2015 NFL Free Agency: Exploring the Market at Every Position

With Super Bowl XLIX rapidly approaching, it's accurate to say that February 1—Super Sunday, if you will—is currently the most important date on the NFL calendar.

But once the Super Bowl is in the books and the Lombardi Trophy is raised, another date will take on paramount importance: March 10 or the start of the 2015 NFL league year. At 4 p.m. ET that day, the free-agent market will officially open, and the landscape of the league will be significantly altered in the hours and days to follow.

In this column, we'll help begin to get you set for free agency by providing a primer on each position. We'll discuss the top players available and offer a look at some lesser options as well.

It's time to explore the market at every position for the 2015 NFL free-agent market.

Quarterback

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

To call the 2015 free-agent market for quarterbacks uninspiring would be an understatement.

And really, when any list of passers is headlined by the mediocre likes of Philadelphia's Mark Sanchez, Cleveland's Brian Hoyer and St. Louis' Shaun Hill, how could you expect any different?

Sanchez and Hoyer appear to be the most desirable options, which says something about something. Sanchez, 28, went 4-4 in eight starts for the Eagles while tossing 14 touchdown passes against 11 interceptions, while Hoyer, 29, compiled a 7-6 record with the Browns and threw 12 touchdown passes against 13 interceptions.

Other soon-to-be-available signal-callers include Jake Locker, Ryan Mallett, Michael Vick and Christian Ponder. Locker, 26, possesses the most theoretical upside, but he has shown a glaring inability to stay healthy. Mallett, 26, has all the physical tools needed to succeed, but he just doesn't have the experience (two NFL starts in four seasons) to merit a big-time contract.

Avert thine eyes, football fans, as lower-tier options include the likes of Ryan Lindley, Blaine Gabbert and Jimmy Clausen. Yikes.

Running Back

Brandon Wade/Associated Press

The free-agent market at running back is headlined by Dallas' DeMarco Murray, who authored one of the most impressive seasons at the position in recent memory, toting the rock an incredible 392 times for 1,845 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns. For insight on Murray's trip to free agency and his future, peep this piece from Bleacher Report's Clarence Hill.

While Murray is the crown jewel of the class, there are other shiny baubles to be had as well, and none shimmers more than Baltimore's Justin Forsett. Finally breaking out in his seventh season, Forsett rushed for 1,266 yards and eight touchdowns. While he recently told Kevin Patra of NFL.com that he'd like to stay in Baltimore, it remains to be seen if that will happen.

San Diego's Ryan Mathews, New England's Stevan Ridley and Buffalo's C.J. Spiller (who must void his contract to reach free agency) are the next-best available, while Oakland's Darren McFadden, Indianapolis' Ahmad Bradshaw and Miami's Knowshon Moreno represent aging and injury-prone options.

Wide Receiver

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

The 2015 free-agent class at wide receiver is one of the best in years at any position. It's absolutely loaded with top-notch talent.

And verily, any list that starts with elite playmakers the likes of Denver's Demaryius Thomas (111 catches for 1,619 yards and 11 touchdown receptions) and Dallas' Dez Bryant (88 catches for 1,320 yards and 16 touchdown receptions) is impressive indeed.

The players behind the two aforementioned fantasy football gods aren't too shabby either, with Green Bay's Randall Cobb and Baltimore's Torrey Smith leading the charge. Cobb, 24, is a particularly intriguing option, as he really flashed in 2014, catching passes from Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Philadelphia's Jeremy Maclin bet on himself prior to the 2014 campaign, signing a one-year deal, and his decision came up aces, as he's now ready to cash in after hauling in 10 touchdown receptions. San Francisco's Michael Crabtree had a disappointing season (along with the rest of San Francisco's offense) but still possesses a ton of physical ability.

Once-reliable options Reggie Wayne and Wes Welker bring up the rear, as both look to be in the twilight of their excellent careers.

Tight End

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

There's quite a bit of raw talent set to hit the free-agent market at tight end, headlined by Denver's Julius Thomas.

Thomas, 26, burst onto the scene in 2013 and caught 12 touchdown passes in 2014. He proved to be a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses in the red zone, as his combination of size (6'4", 250 lbs) and speed is tough to handle. Critics will fairly wonder about his ability to truly sparkle away from a Peyton Manning-led offense, but he's showed enough to earn a nice contract.

Cleveland's Jordan Cameron saw his value lowered, thanks to a lingering concussion that sapped much of his effectiveness in 2014, but if he can stay healthy, his upside is fairly large. 

