NFL Free Agents 2015: The Biggest Name at Every Position
There is less than a week to go before NFL free agency begins, and it’s been a busy few days around the league.
Players are being released for salary-cap purposes, and others are being scooped up by clubs looking to improve their roster. There are also trade talks in the works, although nothing officially happens on that front until March 10.
Here we are taking a look at 15 positions and the biggest name who could become an unrestricted free agent early next week. We won’t be including the five players given the franchise tag: wide receivers Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas of the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos, respectively, outside linebacker Justin Houston of the Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots place-kicker Stephen Gostkowski and New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul.
Another player, tight end Charles Clay of the Miami Dolphins, received the transition tag.
So here’s yet another preview of what should be an entertaining and busy free-agent period, with an emphasis on the premier player at his position.
Quarterback: Brian Hoyer, Cleveland Browns
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As has been stated by many, getting your starting quarterback via free agency these days has not been the path of preference for NFL teams.
In a free-agent class that could include Jake Locker, Christian Ponder, Mark Sanchez and Michael Vick, Brian Hoyer looks like the standout of the group. And that’s despite a late-season slump this past year with the Cleveland Browns that saw him get benched in December.
The former undrafted free agent who began his career with the New England Patriots actually threw more interceptions (13) than touchdown passes (12) this past season. And any return to Cleveland this year appears to be squelched following the team’s recent signing of journeyman Josh McCown.
Locker and Ponder, a pair of 2011 first-round picks, failed to succeed because of injury and/or inconsistency. Vick’s NFL future could be in doubt, at least in a starting role.
You could make a case for Sanchez, who threw for 2,418 yards in a relief role with the Philadelphia Eagles. But those same old turnover issues that he had with the Jets followed him to Philadelphia. Hence Hoyer gets the slight nod here.
Running Back: DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys
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It appears this was inevitable.
The Dallas Cowboys had to decide on which star player to slap the franchise tag on this week: the NFL’s leading rusher or the league leader with 16 touchdown receptions.
The game of tag went to wide receiver Dez Bryant, which means running back DeMarco Murray could take a better offer from another team sometime soon. However, ESPN’s Ed Werder reported (via Pro Football Talk) that the Cowboys could get Murray back with a reasonable offer.
In 2014, Murray ran for a franchise-record 1,845 yards and reached the 100-yard mark in 12 of his 16 appearances. He was the first Cowboys player to lead the NFL in rushing since Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith turned the trick in 1995.
Quite a few other notable running backs are about to hit the market in the form of Justin Forsett (Baltimore Ravens), Mark Ingram (New Orleans Saints), Frank Gore (San Francisco 49ers) and Super Bowl champion Shane Vereen (New England Patriots). But this is a no-brainer when it comes to Murray.
Wide Receiver: Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers
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With Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas getting the franchise tag from the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos, respectively, Green Bay Packers wideout Randall Cobb has vaulted to the head of the free-agent wide receiver class.
This past season, the fourth-year pro totaled 91 receptions for 1,287 yards and 12 touchdowns. He’s also an occasional factor on punt returns and totaled 37 yards rushing on 11 attempts in 2014.
In recent years, we have seen Packers wideouts such as Greg Jennings and James Jones depart via free agency. But those were players with a little more mileage on their resumes. Cobb will command big money on the open market, but does the franchise want to lose a young and talented player after just four seasons?
Some may replace Cobb at the top of this list with Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, who comes off a huge year. But Cobb’s versatility gives him the edge here.
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Tight End: Julius Thomas, Denver Broncos
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Tight end Julius Thomas was off to a record-setting year before injuries struck in November. The Pro Bowl performer totaled 43 catches for 489 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2014.
But take a closer look at the numbers, and you’ll see that Thomas totaled 38 catches and all 12 scores in his first nine outings of the season. His absence during the majority of the stretch no doubt hurt what proved to be an ailing Peyton Manning.
With the Denver Broncos opting to tag wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, this Thomas will hit the open market next week unless he and the team agree to a deal. That doesn’t seem likely at this stage, but it’s not impossible.
