10 Pending NFL Free Agents Who Will Earn Big Bucks

We're almost three-quarters of the way through the NFL season, so it's a good time to start thinking about the 2016 free agents.

This slideshow is a list of 10 free agents who will be cashing in on their next contract come 2016. (Here is the full list of free agents, per Spotrac.)

Before we start, let's set the ground rules. Since this list is not ranked, don't put a ton of weight into where these players appear.

First, let's understand the workings of NFL contracts. There are two figures that come with every contract: a total salary and the guaranteed money. It gets complicated because guaranteed money is the only number that really matters in the NFL. But, for the sake of this list, we'll take into account total-salary possibilities because that's what usually drives up guaranteed money.

Second, age matters. I love the way Kansas City Chiefs' Derrick Johnson plays, but at 33, it'll be tough to get that top-notch next contract when players like Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan are also on the market.

Third, talent at a position matters. Eric Berry will get paid because he's one of the best defensive players in the league, especially at his position. Safeties aren't considered one of the most important positions in the NFL, but when you're that good, you'll get yours.

But, fourth, the position hierarchy matters. No running back makes this list. The NFL just doesn't hand out lucrative deals to guys not named Adrian Peterson. Despite Matt Forte's career production and Doug Martin's resurgence (though I believe he never actually had a career to re-surge), running backs just aren't monster-contract worthy anymore. Well, that is until Todd Gurley enters the last year of his rookie deal.

Now here's where it gets tricky.

Quarterbacks are going to make this list, though their deals are always inflated because of the demand for quarterbacks and the low supply. So relatively speaking, Sam Bradford, Kirk Cousins and Brock Osweiler aren't cashing in because they're top talents (though we haven't seen enough from Osweiler to say no). They are cashing in because the NFL will always be starved for quarterbacks. They aren't going to get upper-echelon money, but they're still going to get more per year than every player on this list, except maybe Von Miller.

Simply put, they're beneficiaries of the system.

And, fifth, great players have set the market. Marcell Dareus currently has the most guaranteed money in the NFL at $60 million. He can thank J.J. Watt and Ndamukong Suh. The players on this list obviously aren't always going to be the best, but because of the greats before them, they'll make out in the end.

The next slide is the honorable mentions to give you a clearer idea of the criteria. Let's get started.

Honorable Mentions

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Here are players who could be good for your fantasy team next year, but teams won't invest in long term.

Matt Forte, Running Back: I know what you're thinking. If positions matter and their contracts reflect their importance, then what seems like a modest contract relative to other positions could be huge for a running back. Forte could technically be in for big free-agent money for his position, but he's going to turn 30 at the end of the season and we all know what that means.

Doug Martin, Running Back: At 26, Martin could be a candidate, but in a league of running-back-by-committee and his average skills as a receiver (which is strange considering his rookie season) just don't make him a cash-in talent. For reference, he has as many receptions as Jamaal Charles and Lance Dunbar, players hurt for the season and who haven't played in weeks. Martin ranks behind LeVeon Bell, who is also out for the season. I would put Martin on the list before Forte and if you have Martin on yours, then make your case.

Tamba Hali, Outside Linebacker: It hurts my soul to not have Hali on this list, but at 32 years old, he just won't get that top pass-rusher kind of money long term. Besides, Hali's edge-rusher opposite him, Justin Houston, is the new star of that Kansas City defense.

Now, on to the list. Remember, this is in no particular order.

10. Ladarius Green

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Big, athletic tight ends who are basketball transplants have become a commodity since Tony Gonzalez essentially started the trend, and it continued with Antonio Gates and is carried on by Jimmy Graham.

Ladarius Green has the same body type and athleticism as Graham and those guys, only right now he can't stay healthy. Since Gates is 35 years old and Green only 25, and both are free agents, Green is the safer bet long term. And with the rapport between Gates and quarterback Philip Rivers, Green could be in for a huge spike in production.

With that in mind, it seems the San Diego Chargers would like to bring Green back in 2016, according to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

If I had to ballpark Green's figure, I'd say he'll get more than Rob Gronkowski's roughly $13 million guaranteed, but less than Graham's $20 million guaranteed, per Spotrac.

9. Danny Trevathan and Brandon Marshall

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I kind of cheated by doing a two-for-one, but the similarities between both Trevathan and Marshall warrant their combination and mentioning.

Both players are young and above average at their positions. Both linebackers, the 26-year-old Marshall and the 25-year-old Trevathan, are similar in their production too. 

Marshall has 81 tackles to Trevathan's 74. Trevathan has an interception, while Marshall has two forced fumbles and 1.5 sacks.

However, due to the contracts and salary cap in the NFL, odds are the Denver Broncos won't be able to sign both, especially with Von Miller being a free agent and the should-be top priority.

Though no official rumors have surface on the destination of either player, according to Erik Lambert of FanSided's NFL Mocks, Trevathan would be a great fit in Chicago, who plays a similar 3-4 defense, and it would reunite Trevathan and Bears' head coach John Fox, who coached in Denver. 

If I had to guess, I'd say Marshall has the better chance of staying with Trevathan's stock rising so quickly.

8. Eric Berry

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After battling and defeating lymphoma, Chiefs safety Eric Berry is getting back to his old self as one of the most complete safeties in the NFL. It's taken him most of the season to play back into game shape, which is completely understandable, but he's made strides.

He's only 26 years old and is an integral part to Kansas City's future. If Justin Houston wants extra time to sack the quarterback, it starts with Berry and that secondary and vice versa. 

This season, he's the second-highest paid safety behind Jairus Byrd, per Spotrac, because he was the beneficiary of the last non-capped draft class in 2010. With Byrd's $26 million guaranteed the baseline, Berry is in line for close to $30 million, if not more, in guarantees. 

And with the way the community rallied around him during his chemotherapy treatment, it makes sense that Berry stays in Kansas City.

7. Russell Okung

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Here's more on the strangeness of NFL contracts coming to fruition, per Spotrac.

Dallas Cowboys' Tyron Smith is the highest-paid left tackle in terms of salary, earning roughly $98 million, but with only $22 million in guarantees over eight years.

Cleveland Browns' Joe Thomas is making roughly $80 million over seven years, but that comes with $28 million in guarantees. 

And, the kicker, Washington Professional Football Team's Trent Williams is making $68 million with $41 in guarantees over five years. Basically, who can ever have a solid grip on the market of NFL contracts? (Then again, it is Washington.)

When healthy, Russell Okung plays like a premier left tackle in a league where they are arguably the second-most important position. Even with his health problems this season, he's going to make buku bucks (as my dad would say). And, at 28, he's entering his prime. 

If I'm Okung, I'm thanking Washington owner Dan Snyder himself for setting the market that high.

Okung has said he'll test free agency in the Players' Tribune (h/t Pro Football Talk), but what makes this odd is that he's doing so without an agent. Okung should be a top priority for the Seattle Seahawks, especially since they thrive off a power-run game and signed Russell Wilson to be their franchise quarterback, but with so much money locked in already, it'll be tough for Seattle to outbid other teams.

6. Alshon Jeffery

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It's hard to believe that about five years ago, running backs were still thought of as the cogs of every offense, including in fantasy.

The emergence of the wide receiver in the new NFL has supplanted the running back and is fast becoming the most important skill position on offense outside of the quarterback (at worst, it's more lucrative than any other skill position).

Alshon Jeffery hasn't been healthy the past season-and-a-half, but his skills when he is will surely mean a team will take a chance on him. Hell, even Mike Wallace got a $60 million ($30 million guaranteed) contract at one point, per Spotrac.

Jeffery's contract won't be above the likes of Julio Jones and Dez Bryant, both who snagged $47 and $45 million guaranteed, respectively, but the 25-year-old will come closer thanks to that market baseline.

As of a few weeks back, guesses around the organization have the Chicago Bears franchise tagging Jeffery in hopes of working out a multiyear deal, according to Brady Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. It makes the most sense since Jeffery is the clear-cut No. 1 receiver there.

5. Josh Norman

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Josh Norman is one of the best corners in the league. Right now, you'd be pressed to find one who is playing better than the product of Coastal Carolina. 

Again, since it's a passing league, the 27-year-old is a hot commodity, considering he'll be sticking to every team's No. 1 receiver no matter where they line up. And if his performance against Dez Bryant is any indicator, he won't be backing down from that challenge.

His talent has become so apparent, the only logical move is for the Carolina Panthers to re-sign him to a contract around $12 million, what top corners are getting per year.

If that doesn't happen, and the Panthers decide to not franchise tag him, a team like the Oakland Raiders, who rank 31st in pass defense this season, could make a jump for Norman, according to NFL Mocks' Lambert.

Working in Norman's favor is Byron Maxwell's robbery of the Philadelphia Eagles (don't get me started) for the likes of $25 million in guarantees. For Norman, that's where the negotiation starts.

4. Sam Bradford

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It pains me to see Sam Bradford on this list, but as a quarterback, he's going to get the benefit of the system.

He's 28 years old and still, in theory, has enough years left to justify another contract, but it's a matter of who wants to pony up the cash.

Apparently, Bradford was offered a four-year, $72 million contract extension at one point this season, according Howard Eskin of 94 WIP (via CBS Philly, h/t Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com).

Whether or not that number is true and the offer actually was made (Bradford denies it), the fact of the matter is that $18 million annually for a quarterback is not out of the question, even with the injury history of Bradford.

At the end of October, Brandon Lee Gowton of Bleeding Green Nation speculated the Eagles will re-sign Bradford. With the fluid situation of Colin Kaepernick's possible availability and Chip Kelly's future as coach/GM of the Eagles, who really knows what will happen with his future in Philadelphia?

What we do know is that there are teams desperate enough for a quarterback who will throw money at him.

3. Kirk Cousins

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If Bradford is in for a payday, then Cousins should be licking his chops.

He's had a decent season and, thanks to the dismal NFC East, has the Washington Professional Football Team atop the division at 5-6. Head coach Jay Gruden chose Cousins over 2012 No. 2 overall pick Robert Griffin III to start the season and the gamble has paid off, at least for now. It only makes sense that Gruden would want to re-sign him.

Quarterbacks who can be long-term starters don't often move from team to team, so it's hard to expect Washington to allow Cousins to walk. (So by that logic, Cousins is more valuable than Bradford.) At worst, Washington will franchise tag him to buy more time for a long-term deal. 

Cousins said in an interview on 106.7 The Fan (h/t Chris Lingebach of CBS DC) that he doesn't believe his agent has been given an extension offer yet, but if Washington wins the division, it'll come sooner rather than later.

And, if Bradford signs a deal first, then it'll be even better for Cousins, who has outperformed his NFC East foe all year.

2. Brock Osweiler

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I know it's crazy to think that a guy who has played two games in the NFL has earned a monster contract, but Osweiler is a quarterback.

The NFL will always overreact to quarterback play because there is such a shortage at the position. The Broncos offense has looked good with the 25-year-old at the helm, and with Peyton Manning suffering injury after injury, in a week or two it's time for general manager and Vice President of Football Operations John Elway to make a decision: is it time to roll with Osweiler or hope that Manning comes back for one last stretch?

Personally, I say roll with Osweiler because time off does not benefit players who are that old. Manning deserves all the accolades, but he's become a liability and it's possible that Osweiler is not that bad. He's not a Manning-in-his-prime, but he gives the Broncos the best chance to win right now. 

And, with the pending free agencies of running back C.J. Anderson, linebackers Trevathan and Marshall and Miller, the Broncos have to try to sign Osweiler while his value is at its floor.

Osweiler won't get Cousins or Bradford money because his sample size is too small, but he'll get enough for a backup-turned-starter to make this list. See Matt Flynn.

1. Von Miller

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The player who always signs after the player who signed a monster contract will always benefit more.

Justin Houston, the terrifying pass-rushing linebacker who signed a six-year, $101 million deal with Kansas City, has set the market for premier blitzing linebackers in the NFL. 

Miller, like Houston, is one of those guys. Though his production in terms of sacks is not at Houston's level, Miller has leverage now that Houston, Watt and Suh have all broken $100 million. Even if he doesn't beat their salary numbers, he'll come close.

Also, the $60 million in guarantees that Dareus earned from the Buffalo Bills means that Miller is going to make a bunch guaranteed. Sometimes, the timing of the market just works out perfectly for players.

According to Joel Corry of CBS Sports, Miller is a prime candidate for the franchise tag, which will cost significantly less than a long-term deal. It's not ideal for Miller, who fill fight the tag until he gets a deal done.

Truthfully, the Broncos are stuck. Pass-rushers of Miller's caliber are staples of defenses and if the Broncos can't get a contract signed soon, some other team will outbid them. 

It's probably why Miller may get tagged, allowing one more year of team control to work out this contract. The tough part is that signing Miller all but guarantees the current defense won't be together for too long as we're witnessing and will witness with Seattle.

Regardless of what happens, dude is in for a monster payday.

Unless noted otherwise, all contract info comes via Spotrac.