Free agency is like a bidding war, the player usually goes to the team that offers the most money.
In a surprising decision recently, the San Francisco 49ers elected to move on from star DT Arik Armstead — with the two sides unable to mutually work out a restructured contract. With Armstead’s name still floating around, which team should add the pass rusher?
Arik Armstead Free Agency Landing Spots
Taken No. 17 overall in the 2015 NFL Draft, Armstead was a focal point for a 49ers defense that appeared in the Super Bowl in 2020 and this past season, too.
Having dealt with a few injuries recently, Armstead may not receive humongous money, but his addition to a defensive line would be a quick boost.
Arik Armstead as the Christian Wilkins Replacement?
On the first day of the NFL‘s legal tampering period, the Miami Dolphins said their goodbyes to one of their own: DT Christian Wilkins, taken in the first round five seasons ago.
The Dolphins have Josh Allen and Aaron Rodgers in their division twice per season. Oh, and you can’t forget about Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, and Justin Herbert in a loaded AFC full of talented arms.
The Dolphins are certainly going to miss Wilkins beating interior linemen and getting pressure on the quarterback, and if Chris Grier’s phone is still accessible, he should be making a claim to add Armstead to the defensive line.
Dan Campbell Craves Defensive Guys; Is Armstead Next?
Who can forget about Campbell’s opening press conference after accepting the job to lead the Detroit Lions?
Letting the world know how his defense is going to play on a down-to-down basis.
Historic, right?
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Anyways, the Lions’ defense collapsed this past season in the second half of the NFC Championship Game against San Francisco, unable to create consistent pressure on QB Brock Purdy when it mattered most.
With familiarity being in the NFC his entire career, does Campbell pair Armstead with star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson?
Houston Is Building a Lethal Defense
Can’t forget about DeMeco Ryans’ Houston Texans, who just lost Jonathan Greenard late on Monday morning to the Minnesota Vikings.
Hoping to have a superstar soon in Will Anderson Jr. — finishing his rookie season with seven sacks and 10 tackles for loss — the Texans can pair Armstead and Anderson to create a dynamic pass-rushing duo in the AFC South.
Houston — already having their franchise quarterback — could also use a veteran voice in a still-growing locker room.
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