Other tight ends who may be in play are Cincinnati’s Jermaine Gresham and Cleveland’s Jordan Cameron. Like Thomas, both had problems staying on the field this past season.
Tackle: Bryan Bulaga, Green Bay Packers
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Dallas Cowboys right tackle Doug Free missed five games in 2014 and has also played left tackle during his career. He’s made a total of 75 starts over the past five seasons at both positions.
However, we lean toward Green Bay Packers right tackle Bryan Bulaga, who may be just hitting his stride. A big part of the team’s Super Bowl XLV championship run in 2010, the former first-round pick has had his share of injury issues. But after missing all of 2013, the former University of Iowa standout started 15 games this past season and helped the club reach the NFC Championship Game.
The Packers have their share of big-name free agents to re-sign, but you would think Bulaga would be near the top of that list.
Guard: Mike Iupati, San Francisco 49ers
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Simply put, it was not a good year for the San Francisco 49ers.
That includes an offensive line that for numerous reasons played well below its recent standards.
Those struggles did not bypass guard Mike Iupati, who has been named to each of the last three Pro Bowls but via Pro Football Focus did struggle with pass protection in 2014. The Niners allowed a whopping 52 sacks in 2014, and Iupati was responsible for seven of them.
Still, the 17th overall pick in 2010 is a road grader and a big reason the San Francisco running game has been so potent in recent seasons.
Center: Rodney Hudson, Kansas City Chiefs
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It’s not a particularly deep free-agent class when it comes to center.
Here’s what we do know, according to Pro Football Focus: Only Nick Mangold (New York Jets) and Travis Frederick (Dallas Cowboys) performed better this past season at the position than Kansas City Chiefs’ pivot Rodney Hudson.
A second-round pick in 2011 from Florida State University, Hudson was effective in all aspects of his game and was also one of the best pass-blocking centers in the league. Could he be on the move in an AFC West where you could see all four teams make changes at the position this offseason?
Defensive End: Greg Hardy, Carolina Panthers
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This is a tricky call.
Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes comes off back-to-back 10-sack seasons, while Greg Hardy played one game for the Carolina Panthers in 2014 before off-the-field issues sidelined him for the rest of the year.
Hardy was a rising star and part of a sturdy Panthers defense in 2013 that led the team to the first of its back-to-back NFC South titles. In five seasons, he has totaled 34 sacks and saw his production in that department rise every season during his first four years in the league.
Hardy played under the franchise tag in 2014 and totaled one sack in his lone contest of the season. He was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list last fall due to domestic violence charges.
Hardy is scheduled to meet with NFL officials Wednesday as he seeks reinstatement from the league, according to The Associated Press (via FoxSports.com). That means we may not have to wait long to find out when he will be available.
Defensive Tackle: Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions
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The biggest news out of the Detroit Lions this past week was what didn’t happen.
The franchise chose not to tag four-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. Unless the two parties get together and cement a deal before next week, the disruptive defensive force will hit the open market.
Let the bidding begin.
This past season, Suh finished sixth on the team with 53 stops, totaled a team-high 8.5 sacks and knocked down three passes. More significantly, the Lions ranked second in the NFL in fewest total yards and fewest points allowed and were tops in the league against the run.
It’s a healthy defensive tackle market with the likes of Dan Williams (Arizona Cardinals), Jared Odrick (Miami Dolphins) and even Suh’s teammate Nick Fairley, who played in only eight games in 2014. But pun intended, we would be Lion if any other name topped this list but Suh.
Outside Linebacker: Brian Orakpo, Washington Redskins
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We haven’t officially hit the free-agent period yet and the Washington Redskins have been busy on the defensive side of the ball.
Joe Barry replaces Jim Haslett at defensive coordinator, the team released defensive tackle Barry Cofield and defensive end Stephen Bowen and free safety Ryan Clark is retiring. The Redskins also struck a deal with defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois, who the Indianapolis Colts cut loose this offseason.
Does three-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker Brian Orakpo figure into the team’s 2015 plans? With Justin Houston getting the franchise tag from the Kansas City Chiefs, the Redskins defender arguably becomes the top outside linebacker available next Tuesday.
