It’s several months until the 2021 NFL season kicks off — this year’s schedule isn’t even released yet — and six weeks until the NFL draft.
Still, that doesn’t mean there won’t be plenty of NFL-related news taking up plenty of air time in the upcoming days and weeks. That’s because the NFL’s new league year begins Wednesday, and with it, free agency opens.
There are several names familiar to Utahns to follow during the free agency period this offseason. Here are the ones to watch.
Alex Smith: The former University of Utah star was released by the Washington Football Team a little under two weeks ago following his AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year campaign in 2020. He led Washington to a 5-1 record after starting the year as the team’s third-string quarterback, and now the 36-year-old could provide valuable veteran leadership to a team’s quarterback room.
Kyle Van Noy: One of the surprise moves of the offseason so far came when the former BYU linebacker was released by the Miami Dolphins to cut costs. Van Noy is a two-time Super Bowl champion who’s on the move one year after signing a four-year, $51 million deal with the Dolphins and, after serving as a captain last year, will be a veteran with leadership capabilities wherever he signs.
Daniel Sorensen: The former BYU safety has been a staple in the Kansas City Chiefs’ secondary for the past seven seasons, but he is an unrestricted free agent. Sorensen put up some of his best career numbers this past season, starting 11 games, and has valuable postseason experience with the Chiefs, winning a Super Bowl ring two seasons ago.
Jamaal Williams: The former BYU running back spent the first four years of his career with the Green Bay Packers but is set to become an unrestricted free agent. The Packers are reportedly re-signing fellow back Aaron Jones on a four-year, $48 million deal, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, and Williams has already said thank you (and in essence, goodbye) to Green Bay.
Tim Patrick: The former Utes wideout has become a reliable target for the Denver Broncos — he had a breakout year in 2020 with 51 receptions for 742 yards and six touchdowns — and he is a restricted free agent this offseason. The Broncos will reportedly place a second-round tender on Patrick, as first reported by KOA Radio’s Brandon Krisztal, meaning Denver would be able to match any offer from another team or receive a second-round pick in return if another team acquired Patrick away from the Broncos.
Utah ties, NFL free agency tracker
Street/other free agents
Players waived or released prior to the new league year who can sign with a team at any time
- Alex Smith, QB, Utah
- Kyle Van Noy, LB, BYU
Unrestricted free agents
- Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU
- Tony Bergstrom, OL, Utah and Skyline High
- Devontae Booker, RB, Utah — Report: agreed to terms with New York Giants: Booker reportedly is set to sign a two-year, $6 million deal, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Booker, heading into his sixth NFL season, spent last year with the Las Vegas Raiders.
- Kyler Fackrell, LB, Utah State
- Miles Killebrew, S, Southern Utah
- Tyler Larsen, OL, Utah State and Jordan High
- Nevin Lawson, CB, Utah State
- JoJo Natson, WR/Ret., Utah State
- Jared Norris, LB, Utah
- LeShaun Sims, CB, Southern Utah
- Daniel Sorensen, S, BYU
- Sam Tevi, OT, Utah
- Nick Vigil, LB, Utah State and Fremont High — Report: agreed to terms with Minnesota Vikings: NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that Vigil, who spent last year with the Los Angeles Chargers, is joining Minnesota on a one-year deal with more than $1 million guaranteed.
- Jamaal Williams, RB, BYU
Restricted free agents
- Harvey Langi, LB, BYU, Utah and Bingham High: Langi, who’s been with the New York Jets the past three seasons and started nine games, will not be tendered by the team, according to The Athletic’s Connor Hughes.
- Tim Patrick, WR, Utah
Signed
Players with expired contracts who’ve already signed or renegotiated contracts this offseason
- Jackson Barton, OT, Utah and Brighton High — New York Giants
- Branden Bowen, OT, Corner Canyon High — Arizona Cardinals
- Michael Davis, CB, BYU — Los Angeles Chargers: Davis, a one-time undrafted free agent, re-signed with the Chargers on a reported three-year, $25.2 million deal, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
- Jordan Devey, OL, Snow College and American Fork High — Buffalo Bills
- Porter Gustin, DE, Salem Hills High — Cleveland Browns
- Dallin Leavitt, S, Utah State and BYU — Las Vegas Raiders
- Bryan Mone, DT, Highland High — Seattle Seahawks (per ESPN’s Brady Henderson)
- Kai Nacua, S, BYU — San Francisco 49ers
Franchise tagged
- Marcus Williams, FS, Utah — New Orleans Saints: Williams was set to become an unrestricted free agent before the Saints placed the franchise tag on him, and he’s set to make $10.612 million in 2021, per overthecap.com.
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