Finding Ideal Homes for the 8 Best Still Unsigned NFL Free Agents By Russell S. Baxter May 28, 2015 
Andy Lyons/Getty Images We are a month removed from the 2015 NFL draft. Teams are in the midst of their OTAs, but the business of adding talent to a club is never over.There are veteran players still looking for work around the league, as we have seen in recent weeks. The New England Patriots signed (or re-signed) linebackers Brandon Spikes and Dane Fletcher, who had left the club in free agency last offseason but are now back in Foxborough. The San Diego Chargers recently added tackle Joe Barksdale, who had been on the open market since March 10.Here we will take a specific look at not only who we feel are the best eight free agents still available, but where they would fit best. Be it need or familiarity with a system or a coach, these possible additions would be beneficial to their new clubs.RB Pierre Thomas (Released by New Orleans Saints)
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports Ideal Home: Arizona CardinalsIn eight seasons with the New Orleans Saints, running back Pierre Thomas rolled up 6,353 yards from scrimmage and 40 touchdowns in 105 regular-season contests. Despite missing five games this past season, he finished fifth on the club with 45 catches.The former University of Illinois product touched the ball a combined 1,227 times on runs, receptions and kickoff returns in those 105 games and fumbled only six times.Thomas also totaled four touchdowns in five postseason games with the Saints, one of those scores coming in the team's 31-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV. But the team from the Crescent City made plenty of changes on offense this offseason, and Thomas was one of them.Only one team in the NFL totaled fewer rushing yards in 2014 than the Arizona Cardinals, a team that had its issues keeping quarterbacks and running backs healthy. Thomas adds plenty of experience, some playoff savvy and a lot of dependability. His pass-catching skills also somewhat offset the recent retirement of tight end John Carlson.WR James Jones (Released by Oakland Raiders)
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images Ideal Home: San Francisco 49ersThe Oakland Raiders offense was less than fearful in 2014. But a short drive here could be beneficial for a veteran wide receiver.Last offseason, the Silver and Black signed free-agent wideout James Jones away from the Green Bay Packers, a franchise Jones had spent the first seven seasons of his NFL career with.This past season, Jones led the Raiders with 73 catches and six touchdown receptions and finished second on the team in receiving yards (666). But general manager Reggie McKenzie made Amari Cooper the fourth overall pick in this year's draft and also signed former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree.Hence, Jones received his walking papers. But don't be surprised if he doesn't have to go far. The Niners added free-agent wideout Torrey Smith this offseason, and ageless Anquan Boldin is still in town. Former fourth-round draft choices Quinton Patton (2013) and Bruce Ellington (2014) teamed for nine receptions this past season, two for scores—both by Ellington.An experienced wide receiver certainly can't hurt the efforts of quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who comes off an erratic 2014 campaign.WR Reggie Wayne (UFA, Indianapolis Colts)
Justin Edmonds/Getty Images Ideal Home: Jacksonville JaguarsHow ironic is it that someone would receive the key to a city after the team he played for in that same city announced it would not welcome him back?According to the Associated Press (via IndyStar.com), Indianapolis mayor Greg Ballard will give former Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne that special honor this summer.Is there another venue out there that should welcome the seventh-leading pass-catcher in NFL history with open arms?Wayne and his 1,070 career receptions would certainly be a plus for the Jacksonville Jaguars, a team with a lot of young wideouts in two-year veteran Ace Sanders and second-year pros Marqise Lee, Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns, as well as 2015 draft choices Rashad Greene and Neal Sterling, to name a few.Jacksonville did sign onetime second-round pick Arrelious Benn, who hasn't caught a pass since 2012, and the free-agent addition of Bryan Walters benefits the special teams more. Tandon Doss, who spent 2014 on injured reserve, is on the roster as well.Wayne, plagued by injuries the last two seasons, has totaled just 102 catches for 1,282 yards and four touchdowns in 22 games since 2013. If healthy, he's still a viable veteran, and his experience would be invaluable to a team that has scored the fewest points in the league each of the last two seasons.TE Jermaine Gresham (UFA, Cincinnati Bengals)
