NFL Free Agents 2015: Highlighting the Biggest Impact Player at Every Position

The 2014 NFL season is drawing rapidly to a close, with Super Bowl XLIX serving as the final game on the league's calendar. That means the business season is right around the corner, and with 30 teams eliminated from contention (this is where you smile, Patriots and Seahawks fans), work has already begun in earnest on the upcoming free-agent class.

And speaking of that free-agent class, this year's is loaded, with studs at nearly every position. There could be seismic changes across the NFL landscape once the free-agent dominos begin to fall, and we can start connecting potential dots as the Super Bowl draws nearer.

In this column, we'll examine the top option at each position, discuss that player's 2014 season and project the impending market for his services. 

It's time to highlight the biggest impact player at every position in NFL free agency in 2015.

Quarterback: Brian Hoyer

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It says more about the upcoming free-agent market for quarterbacks that Brian Hoyer is the top-ranked option than it does about Hoyer.

Any quarterback group that is fronted by Hoyer can only be mediocre at best, and in a free-agent class that includes such luminaries as Mark Sanchez, Michael Vick and Ryan Lindley, Hoyer stands out as the best option.

Hoyer, 29, started 13 games for the Browns in 2014 and garnered a 7-6 record. While that might look nice on paper, it's also important to remember he threw only 12 touchdown passes against 13 interceptions and was atrocious in his final four starts—so atrocious, in fact, that Cleveland benched him for overmatched rookie Johnny Manziel.

Hoyer finished the season ranked as Pro Football Focus' 35th-ranked passer, and no, that's not good.

While he struggled down the stretch, he still has some talent and showed that he's capable of winning games at the NFL level. It would be a major mistake for any franchise to sign him to be "the guy," but it shouldn't surprise anyone if Hoyer has the opportunity to battle for a starting job in training camp this summer.

Running Back: DeMarco Murray

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Now that's how you want to perform in a contract year.

Heading into free agency, Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray authored a monster campaign, rushing for a league-high 1,845 yards to go along with 13 touchdowns on the ground. He also averaged 4.7 yards per carry, a statistic that becomes even more notable when you consider Murray carried the ball an astounding 436 times (including 44 postseason carries).

While that workload will rightfully make NFL teams nervous, the 26-year-old proved durable in 2014, playing in a full 16-game slate for the first time in his career. He was dominant, flashed the form of an MVP candidate throughout and was a major reason the Cowboys won their first NFC East title since 2009.

At this point, the smart money is on Murray leaving the Cowboys for greener (financial pun intended) pastures, as the likely scenario sees Dallas paying big money to keep free-agent receiver Dez Bryant in town. If that's the case, Murray is likely a goner, and given his age and position, he has every right to try to cash in on an exorbitant contract while he has the chance.

For more on Murray's future in Dallas, check out this piece from Bleacher Report's Clarence Hill.

Wide Receiver: Demaryius Thomas and Dez Bryant

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Not one, but two phenomenal wide receiver talents are set to hit the market: Dallas' Dez Bryant and Denver's Demaryius Thomas. It was impossible to pick one, so we decided to roll with both.

Their 2014 statistics read like a fantasy footballer's dream: Bryant caught 88 passes for 1,320 yards and 16 touchdown receptions, while Thomas hauled in 111 receptions for 1,619 yards and 11 receiving scores. Both players are absolute studs and possess dominant physical tools.

Both will cash in on the free-agent market, and it remains to be seen if they'll end up with their original teams or sign elsewhere. The Cowboys have remained steadfast in their desire to keep Bryant in town on a long-term deal, and it's hard to imagine the Broncos not wanting Thomas back as well.

Complicating matters for the Broncos is the impending free agency of tight end Julius Thomas (more on him next), but Demaryius is clearly the better player of the two. The Broncos have had a strange offseason, and with a new head coach at the helm in Gary Kubiak, it remains to be seen what the franchise's plans will be once the business season begins in earnest.

By hook or by crook, expect both Bryant and Thomas to be paid in a major way this offseason.

Tight End: Julius Thomas

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Denver Broncos tight end Julius Thomas was a touchdown-scoring machine in 2014, reaching the end zone 12 times on just 43 receptions.