Miami's Charles Clay, Baltimore's Owen Daniels and Cincinnati's Jermaine Gresham constitute the rest of the notable options.

Offensive Tackle

Mike Roemer/Associated Press

The free-agent market at offensive tackle is headlined by Green Bay's Bryan Bulaga. Bulaga, 25, has started 48 games for the Packers since the team selected him in the first round of the 2010 draft and has experience at both right and left tackle. Bulaga finished 2014 ranked as Pro Football Focus' 16th-best offensive tackle.

Dallas' Doug Free has started 82 games over a seven-year career, and while he's 31, he shouldn't have a problem finding work. San Diego's King Dunlap (Pro Football Focus' 23rd-ranked tackle), 29, should also be snatched up relatively quickly. 

The other top options include Kansas City's Ryan Harris, Washington's Tyler Polumbus and Cincinnati's Marshall Newhouse.

Offensive Guard

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

There are two players who stand head and shoulders above the rest of the free-agent crop at offensive guard: San Francisco's Mike Iupati and Denver's Orlando Franklin.

Franklin (13th) and Iupati (14th) both finished inside the top 15 of Pro Football Focus' top offensive guards, and both are fascinating options because their strengths are different. Franklin is a more accomplished pass-blocker, while Iupati is an absolute road-grader in the run game. Both are 27 years old.

The clear third option at guard is Cincinnati's Clint Boling, and after him, the drop-off becomes quite steep. Players such as Willie Colon of the New York Jets, John Jerry of the New York Giants and Detroit's Rob Sims round out the "best" available players at guard.

Center

Uncredited/Associated Press

As it concerns the impending free-agent market at center, Kansas City's Rodney Hudson is the cream of the crop.

Hudson, 25, finished 2014 ranked as Pro Football Focus' third-best center and is an outstanding run-blocker. Expect him to be snatched up quickly once the market opens.

The second-best option is Chicago's Brian De La Puente. The 29-year-old missed six games because of injury in 2014 but still played well enough to earn positive grades in both run and pass blocking from Pro Football Focus.

Other free-agent centers include Detroit's Dominic Raiola, New Orleans' Jonathan Goodwin, Oakland's Stefen Wisniewski and Miami's Samson Satele.

Defensive End

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

There are a number of potential difference-makers at defensive end set to hit the free-agent market but none more so than Jason Pierre-Paul of the New York Giants.

Pierre-Paul, 25, closed 2014 with 12.5 sacks, the most since he tallied 16.5 in 2011. Regardless of whether or not he stays with the Giants (who would be wise to consider hitting him with the franchise tag if a long-term deal cannot be reached), the artist known at "JPP" is set to break the bank.

Carolina's Greg Hardy, 26, is the wild card at defensive end. After he totaled 15 sacks in 2013, the Panthers slapped him with the franchise tag, and expectations for him in 2013 were sky-high. But legal problems forced him to miss all but one game this season. Hardy's trial for domestic violence will take place during the week of February 9, and his long-term status should become clear at that point.

Buffalo's Jerry Hughes, 26, is coming off back-to-back 10-sack campaigns and should earn a pretty penny in free agency. Atlanta's Osi Umenyiora and Dallas' Anthony Spencer also present viable options at defensive end.

Defensive Tackle

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

One man and one man alone stands above the rest on the free-agent market for defensive tackles: Detroit's Ndamukong Suh.

Suh, 28, is a legitimately scary human being and a wrecking ball on the gridiron. He totaled 8.5 sacks in 2014 and finished the year ranked as Pro Football Focus' third-best defensive tackle. Considering Suh's 2015 cap hit would be monumental if the Lions were to hit him with the franchise tag, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, the smart money is on Suh heading to the market. 

Suh's battery-mate, Nick Fairley, is also set to be a free agent, and while Fairley isn't nearly as accomplished as Suh, he was highly regarded coming out of college (the Lions selected him with the 13th overall pick of the 2011 draft) and should pique the interest of many NFL teams.

Denver's Terrance Knighton—perhaps best known for his incredible (and apropos) nickname "Pot Roast"—will also be available, and he finished 2014 ranked as Pro Football Focus' 12th-best defensive tackle. Miami's Jared Odrick is another fine option, and Seattle's Kevin Williams may be nearing the end of his career, but there could still be some gas left in the tank.

Outside Linebacker

Colin E. Braley/Associated Press

While many players will be lavished with exorbitant sums of greenbacks in this year's free-agent period, it's difficult to imagine anyone receiving more cash than Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston.

