickson a bag, which limits their funding.
In addition to Smith, the Patriots could find themselves a new wide receiver one. The team struggled at finding targets, as they came in last with 2,994 total passing yards over the 2024-2025 season, per ESPN. However, a team like the Washington Commanders could show interest in Higgins too, as they continue to build around Jayden Daniels. Terry McLaurin led the franchise with 1,096 receiving yards this past season. Besides him, only one other receiver reeled in 500-plus yards for the year, per ESPN. The Commanders could make a significant offer to Higgins, as they hold a little more than $75 million in cap space, via PFF.
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) is seen after an NFL football training camp, July 27, 2024 in Eagan, Minn. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)
Aaron Jones
An underrated pickup this offseason is Aaron Jones, who proved with the Minnesota Vikings that he still has gas left in the tank. The running back carried the team down the field for a career-high of 1,138 rushing yards, making him a top 10 running back, per the NFL. However, the former Viking only saw the endzone five times. Regardless, the 30-year-old did this after sustaining a hamstring injury and a sprained MCL in 2023. This forced him to the sidelines for six contests that year. Jones performed in every game in the 2024-2025 season, validating that he can stay healthy. Now, the veteran is searching for his third team in eight years.
A new potential home for Jones is the Las Vegas Raiders. After letting go of Josh Jacobs in the 2024 offseason, the team struggled to get back to a dominating run game. Zamir White was supposed to take over but failed to catch fire, with only 183 total rushing yards in 2024. With the new addition of Chip Kelly as offensive coordinator, running the ball should surprise no one. At Ohio State, Kelly transformed the team into a 92.2 graded rushing offense in the 2024-2025 campaign. This is the fourth best in the Power Four conferences, according to PFF. With a little more than $92 and a half million via PFF, going on a spending spree for Jones should not hurt.