Ranking the 10 Most Dangerous NFL Players Available This Offseason

Nearly two weeks have passed since the New England Patriots were crowned Super Bowl champs once again, which means it is just about time to start off another annual tradition in the NFL: free agency.

Although not quite as headline grabbing as the circus that is NBA free agency, the NFL has its fair share of intrigue every year.

This time around in particular should be incredibly intriguing, with a number of teams having to make serious franchise tag decision—I’m looking at you Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions—that could send a star player onto the open market.

On this list, I will not be discussing players who are likely to get the franchise tag and thus will stay put. That means Justin Houston, Ndamukong Suh, Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas are all not being considered for this list.

So, with that laid out, here are the 10 players who could have the biggest impact on the free-agent scene in 2015.

Byron Maxwell

It’s hard to argue against the Seattle Seahawks having the best secondary in the NFL over the last two seasons.

With Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman at defensive back, that is bound to happen. But after Brandon Browner took his leave of Seattle and settled in New England, there were some question marks heading into this year about who would play opposite Sherman.

The answer? Byron Maxwell, who was key in the Seahawks' return to the Super Bowl.

In 2014-15, Maxwell finished with 45 tackles and three interceptions, counting the Seahawks' playoff run, but was overshadowed by his compatriots in the defensive backfield.

If Maxwell’s upward trajectory was his own doing, and not because of his membership in the Legion of Boom, he could be well on his way to being a top-tier corner in the NFL.

Jason Worilds

The Pittsburgh Steelers are known for being a franchise that drafts quite well, and most of their stars come from within the franchise, not free agency.

That explains why Pittsburgh is also a hot bed for young talents who have yet to reach their peak but are deserving of more money than they were receiving.

This is the exact situation the team finds itself in with linebacker Jason Worilds.

Taken in the second round of the 2010 draft, Worilds has never put up staggering numbers but has been a consistent part of the Steelers defense, especially the last two years.

Worilds, who can also play defensive end, has recorded 15.5 sacks in the last two seasons, top 40 in the league both seasons.

He might not be the most well-known name, but Worilds is a budding star who has shown the potential to become one of the league’s best.

Mike Iupati

Offensive linemen are never the flashy additions to teams that most fans are asking for.

There are no measurable stats that really stand out as a way to lift one player's profile over the other, so many have to rely on experts to tell us who are the better players at positions across the line.

With that in mind, I am here to tell you that Mike Iupati is the best offensive linemen available in free agency this year.

Odds are the 49ers won’t be able to franchise tag the guard, and so he will be hitting the market making teams that are looking very happy.

Iupati is a three-time Pro Bowler and was named first-team All-Pro in 2012.

His play has been stellar as well in the last two seasons, and things don’t look to be slowing down anytime soon for Iupati.

Teams like the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins, who struggled at guard last season, will likely be at least taking a flier on Iupati.

Greg Hardy

Greg Hardy is a very interesting case for NFL teams.

He remains one of the best pass-rushers in the league, is only 26 years old and would be a huge boost to any team looking to put some more pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

At the same time, though, Hardy was surrounded by controversy in 2014, as he was charged with domestic abuse and missed all but one game.

The case has recently been thrown out though, and teams are going to have to weigh whether Hardy is worth signing.

In 2012 and 2013, Hardy tallied 11 and 15 sacks, respectively, and likely would have been a force for the Panthers in 2014 as well had it not been for the legal issues.

Hardy is still possibly one of the five best defensive lineman in the league, and if a franchise is willing to look past the problems, Hardy could be one of the best signings of the offseason.

Nick Fairley

Were Ndamukong Suh not getting the franchise tag, he would quite easily top this list.

But because the monstrous defensive tackle with off-the-field issues will likely be remaining in Detroit, that means another monstrous defensive tackle with off-the-field issues will be likely leaving the Lions.

Although he isn’t Suh, Auburn product Nick Fairley has proved he is a more than capable defensive player as well in his time in Detroit.

Injuries derailed his 2014 season, but were it not for Suh receiving all the attention, odds are the hype surrounding Fairley heading into this offseason would be much higher.

This is a player who has the ability to be one of the best tackles in the NFL, if he can get his head straight both on and off the field.

Fairley has become known for attitude issues and arrests, which has seen his value decrease significantly below what it should be at.