Houston, 26, thoroughly dominated the competition in 2014, leading the league with a preposterous 22 sacks. He now has 48.5 sacks in four NFL seasons and will become a very rich man once the market opens.

Washington's Brian Orakpo is someone to keep an eye on as well. After a 10-sack season in 2013 earned him the club's franchise tag last offseason, Orakpo completed a substandard 2014 season, playing in only seven games and tallying only a half-sack. But at age 28, there's no question that a club will take a chance on the gifted pass-rusher.

Pittsburgh's Jason Worilds (7.5 sacks) will also generate interest, while Super Bowl XLVII MVP Malcolm Smith (Seattle) and Atlanta's Sean Weatherspoon (coming off a torn ACL) are the other big names set to hit free agency at outside linebacker.

Inside Linebacker

Elise Amendola/Associated Press

It may be hard to believe, but it's the truth: After a trip so long and strange that it would have made the late Jerry Garcia jealous, Dallas' Rolando McClain represents the top inside linebacker set to hit the free-agent market.

Prior to 2014, McClain—the eighth overall pick of the 2010 draft—looked like a major bust. On-field struggles and off-field issues saw him out of the league in 2013, and when the Cowboys snatched him up last offseason, the transaction was met with more derision than fanfare. But McClain made the most of his opportunity, finishing the year ranked as Pro Football Focus' eighth-best inside linebacker.

The options behind McClain are solid if unspectacular. Buffalo's Brandon Spikes is excellent against the run but a major liability in pass coverage, while New England's Akeem Ayers—a midseason acquisition from Tennessee—showed some pass-rushing oomph once under the tutelage of Patriots coach Bill Belichick.

Cincinnati's Rey Maualuga and the Jets' David Harris will also be pursued once the market opens.

Cornerback

Chris Keane/Associated Press

The 2015 free-agent class at cornerback is headlined by all-world option Darrelle Revis, presently of the AFC champion New England Patriots.

Revis authored yet another marvelous campaign, finishing 2014 ranked as Pro Football Focus' fourth-best cornerback. While the Patriots hold a $20 million team option to retain him for 2015, the more likely scenario is the team not exercising it and attempting to sign Revis to a long-term deal. The result of Super Bowl XLIX will likely play a large role in determining whether or not Revis decides to continue his career in Foxborough.

Houston's Kareem Jackson, 26, represents another fantastic option. Jackson is coming off his best season (Pro Football Focus ranked him as the league's 11th-best cornerback in 2014) and has a first-round pedigree (2010).

Arizona's Antonio Cromartie, 30, will once again hit the market after tallying three interceptions in 2014. Green Bay's Tramon Williams, Pittsburgh's Ike Taylor and Seattle's Byron Maxwell (who is set to start in Super Bowl XLIX) represent the next-best options.

Safety

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

Darrelle Revis isn't the only member of New England's secondary set to command a lot of money on the free-agent market, as safety Devin McCourty will join him.

McCourty, who will start in Super Bowl XLIX this Sunday, is going to be the best safety on the market, and he finished 2014 ranked as Pro Football Focus' eighth-best at the position.

Antrel Rolle of the New York Giants, 32, is clearly in the twilight of his career, but he has veteran leadership and savvy. Denver's Rahim Moore—infamously known for his role in this history-changing play—will also be a free agent.

Indianapolis' Sergio Brown and Baltimore's Darian Stewart should also command interest come March.

Kicker

Elise Amendola/Associated Press

The free-agent market at kicker looks to be strong, and the group is headlined by Baltimore's Justin Tucker (who is a restricted free agent).

Tucker went 29-of-34 on field-goal attempts in 2014 and has proved to be one of the best and most clutch kickers in the league. The Ravens would be wise to retain him.

New England's Stephen Gostkowski (35-of-37 on field-goal attempts in 2014) is another excellent option, as is Atlanta's Matt Bryant (29-of-32 on field-goal attempts in 2014).

Rounding out the top options at kicker are Detroit's Matt Prater and Tennessee's Ryan Succop.

Punter

Elaine Thompson/Associated Press

There isn't a lot of pop and sizzle on the punting free-agent market, but there are a few decent players to be had.

Tennessee's Brett Kern, 28, headlines the list after averaging 46.8 yards per punt in 2014 (and finishing the year ranked as Pro Football Focus' ninth-best punter).

Other names that will be bandied about are Oakland's Marquette King, Dallas' Chris Jones and Cleveland's Spencer Lanning.