What to Watch For Wednesday: Former Noles Seek Homes in NFL Free Agency

There are no sports.

We are sad.

As a website called The Daily Nole however, we’re going to do our best to provide content — you guessed it — daily. While there is virtually no competition taking place across the sports world, NFL free agency is heating up.

Below is a look at former Florida State players looking for an NFL team this offseason. Expect more than one to sign with a team by the end of the week:

Offense

Jameis Winston, QB
2019 Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2019 Stats: 61% completions, 5,109 yards passing, 33 pass TD, 30 INT, rush TD
Years Pro: 5
Overview: The first overall pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2015, Jameis Winston made a Pro Bowl as a rookie, but was plagued by turnovers and a lack of protection during his time in Tampa. With the Buccaneers signing Tom Brady, Winston will look for a new home. Last season, Winston became just the eighth player in NFL history to pass for 5,000 yards and the first to throw 30 interceptions in a season since Vinny Testaverde in 1988.

Devonta Freeman, RB
2019 Team: Atlanta Falcons
2019 Stats: 656 yards rushing, 2 rush TD, 410 yards receiving, 4 TD catches
Years Pro: 6
Overview: A 2-time Pro Bowl running back, Devonta Freeman was let go by the Atlanta Falcons this offseason. Freeman has missed 16 games over the last two seasons, but has amassed at least 1,000 yards from scrimmage in four of his six NFL seasons.

Chris Thompson, RB
2019 Team: Washington Redskins
2019 Stats: 138 yards rushing, 378 yards receiving
Years Pro: 7
Overview: As was the case during his time at Florida State, injuries have been a big part of Chris Thompson’s career. Still, Thompson was a versatile back for the Washington Redskins. With nearly 3,000 yards from scrimmage for his career, Thompson has done most of his damage as a receiver.

Nick O’Leary, TE
2019 Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
2019 Stats: 13 catches, 109 yards receiving, TD catch
Years Pro: 5
Overview: The 2014 winner of the John Mackey Award, Nick O’Leary has been a journeyman throughout his career. O’Leary played for both the Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019. The former FSU tight end could land with a fourth team in six years.

Cam Erving, T
2019 Team: Kansas City Chiefs
2019 Stats: 13 games, 8 starts
Years Pro: 5
Overview: A former first-round pick of the Cleveland Browns, Cam Erving has had an up-and-down career. Last season, Erving started eight games at tackle for the world champion Kansas City Chiefs. Erving has started 13 games in a season twice, but is versatile, having started at tackle, guard and center during his career.

Roderick Johnson, T
2019 Team: Houston Texans
2019 Stats: 16 games, 3 starts
Years Pro: 3
Overview: A 2-time winner of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, Roderick Johnson left Florida State after his junior season. After not appearing in a game with the Cleveland Browns as a rookie and in just one game during his second season with the Houston Texans, Johnson appeared in all 16 games last season and made three starts.

Defense

Timmy Jernigan, DT
2019 Team: Philadelphia Eagles
2019 Stats: 10 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 TFL
Years Pro: 6
Overview: A productive member of good defenses with the Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles, Timmy Jernigan will hit the market this offseason. Jernigan however, has become injury prone. He’s played in just 13 of 32 games the last two seasons.

Nigel Bradham, LB
2019 Team: Philadelphia Eagles
2019 Stats: 61 tackles, 2 TFL, INT
Years Pro: 8
Overview: Nigel Bradham will be 31 years old early in the 2020 season, but has been durable and productive. In eight years with the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles, Bradham has two seasons with 100 total tackles and has recorded at least 50 in each season. Over his 8-year career, Bradham has missed just 13 total games.

Dekoda Watson, LB
2019 Team: Seattle Seahawks
2019 Stats: 1 game
Years Pro: 10
Overview: A 10-year veteran for five different teams, linebacker Dekoda Watson may be at the end of his career. Now 32 years old, Watson has recorded just 31 tackles over his last five seasons with four different teams. Over the last two seasons, he’s played in just five games.

Ronald Darby, CB
2019 Team: Philadelphia Eagles
2019 Stats: 37 tackles, TFL, 2 INT
Years Pro: 5
Overview: Ronald Darby has missed 20 games over the last three seasons, but when healthy, is a solid cover corner. A member of the 2015 All-Rookie Team with the Buffalo Bills, Darby has started in 27 of the 28 games he played in three seasons as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Javien Elliott, CB
2019 Team: Carolina Panthers
2019 Stats: 38 tackles, 0.5 sacks, TFL, INT
Years Pro: 4
Overview: A former walk-on at Florida State, Javien Elliott has continued defying the odds on the NFL level. Elliott spent three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before arriving in Carolina last season. Over the last three seasons, Elliott has played in 46 of a possible 48 games and has nine starts over that stretch.

Xavier Rhodes, CB
2019 Team: Minnesota Vikings
2019 Stats: 63 tackles, 5 TFL, FF
Years Pro: 7
Overview: A 3-time Pro Bowl cornerback, Xavier Rhodes was released by the Minnesota Vikings earlier this offseason. A big cornerback at 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, Rhodes made the Pro Bowl last season, but had regressed from earlier campaigns. Over his seven years in the NFL, Rhodes has missed just eight total games. Rhodes has 10 career interceptions.

P.J. Williams, CB
2019 Team: New Orleans Saints
2019 Stats: 44 tackles, 3 TFL, INT
Years Pro: 5
Overview: After missing his entire rookie season in 2015 with a torn hamstring, P.J. Williams has been an important part of the New Orleans Saints’ defense. Over the last three seasons, Williams has missed just three games. Williams has 21 starts over that stretch and has been versatile with the ability to cover receivers outside or in the slot.

EDITOR’S NOTE: We apologize for having no Hot Take Tuesday article.

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson. Like The Daily Nole on Facebook. To pitch an idea, author a post or to learn more about The Daily Nole, email Mike Ferguson at Mike@TheDailyNole.com.