NFL Free Agency 2015: Grading the Strength of Each Positional Class

The 2015 free-agent class is so stacked, even Jeff Ireland could build a contender. That is, of course, if all the players actually hit free agency.

Many of the best options will be taken away between now and when free agency hits in March, but there is no harm in taking a look at what could be.  

There are a host of studs and big names across most positions, with some stronger than others. Let's take a look at the strength of each positional class based on a combination of quality, quantity and positional scarcity.

Quarterback

Bob Leverone/Associated Press

Notable Free Agents

Player	Old Team
Matt Moore	Dolphins
Michael Vick	Jets
Brian Hoyer	Browns
Jake Locker	Titans
Ryan Mallett	Texans
Mark Sanchez	Eagles

 

It's almost unfair to grade the quarterback position in free agency on any given year. Outside of Peyton Manning's famous free-agent tour after he was ceremoniously dumped by the Indianapolis Colts, there hasn't been much quality available at the position for a while.

That makes sense considering how valuable quarterbacks are—rarely do teams let a quality signal-caller hit the market. So we are here, evaluating career backups or guys who should be.

Perhaps the most intriguing option is Ryan Mallett, who flashed some potential and grit with the Houston Texans this season before going down with a torn pectoral.

In reality, Brian Hoyer might be the only quarterback worthy of a starting gig, but that's even a stretch. His success would likely come with a team that has nice weapons and a great defense. If the Bengals swapped him for Andy Dalton, would Cincinnati be any worse?

Class Strength: D-

Running Back

Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

Notable Free Agents

Player	Old Team	Player	Old Team
DeMarco Murray	Cowboys	Frank Gore	49ers
C.J. Spiller	Bills	Ryan Mathews	Chargers
Lance Dunbar	Cowboys	Stevan Ridley	Patriots
Matt Asiata	Vikings	Justin Forsett	Ravens
Knowshon Moreno	Dolphins	Mark Ingram	Saints
Shane Vereen	Patriots	Antone Smith	Falcons
Darren McFadden	Raiders	Daniel Thomas	Dolphins
Cedric Peerman	Bengals	Jerome Felton	Vikings
Ahmad Bradshaw	Colts	John Kuhn	Packers
Roy Helu	Redskins	Chris Polk	Eagles
Henry Hynoski	Giants	Michael Robinson	Seahawks

 

How crazy would it be if we see the reigning rushing champion in his prime hit free agency?

That's what might happen with DeMarco Murray, whose Dallas Cowboys have some tough choices to make within their budget. Murray would have earned a massive contract had this been 1999, but things have changed dramatically over the past 15 years.

He shouldn't have too much trouble finding a nice contract somewhere, but the rest of the running back class is in for a rude awakening.

You may recall last season's free-agent class—albeit without a big name like Murray—saw some ugly contracts. Never has the running back position seemed so devalued, and that may continue this year.

There are question marks surrounding just about every running back heading into free agency.

How much longer is 31-year-old Frank Gore going to hold out? Can Ryan Mathews or C.J. Spiller stay healthy? Was that the best we'll ever see from Mark Ingram? 

Supply and demand are going to depress contracts yet again, but that's good news for teams that need to upgrade at the position. Quality backs are coming available who can help many clubs, which makes this one of the strongest positions in free agency.

Class Strength: B+

Wide Receiver

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Notable Free Agents

Player	Old Team	Player	Old Team
Dez Bryant	Cowboys	Torrey Smith	Ravens
Demaryius Thomas	Broncos	Randall Cobb	Packers
Jeremy Maclin	Eagles	Miles Austin	Browns
Reggie Wayne	Colts	Kenny Britt	Rams
Wes Welker	Broncos	Nate Washington	Titans
Michael Crabtree	49ers	Dwayne Harris	Cowboys
Cecil Shorts	Jaguars	Andre Holmes	Raiders
Hakeem Nicks	Colts	Cole Beasley	Cowboys
Eddie Royal	Chargers

 

There is no other way to describe the wide receiver class than to say it is absolutely stacked. But good luck trying to sign some of these prized free agents.

It's likely that most of the top names here will be unavailable come March, re-signing with their current teams before then. Can you really see Dez Bryant or Demaryius Thomas playing for a different team next fall?

A fan can dream, right?

