NFL free agency predictions 2022 Projected landing spots for top 22 free agents from J.C. Jackson to

NFL free agency for 2022 doesn't officially start until next Wednesday at the beginning of the new league year. But many of the biggest names and best players available will be off the market Monday afternoon as there will be flurry of agreed deals in place during the NFL's legal tampering period. Before the potential signings and re-signings, it's fun to project where some of the most notable unrestricted players will land. Here are Sporting News' bold predictions for 22 key free agents: IYER: Chargers sign Patriots CB J.C. Jackson The Chargers had shaky play outside from Chris Harris Jr. and Michael Davis last season. Defensive-minded Brandon Staley needs his version of Jalen Ramsey on the back end and the team has a ton of cap money to make a ma sive splurge. Colts sign Saints OT Terron Armstead The Bengals also will have interest after luring defensive end Trey Hendrickson from New Orleans to Cincinnati last season as their means to boost athletic pa s protection for Joe Burrow. But the Colts, without Carson Wentz and having no plans to bring back Eric Fisher, have a ton of money and can make the better offer. Rams re-sign EDGE Von Miller Miller is on the radar for several teams as a short-term impact player vs. pa s and run, but there's no way Los Angeles lets him go knowing how well he played off Aaron Donald in getting to the quarterback. Miller will get his chance to run it back on a reasonable team-friendly deal. Patriots sign EDGE Chandler Jones The Patriots like to bring back their most trusted defenders and they just parted ways with Kyle Van Noy again. Jones makes a lot of sense to boost their pa s rush again for Bill Belichick. 49ers sign Panthers CB Stephon Gilmore The Patriots didn't want to pay Jackson or Gilmore. The Chargers will be willing to top the market for the former, while 49ers can get a comfortable deal done for the latter as an older player going into his Age 32 season. This is San Francisco following the Richard Sherman blueprint. Ravens sign Buccaneers C Ryan Jensen Jensen was outstanding for Tampa Bay in playing out his big contract that he signed coming over from Baltimore. With Bradley Bozeman being a free agent, it makes sense for the Ravens to get him back to finish his career. MORE: Eagles sign Saints S Marcus Williams The Eagles will be looking for depth at cornerback but could really use more on-ball playmaking at safety with Anthony Harris and Rodney McLeod not delivering. Williams is a good fit for Jonathan Gannon's scheme. Steelers sign Buccaneers CB Carlton Davis The Steelers will be doing "the Carlton" if they can land Davis to upgrade their coverage opposite Cameron Sutton with faded 32-year-old Joe Haden. He's an ideal che s piece for Mike Tomlin and Keith Butler. Steelers sign Bears DT Akiem Hicks Pittsburgh should be a little more aggre sive than usual with good cap means and could use Hicks on the front end to bolster the run defense and provide extra pa s-rush pop. Colts sign Bears WR Allen Robinson The Colts free up many more po sibilities without Wentz, making moves with Wentz's Arthur Moats Jersey replacement in mind. Armstead would be awesome for the offensive line, while Robinson would be a welcome a set playing off Michael Pittman Jr. Falcons sign Dolphins EDGE Emmanuel Ogbah Ogbah can't find a better team and scheme fit outside of Miami than leaving Miami for Atlanta's version of the 3-4 under Dean Pees. Bengals sign Commanders G Brandon Scherff The Bengals will be in on Armstead and another guard, Laken Tomlinson, but they should also come out swinging for Scherff, who can be a major upgrade to their interior pa s protection and run blocking. MORE: Jaguars sign Browns EDGE Jadeveon Clowney The Jaguars figure to have their defensive anchored by a young edge player, likely Michigan's Aidan Hutchinson, after picking first in the 2022 NFL Draft. Clowney would be a stout complement after putting up 11 sacks opposite Myles Garrett and being solid against the run. Jets sign Cowboys EDGE Randy Gregory Look for the Jets to be careful and calculated with their moves even though they have ample cap space. Gregory is a good scheme fit for Robert Saleh should Dallas not make the right offer for a re-sign. Colts sign Chiefs CB Tyrann Mathieu The Colts won't shy away from being aggre sive where needed. They won't ignore defense after addre sing offensive tackle and wide receiver, getting the unique hybrid cog to raise their big-play quotient. Steelers sign Packers LB De'Vondre Campbell Don't be surprised if Pittsburgh again does more than usual to get some immediate upgrades for the defense on every level. Campbell would make a smooth transition to their scheme after one great campaign with the Packers. Raiders sign Jaguars WR D.J. Chark There's a strong chance Chark stays in Jacksonville to try to stay healthy and play a key role for Trevor Lawrence. But as the top young playmaking wideout available, the Raiders will be doing their best to throw him into a mix with Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow. Eagles sign Chiefs EDGE Melvin Ingram Philadelphia will also consider bringing Mathieu from Kansas City instead of singing Mitchell, but the parallel scheme appeal can also have the team think about bolstering the pa s rush depth and versatility. MORE: Broncos sign EDGE Haason Reddick The Broncos lost their first-round pick in the Ru sell Wilson trade but need someone they can put opposite Bradley Chubb to help replace Von Miller. Reddick's pa s-rush production has great appeal for new defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. Dolphins sign 49ers G Laken Tomlinson Miami needs to bolster its running game both with better blocking and more dynamic feature running options. It will probably become an AFC East battle between two former Kyle Shanahan a sistants to land Tomlinson. Advantage goes to Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel over Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur. Jets sign Seahawks S Quandre Diggs The Jets can make yet another shrewd move for the defense by replacing Marcus Maye with Diggs, an excellent scheme fit for Saleh after he well outplayed his teammate, former Jet Jamal Adams. Bengals sign Buccaneers TE Rob Gronkowski There's been plenty of talk about the Bills because of the Gronk Buffalo connection, but he also said he wouldn't mind playing with Joe Burrow. Gronkowski with Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd would make the AFC champions' pa sing offense hard to stop. Gronk also can be an extra blocking a set. David DeCastro Jersey