Thomas, 26, has proved to be a matchup nightmare in the red zone for opposing defenses and is clearly the top tight end who is set to hit the free-agent market. While some could point to his success potentially being the product of playing in a Peyton Manning-led offense, Thomas has significant physical tools (6'4", 250 lbs) and has flashed enough to earn a big-money deal.

While it remains to be seen how Thomas would perform on an offense that isn't a perennial threat to shatter records, his talent is vast, and given his young age, he's set to cash in.

Offensive Tackle: Bryan Bulaga

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The top offensive tackle set to hit the free-agent market is Bryan Bulaga of the Green Bay Packers.

Bulaga, 25, was a first-round pick in 2010, and he has started 48 games for the Packers in five seasons (he missed the entire 2013 campaign with a torn ACL). He rebounded from the injury nicely and put together a solid 2014 season, finishing the season ranked as Pro Football Focus' 16th-best offensive tackle.

Bulaga is definitely more of a pass-blocker than a run-blocker, and has played both left and right tackle in his career. Teams always value a player of his caliber with the ability to protect a quarterback's blind side, so expect him to get paid in free agency.

Offensive Guard: Mike Iupati

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San Francisco 49ers guard Mike Iupati is tough, physical and intimidating—and he is also the top-ranked guard set to hit the free-agent market, narrowly edging out Denver's Orlando Franklin.

Iupati is a road grader in the run game, finishing 2014 ranked as Pro Football Focus' second-best run-blocker. He's an absolute mauler and the kind of violent presence that teams crave in the interior of their offensive line.

The 27-year-old Iupati has expressed a desire to remain in San Francisco, telling Andrew Pentis of 49ers.com, "It's going to suck if I do go somewhere (else). This is my home. I really want to stay here, and I'm sure we'll try to work something out."

While that's all well and good, the 49ers' plans appear nebulous after an offseason that's already been ripe with change. It's unclear if Iupati will get his wish and resume his career with the 49ers.

Center: Brian De La Puente

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Center Brian De La Puente was a bright spot for an otherwise dark season in Chicago, finishing the year ranked as Pro Football Focus' seventh-best player at the position—despite missing six games due to injury.

He finished with positive grades in run and pass blocking, and he is only 29 years old—so he should have a lot of football left in him. The Bears did re-sign center Roberto Garza last month on a one-year deal, but he could simply provide veteran insurance.

Regardless of whether De La Puente returns to the Windy City, there will be a market for his services—he'll be the top center in demand.

Defensive End: Jason Pierre-Paul

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul hit free agency on a high note, garnering 12.5 sacks on the campaign—the most since he tallied 16.5 in 2011. He ended the year ranked as Pro Football Focus' seventh-best 4-3 defensive end.

And Pierre-Paul finished the season on fire, with nine sacks in the season's final five games. He once again flashed the form that had many thinking he was on his way to perennial All-Pro status, and that should help fill his coffers this offseason.

Pierre-Paul knows he's about to get paid, telling Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com:

"

I think I am worth a lot of money. What do you think? I don't know what my future holds. Who knows if I am going to be in a Giant uniform, who knows where I am going to be in the offseason. Like I said, now, the numbers are there, I had a great season, and everybody sees it. There really is nothing else to say, just negotiations and it is coming.

"

Cha-ching.

The Giants will have the option of hitting Pierre-Paul with the franchise tag, but one thing is for sure—one way or another, JPP will be striking it rich this offseason.

Defensive Tackle: Ndamukong Suh

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It's rare that a player the status of Ndamukong Suh hits the free-agent market, and when he does, you just know he's going to get paid in a major way.

The 28-year-old Suh—the second overall pick in the 2010 draft—completed another monster campaign in 2014, finishing with 8.5 sacks from the defensive tackle position. He ended the year ranked as Pro Football Focus' third-ranked defensive tackle.

Per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, if the Lions were to hit Suh with the franchise tag, his cap number for 2015 would check in at a staggering $26.9 million. So while general manager Martin Mayhew has expressed a desire to keep Suh in the Motor City for the long haul, it appears more likely that he will end up hitting the market.

And if and when that happens, expect the big man to break the bank.

