Let’s make this easy: Every team in the NFL could use Vince Wilfork.
The 11-year veteran is a respected team leader, he proved he still has some tread on his tires by playing over 70 percent of the New England Patriots’ snaps last season, and he fits as a zero-technique nose tackle in a 3-4 or a one-technique defensive tackle in a 4-3. Wilfork even has the versatility to play defensive end or three-technique defensive tackle.
Wilfork still could make it easy on himself by returning to the Patriots — at a reduced salary — but he’ll certainly field offers when he hits free agency Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.
Let’s narrow down some potential landing spots for the seven-time Patriots captain, who said “Hell yeah” he can still play football:
CHICAGO BEARS
Stephen Paea is a free agent, and the Bears struggled to stop the run last season. The Bears are switching to a 3-4 after many years in a 4-3, and Wilfork’s skill set probably best fits the three-man-front scheme.
Wilfork could make the transition to a 3-4 easier for the Bears, who have plenty of room under the salary cap to overpay the big man.
HOUSTON TEXANS
There is plenty of familiarity for Wilfork in Houston, where former Patriots coordinator Romeo Crennel leads the defense, former teammate Mike Vrabel is linebackers coach and former New England offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien is head coach.
The Texans still could use a pure nose tackle to play next to J.J. Watt, and Wilfork remains one of the best in the NFL.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
The Colts play a hybrid 3-4 defense, and Wilfork is comfortable in three- or four-man fronts. The Patriots showed twice last season how much trouble the Colts had at defending the run, and Wilfork could immediately improve their defensive front.
The Colts also are constantly in the playoff hunt, which could help persuade Wilfork from signing with a bottom-dweller.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
Speaking of bottom-dwellers.
The Browns run a 3-4 defense, but they don’t have a classic fit at nose tackle on their roster. Wilfork also could help give the Browns some of the veteran leadership they desperately need.
The Browns likely won’t be competing for a Super Bowl anytime soon, but they have boatloads of cap space.
ARIZONA CARDINALS
There certainly are worse places to finish out a career than Arizona.
Nose tackle Dan Williams is a free agent and could be set to leave the Cardinals. Arizona doesn’t have an obvious replacement for Williams on its roster, and Wilfork could serve as a valuable stopgap.
The Cardinals have a top defense and could be back in the playoff hunt again in 2015 as long as their quarterbacks stay healthy.
Thumbnail photo via Charles Krupa/Associated Press
