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In the NFL media world, we like to rank things. You'll see plenty of rankings this offseason talking about the best job openings, the best draft prospects and the best free agents available. But how many of these lists break down why a player is ranked at his respective spot in the order?  

This list does that.

Everyone wants to know who the best available free agents are this offseason, and we'll tackle that. But we're also looking at what makes the best players so valuable in the same way an NFL front office evaluates available free agents. By scouting each player and assigning a number grade to him, we're able to objectively look at players' value and upside as they hit the market.

And thus, the NFL Free Agency 100 is born.

In this series, we'll look at the best available free agents, ranking their production (30 possible points), durability (10 points), intangibles (15 points), upside (20 points) and value (25 points) for a possible 100 overall points.

Production: This is not just stats, but is the player able to produce if given starting reps? This area looks at on-field ability and success.

Durability: NFL teams won't spend big money on a player who can't stay healthy. Durability addresses existing injury concerns.

Intangibles: The "it" factor, intangibles look at a player's presence in the locker room, with the media, in the huddle and how he'll impact the team's chemistry and dynamics.

Upside: What does the player have left in the tank? Can he improve with better coaching, better talent around him or a new scheme?

Value: Are we talking about a starter, a backup or a potential sleeper? Here is where we weigh the player's value on the open market.

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Our final NFL Free Agency 100 big board is the product of several months' worth of scouting and related evaluations.

Because, while completing these evaluations, we had no way of predicting the future so as to ascertain which players would remain free agents, which would receive franchise or transition tags, and which would ultimately be released and/or signed by other teams in the time between completion of evaluations and publishing of this big board, not every player on these lists is necessarily available on the open free-agent market at present.

Since these evaluations were completed, we would like to note the following changes.

The following players have been franchise-tagged:

• Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant
• Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas
• Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston
• Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski
• Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul

The following players have been transition-tagged:

• Dolphins tight end Charles Clay

The following players were not considered, as they were released—and thus became free agents—after these evaluations were completed:

• Bengals defense end Robert Geathers
• Bengals wide receiver Greg Little
• Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett
• Cardinals WR/KR Ted Ginn
• Chargers linebacker Jarret Johnson (retired)
• Chiefs tight end Anthony Fasano
• Colts safety LaRon Landry
• Dolphins cornerback Cortland Finnegan
• Dolphins wide receiver Brian Hartline
• Dolphins wide receiver Brandon Gibson
• Eagles offensive lineman Todd Herremans
• Falcons wide receiver Harry Douglas
• Falcons offensive lineman Justin Blalock
• Falcons running back Steven Jackson
• Falcons defensive end Jonathan Massaquoi
• Giants running back Peyton Hillis
• Lions running back Reggie Bush
• Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk
• Ravens defensive end Chris Canty
• Ravens WR/KR Jacoby Jones
• Redskins defensive end Stephen Bowen
• Redskins defensive lineman Barry Cofield Jr.
• Steelers wide receiver Lance Moore
• Vikings guard Charlie Johnson

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The 2015 offseason isn't a good one to need a quarterback—and that includes both free agency and the draft.

Teams picking outside the early part of the first round with a need at quarterback may see this list and decide what they have is better. There's not a clear-cut, guaranteed starter on it.

Mark Sanchez found short-term success in Philadelphia and may be back there as a competitor for the starting job. Brian Hoyer was solid early in Cleveland but was benched at the end of the year for Johnny Manziel. And if you're willing to take a risk on developing Jake Locker, he's athletic but has struggled with accuracy and decision-making.

See full scouting reports for each player in our NFL Free Agency 100 series.

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The running back depth among free agents is very good. There are several legitimate starters and more who can be impact players as third-down backs or complementary pieces.

The gem of the group is DeMarco Murray, and the Dallas Cowboys may try hard to keep him in town. C.J. Spiller is a starter-quality running back when healthy, but he's struggled to stay on the field. Mark Ingram and Frank Gore are both power runners. But Ingram has never been a bell-cow back, and Gore is reaching the end of his career.

How teams view one-year-wonder Justin Forsett will be interesting, but he was very good in a zone offense in 2014 under Gary Kubiak in Baltimore.

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Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas have been handed the franchise tag, but Randall Cobb and Jeremy Maclin will be allowed to test the market. They're No. 1 receivers with big-play ability and a big payday coming to them. We all know Torrey Smith can be a solid deep threat, but he's a tier below the big four.

