2015 NFL Free Agency: Best Players Available at Each Position After Day 5
Day 5 of NFL free agency is in the books—and while it's true that the vast majority of the household names are off the market, there are still a number of viable options remaining. And we're going to tell you who they are.
In this column, we'll break down the best options available at each position on the market and comb over their strengths and weaknesses. We'll also report whether the player is in talks with a particular team or if their services have not yet been sought after. The players were chosen due to a variety of reasons, including age, injury history and past performance.
Are you unhappy with your favorite team's performance thus far in free agency? Don't fret! A number of good players still remain, and it's possible that one (or more) could end up being the missing piece on a successful team.
Here are the best players available at each position after Day 5 of NFL free agency 2015.
Quarterbacks
1 of 14
Matt Moore, Miami Dolphins
Moore has long been underrated, as he's a very good backup who can step in and hold down the fort when needed. His career record as a starter is 11-12 and he's tossed 33 touchdown passes against 28 interceptions. Given his age—30—and the fact that he hasn't taken a lot of hits in recent years, it's feasible he could stick around the league for a while, and he is certainly good enough to be a backup next season.
Michael Vick, New York Jets
In 2014, the 34-year-old Vick started three games for the Jets in place of an ineffective Geno Smith and played, well, like a 34-year-old backup quarterback, turning the ball over four times while completing only 53 percent of his passes (1-2 record). His excellent speed remains, but he's a mere husk of the player he once was.
Colt McCoy, Washington Redskins
McCoy authored perhaps the greatest moment of his professional career when he led the Redskins to a Monday night victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8. It was the type of performance on a national stage that extends careers, and at age 27, McCoy still has gas left in the tank. He won't win games by his lonesome, but he also won't lose them, which counts for a lot in a backup.
Running Backs
2 of 14
Knowshon Moreno, Miami Dolphins
The 27-year-old Moreno followed up a brilliant 2013 season in Denver with a disappointing and injury-shortened 2014 in Miami, as he only played in three games, scoring one rushing touchdown. While his stock is at an all-time low, the former 2009 first-round pick is excellent in pass protection and possesses a varied skill set, making it likely he'll find a home in the near future. Don't discount him re-signing with the Dolphins.
Trent Richardson (Released by Indianapolis Colts)
Richardson's release from Indianapolis marked the end of an error, as the former No. 3 overall pick in the 2012 draft never got it going in a Colts uniform. The fact that he didn't receive a single carry in any of Indianapolis' three postseason games spoke volumes and underscored the massive failure that was his tenure with the team.
He's still only 23, so there's a chance he could turn his career around. A team in desperate need of help at running back would be wise to offer Richardson a one-year deal.
Steven Jackson (Released by Atlanta Falcons)
It's probably close to the end of the line for Jackson, one of the more underrated players of the 21st century. Jackson rushed for six touchdowns and 3.7 yards per carry last year in Atlanta but is clearly slowing down at age 31.
Is he the player he once was? Absolutely not. But is he still capable of performing short-yardage duties and potentially filling in if a starter goes down? Definitely.
Wide Receivers
3 of 14
Greg Jennings (Released by Minnesota Vikings)
When the Minnesota Vikings traded for Dolphins receiver Mike Wallace, it made the 31-year-old Jennings expendable, and he was released by the team on Saturday, per Ben Goessling of ESPN.com. Jennings caught only 127 passes in two seasons in the Twin Cities, and he isn't the same player he once was. But he still has good hands and is a reliable option, so he'll find work sooner rather than later.
Dwayne Bowe (Released by Kansas City Chiefs)
Per Adam Teicher of ESPN.com, the Kansas City Chiefs released Bowe on Thursday, ending an eight-year run with the team that saw him haul in 44 touchdown receptions. The 6'2" Bowe plays larger than his height, and although his reputation took a hit last season as no Kansas City wide receiver scored a touchdown, he still has the physical tools to score touchdowns and make opposing defenders look silly. The Browns have interest, per Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers
Crabtree authored a disappointing 2014 campaign in which he only caught 68 passes for 698 yards and four touchdowns. The former No. 10 overall pick in the 2009 draft has shown flashes of brilliance in the past, and it's within the realm of possibility that he could sparkle again. The expectation should be that Crabtree—whose stock is at an all-time low—signs a one-year deal in hopes of hitting the market next season with more momentum behind him.
