Yannick Ngakoue, Ezekiel Elliott, NFL Free Brokers Who May Assist Playoff Groups

It is the ultimate week of the 2024 NFL common season, which signifies that, over the following two days, the ultimate few playoff positions can be on the road.

Some groups are nonetheless jockeying for positioning. Others, just like the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, are locked into spots and easily seeking to attain the postseason wholesome.

Sadly, reaching the playoffs with a whole and wholesome roster is a problem for any group, and a few have already been bitten laborious by the damage bug. The excellent news is that a couple of veterans can be found who might present reinforcements for postseason play.

The record contains pass-rusher Yannick Ngakoue, who was lately released by the New England Patriots, and working again Ezekiel Elliott, who was released by the Dallas Cowboys this week.

Whereas it may be troublesome for a participant to latch on to a roster and supply an instantaneous influence, it by no means hurts to have skilled depth for a playoff run. With this in thoughts, let’s dive into the highest obtainable free brokers, what they may present within the postseason and which touchdown spots would take advantage of sense based mostly on group wants, roster depth and scheme match.

It has been a disappointing 12 months for three-time Professional Bowl security Jamal Adams. He was launched by the Seattle Seahawks within the offseason, launched by the Tennessee Titans in mid-October and was cut from the Detroit Lions follow squad this week.

It is fully truthful to surprise what the 29-year-old has left within the tank. He appeared in three video games for the Titans and made two begins for the Lions however has performed simply 40 mixed defensive snaps this season.

Adams could be most beneficial as a reserve defensive back-linebacker hybrid with some situational pass-rush worth. Although he hasn’t recorded a sack because the 2020 season, he completed that marketing campaign with 9.5 quarterback takedowns.

Seattle’s defensive coordinator in 2020 was Ken Norton Jr., who now serves because the Washington Commanders linebackers coach. Washington, which has tallied 41 sacks this season, has executed a superb job of getting after opposing quarterbacks. Nonetheless, the Commanders might nonetheless afford so as to add a participant who can present depth at security, linebacker and edge-rusher.

The Inexperienced Bay Packers may additionally need to eye Adams for depth at security, the place Javon Bullard (ankle) and (quad) are battling accidents. As a bonus, Adams would possibly be capable to give Inexperienced Bay somewhat perception into Detroit’s defensive plan ought to the 2 NFC North rivals meet for a 3rd time this season.

Potential Touchdown Spots: Inexperienced Bay Packers, Washington Commanders

Proper sort out La’el Collins has been obtainable because the Buffalo Payments launched him as a part of their closing roster cuts in August. Whereas the 31-year-old has had a tough few years—he struggled with the Cincinnati Bengals, suffered a torn ACL late in 2022 and hasn’t seen regular-season motion since—he does have 71 profession begins on his resume.

Collins was wholesome sufficient to stay by coaching camp with the Payments, who gave him some alternatives at guard.

For groups in want of a proper sort out, Collins is the highest possibility obtainable. Whereas there is not a group with an apparent want proper now, a pair might contemplate Collins for insurance coverage.

The Chiefs might truly use depth at each sort out spots, as guard Joe Thuney has been manning the left aspect, and proper sort out Jawaan Taylor has been coping with a knee damage—although Taylor did play all 62 snaps in Week 17.

Kansas Metropolis can be clever to at the very least maintain tabs on Collins heading into its bye over Wild Card Weekend.

Philadelphia Eagles proper sort out Landon Dickerson suffered a knee damage in Week 15, although he began in every of the previous two weeks. For Philadelphia, Collins can be a logical insurance coverage coverage. He beforehand performed beneath offensive coordinator Kellen Moore in Dallas.

Potential Touchdown Spots: Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles

Like Adams, Elliott could also be past his days of offering top-tier manufacturing. In 15 video games with Dallas this season, the 29-year-old rushed for under 226 yards, 3.1 yards per carry and three touchdowns.