In four of his six seasons, Orakpo has totaled at least 8.5 sacks and twice over that span has racked up 10 or more. The Redskins tagged him last offseason, but for the second time in three years an injury dramatically reduced his playing time.
However, it’s safe to say that the market for Orakpo will be healthy.
Inside Linebacker: David Harris, New York Jets
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The New York Jets have their issues on offense and are in search of help at cornerback this offseason. Of course, other aspects of the team have performed at a high level for a number of years.
In fact, make that eight seasons. Inside linebacker David Harris has been as steady as they come at his position despite never making a Pro Bowl. In 2014, the Jets ranked sixth in the league in fewest yards allowed, and only four teams in the NFL allowed fewer yards on the ground.
Harris totaled a team-high 124 stops, along with six sacks and a pair of forced fumbles. His career totals include 30.5 sacks and six interceptions.
You may be able to make cases for Brandon Spikes (Buffalo Bills), Mason Foster (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and even A.J. Hawk, who was recently released by the Green Bay Packers. But Harris will be a hot commodity if he hits the open market.
Cornerback: Darrelle Revis, New England Patriots
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It’s been quite the comeback for New England Patriots cornerback Darrelle Revis. But will the next installment of his NFL career feature a fourth team in as many seasons?
In 2014, the Pro Bowl defender looked like his old self with the New York Jets pre-2012 knee injury. In a Week 3 contest at Miami that season, he went down for the season. One year later he was a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers via a trade and would wind up in the Pro Bowl.
The rebuilding Bucs let Revis go after one year, and he ended up in Foxborough, where this past season he helped the franchise capture its fourth Super Bowl title. In 2014, he totaled 47 tackles, two interceptions, a team-high 14 passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He also picked off quarterback Andrew Luck in New England’s AFC title-game victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
We could point to some other corners here, but with all due respect, why bother?
Safety: FS Devin McCourty, New England Patriots
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Devin McCourty began his NFL career at cornerback and is currently a free safety. But will he remain a free safety with the New England Patriots?
This past season, the 2010 first-round pick finished fourth on the team with 68 tackles, totaled two interceptions and knocked down six passes.
In five seasons, McCourty has totaled 17 interceptions and was part of a defensive unit that ranked 17th in the league against the pass. During the club’s 2014 Super Bowl XLIX championship run, the five-year veteran totaled nine tackles, one interception and three passes defensed in three games.
Underrated Buffalo Bills free safety Da’Norris Searcy and New York Giants veteran Antrel Rolle are worthy of a mention here as well.
Kicker: Mike Nugent, Cincinnati Bengals
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The market at this position was greatly reduced over the last weeks as the New Orleans Saints re-signed Shayne Graham and the Atlanta Falcons re-upped with Matt Bryant. Add in the fact that the New England Patriots slapped the franchise tag on Stephen Gostkowski, and Cincinnati Bengals specialist Mike Nugent now heads this list.
The veteran place-kicker connected on all 39 PAT attempts this past season and also nailed 26 of 33 field-goal tries. Yes, there was that memorable miss in the closing seconds against the Carolina Panthers that resulted in a 37-37 tie, and Nugent did miss all three attempts from 50-plus yards.
Still, Nugent has a slight edge over Matt Prater, who bailed out the Detroit Lions after signing with the club during the season.
Punter: Brett Kern, Tennessee Titans
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A member of the Tennessee Titans for the last five-plus seasons after beginning his career with the Denver Broncos in 2008, punter Brett Kern tops the list of the best available punters come March 10.
The seven-year pro ranked fifth in the league in gross average and seventh in the NFL in net average in 2014. Kern averaged 46.8 yards per boot and put 28 of his 88 kicks inside the 20. He did have a punt blocked in that wild 29-28 loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 5.
The Titans ranked 11th in the NFL in punt return average allowed, and the longest return by an opponent all season was a mere 30 yards.
It would be a surprise if Kern signed elsewhere. The Titans could use all the help they can get pinning opponents deep in their own territory.
All free-agent information and team transactions courtesy of Spotrac, while all current 2015 team depth charts courtesy of Ourlads.
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