NFL free agency: Fits for the best remaining players

The meat and potatoes portion of NFL free agency has come and gone, with multiple teams seeing their stock rise after several additions.

On the flip side of that coin, there are many fans of certain (cough, cough, the Houston Texans) that are actively pouring bleach in their morning bowl of Cheerios after the Texans somehow made their offensive line worse than it was in 2024 - job well done, Nick Caserio.

As we enter the second wave of the offseason, many big-name free agents remain on the board and several teams would benefit from adding them, so let's dig in.

OT Cam Robinson: Houston Texans

Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings tackle Cam Robinson (74) against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Speaking of the Texans and their fans who are one bad move away from starting a protest outside the team facility - look, a left tackle! I don't know if they'll make a move for Cam Robinson, considering they looked at Laremy Tunsil - their one truly great offensive lineman - and said "Ah, better trade him away," but they certainly should. Robinson isn't the second coming of Jonathan Ogden by any means, but Blake Fisher would certainly make him look much better. Even though his seven sacks allowed in 2024 is a scary number, Robinson by and large is a solid pass blocker, and the Texans aren't going to find anyone better on the open market.

DE Matt Judon: Detroit Lions

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 18: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons is sacked by Matt Judon #9 of the New England Patriots in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 18, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Matt Judon is past the point of his career where he can be a No. 1 edge rusher for a contending team, but he would be a very good No. 2. The Lions likely would have loved to trade for Myles Garrett, who spent a month pretending to care about winning before signing a record-breaking extension with notorious winners, the Cleveland Browns. So, still in need of a No. 2 opposite Aidan Hutchinson, Judon would be a great addition. He only had 5.5 sacks last season with the Atlanta Falcons, but in a Robin rather than Batman role, he could see that number go up and make the Lions' pass rush more dangerous.

WR Keenan Allen: New England Patriots

Dec 22, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) runs after a catch against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images

New England entered the offseason with more money than the GDP of a small country, and they have been spending it. Carlton Davis, Milton Williams, Harold Landry, Robert Spillane, and Morgan Moses highlight the hoard of free agents who now call Foxboro home, but Drake Maye still doesn't have any sort of proven receiver on the roster. Keenan Allen did wonders for Maye's draft classmate, Caleb Williams, in 2024, catching 70 passes and seven touchdowns. Adding Allen to be the big power forward of the offense in the slot like the Vlade Divac to Maye's Jason Williams would give him a big, tall, smart easy button to distribute the ball to. Allen shouldn't be the only move the Patriots make at receiver - they still need a legit No. 1 boundary playmaker - but it's a move they should make, nonetheless.

DE Za'Darius Smith: Baltimore Ravens

Detroit Lions defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) celebrates a sack against Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.

From one former Ravens draft pick to another. This is such a Ravens move that I'm surprised it hasn't happened already. Baltimore has made similar signings to veteran defenders over the years that have largely been beneficial. Elvis Dumervil, Eric Weddle, Calais Campbell, Kyle Van Noy just to name a few. Za'Darius Smith was very productive last year with the Cleveland Browns and Lions, respectively, totaling nine sacks on the season. Baltimore has a need at the position, so why not bring back their former fourth-round pick who can still play good football?

WR Stefon Diggs: Buffalo Bills

Oct 13, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs (1) runs with the ball after making a catch against the New England Patriots during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Yes, yes, yes, give me all of this.

Those who have followed my work for a while know two things about me: I'm a Josh Allen mark and I love professional wrestling - this is the closest thing the NFL could get to a WWE storyline. Former close friends that had some sort of wedge come between them, one of which (Stefon Diggs) is largely blamed, banished, and made the heel of the story. Meanwhile, Josh Allen becomes the ultimate babyface, wins MVP, and leads the Bills back to the AFC Championship Game. But once again, they fell short. And now the ultimate hero is left needing a dynamic companion.

I won't pretend to know what happened between Allen and Diggs. All I can do is put myself in the shoes of Diggs at this very moment. And in doing so, if I watched my former team get better without me, that would humble me a bit. On top of that, Diggs is turning 32 this year and running out of time to win a Super Bowl. He can still play - he was on pace for his fifth straight 100-catch year before tearing his ACL - and both Allen and Diggs have publicly said they said they still have love for one another. Sometimes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Get those two in a room with Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane to talk out whatever differences they had, reunite, and get back to chasing a championship together.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: NFL free agency: Fits for the best remaining players