If the injury issues are behind him and more consistency is achieved, expect Fairley to find success wherever he lands.

Randall Cobb

There comes a time in certain receivers' careers where a question has to be answered.

Are they a product of an elite quarterback, or can they stand on their own?

For Randall Cobb, now very well may be that time. At only 24 years old, Cobb has become a huge threat both as a receiver and a returner for the Packers over the last couple of season.

Paired with Jordy Nelson, the Packers receivers have become one of the best units in the NFL for quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

But Cobb is going to become available come this offseason, and as much as the Packers want to keep him, they won’t be the only team vying for the youngster's talents.

Last season, Cobb finished the year 11th in receiving yards with 1,287, while also managing to find paydirt 12 times, tied for fourth most in the league.

Even if those numbers end up being slightly skewed because of the ability of Aaron Rodgers, Cobb has the potential to be the top receiver in free agency this offseason.

Julius Thomas

The NFL seems to be in a golden generation of tight ends at the moment.

Between Jimmy Graham, Rob Gronkowski and Greg Olsen, there are a number of elite tight ends who at times can seem unguardable. But while those at the top are elite, the quality drops off quite quickly at the next level of tight end.

That is what makes Julius Thomas’ free agency so much more valuable for teams that utilize the tight end position.

Despite dropping off the face of the earth at the end of the season because of an ankle injury, Thomas started the season off as one of the hottest players in the NFL.

Reaching the end zone three times in the Broncos’ season opener, and nine times in the first five game, it was hard to argue Thomas’ quality as an elite red-zone target.

The Broncos would love to keep hold of the tight end, but with their other Thomas, wide receiver Demaryius, likely taking the franchise tag, other teams will be able to swoop in a try and sign one of the NFL’s best receiving tight ends.

Jason Pierre-Paul

How hard is it to believe that Jason Pierre-Paul is only 26 years old.

Seriously, it feels like ages ago that the defensive end took the league by storm that covered up some holes left by injuries for the Giants.

A significant drop in performance for the two years following New York’s Super Bowl win in 2011, made some sour on Pierre-Paul. But with 12.5 sacks last season, not to mention a staggering eight forced fumbles, it seems that Pierre-Paul could be primed to find his form once again.

Based on promise and age, most teams will likely be lining up to at least take a shot that Pierre-Paul of 2011, and not 2013, is the one set to test the waters of free agency.

Although the Giants could tag him, I don’t expect such a development because of the inconsistent play that has plagued the South Florida product through his time in New York.

Whoever does end up signing Pierre-Paul could end up making the steal of free agency if his form returns.

Devin McCourty

Darrelle Revis received all the attention, Brandon Browner stole some headlines of his own and Malcolm Butler made the play that won the Super Bowl.

But despite all these guys receiving the attention, Devin McCourty might be one of the most valuable players in the secondary.

Whether it be as a safety or cornerback, McCourty has excelled since joining New England in 2010 and will be one of the top defensive players on the market.

The Patriots do have the option to tag him and try and hold onto him, but a price tag of $9.5 million for a franchise that is already over the cap for next year might make him a little too rich for New England’s blood.

McCourty’s ability to fill almost any role in the secondary asked of him, whether as a shutdown corner or as a free safety, could make him a perfect fit on any number of teams who will all be fighting hard to get the Rutgers product.

DeMarco Murray

The Cowboys are caught in an absolute bind this offseason when it comes to their franchise tag.

On one hand you have hyper talented and freakishly athletic wide receiver Dez Bryant. On the other, the reigning offensive player of the year in the league, running back DeMarco Murray.

Bryant is the odds on favorite for the tag this year, which means that Murray will be a free agent, and teams across the NFL are drooling.

Despite consistent fumbling issues, Murray has established himself as one of the best running backs in the league and proved that with his 2014 campaign.

Winning the rushing title by nearly 500 yards, with 1,845 yards on the ground and 13 touchdowns, Murray proved he can run the ball successfully against any team and has become a valuable commodity.

With eight straight games of 100 yards or more to start the season, including starts against the 49ers and Seahawks, any team in need of help at running back will be ecstatic to see the Oklahoma running back available.

If Murray can replicate his 2014 season and stay healthy, whichever team ends up signing him will be instantly improved and will likely use him as a building block for their franchise.