Even disregarding the top names, the class is well-stocked. Guys like Michael Crabtree and Cecil Shorts will have something to prove, while others like Nate Washington and Andre Holmes might thrive if they get out of quarterback purgatory.

Class Strength: A

Tight End

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Notable Free Agents

Player	Old Team
Julius Thomas	Broncos
Jermaine Gresham	Bengals
Jordan Cameron	Browns
Charles Clay	Dolphins
Owen Daniels	Ravens
Tony Moeaki	Seahawks
Lance Kendricks	Rams
Larry Donnell	Giants

 

The tight end position isn't too dissimilar to quarterback when it comes to free agency. We rarely see top options hit the market, and that will likely be the case this season.

Julius Thomas is the clear-cut No. 1 in free agency at his position—though how he would fare if Peyton Manning isn't tossing him the football would be interesting to see—but it's likely the Denver Broncos will re-sign him. 

Some other interesting names could be looking for new homes, however—more so than at the quarterback position anyway.

Charles Clay has had his ups and downs with the Miami Dolphins, but the former sixth-round pick could be a huge addition for any team that needs an upgrade at the position if he can stay healthy. 

The same can be said for Jordan Cameron, whose 2013 emergence seems like a lifetime ago. Injuries marred his 2014 season, and he is a risky proposition with plenty of upside for any team.

Class Strength: C+

Offensive Line

USA TODAY Sports

Notable Free Agents

Player	Pos.	Old Team	Player	Pos.	Old Team
Michael Roos	LT	Titans	Orlando Franklin	LG	Broncos
Nick Hardwick	C	Chargers	James Carpenter	LG	Seahawks
Doug Free	RT	Cowboys	Willie Colon	RG	Jets
Dan Connolly	LG	Patriots	Stefan Wisniewski	C	Raiders
Brian de la Puente	C	Bears	Dominic Raiola	C	Lions
Mike Iupati	LG	49ers	King Dunlap	RT	Chargers
Bryan Bulaga	RT	Packers	Will Montgomery	C	Broncos
Samson Satele	C	Dolphins	Fernando Velasco	RG	Panthers
Joseph Barksdale	RT	Rams	Jeff Linkenbach	LT	Chiefs

 

A lot of names are heading for free agency along the offensive line, but there aren't too many great options this year.

Doug Free is the best of the bunch, one of those players the Cowboys will need to make a decision about because the salary cap exists. He will probably be back in Dallas, but he would be the best offensive tackle available should he somehow hit the market.

Tennessee's Michael Roos might be the second-best if he doesn't retire.

At guard, Orlando Franklin and Mike Iupati headline an otherwise lackluster guard class. Most of the players ranked below the Mendoza line at Pro Football Focus (subscription required) or weren't particularly relevant.

The center position might be the best represented in the offensive line class, and that's not saying much.  

Class Strength: D+

Defensive Tackle

Jose Juarez/Associated Press

Notable Free Agents

Player	Old Team
Ndamukong Suh	Lions
Nick Fairley	Lions
Terrance Knighton	Broncos
Damon Harrison	Jets
Devon Still	Bengals
Alex Carrington	Rams
Terrence Cody	Ravens
Jerrell Powe	Texans
Ahtyba Rubin	Browns

 

The Detroit Lions will have two massive holes in the middle of their defensive line if they can't retain at least one of their talented defensive tackles.

Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley are slated to hit the market—the latter because Detroit puzzlingly eschewed exercising his fifth-year option—and neither will be cheap. Suh will be particularly expensive, at least if he gets his way.

Here is what NFL.com's Chris Wesseling had to say about Suh's impending free agency:

"

A frustrated Suh told reporters in early October that "football is football and business is business."

Suh is just 27 years old and cruising toward his third first-team All-Pro selection. It's not every year that a player of his caliber and pedigree reaches the open market.

For that reason, Suh is almost certain to top Watt's six-year, $100 million extension with the Texans.

If Watt had waited for a bidding war, his contract would be considerably higher. Look no further than Mike Wallace, who remains the NFL's fifth-highest paid wide receiver because the Dolphins overpaid to keep him out of Minnesota, St. Louis and Seattle.

"

For teams on a bit of a budget, there are a few other nice options. But not many.

Damon Harrison has been an underrated and key part of a great defensive line for the New York Jets for the past couple of seasons, as has Terrance Knighton for the Denver Broncos.