Nonetheless, Elliott remains to be a succesful dual-threat again (12 receptions this season) who has stayed in sport form all year long. This might make him a much more enticing possibility than a real road free agent in January. The Cowboys launched Elliott to present him an opportunity to stay with a playoff group.

“He is earned this chance at his request,” head coach Mike McCarthy mentioned, per Patrik Walker of the group’s official web site.

The Lions have the most important want at working again, as David Montgomery is presently sidelined by an MCL damage.

Jahmyr Gibbs has executed a superb job of dealing with the load, and Detroit is hopeful that Montgomery can return in some unspecified time in the future within the postseason. Nonetheless, including Elliott as further depth behind Gibbs, Craig Reynolds and Jermar Jefferson can be logical.

The Eagles ought to be all for including one other physique to the backfield to assist protect Saquon Barkley as a lot as attainable. Barkley will not play in Week 18, however he is already recorded 378 touches this season.

Kenneth Gainwell and Will Shipley are the one different working backs on the energetic roster, and Shipley missed Week 17 with a concussion.

Elliott might add worth just by taking a couple of late handoffs in any sport by which Philadelphia is up huge. He beforehand performed beneath Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore when each had been with Dallas.

Potential Touchdown Spots: Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles

Cornerback Xavien Howard hasn’t been with a group this season, however he has drawn some curiosity. The 31-year-old labored out for the Bengals in November, and whereas he did not signal with Cincinnati, the exercise reportedly went nicely.

“Sources within the constructing instructed me [it] was spectacular,” ESPN’s Dan Graziano wrote.

Howard began 13 video games for the Miami Dolphins final season and allowed an opposing quarterback score of solely 81.3 in protection. A few groups ought to be all for him forward of the postseason.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers want a win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday to clinch the NFC South and a playoff berth. It might behoove them so as to add cornerback assist forward of the playoffs in the event that they high quality.

Tampa’s offense has turn out to be one of many league’s finest, however its protection ranks twenty ninth in passing yards allowed and has produced a mere seven interceptions. Howard has 31 profession interceptions, together with within the playoffs.

The Packers may additionally need to kick the tires on Howard. Whereas their younger protection has gelled beneath new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, it has doubtless misplaced star cornerback Jaire Alexander for the foreseeable future.

In line with NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, Alexander lately underwent a knee scope and will probably return “in a couple of weeks.”

Potential Touchdown Spots: Inexperienced Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Linebacker David Lengthy Jr. has performed for 2 groups this season, appeared in 13 video games and tallied 45 tackles and 29 solo stops. Nonetheless, he was launched by the Dolphins in November and waived by the Lions in late December.

The Titans claimed Lengthy off waivers however released him this week as a consequence of a failed bodily.

Lengthy final appeared for the Lions in Week 15. Since he wasn’t waived with an damage designation, he could also be wholesome sufficient to contribute however merely not wholesome sufficient to satisfy Tennessee’s requirements—and totally different group docs do have totally different requirements.

If that is so, a return to Detroit can be logical. The 28-year-old was initially signed to the follow squad within the wake of Alex Anzalone’s fractured forearm. Whereas Anzalone seems near returning, he admitted that he is not but absolutely wholesome.

“100%? No,” Anzalone mentioned, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.

The Payments also needs to contemplate giving Lengthy a name. Buffalo ranks simply twenty fifth in yards per carry allowed, and linebacker Terrel Bernard is coping with a quad damage—although he is expected to be available for the wild-card spherical.

Whereas it seems that Bernard prevented a critical damage, Buffalo might afford so as to add linebacker insurance coverage forward of the postseason.

Potential Touchdown Spots: Buffalo Payments, Detroit Lions

The Patriots parted with Ngakoue following a six-game stint with the group. He was claimed off waivers in early November following a five-game stretch with the Baltimore Ravens.

