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#3 NFL Free Agent: Running back - Marlon Mack (Indianapolis Colts)
Most expected Marlon Mack to form a one-two punch in the backfield with the rookie, Jonathan David, in the last NFL season. But after tearing his Achilles tendon in week 1, Mack spent the rest of 2020 on the Colts' IR list, which was a huge loss for the Indianapolis faithful:
Over the course of the 2018 and 2019 NFL seasons, Mack tallied 2,184 yards from scrimmage and 18 TDs, which put him in some pretty elite company, in terms of output.
Assuming Mack makes a full recovery from his Achilles injury, there would be several teams that would improve if they pick him up in free agency: the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals (who are set to lose RBs James Conner and Kenyan Drake, respectively) are the two teams that spring to mind first.
Unfortunately for fans of the Cardinals and Steelers, while I am typing this piece, it appears that the Colts have steamed in to tie down their man on a new two-year deal.
More to come on that, I'm sure...
Without wanting to deny you of a true number 3 on the list, I give you a replacement:
#3 (take 2) Kalen Ballage (formerly of the Miami Dolphins)
I can't mention Drake or Conner on this list, as they are too popular. But one man who could be a sleeper pick in the NFL free agency is the former Charger, Kalen Ballage.
A couple of injuries and a pervious offensive line damaged Ballage's numbers last year. But whenever I watch the guy play (fit), he impresses me with his full-throttle running, determination and ability to break tackles.
At the moment, with James Conner set to leave the Steelers, I don't see much better on the Pittsburgh roster than the Arizona State University product, Ballage.
#2 NFL Free Agent: Tight End - Jared Cook (formerly of the New Orleans Saints)
Jared Cook might be approaching the end of his career. But with his size, strength and athleticism, even at 33 years of age, the big tight end is still one of the better players in his position.
Cook gathered 80 receptions for 1,209 yards and an impressive 16 TDs during his two-year stint with the New Orleans Saints. His receiving yards per game metrics may have dropped in 2020. But, in truth, Cook was targetted a lot less. If you check his stats, you'll see they bear a remarkable similarity to that of the Buccaneers' Super Bowl-winning TE Rob Gronkowski -- it's uncanny.
Cook did come under fire for some sloppy handling errors during the Saints' push for the NFL playoffs/playoff games. But he's still a marked upgrade for at least half of the franchise teams in the NFL: the Jaguars, Jets, Chargers, Bills, Texans and Colts. Many other NFL teams would also be significantly improved with the big man from the University of South Carolina out on the turf.
