National Football League

NFL Free Agency: 5 NFL Players That Need A Change Of Scenery

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Sometimes NFL players find the right team to call home. Sometimes it just isn’t a fit, and they need to move on through NFL Free Agency. This slideshow features the one’s who need to hit the road.

For almost every kid that grows up playing football, the NFL is “The Dream”. Some of the world’s most gifted athlete’s work their way onto NFL rosters. A select few thrive in the environment they are thrown into. Others get to earn some extra cash through NFL Free Agency.

Through the NFL Draft, trades, and free agency, players land on 1 of the 32 teams in the National Football League. While some are a perfect fit, some players are for some reason not meshing with the scheme, haven’t performed up to their ceiling, or are just burnt out.

Through this short slide show, I will go over 5 current NFL Players that should bring their talents to a new franchise. Whether it be because the fan base isn’t behind them, they are performing like a shadow of their once great self, or I just believe they could fit better elsewhere, here are the selections.

Sep 20, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) runs between Tampa Bay Buccaneers middle linebacker Kwon Alexander (58) and Saints tackle Terron Armstead (72) in the second half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won, 23-19.Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

#5. Mark Ingram – RB – New Orleans Saints

Our first player on the list is Mark Ingram. As a 1st Round Pick to the Saints in 2011, Mark Ingram has been a great running back by many standards. He has had some injury stumbles, but in every year so far has played in double digit games. So why do I have him on this list?

It’s a valid question. He’s averaged over 4 yards per carry over his career. Averaging a little over 5 touchdowns a season, and from the eye test, looks to be performing well. Here are a few of my opinions however.

Mark Ingram is a true 3 down back. He is a downhill runner with the size and speed to be effective out of the singleback formation. However, he also is a very capable pass catcher and is strong after the catch in making tacklers miss.

In New Orleans, Ingram isn’t being used to his full potential. The Saints are to any spectator, a “Pass First” team. As long as Drew Brees is at the helm, this will be the case. So Ingram is used as an afterthought. The passing game opens the lanes for Ingram, and not vice-versa.

Mark Ingram has never reached 1,000 rush yards in a season to this date. With the likes of Travaris Cadet, Tim Hightower, and the recently drafted Daniel Lasco, the backfield is crowded. On another team, Ingram could be released in the same fashion that Lamar Miller is now featured in Houston.

Unless the Saints make a change in offensive scheme, Ingram would be better off elsewhere.

Potential Fits: Carolina Panthers, Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts

Oct 16, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) reacts against the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

#4. Eli Manning – QB – New York Giants

I’m sure this one would be heavily debated in New York City, but at number 4, is Eli Manning. Yes the two-time Super Bowl winning Quarterback should be looking elsewhere. Similar to his brother Peyton, Eli has become an icon for the team that drafted him coming out of college.

At times, Eli has looked unstoppable, and has always had an uncanny ability to create greatness out of thin air. In his two Super Bowl winning seasons, he took teams that looked average going into the playoffs, and made them champions.

But the year is 2016, and I hate to say it, but Eli’s performance for the last decade has tricked the die hard fans of the Giants into believing that Eli can create magic once again. He has one of the top receiving cores in the league with the trio of Odell Beckham Jr., Victor Cruz, and Sterling Shepard.

For the last few years, the fan base has been looking at the team, and blaming the offensive woes on Eli Manning. Don’t take notice to the lack of protection in the pocket, the lacking run game, and sub par defense. This is Eli’s fault!

While Eli is certainly not to blame, it could definitely be argued that a young, skillful, (elusive) quarterback could bring success to the Giants’ offensive game. Eli still has a lot left in the tank, and could bring a veteran presence to a team in need of a quarterback. The only issue is finding a team willing to bring on Eli’s recently signed contract extension….but I’ve seen crazier things.

Potential Fits: Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals

Oct 4, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) looks on from the sidelines in the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 36-21. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

#3. Jamaal Charles – RB – Kansas City Chiefs

The 29 year-old stud running back from Kansas City comes in at #3. Coming off an ACL tear last season, Charles is till slowly inching his way back into production this season. Although he did record his first touchdown of the year last Sunday, however I think it’s time to leave the Chiefs.

Over his nine seasons with the Chiefs, Jamaal Charles has been a workhorse back. He has rushed for over 1,000 yards 5 times, has scored 63 total touchdowns, and has been the face of the franchise.

However, since his injury last season, the Chiefs have taken on a new identity. One of a three-headed dog in the backfield. They really like Spencer Ware after his showing last season, and have leaned on him a lot in 2016 as well. You have to imagine that even with a healthy Charles, there is at least a running back by committee forming in Kansas City.

On top of that, Charcandrick West continues to perform well as a change of pace, and would likely command a few touches per game as well. The time is now, while Charles is still under the age of 30, to move to a new franchise. He still commands top dollar, desevedly, and in so, I believe he is still a 3 down workhorse back, just not for the Chiefs.

Potential Fits: Indianapolis Colts, Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders

Oct 2, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) prior to a game against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

#2. Alshon Jeffery – WR – Chicago Bears

To no surprise, Alshon Jeffery is the second player on this list. After an off-season of rumors and talk about where Alshon would land, he eventually was signed under the Franchise Tag of the Bears.

It is no secret that Jeffery hasn’t been the happiest player on the Chicago roster for his tenure, and has also not always been the most apt player to be on the field for every game. Nevertheless, he has been an outstanding performer since being drafted in 2012.

Being a large receiver with a huge catch radius and quickness, he has become a red zone favorite for whichever Quarterback has been behind center. Possibly the churning of Quarterback, offensive personnel, and Coaching Staff has had an impact on Alshon.

Whatever has gone wrong in Chicago previously still hasn’t stopped Alshon from being productive when healthy. In 2013 and 2014, he proved that he can be relied on for 1,000+ yard seasons, as well as double digit touchdowns. He can easily take over as a number 1 wide receiver on plenty of teams in the league when he reaches NFL free agency after this season.

Potential Fits: Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers.

Oct 9, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) looks over at the sideline during the second half against the Tennessee Titans at Hard Rock Stadium. Titans won 30-17. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

#1. Ryan Tannehill – QB – Miami Dolphins

At number 1 on my list, the Quarterback of the Miami Dolphins, Ryan Tannehill. It seems like every season, the Dolphins are bringing in somebody, or are looking at a way to make Ryan Tannehill more successful in Miami. I’m one of the many that are calling an end to this project.

As the 8th overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, Ryan Tannehill was drafted to be the Franchise Quarterback to bring the Dolphins back into relevancy. And to many measures, he has not been bad. In fact, he has shown great progress every season as an NFL Quarterback. Considering he was a Wide Receiver for half of his time at Texas A&M, and converted, a little time to adjust is fine.

In 2015, Tannehill threw for 4,208 yards, 24 TD’s and 12 INT’s, and a QBR of 89.2. He was also able to do this with a below average offensive line and has never had a strong rushing attack throughout is time in South Beach.