Justin K. Aller/Getty Images Ideal Home: Cleveland BrownsA two-time Pro Bowler, tight end Jermaine Gresham actually finished second on the Cincinnati Bengals in receptions in 2014 with 62 catches, and his five touchdown grabs tied for second on the club. But he totaled just 460 yards on those receptions, a very disappointing 7.4 yards per grab.Gresham suffered a back injury in the regular-season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers and didn't play in Cincinnati's AFC Wild Card Round loss to the Indianapolis Colts. He is still recovering from surgery he had in March and should be healthy soon.In five seasons with the Bengals, the 2010 first-round pick totaled 280 catches for 2,722 yards and 24 scores, but the team has opted not to re-sign him to date and does have 2013 first-rounder Tyler Eifert.Could the rival Cleveland Browns, in need of a pass-catching option at tight end, welcome him with open arms? The team has Gary Barnidge and Jim Dray, who combined for 30 catches and one touchdown this past season, added free agent Rob Housler from the Arizona Cardinals (nine receptions in 2014) and drafted Randall Telfer in the sixth round earlier this month. But the addition of Gresham would fill a big need.G Justin Blalock (Released by Atlanta Falcons)
Rob Carr/Getty Images Ideal Home: Tampa Bay BuccaneersThe Tampa Bay Buccaneers won just two games this past season. They finished 30th in the NFL in total offense and 29th in rushing, and their offensive unit totaled just 28 touchdowns in 16 games.While head coach Lovie Smith is back for a second year with the club, the team did make a change at offensive coordinator with the hiring of Dirk Koetter, late of the Atlanta Falcons.Enter eight-year veteran guard Justin Blalock, also late of the Falcons. The well-schooled blocker started 125 of a possible 128 regular-season games as well as five playoff games with the franchise from 2007 to 2014 before being cut loose this offseason.The Bucs could use some more help at guard. The team did trade for veteran Logan Mankins last offseason, and he secured the left side. Patrick Omameh started 16 games at right guard in 2014 and had his issues, according to Pro Football Focus. The team also drafted Ali Marpet in the second round this year, and he could vie for a starting job.However, Blalock has the benefit of experience, both with Koetter and the rest of the NFC South, and appears to be a common-sense fit.C Chris Myers (Released by Houston Texans)
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports Ideal Home: Denver BroncosWe keep waiting for this to happen, and perhaps it shall. But the suspense is nerve-racking.Not really. However, why haven't the Denver Broncos and new head coach Gary Kubiak (who is an old face in the Mile High City) added two-time Pro Bowl center Chris Myers to their roster?Granted, the veteran pivot isn't coming off his best season, according to Pro Football Focus, but he did start every game for the Houston Texans the past seven seasons (most of that under Kubiak) and began his 10-year career in Denver.This offseason, there has been a lot more shuffling going on along the Broncos offensive line. The two men who snapped the ball to quarterback Peyton Manning in 2014 (Manny Ramirez and Will Montgomery) are gone. The team added Gino Gradkowski this offseason via trade from the Baltimore Ravens, and Max Garcia was a fourth-round selection in 2015. Second-year pro Matt Paradis remains on the roster as well, but adding Myers would be a sound decision.DE Red Bryant (Released by Jacksonville Jaguars)
Richard Dole-USA TODAY Sports Ideal Home: New York GiantsThis offseason, the New York Giants looked to aid their disappointing defense with the addition of coach Steve Spagnuolo, the team's defensive coordinator in 2007-08, the first of those seasons resulting in a win in Super Bowl XLII.Of course, adding some more good players would help as well. Tom Coughlin's squad gave up the fourth-most total yards in the league in 2014, and only two clubs surrendered more rushing yards per contest.Via Pro Football Focus, we know former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Red Bryant tied for third in the league among 4-3 defensive ends when it came to stopping the run. Of course, it should also be noted the Jaguars ranked 27th in the NFL in rushing defense.With Spagnuolo, you know this team will continue to get after the quarterback—the Giants totaled 47 sacks in 2014. But somewhere along the way, and especially in the NFC East, you better get ready to stop the run, and Bryant would make an awful lot of sense.DE/OLB Mathias Kiwanuka (Released by New York Giants)
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports Ideal Home: Dallas CowboysThis offseason, the New York Giants added former Dallas Cowboys free agents in the form of wide receiver/kick returner Dwayne Harris and defensive end George Selvie.Could Jerry Jones return the favor in some way?In nine seasons with the New York Giants, defensive end/outside linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka made 82 regular-season starts, played both defensive end positions and both outside linebacker spots in the club's 4-3 scheme and totaled 38.5 sacks and 13 forced fumbles.The Cowboys are still looking for pass-rushers, especially after a season in which they totaled a mere 28 sacks. The Giants released Kiwanuka this offseason, but the former Boston College product could help a club due to the fact that he can get after the quarterback—and do it from several different positions.Is the 2006 first-round pick past his prime? It appears that way. But he could still give Dallas a little assistance when it comes to depth, and perhaps more.All free-agent information and player signings/transactions are courtesy of Spotrac. Depth chart information comes via Ourlads. Unless otherwise noted, all player and team statistics come from Pro Football Reference.link