Class Strength: A

Defensive End

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

Notable Free Agents

Player	Old Team	Player	Old Team
Jared Odrick	Dolphins	Kroy Biermann	Falcons
Jason Pierre-Paul	Giants	Adrian Clayborn	Buccaneers
Greg Hardy	Panthers	Anthony Spencer	Cowboys
Tyson Alualu	Jaguars	Da'Quan Bowers	Buccaneers
Osi Umenyiora	Falcons	George Selvie	Cowboys
Brandon Graham	Eagles	Derrick Shelby	Dolphins
B.J. Raji	Packers	Pernell McPhee	Ravens
Derrick Morgan	Titans	Cory Redding	Colts

 

We may have seen the last of Greg Hardy in the NFL—for a while, at any rate—if his guilty verdict on assault charges is upheld. If not, however, he will have plenty of suitors.

After all, the Carolina Panthers hit him with the franchise tag last offseason for a reason. Hardy had become one of the best defensive ends in football before his personal life spiraled into its current mess.

Aside from Hardy, Jason Pierre-Paul is the most tantalizing and dangerous option at the position.

On one hand, JPP was one of the most dominant players in the league a few seasons ago, and he is still just 26 years old. On the other hand, he has been hampered by injuries ever since, unable to regain that elite form.

He did, however, have plenty of moments in 2014 despite more injuries, winding up with 12.5 sacks on the season. If he can ever get healthy and stay there, Pierre-Paul will be a huge asset to whichever team signs him.

Some other intriguing names might come available.

Jared Odrick is a versatile lineman who can play inside and outside; he's an underrated defender for the Miami Dolphins who rated well at defensive tackle over at PFF. Da'Quan Bowers has been plagued by injuries, but if he gets healthy, he could help a team in a big way. 

Brandon Graham might be one of the most interesting options. He seems to be perennially underrated, even by his own team at times. He is a quality pass-rusher despite his low sack totals, as evidenced by his fantastic rating by PFF.

Class Strength: B-

Inside Linebacker

Elsa/Getty Images

Notable Free Agents

Player	Old Team
Rolando McClain	Cowboys
David Harris	Jets
Brandon Spikes	Bills
DJ Williams	Bears
Bruce Carter	Cowboys
Larry Foote	Cardinals
Mason Foster	Buccaneers
Brandon Marshall	Broncos
Jerrell Freeman	Colts
Chase Blackburn	Panthers

 

It may not have a ton of notable players, but there are some quality options available at inside linebacker this season.

One of those is Rolando McClain, whom the Dallas Cowboys gave one last shot when they traded for him after the position was decimated in the offseason. He converted the Hail Mary pass, improbably turning into a solid starter after two retirements.

Now he stands to make some real money, assuming teams can forget the whole quitting-football-twice thing. Best of all for McClain is the fact he is just 25—it seems like he should be a lot older.

Brandon Spikes signed a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills and delivered another solid season as a run-stuffing specialist in the middle. 

Class Strength: C+

Outside Linebacker

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Notable Free Agents

Player	Pos.	Old Team	Player	Pos.	Old Team
Justin Houston	3-4 OLB	Chiefs	Jason Worilds	3-4 OLB	Steelers
Brian Orakpo	3-4 OLB	Washington	Lance Briggs	4-3 OLB	Bears
Rey Maualuga	4-3 OLB	Bengals	Dwight Freeney	3-4 OLB	Chargers
Justin Durant	4-3 OLB	Cowboys	Brooks Reed	3-4 OLB	Texans
Arthur Moats	3-4 OLB	Steelers	James Harrison	3-4 OLB	Steelers
Sean Weatherspoon	4-3 OLB	Falcons	Geno Hayes	4-3 OLB	Jaguars
Jerry Hughes	3-4 OLB	Bills	John Abraham	3-4 OLB	Cardinals
Jason Trusnik	4-3 OLB	Dolphins	Akeem Ayers	4-3 OLB	Patriots

 

What are the odds the Defensive Player of the Year (not named J.J. Watt) will hit the open market?

Justin Houston had a career year, nearly breaking Michael Strahan's sack record with a marvelous flourish to finish the season. He was PFF's top outside linebacker by a wide margin, and rightfully so.

Outside of Houston, there is a lot of uncertainty at outside linebacker, however.

