Numerous Former Alabama Players May Be on the Move Through NFL Free Agency

The Crimson Tide still leads the NFL in number of players among colleges, including a bunch who are no longer under contract this week.

Christopher Walsh | Mar 14, 2022

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Alabama Crimson Tide

Wide receiver Amari Cooper is being traded to the Cleveland Browns, and Landon Collins is leaving the Washington Commanders.

That may nothing compared to what we may soon see.

Numerous former Alabama players are hitting the open market this as the free agency period begins, and figures to shake up the NFL like usual.

It'll also had a tremendous impact on the upcoming 2022 NFL Draft as teams that fill needs in one will need to do so in the other.

Specifcally:

During the period beginning at 12:00 noon, New York time, on March 14 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 16, clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with, the certified agents of players who will become unrest
3/16/2022The 2022 League Year and Free Agency period begin at 4:00 p.m., New York time. The first day of the 2022 League Year will end at 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 16. Clubs will receive a Personnel Notice that will include all transactions submitted
3/16/2022Trading period for 2022 begins at 4:00 p.m., New York time, after expiration of all 2021 contracts.

Some of the bigger names out there this year include edge rushers Von Miller and Chandler Jones, defensive backs J.C. Jackson and Tyrann Mathieu, wide receiver Allen Robinson.

Collins, however, hasn't been released yet, so he's still on the Washington roster. Per numerous reports, he was asked to restructure his contract to help grant salary cap relief, to which he agreed.

But when the Commanders traded for quarterback Carson Wentz, and the team asked him to restructure his deal again, his response was "I'll just take my chances in free agency."

He also wasn't thrilled that the coaching staff wanted him to play linebacker instead of his preferred position at safety.

In 2019, Collins signed a six-year, $84 million contract with Washington, making him one of the richest free agents in the NFL that year.

So who else is suddenly a free agent?

Anthony Averett

CB, Baltimore Ravens

Signed with the Raiders

Bradley Bozeman

G/C Baltimore Ravens

Signed with the Panthers

Rashaan Evans

LB, Tennessee Titans

Shaun Dion Hamilton

LB, Detroit Lions

Staying with Lions

Ronnie Harrison

S, Cleveland Browns

J.C. Hassenauer

OL, Pittsburgh Steelers, who have exclusive rights to re-sign him.

Dont'a Hightower

LB, New England Patriots

O.J. Howard

TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Signed with the Bills

Kareem Jackson

S, Denver Broncos

AJ McCarron

QB, Atlanta Falcons

Reggie Ragland

LB, New York Giants

Jarran Reed

DL, Kansas City Chiefs

Signed with the Packers

Cam Sims

WR, Washington Commanders

Staying with the Commanders

Levi Wallace

CB, Buffalo Bills

Signed with Steelers

Published Mar 14, 2022

CHRISTOPHER WALSH

Christopher Walsh is the founder and publisher of BamaCentral, which first published in 2018. He's covered the Crimson Tide since 2004, and is the author of 26 books including Decade of Dominance, 100 Things Crimson Tide Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die, Nick Saban vs. College Football, and Bama Dynasty: The Crimson Tide's Road to College Football Immortality. He's an eight-time honoree of Football Writers Association of America awards and three-time winner of the Herby Kirby Memorial Award, the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s highest writing honor for story of the year. In 2022, he was named one of the 50 Legends of the ASWA. Previous beats include the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, along with Major League Baseball’s Arizona Diamondbacks. Originally from Minnesota and a graduate of the University of New Hampshire, he currently resides in Tuscaloosa.