Cecil Shorts may be the sleeper if healthy. He's been a bright spot with terrible quarterback play in Jacksonville, but his injury history is a concern.

* Player has received franchise tag designation since evaluations were completed.

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Athletic tight ends are all the rage in the NFL, and the 2015 free-agency class has the potential to help teams in need.

Julius Thomas has to prove he can produce without Peyton Manning, but he's totaled 24 touchdowns in the last two seasons and has been one of the NFL's true breakout players since Manning joined Denver. Charles Clay won't be on the market after receiving the transition tag designation.

Jordan Cameron has big promise, but his 2014 was forgettable. He was a star under Norv Turner in 2013, though.

* Player has received transition tag designation since evaluations were completed.

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There is no must-sign offensive lineman on the market, but you could easily fill a big hole and find a Pro Bowl-caliber starter in free agency. 

Mike Iupati's 2014 wasn't good, but he's a powerful blocker with an ideal skill set for a power-running game. Bryan Bulaga has locked down the right side for the Green Bay Packers, and it'll be a surprise if they let him walk. The same goes for Rodney Hudson, who has been the Kansas City Chiefs' most consistent starter and could be their anchor as they rebuild the offensive line.

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As this group is currently shaping up, it'll be a league-changing class.

Ndamukong Suh is one of the NFL's most gifted players. He will see an epic recruiting battle after not being tagged in Detroit. The same goes for Greg Hardy, who has off-field issues in his past but also league-leading talent as a pass-rusher.

* Player has received franchise tag designation since evaluations were completed.

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The class of defensive free agents is very good—except at 4-3 linebacker and safety. The talent here is solid, but the majority of the linebackers are either unproven or coming off an injury that makes them a questionable target.

Sean Weatherspoon has shown Pro Bowl-caliber play in his career, but injuries have decimated his play lately. Akeem Ayers was wasted in Tennessee but found success in New England this year. Is he worth taking a risk on outside Bill Belichick's system? The same goes for Malcolm Smith, an undersized linebacker at 6'0", 226 pounds who won't be a fit for most teams.

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The 2015 free-agent class at outside linebacker would have been arguably the best ever had it not been for the franchise tag. Instead, the Kansas City Chiefs tagged Justin Houston, who led the NFL in sacks last year with 22. Even so, it's a good class.  

Jerry Hughes was nearing draft-bust status in Indianapolis but has been a top-tier pass-rusher in Buffalo and has the versatility to play as a defensive end or outside linebacker. Pernell McPhee, Jason Worilds, Brian Orakpo and Brandon Graham all can be game-changers on defense in 2015.

* Player has received franchise tag designation since evaluations were completed.

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There is no can't-miss inside linebacker in this free-agent class, but there are capable starters and players with upside.

David Harris has been productive, but he's limited in range and is getting older for a big free-agent contract (31 years old). Mason Foster may not be a typical Tampa 2 "Mike" 'backer for Lovie Smith's scheme, but he could play for many teams and lock down the middle linebacker spot. Rolando McClain was a potential Comeback Player of the Year in 2014, but his off-field issues make signing him a gamble.

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Darrelle Revis headlines this list—and the free-agent class—but the New England Patriots can keep him by picking up an option on his 2015 season. And they should.

Tramon Williams may be back in Green Bay, but he could be a starter in a lot of systems and has the experience to be a leader in the secondary. Byron Maxwell is a lock to get good money and a starting job, and I'd expect the Philadelphia Eagles to be all over him if he leaves the Seattle Seahawks.

Chris Culliver's play is better than his grade, but injury and off-field concerns are keeping his stock down.

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Devin McCourty is arguably the second-best free safety in the NFL behind Earl Thomas, and you can expect the New England Patriots to make a big push to keep him at a high price. If McCourty heads back to New England, Rahim Moore becomes even more valuable as the best safety in the group.

Stevie Brown could be the sleeper of this class. He had eight interceptions in 2012 but hasn't had one since. 

With a weak 2015 draft class at safety and lack of talent in free agency, the top-tier players are more valuable.

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Scouting special teams players isn't something I enjoy—it's all about accuracy, power, hang time and statistical analysis. But their value and importance are huge if you're looking at how much a game can change with a good, consistent kicker.

Stephen Gostkowski is the third New England Patriot to headline his position group, but he's been franchise-tagged. Matt Prater has been inconsistent since serving a four-game suspension early in 2014, but he has a track record of success.