Jason Worilds had another nice season for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he didn't do much to prove he merited that franchise tag a year ago. It wasn't a bad season—he had 7.5 sacks and was rated 11th-best at 3-4 OLB by PFF—but he may demand more than he is worth on the market.

Brian Orakpo has been great when healthy, but that has been the problem—his pectoral muscle tears have really put his career in jeopardy, but the team that takes a chance on him could reap great rewards if he rebounds.

Class Strength: B

Cornerback

Harry How/Getty Images

Notable Free Agents

Player	Old Team	Player	Old Team
Byron Maxwell	Seahawks	Antonio Cromartie	Cardinals
Tramon Williams	Packers	Brice McCain	Steelers
Brandon Flowers	Chargers	Charles Tillman	Bears
Perrish Cox	49ers	Terence Newman	Bengals
Walter Thurmond	Giants	Tarell Brown	Raiders
Kareem Jackson	Texans	Bradley Fletcher	Eagles
Ike Taylor	Steelers	Carlos Rogers	Raiders
Rashean Mathis	Lions	Darius Butler	Colts
Patrick Robinson	Saints	Kyle Wilson	Jets
Mike Jenkins	Buccaneers	Josh Wilson	Falcons
Robert McClain	Falcons	Brandon Harris	Titans
Jimmy Wilson	Dolphins	Buster Skrine	Browns
Chris Culliver	49ers	Shareece Wright	Chargers

 

We didn't get to anticipate Darrelle Revis in free agency last year—he was cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the new league year began—but could we see him hit the open market yet again?

The New England Patriots have a team option to exercise, but it's hard to believe they will do it at a $20 million cap hit. Of course, the Patriots will surely work on an extension to avoid that whole mess, but you never know what might happen.

Outside the fanciful, the cornerback class might be the deepest in free agency. It doesn't have star power, but a ton of quality guys are set to hit the market.  

Byron Maxwell has quietly been good across from Richard Sherman in Seattle, and his absence was sorely missed by that Seahawks defense earlier this season. Then again, Brandon Browner looked pretty good in that role not too long ago before falling off a cliff.

Antonio Cromartie has surged back to relevance in the desert, playing better than his highly paid counterpart Patrick Peterson this season. Perhaps he will reunite with coach Rex Ryan wherever he lands.

Among the underrated options at cornerback, Perrish Cox and Rashean Mathis might be great value for the more budget-conscious general managers in the league.

Class Strength: A-

Safety

Todd Warshaw/Getty Images

Notable Free Agents

Player	Old Team	Player	Old Team
Devin McCourty	Patriots	Charles Woodson	Raiders
Will Hill	Ravens	Da'Norris Searcy	Bills
Antrel Rolle	Giants	Will Allen	Steelers
Tashaun Gipson	Browns	Mike Adams	Colts
Louis Delmas	Dolphins	Ryan Clark	Washington
Jim Leonhard	Browns	Sergio Brown	Colts
George Wilson	Titans	Quintin Demps	Giants
Nate Allen	Eagles	Brandon Meriweather	Washington
Dawan Landry	Jets	Marcus Gilchrist	Chargers
Rahim Moore	Broncos	Stevie Brown	Giants
Darian Stewart	Ravens	Danieal Manning	Texans
Chris Conte	Bears

 

One of the game's greats might call it quits. Or he could hit the free-agent market, looking to score one more championship before going out to pasture.

Charles Woodson is the 38-year-old wonder, still going strong enough to consider one more season. He had a chance to sign with a contender when the Denver Broncos came calling. He somehow thought the Oakland Raiders were a viable option.

Despite a Hall of Fame career, Woodson would be far from the best option if every safety hits the market. 

Devin McCourty has been one of the best safeties in the league over the past two seasons. It's hard to imagine the New England Patriots letting him go, even with potential cap issues.

If he can keep his head on straight, Will Hill might be the best value in free agency. He is one misstep away from a lengthy suspension, but he has been a huge boost to the Baltimore Ravens defense after missing the first six games of the season.

Whereas Hill will need to stay out of trouble to be valuable, Louis Delmas will need to stay healthy. Before getting injured, he was a key part of a pretty solid Miami Dolphins defense that wound up falling apart without him.

Coincidence? Probably, but Delmas is still a nice player.

Class Strength: B+

 

All free-agent information courtesy of OverTheCap.com.

Follow @AlexMiglio