Cecil Shorts III, Jacksonville Jaguars
Since being selected in the fourth round of the 2011 draft, Shorts has proven to be a more than serviceable player in Jacksonville, catching at least 50 passes in each of the last three seasons. Dom Cosentino of NJ.com recently reported that the Jets have interest in the 27-year-old, so he could soon be bringing his talents to Broadway.
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Tight Ends
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Jermaine Gresham, Cincinnati Bengals
Last season Gresham played well in place of the injured Tyler Eifert, catching 62 passes for 460 yards and five touchdowns. He's also an accomplished blocker—he finished 2014 ranked as Pro Football Focus' third-best pass-blocking tight end. Gresham had been speaking with the Raiders, but per Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle, those talks have fallen apart. It's currently unclear where he'll sign.
Jacob Tamme, Denver Broncos
One of Peyton Manning's longtime weapons dating back to Indianapolis, the 29-year-old Tamme caught 14 passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns last season in Denver. He's still a viable asset in a team's passing attack, and the Broncos have interest in bringing him back, per Troy Renck of The Denver Post.
Tony Moeaki, Seattle Seahawks
Various maladies have limited Moeaki to only eight catches over the past two campaigns, but he did start two games last season in Seattle and played in the Super Bowl. While injuries have derailed what was once a promising career, Moeaki is only 27 and was ranked seventh among free-agent tight ends by ESPN's Bill Polian.
Tackles
5 of 14
Anthony Collins (Released by Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Collins—one of the prized free agents of Tampa Bay's 2014 class—was released by the team on Thursday, per Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com. To be fair to the Buccaneers front office, Collins wasn't good, as he finished 2014 as Pro Football Focus' 63rd-ranked tackle. At age 29, he'll likely get another opportunity to play, and it's worth noting that he played good football in Cincinnati prior to signing in Tampa, so the talent is there.
Joe Barksdale, St. Louis Rams
Barksdale is a road grader in the run game, finishing 2014 as Pro Football Focus' 11th-best run-blocking tackle. While he isn't as solid in pass protection, he's started 29 games over the last two seasons in St. Louis, so the durability is there. At age 27, he'll be off the market in short order, and it shouldn't surprise anyone if he plays well in 2015 and beyond.
Jake Long (Released by St. Louis Rams)
The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 draft, Long was released by the Rams earlier this week after two disappointing seasons with the club. He made the Pro Bowl four times as a member of the Miami Dolphins but struggled to stay on the field in the Gateway City, suffering knee injuries in both 2013 and 2014. His pedigree and age (29) make it likely that he'll find another home—perhaps even back in St. Louis at a discounted rate.
Guards
6 of 14
Daryn Colledge, Miami Dolphins
Colledge has started at least 13 games in every season since being drafted in 2006 and has proved to be a versatile player along the offensive line. He started 13 games last season for the Dolphins, and in addition to work at guard, he's also a capable swing tackle, having manned both left and right tackle at points during his career. NFL teams value that type of versatility, so expect Colledge to be off the market soon.
Dan Connolly, New England Patriots
Connolly started 13 games last year for the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots and has proved to be a vital cog in the interior of the offensive line over the past five seasons. He's also responsible for one of the most fun plays of the past decade.
Vladimir Ducasse, Minnesota Vikings
Ducasse, a former second-round pick of the Jets (2010), has never lived up to his massive potential but is still only 27, so the book isn't closed on his career just yet. He finished 2014 as Pro Football Focus' 61st-ranked guard.
