The Best NFL Veterans Available on This Year's Free-Agent Market
Depending on the position, fans tend to pause at the idea of signing a player after he turns 30.
While this precautionary measure is warranted in certain cases, it's definitely not a widespread narrative that any NFL player over age 30 is done.
While some of these veterans' best playing days may be behind them, a plethora still have a ton of gas left in the tank.
As we saw in 2015, Oakland Raiders safety Charles Woodson played extremely well, even though he was knocking on the door of 40.
What can be understood, though, are the details of a player's contract. Should we feel comfortable when a 35-year-old gets a four- or five-year deal? No, probably not.
For this column, I've ranked the 10 best veterans who will be available this offseason.
When ranking these players, numerous criteria were considered. One factor that was not really considered is age as all of these guys are close in age. What did come in to play, however, included production on the field, impact that each player could make to their new teams, who has the most gas left in the tank, the importance of the position and injuries.
Of course, the NFL is in the business of "what have you done for me lately?" so statistics from these guys in their earlier seasons did not play a major factor.
While the term "veteran" is subjective, I've chosen to go with players over age 30 who have at least nine years of NFL experience. Not age 30 and above—over age 30.
All players will be at least 31 and have played in the league for nine or more seasons.
Let's get started at No. 10.
10. Evan Mathis, OG, Denver Broncos
1 of 10
Age: 34
Free-Agency Status: UFA
After signing a one-year pact with the Denver Broncos, guard Evan Mathis enjoyed a Super Bowl victory with the team in 2015.
Now, he is a free agent.
According to Mike Klis of 9 News Denver, Mathis was set to have ankle surgery earlier this week and may retire. However, Mathis intends to train and get ready as if he were to play in 2016.
If Mathis does retire, not only will he retire as a Super Bowl champion, but he'll also go down as one of the best guards we've seen over the past six years or so.
If he does return, it only makes sense he'll pursue the chance to play on another perennial Super Bowl favorite.
9. Haloti Ngata, DT, Detroit Lions
2 of 10
Age: 32
Free-Agency Status: UFA
By Detroit Lions defensive tackle Haloti Ngata's standards, 2015 was a down year. However, he still finished among the top 25 defensive tackles, according to Pro Football Focus.
According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, it "seems like" the Lions want to re-sign Ngata, and Ngata has said he'd "love to stay" in Detroit in 2016.
Yet, if Ngata was to not return to the Lions, you can rule out a Baltimore Ravens reunion, according to ESPN.com's Jamison Hensley.
With the Ravens' cap issues, it's not a realistic possibility.
If one had to make a wager, bet on Ngata returning to the Lions on a short pact.
8. Reggie Nelson, S, Cincinnati Bengals
3 of 10
Age: 32
Free-Agency Status: UFA
The Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals have some work to do with all of these stud veterans set to hit free agency—a total of four Chiefs and Bengals made the cut.
Another Bengals free agent, safety Reggie Nelson, should be the absolute No. 1 priority for Cincinnati this offseason.
Coming off one of the best seasons of his career, Nelson tied for the league lead in interceptions with eight and finished as one of the five best cover safeties in the league, according to Pro Football Focus.
Like many free agents, Nelson "would love" to return to the team he's been with for the majority of his career, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com.
Even with 14 unrestricted free agents, the Bengals should turn their focus to getting a deal done with the former first-round draft pick this offseason.
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7. Richie Incognito, OG, Buffalo Bills
4 of 10
Age: 32
Free-Agency Status: UFA
According to Sal Capaccio of WGR 500, the Buffalo Bills and guard Richie Incognito are likely to agree to a two-year contract.
This confirms Incognito's recent comments that he does indeed want to return to Buffalo in 2016.
After a Pro Bowl 2015 campaign, it only makes sense that the Bills do everything they can to secure the 32-year-old going forward. In 2015, he was also rated as the second-best guard, according to Pro Football Focus.
With quarterback Tyrod Taylor entering his second consecutive starting season, having a guy like Incognito on the line to protect him is imperative.
6. Adam 'Pacman' Jones, CB, Cincinnati Bengals
5 of 10
Age: 32
Free-Agency Status: UFA
From delivering a tumultuous off-the-field saga earlier in his career to now being a solid producer at the cornerback position, Adam "Pacman" Jones of the Cincinnati Bengals is set to get paid a respectable amount of money this offseason after finishing inside the top 12 in pass coverage, according to Pro Football Focus.
Duke Tobin, the Bengals' director of player personnel, went on record saying that he loves Jones' passion and that the team will try to re-sign him this offseason, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com.
With the Bengals being another team set to have more than a few impending free agents, a short-term contract is a potential avenue both sides can pursue. The Bengals will look to rebuild a secondary that also has cornerback Leon Hall and safeties George Iloka and Reggie Nelson set to hit the market.