Outside Linebacker: Justin Houston

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In the National Football League, two types of players receive the fattest contracts: elite quarterbacks and game-changing pass-rushers.

Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston definitely falls into the latter category, as he led the NFL with a ridiculous 22 sacks in 2014. He finished the year ranked as Pro Football Focus' top-rated 3-4 outside linebacker by a wide margin.

The 26-year-old Houston has now compiled 48.5 sacks in four NFL seasons, and his type of pass-rushing ability doesn't hit the market often, so expect him to get paid in a major way. Back in December, Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com reported that the Chiefs would likely hit Houston with the franchise tag and that Houston would likely sign it and take the one-year windfall that comes with it, but it remains to be seen if that will materialize.

But whether it does is immaterial, because one way or another, Houston is going to be a very rich man. 

Inside Linebacker: Rolando McClain

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What a long, strange trip it's been for Dallas Cowboys inside linebacker Rolando McClain.

After being selected with the eighth overall pick in the 2010 draft by Oakland, McClain looked like a massive bust, and the combination of on-field struggles and off-field troubles looked set to permanently derail his career. As a result, he was out of the league in 2013.

But McClain revived his career in Dallas, helping engineer a defensive renaissance that few thought they'd see from the Cowboys in 2014. He finished the season ranked as Pro Football Focus' eighth-best inside linebacker.

McClain definitely carries question marks with him, as teams won't be sure if he'll stay on the straight and narrow. But after experiencing a career renaissance so great it would make Galileo jealous, McClain should be a hotly pursued commodity on the free-agent market.

Cornerback: Darrelle Revis

Charles Krupa/Associated Press

While he has his sights set on the Lombardi Trophy, New England Patriots star cornerback Darrelle Revis also knows that another prize awaits him in the offseason: yet another massive payday.

Revis, who inked a one-year, $12 million deal with New England (with a $20 million team option for 2015), put together yet another sterling campaign, finishing with two interceptions and ranking as Pro Football Focus' fourth-best cornerback. He once again showed that he's a human eraser, capable of removing even the finest receivers from opposing game plans.

Is it possible that the Patriots will pick up Revis' option for 2015? Yes, but it's unlikely. The more likely scenario sees the team declining the option and then trying to sign Revis to a long-term deal. And as Revis has proved over the course of his career, he's all about that money, boss.

Whether he decides to stay in New England shouldn't affect his bank account, as he'll be lavished with greenbacks regardless of where he plays. But winning a Super Bowl in Foxborough could help keep him in town for years to come.

Safety: Devin McCourty

Charles Krupa/Associated Press

Darrelle Revis isn't the only member of the New England Patriots secondary who is set to hit the free-agent market, as stud safety Devin McCourty is slated to join him.

After New England's pursuit of a Super Bowl title draws to a conclusion, McCourty—a first-round pick in the 2010 draft—should be a hot commodity on the market. His career has flourished since being converted to safety in 2011, and he intercepted two passes in 2014, finishing the year ranked as Pro Football Focus' eighth-best safety.

Jeff P. Howe of the Boston Herald tweeted back in December that "nothing (is) happening" on a contract extension between McCourty and the Patriots. He said the franchise tag could be in consideration to keep McCourty in Foxborough. 

A sterling performance in the Super Bowl could drive McCourty's price tag up even further, so this remains a situation to monitor.

Kicker: Justin Tucker

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In just three NFL seasons, Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker has proved to be one of the most clutch and reliable specialists in the league.

Tucker went 29-of-34 on field-goal attempts in 2014 (following a 2013 campaign in which he went 34-of-39). He has an extremely big leg, as he's 14-of-20 from 50 yards or greater in his career.

He also has a propensity for coming through in the clutch, which is a major asset for any kicker. He'd instantly upgrade the special teams unit of just about any team in the NFL, so the Ravens would be wise to lock him up for the long term.

Punter: Brett Kern

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Tennessee Titans punter Brett Kern has been the team's regular punter since 2010 and has impressed during his time in the Music City.

Kern punted at a clip of 46.8 yards and finished 2014 ranked as Pro Football Focus' ninth-best punter. Given those numbers and his relatively young age (28), he's the best of a relatively mediocre free-agent crop at the position.