1. Brock Osweiler, QB Denver Broncos
A name not mentioned much in free agency seems to be Denver quarterback Brock Osweiler. The popular opinion seems to be that the former Arizona State Sun Devil will stay put with the team that selected him in the second round of the 2012 draft.
While it is likely he stays, there is a chance that Brock will test the market. One reason he may is because of damaged ego.
After the Broncos future Hall of Fame quarterback, Peyton Manning went down hurt, Osweiler stepped in and played well. Osweiler completed nearly 62 percent of his passes for 1,967 yards with 10 touchdowns and six picks. He added another score on the ground as the 6-foot-7 240-pounder showed he has some mobility with his 61 yards rushing.
He outperformed Manning, who completed under 60 percent of his throws and was second in the NFL with 17 interceptions, in just nine starts. Manning also found the end zone a mere nine times and anyone who wasn’t a Manning-lover (like Tony Dungy for NBC) could see Osweiler was the better option.
Instead, Osweiler was benched and has now watched Peyton get all the credit for a team that’s winning because of their defense more than anything. Osweiler may feel he was robbed of a Super Bowl start, and if so, Houston needs to step in and target him as their guy.
Osweiler has the leverage as Manning is still under contract and other players in Denver are due for a new deal. He could force the hands of the Broncos to either slap him with the incredibly costly franchise tag or let him walk.
Next: Houston Texans: Six free agent QB options
With what O’Brien has done with Brian Hoyer and Ryan Fitzpatrick at the helm, fans in Houston should salivate at the idea of him working with the much more talented Osweiler.