As of 4 p.m. Eastern time on Monday, the deadline for NFL compensatory draft picks attached to signing certain unrestricted free agents passed, meaning several high-profile free agents can freely sign with new NFL franchises without the burden of a compensatory pick sent to their former teams, per ProFootballTalk.
Two of the higher profile free agents still on the market are quarterback Jameis Winston and defensive end Jadeveon Clowney—coincidentally two former first-overall picks in prior drafts.
Winston, 26, has been heavily rumored to be in the process of finalizing a deal with the New Orleans Saints (his old team Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ NFC South division rival). Winston would back up future Hall of Fame gunslinger Drew Brees, who re-signed with the franchise after last season saw him go down for five games. Then-backup Teddy Bridgewater filled in for Brees, who turned 41 years old in January, winning all five games and signing with the Carolina Panthers in the offseason.
Winston led the league in passing yards in 2019 along with throwing a league-high interceptions.
Clowney spent the 2019 NFL season with the Seattle Seahawks, traded by his original franchise Houston Texans in Sept. 2019. The three-time Pro Bowl defensive end had a down year, relative to his personal performance, appearing in just 11 games and recording three sacks.
Following Monday’s deadline, though, potential suitors would not be responsible to send a compensatory pick to these players’ former teams, possibly alleviating a pressure while interested in signing the free agents. Other top targets in this category of top 65 percentile in annual value include Tennessee Titans defensive back Logan Ryan and Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jason Peters.
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