Centers
7 of 14
Chris Myers (Released by Houston Texans)
Myers finished 2014 ranked as Pro Football Focus' 16th-best center and is an ideal fit in a zone-blocking scheme. He's an accomplished run-blocker and earned two trips to the Pro Bowl in seven seasons in Houston. A team like the Broncos—headed by his former coach in Houston, Gary Kubiak—makes all the sense in the world for the 33-year-old Myers. Expect him to find a new home shortly.
Brian De La Puente, Chicago Bears
De La Puente played in only eight games for the Bears last year but still finished the year ranked as Pro Football Focus' seventh-best center, so the quality of play was high when he was on the field. He can also play guard, giving him versatility that clubs crave. He's only 29 and should get another shot.
Lyle Sendlein (Released by Arizona Cardinals)
The 30-year-old Sendlein started all 16 games in each of the last two seasons in Arizona, but the Cardinals felt they needed an upgrade at the position. And it's hard to blame them, as Sendlein finished 2014 ranked as Pro Football Focus' 69th-best center. But even with a poor season fresh in the collective memory, his durability should help him find another job.
Defensive Ends
8 of 14
Greg Hardy, Carolina Panthers
Hardy is undoubtedly the best player remaining on the market, regardless of position. He garnered 26 sacks from 2012-2013, before his 2014 season was cut short by charges stemming from domestic violence. While the league awaits what his potential suspension could be for the 2015 season—with Bleacher Report's Jason Cole offering this recent update—ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that teams are in on the race to sign the talented Hardy. Whoever signs him will be getting an elite pass-rusher.
Michael Johnson (Released by Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
One year after signing a big-money deal with the Buccaneers, Johnson was jettisoned from the club, per Joe Kania of Buccaneers.com. Johnson struggled mightily in coach Lovie Smith's scheme, but he still has talent, as showcased in the seasons that he starred for the Bengals. Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune reported that the Vikings—led by Johnson's defensive coordinator in Cincinnati, Mike Zimmer—are interested in bringing Johnson into the fold. The Bengals are also interested, per Paul Dehner Jr. of Cincinnati.com.
UPDATE: Johnson signed with the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday morning, per Schefter.
Da'Quan Bowers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bowers never quite lived up to the billing of being selected in the second round of the 2011 draft, notching only seven sacks in four injury-riddled seasons. But he clearly has natural ability and should be given an opportunity to prove he can still be a big-time pass-rusher on the NFL level.
Defensive Tackles
9 of 14
Vince Wilfork (Released by New England Patriots)
One of the greatest players in the storied history of the New England Patriots, Wilfork finds himself a free agent and should have no problems finding a new home. He can also play defensive end in a 3-4 alignment and finished ranked as Pro Football Focus' 13th-best player at that position in 2014. He's still an adept run-stopper and locker-room leader.
B.J. Raji, Green Bay Packers
Raji missed all of the 2014 season, further dulling what once looked like a promising career. But his experience and versatility (he can play both defensive tackle and 3-4 defensive end) should help him find a new home. It's also within the realm of possibility that Green Bay could bring him back at a discounted rate, as it did last year.
C.J. Mosley, Detroit Lions
Mosley played in 15 games for the Lions last year (starting eight) and compiled 2.5 sacks. He's an above-average run defender who still has the chops to bring down the opposing quarterback. It doesn't look as if the Lions will bring him back, which means he'll probably have a new home in 2015.
Inside Linebackers
10 of 14
Rolando McClain, Dallas Cowboys
It looked as if the No. 8 overall pick of the 2010 draft would end up a massive bust, but McClain resuscitated his career in 2014 with the Cowboys, finishing the year ranked as Pro Football Focus' eighth-best inside linebacker. He faces a four-game suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy, which might be why he remains unsigned, as teams could be shying away from a talented player who has faced his share of off-field issues.
Brandon Spikes, Buffalo Bills
Spikes is one of the league's finest run-stopping linebackers—but he's a bit of a one-trick pony in that regard, as he's strictly a two-down player. He would add a thumping presence to any team seeking a boon to its run defense.
Mason Foster, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reported that Foster is in the midst of negotiating a deal with the Chicago Bears, but it doesn't look as if that will happen now. He didn't play particularly well in 2014 (and only played in 10 games), but his youth (he's 26) and experience (he's started 54 games in four seasons) still make him an attractive commodity.
Outside Linebackers
11 of 14
Lance Briggs, Chicago Bears
One of the most beloved players in the history of the Chicago Bears, Briggs earned seven Pro Bowl trips in 12 seasons in the Windy City. He finished 2014 ranked as Pro Football Focus' 10th-best outside linebacker despite only appearing in eight games. He'll bring oodles of leadership and experience to his next stop.
Geno Hayes, Jacksonville Jaguars
The 27-year-old Hayes started 11 games last season for the Jaguars and compiled two sacks and 34 tackles, ranking 12th overall among 4-3 outside linebackers on Pro Football Focus. His skill set allows him to stop the run and rush the opposing passer.
John Abraham, Arizona Cardinals
Although he only appeared in one game in 2014, Abraham has put together a borderline Hall of Fame career, compiling 133.5 sacks and displaying the versatility to play as either a 4-3 defensive end or a 3-4 outside linebacker. Although his time in the league is surely drawing to an end (he's 36), he should receive another opportunity from a team that needs help getting after the opposing quarterback.
Cornerbacks
12 of 14
Tramon Williams, Green Bay Packers
Although Williams is most recently remembered for allowing the game-winning touchdown in the NFC Championship Game, he still had a solid eight-year run in Green Bay, starting 99 games. His pick-six of Matt Ryan in the divisional round of the 2010 playoffs helped propel the Packers to a Super Bowl title, and he's intercepted 28 passes in his career. It's possible he re-signs with Green Bay, but he will be a nice pickup regardless of where he ends up.
Tarell Brown, Oakland Raiders
The 30-year-old Brown finished 2014 tied for Pro Football Focus' 75th-best corner, failing to intercept a pass for the second consecutive season. He did start 14 games last year for Oakland, and his play was better than the statistics would indicate. His durability and experience will help him get another job.
Patrick Robinson, New Orleans Saints
Robinson, the 32nd overall selection in the 2010 draft, finished 2014 ranked as Pro Football Focus' 40th-best cornerback, intercepting two passes in 14 games (two starts). Although he never lived up to his billing as a first-round pick, he is still drawing interest on the free-agent market, as he met with the Steelers on Friday, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Media (via Kevin Patra of NFL.com).
Safeties
13 of 14
Stevie Brown, New York Giants
Brown played in eight games last year for the Giants, finishing the year ranked as Pro Football Focus' 47th-best safety. He hasn't yet come close to replicating his outstanding 2012 season, in which he intercepted eight passes and forced two fumbles, but he's only 27, so it stands to reason that he still has a shot. He possesses natural playmaking ability and has a nose for the football.
Thomas DeCoud, Carolina Panthers
DeCoud intercepted a pass and recorded 50 tackles last year for Carolina, but the Panthers opted not to re-sign him. At age 29, his career is far from over, and he'll get another job.
Brandon Meriweather, Washington Redskins
The hard-hitting Meriweather totaled three sacks and three forced fumbles last year for the Redskins, belying his reputation as only being a headhunter. It's unclear if he'll be back in Washington next year, but he should command interest on the market at some point in the near future. It wouldn't be a huge surprise if the Redskins brought him back.
Kickers and Punters
14 of 14
Jay Feely, Chicago Bears
When Feely subbed for an injured Robbie Gould last year in Chicago, it marked the sixth team of his 14-year career. He went 3-of-4 on field-goal attempts in Chicago and has been a reliable option throughout his career. At age 38, he's nearing the end of the line, and 2015 could present his last opportunity to be a full-time kicker.
Mat McBriar, San Diego Chargers
The 35-year-old McBriar finished 2014 ranked as Pro Football Focus' 28th-best punter—not exactly a ringing endorsement. He averaged 46.9 yards per punt last season for the Chargers. He's lasted this long, so it shouldn't surprise anyone if he is back in 2015.
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