One alternative for Jones, however, could be the Miami Dolphins, as Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald pointed out.
It does make sense. New Dolphins defensive coordinator Vance Joseph served as the Bengals defensive backs coach during the 2014 and 2015 seasons, so there could be a reunion.
Whether it's with the Dolphins or the Bengals, Jones will have no trouble finding a place to line up at cornerback in 2016.
5. Donald Penn, OT, Oakland Raiders
6 of 10
Age: 32
Free-Agency Status: UFA
Since coming to the team in 2014, the Oakland Raiders' Donald Penn has been one of the best left tackles in the NFL.
Not only has he been tremendous with the Raiders, but he was also excellent even during his tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2007 to 2013.
Penn has received positive grades each season, according to Pro Football Focus.
According to Guy Haberman of the Haberman & Middlekauff radio show on 95.7 The Game, Penn said he's been like "HBO at a promotional price" and that it's time for the Raiders to pay him—and he's right.
Recently, Penn also removed all Raiders affiliation from his social media accounts, which gives the indication that he's not afraid to test the open market and move on, according to Jerry McDonald of the Oakland Tribune.
Even at 32 years old, Penn is still among the best of the best at the left tackle position.
For quarterback Derek Carr to continue his development, it is essential the Raiders employ Penn going forward to protect their young asset.
Without him, the Raiders offensive line will be a shell of itself in 2016.
And, come on, how can you turn away a left tackle who has three career touchdown catches?
4. Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, New York Jets
7 of 10
Age: 33
Free-Agency Status: UFA
If New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick leaves the team, he'd better bring offensive coordinator Chan Gailey with him.
Throughout his career, Fitzpatrick has never had fewer than 23 touchdowns passes under Gailey, and when he has at least 500 passing attempts, he has never thrown for fewer than 3,400 yards.
Going back, Gailey was the head coach of the Buffalo Bills from 2010 to 2012 when Fitzpatrick was the starting quarterback. Now, Gailey is the Jets offensive coordinator.
Bottom line: Gailey and Fitzpatrick are a perfect marriage.
In 2015, Fitzpatrick enjoyed the best season of his NFL career, passing for just over 3,900 yards and throwing 31 touchdown strikes.
Although he'll receive ample interest from the teams in search of a quarterback, Fitzpatrick should stay put with the Jets, where he has wide receivers Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall, along with Gailey, to put him and the team in the best possible scenario to succeed.
Fitzpatrick back to the Jets. Book it.
3. Tamba Hali, LB, Kansas City Chiefs
8 of 10
Age: 32
Free-Agency Status: UFA
Seeing Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali with another team in 2016 would be something else.
However, it is becoming more and more of a possibility, unless he takes some kind of a hometown discount from the Chiefs.
This offseason, Kansas City has myriad key players it is hoping to retain, including Hali. One thing the Chiefs will keep in mind as they ponder who to keep and who to part ways with will be a minor surgery Hali underwent earlier this offseason, according to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star.
The procedure Hali underwent was merely to clean up his knee, but as he's north of age 30, it's something the Chiefs need to consider.
Paylor also noted Hali has no plans to retire and wants to remain a member of the Chiefs.
If Hali is not willing to take a huge pay cut, a team like the Indianapolis Colts could use a veteran presence to assist with a defense that was below average, per Pro Football Focus.
2. Derrick Johnson, LB, Kansas City Chiefs
9 of 10
Age: 33
Free-Agency Status: UFA
Like the guy in the previous slide, Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson is among the several key free agents Kansas City will be dealing with this offseason.
However, one would think the Chiefs may put Johnson further up the depth chart in terms of who they should re-sign.
Earlier this week, Chiefs general manager John Dorsey said when asked about Johnson, "We're not going to let good players go," according to Conor Orr of NFL.com.
In 2015, Johnson finished with the best Pro Football Focus grade of his career since 2010 and ranked just outside the top five among all linebackers.
Even at 33 years old, Johnson will be a priority for Kansas City, even with safety Eric Berry, defensive lineman Jaye Howard, linebacker Tamba Hali and cornerback Sean Smith set to hit the open market.
1. Eric Weddle, S, San Diego Chargers
10 of 10
Age: 31
Free-Agency Status: UFA
There is zero chance San Diego Chargers safety Eric Weddle returns to the team in 2016.
Earlier this year, he went on record saying he'll probably never speak to them again, according to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Yeah, that sends a clear message.
As Gehlken also notes, Chargers GM Tom Telesco does not plan on using the franchise tag this offseason.
That's all fine and good because it certainly would not be applied to Weddle even if Telesco intended on using it this offseason.
Any team with cap room should pursue a safety who ranked inside the top 12, according to Pro Football Focus.
Weddle will be highly sought after and will get paid this offseason.
Stats courtesy of Pro Football Focus. Free-agent information courtesy of Over The Cap.
Follow me on Twitter @RichardJanvrin.
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