Jadeveon Clowney odds update: Titans now favorites to land top NFL free agent
There's a new leader to be the team that signs former Pro Bowl defensive end Jadeveon Clowney.
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While Cam Newton might be the biggest-name free agent still on the market, he's not the best player available. That would be former Houston Texans and Seattle Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney. The three-time Pro Bowler, unlike Newton (both were No. 1 overall picks), is in his prime at age 27. Clowney had long been favored to re-sign with the Seahawks, but via SportsLine oddsmakers the team now favored to land him is the Tennessee Titans.
One big reason why Clowney hasn't signed yet likely passed on Monday afternoon. That was the deadline where unrestricted free agent signings no longer factor into the formula the NFL uses to determine compensatory draft picks. Thus, any team signing Clowney now would not risk losing compensatory picks said team might be in line for this season.
Here's a breakdown of each team and its moneyline odds:
Titans (+200): Titans general manager Jon Robinson already has admitted his team has been in talks previously with Clowney's camp but recently said there was "nothing imminent." The Titans need pass-rush help (who doesn't?) and didn't select a defensive end in the 2020 NFL Draft. Tennessee also has about $21.5 million in cap space (all cap space data from overthecap.com), with Clowney reportedly having lowered his demands to $17 million per season.
Seahawks (+350): Seattle still makes the most sense from a practical standpoint, but something a bit off-the-radar happened this week that downgraded Seattle's chances, even though it seems trivial. Last year when Clowney was acquired via trade by Seattle, fellow Seahawks defensive lineman Jarran Reed sold his No. 90 to Clowney. However, Reed said in a Twitter post this week that he's back in the No. 90. Numbers are very important to players. After the draft, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said the team is "staying in touch" with Clowney. Seattle did not take an edge rusher in the draft.
Browns (+400): No team has more salary-cap space available than the Browns at more than $38 million. A 1-2 punch at defensive end of former No. 1 overall picks in Clowney and Myles Garrett would be devastating. NFL Insider John Clayton has said one holdup regarding the Browns (and no doubt other teams) is that they can't give Clowney a physical, and he has been injury-prone. Cleveland did not take an edge rusher in the draft.
Colts (+600): Indianapolis has the fourth-most salary-cap space in the NFL at around $24 million. Pro Football Focus recently wrote about the best fits for the remaining free agents, and it listed Clowney to the Colts because they need a pass-rusher opposite Justin Houston. Indy, which didn't address that in the draft, already boosted its defensive line with a trade in March for 49ers Pro Bowl tackle DeForest Buckner. Clowney would make it that much better.
Giants (+800): If Clowney cares about winning right away, the Giants shouldn't be an option because they don't figure to be very good again this season – New York has a win total of 6.5 at William Hill sportsbook, with the Under a -120 favorite. The Giants have about $17 million in cap space. GM Dave Gettleman has said he will not overpay for a pass rusher. The team didn't take one in the draft.
Eagles (+1000): Philly has about $23 million in salary-cap space and didn't address edge rusher in the draft. Philly has two terrific defensive tackles in Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave and two solid ends in Brandon Graham and Derek Barnett, but Clowney is better than both those guys and there's not much depth behind them. One issue: Clowney put a dirty hit on Eagles QB Carson Wentz in last year's Wild-Card round playoff game. Wentz had to leave the game with a concussion, and Seattle would go on to win in Philadelphia.
NFL pick: Browns
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