Ngakoue was initially signed to Baltimore’s follow squad however was elevated in Week 6 and signed to the energetic roster on October 15. Whereas he did not see in depth taking part in time with both Baltimore or New England, he recorded 1.5 sacks and eight quarterback pressures as a rotational pass-rusher.

Final 12 months with the Chicago Bears, Ngakoue recorded 4 sacks and 11 QB pressures. Earlier than that, he by no means didn’t register fewer than eight sacks in a season.

A return to Baltimore can be logical. Whereas the Ravens have logged a formidable 52 sacks this season, their main edge-rusher is the 33-year-old Kyle Van Noy. Including one other edge-defender who’s already conversant in the protection, even for insurance coverage functions, can be a really clever resolution.

Detroit might additionally present a smart touchdown spot for Ngakoue. The Lions protection has been hit laborious by accidents, however the largest blow was the lack of star pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson. He is been out since Week 6 with a fractured tibia and fibula, and if he returns in any respect this 12 months—a really huge if—it most likely will not be till the Tremendous Bowl.

Whereas the Lions did add edge-rusher Za’Darius Smith on the commerce deadline, they’ve recorded a mere 35 sacks this season—and Hutchinson was answerable for 7.5 of them.

Potential Touchdown Spots: Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions

Cornerback Patrick Peterson has been obtainable because the Pittsburgh Steelers launched him in March. Nonetheless, he performed nicely for Pittsburgh in 2023. He appeared in all 17 video games, with 16 begins, and showcased some positional versatility by spending a while at security.

Peterson allowed an opposing passer score of 91.5 in protection final season, which is not nice however is much from a catastrophe. The 34-year-old additionally has in depth expertise as a return specialist, although he hasn’t returned a kick since 2018.

A return to Pittsburgh for insurance coverage functions would make a ton of sense. Prime nook Joey Porter Jr. missed Week 17 with a knee damage, and whereas he is anticipated to play in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday, there’s all the time a threat of reinjury. Fellow cornerback Donte Jackson can be coping with a again damage.

The Minnesota Vikings, who employed Peterson in 2021 and 2022, also needs to contemplate a reunion. Minnesota ranks twenty eighth in passing yards allowed, and Peterson has made it recognized that he’d be blissful taking part in for head coach Kevin O’Connell once more.

“I really like the teaching workers there,” Peterson instructed the Zach Gelb Present in October (h/t Jonathan Harrison of SI.com). “Coach Kevin, had a chance to construct a stable relationship over the 9 months that I used to be with him.”

There can be little threat in bringing again Peterson for yet one more run.

Potential Touchdown Spots: Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers

Whereas the Chiefs have been utilizing standout guard Joe Thuney at left sort out, that hasn’t been a perfect plan. The competitors between Wanya Morris and rookie Kingsly Suamataia did not ship a constant starter, and in-season addition D.J. Humphries has been sidelined by a hamstring problem.

Thuney has fared nicely sufficient in his new position, however having him at left sort out has impacted Kansas Metropolis’s inside working sport.

Humphries may return to the beginning lineup on Sunday, however Kansas Metropolis ought to contemplate calling 2023 starter Donovan Smith. The 31-year-old has been out of labor since serving to the Chiefs win Tremendous Bowl LVIII however began 12 regular-season video games and all 4 postseason contests for Kansas Metropolis final season.

In line with The Athletic’s Nate Taylor, the Chiefs selected Humphries over Smith in a “shut resolution” in November. If Humphries cannot play in opposition to the Denver Broncos on Sunday or underwhelms whereas doing so, Kansas Metropolis ought to rethink including Smith.

The Steelers also needs to give Smith a glance, given their points alongside the offensive line. Rookie first-round decide Troy Fautanu suffered a season-ending knee damage in September, and beginning left sort out Dan Moore Jr. has largely been unreliable. He is been answerable for 5 penalties and 10 sacks allowed, in response to Pro Football Focus.

At worst, Smith might present insurance coverage for a Steelers group mild on sort out depth.

Potential Touchdown Spots: Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers