2016 NFL Free Agency: Ranking Every Position
Eight teams remain in the hunt for Super Bowl 50.
That means 24 NFL teams are making plans for the future.
Last week we took an early look at the 2016 unrestricted free-agency class (thanks to Spotrac) and examined the best players at each position who could be available in early March (emphasis on "could").
This time, we are ranking the positions in terms of strength from No. 10 to No. 1 based on a combination of depth and talent available.
If you are looking for the complete list for each position (again via Spotrac), simply click on the title at the top of each page.
10. Wide Receivers
1 of 10
Notable Players
- Alshon Jeffery, Chicago Bears
- Marvin Jones, Cincinnati Bengals
- Mohamed Sanu, Cincinnati Bengals
- Travis Benjamin, Cleveland Browns
- James Jones, Green Bay Packers
- Rueben Randle, New York Giants
- Anquan Boldin, San Francisco 49ers
Position Analysis
A year ago, stars such as Denver’s Demaryius Thomas and Dallas’ Dez Bryant got slapped with franchise tags. This year, while there is some talent on this list, it lacks the star power of 2014.
It was a big comeback year for Marvin Jones, who missed all of the previous season but rebounded with 65 catches, 816 yards and four touchdowns this season.
It took James Jones a little time to get back with the Packers, but he did finish third on the team with 50 catches and first with eight touchdown grabs.
The Browns would be wise not to let the explosive Benjamin get away.
Finally, there’s the reliable Boldin, who now ranks 12th in NFL history with 1,009 receptions and 17th in league annals in receiving yards (13,195).
9. Defensive Linemen
2 of 10
Notable Players
- DE Greg Hardy, Dallas Cowboys
- DE Robert Ayers, New York Giants
- DE Jason Jones, Detroit Lions
- DT Haloti Ngata, Detroit Lions
- DT B.J. Raji, Green Bay Packers
- DE Olivier Vernon, Miami Dolphins
- DE Jason Pierre-Paul, New York Giants
- DE Muhammad Wilkerson, New York Jets
- DT Nick Fairley, St. Louis Rams
- DT Brandon Mebane, Seattle Seahawks
- DT Terrance Knighton, Washington Redskins
Position Analysis
While this list features some interesting names, led by Wilkerson and the unpredictable Hardy, this is not an overwhelming group.
Of course, the addition of Wilkerson would be a major coup for any team. He finished tied for sixth in the NFL with 12 sacks and was a force on the league's fourth-ranked defense. Hardy showed flashes of his former Pro Bowl form once he took the field, but he was also a distraction at times.
Ayers and Vernon could provide help in the pass-rushing department, while veterans such as Knighton and Ngata may fit into a team’s plans to bolster its run defense.
8. Quarterbacks
3 of 10
Notable Players
- Drew Stanton, Arizona Cardinals
- Brock Osweiler, Denver Broncos
- Brandon Weeden, Houston Texans
- Matt Hasselbeck, Indianapolis Colts
- Ryan Fitzpatrick, New York Jets
- Sam Bradford, Philadelphia Eagles
- Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins
Position Analysis
It’s a mixed bag when it comes to the men behind center.
In relief of veteran Peyton Manning, Osweiler proved down the stretch that he is capable of being a starter somewhere in the league. Meanwhile, Fitzpatrick comes off a career year with the Jets and nearly guided them to the playoffs for the first time since 2010. And after being acquired in a trade from the Rams this offseason, Bradford could be one and out in Philadelphia.
But Cousins, the NFL leader in completion percentage this season (69.8 percent), is the most compelling name. And it seems he won’t be on this list for much longer. Mike Jones of the Washington Post has the details on the Redskins’ offseason plans when it comes to the quarterback position.
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7. Kickers and Punters
4 of 10
Notable Players
- K Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens
- K Mason Crosby, Green Bay Packers
- P Shane Lechler, Houston Texans
- K Adam Vinatieri, Indianapolis Colts
- P Bryan Anger, Jacksonville Jaguars
- P Marquette King, Oakland Raiders
- K Greg Zuerlein, St. Louis Rams
- K Phil Dawson, San Francisco 49ers
- P Jon Ryan, Seattle Seahawks
Position Analysis
This list includes a pair of players who rank in the top 20 all-time in points scored and field goals converted, as well as a longtime veteran punter in Lechler.
Dawson has totaled 1,610 points (16th all-time), while his 386 career field goals are tied for the ninth-highest total ever. Only Morten Andersen and Gary Anderson have scored more points and connected on more field goals than the ageless Vinatieri, who’s totaled 2,253 points and connected on 503 three-pointers in 20 NFL seasons. Add in Crosby and Tucker, two of the better specialists in the league, and the kickers available here make for a strong group.
6. Tight Ends
5 of 10
Notable Players
- Vernon Davis, Denver Broncos
- Dwayne Allen, Indianapolis Colts
- Coby Fleener, Indianapolis Colts
- Marcedes Lewis, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Benjamin Watson, New Orleans Saints
- Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
- Ladarius Green, San Diego Chargers
Position Analysis
A pair of Andrew Luck’s teammates in Indianapolis highlights the list, and it will be interesting to see whether Colts general manager Ryan Grigson brings back both players.
In taking over for Jimmy Graham, who was dealt to the Seahawks in the offseason, Watson finished second on his team with a career-high 74 receptions, good for 825 yards and six scores.
In limited action in 2015, Gates ranked third on the Chargers with 56 catches for 630 yards and five scores, while his 104 career touchdown receptions is the seventh-highest total in league annals.
The most intriguing name on this list is Davis, a former Pro Bowler with the 49ers who joined the Broncos this season. Yes, he has 10 seasons under his belt, but the last few years have been mystifying.
5. Offensive Linemen
6 of 10
Notable Players
- G Richie Incognito, Buffalo Bills
- C Will Montgomery, Chicago Bears
- T Andre Smith, Cincinnati Bengals
- G Evan Mathis, Denver Broncos
- C Stefen Wisniewski, Jacksonville Jaguars
- G Willie Colon, New York Jets
- T Donald Penn, Oakland Raiders
- T Kelvin Beachum, Pittsburgh Steelers
- T Russell Okung, Seattle Seahawks
Position Analysis
There is a blend of talent here, and when it comes to the offensive line, the more experience, the better.
The market at guard is impressive with the always-reliable Mathis and now Incognito, who enjoyed a great year with the Bills. He was the league’s second-ranked guard, per Pro Football Focus, and was a big reason why the team finished first in the league in rushing.
While Okung is a former first-round pick, he’s had his ups and downs in terms of staying healthy. Beachum would be a big-time addition to a club as long as he fully recovers from a torn ACL.
Finally, Wisniewski was a late offseason addition in Jacksonville and played well for one of the most improved offenses in the league.
4. Cornerbacks
7 of 10
Notable Players
- Josh Norman, Carolina Panthers
- Adam Jones, Cincinnati Bengals
- Leon Hall, Cincinnati Bengals
- Sean Smith, Kansas City Chiefs
- Prince Amukamara, New York Giants
- Terence Newman, Minnesota Vikings
- Nolan Carroll, Philadelphia Eagles
- Brandon Boykin, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Janoris Jenkins, St. Louis Rams
Position Analysis
The headliner here is obviously Norman, one of the leaders on a defensive unit that ranked sixth in the NFL in yards allowed and finished first in the league with 39 takeaways.
Smith had a solid year for the Kansas City defense and is one of numerous members of that unit who could be available in free agency. After being acquired from the Eagles this summer, Boykin finally saw extended playing time later in the Steelers’ season.
Of course, Jones enjoyed a banner season for the AFC North champion Bengals despite Saturday’s unfortunate circumstances.
3. Running Backs
8 of 10
Notable Players
- Chris Johnson, Arizona Cardinals
- Matt Forte, Chicago Bears
- Ronnie Hillman, Denver Broncos
- James Starks, Green Bay Packers
- Lamar Miller, Miami Dolphins
- Chris Ivory, New York Jets
- Bilal Powell, New York Jets
- Doug Martin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Alfred Morris, Washington Redskins
Position Analysis
You don’t expect to see the league’s second-ranked rusher on such a list. Of course, at this time last year, 2014 NFL rushing leader DeMarco Murray was in the same situation.
As documented last week, the Buccaneers and Martin seem to be of the same mindset when it comes to a return to Tampa. “I love it here and I have a beautiful home here,’’ said the four-year running back to Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune last week. “I’d love to come back.”
Martin finished with 1,402 yards rushing in 2015, second only to Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson (1,485).
There’s another 1,000-plus-yard rusher on the list in Ivory, who totaled a career-best 1,070 rushing yards with the Jets. Morris is a former Pro Bowler and a three-time 1,000-plus-yard runner, while Forte is one of the most versatile performers in the league. Limited to 13 games this season, the eight-year veteran and two-time Pro Bowler still totaled 1,287 yards from scrimmage and scored seven touchdowns.
2. Safeties
9 of 10
Notable Players
- SS Rashad Johnson, Arizona Cardinals
- SS George Iloka, Cincinnati Bengals
- FS Reggie Nelson, Cincinnati Bengals
- SS David Bruton, Denver Broncos
- FS Eric Berry, Kansas City Chiefs
- SS Tyvon Branch, Kansas City Chiefs
- FS Walter Thurmond, Philadelphia Eagles
- SS Will Allen, Pittsburgh Steelers
- FS Eric Weddle, San Diego Chargers
Position Analysis
While former Pro Bowler Weddle and current star Berry are the big names on this list, the Bengals also have two quality performers here. Nelson, who was injured in Saturday’s 18-16 Wild Card Round loss to the Steelers, totaled 10 of Cincinnati’s 28 takeaways in 2015 and tied for the league lead with eight interceptions. Iloka, meanwhile, recorded four passes defensed and one interception.
Berry finished third on the Chiefs with 61 stops, notching a pair of interceptions and 10 passes defensed. In Saturday’s playoff shutout of the Texans, the heady defender picked up three tackles and had one of the four interceptions of Houston quarterback Brian Hoyer.
Johnson tied for the team lead with five interceptions, while Allen totaled one interception and four sacks for Mike Tomlin’s club.
1. Linebackers
10 of 10
Notable Players
- OLB Dwight Freeney, Arizona Cardinals
- ILB Sean Weatherspoon, Arizona Cardinals
- OLB Courtney Upshaw, Baltimore Ravens
- ILB Shea McClellin, Chicago Bears
- ILB Vincent Rey, Cincinnati Bengals
- ILB Rolando McClain, Dallas Cowboys
- OLB Von Miller, Denver Broncos
- ILB Danny Trevathan, Denver Broncos
- OLB Mike Neal, Green Bay Packers
- ILB Jerrell Freeman, Indianapolis Colts
- OLB Tamba Hali, Kansas City Chiefs
- ILB Derrick Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs
- OLB Chad Greenway, Minnesota Vikings
- OLB Calvin Pace, New York Jets
- OLB Bruce Irvin, Seattle Seahawks
Position Analysis
This list is loaded no matter how you break it down.
Rey and Derrick Johnson led their respective teams in total tackles, while McClellin was second on the Bears in stops. Miller totaled a team-high 11 sacks for the league’s top-ranked defense, while Freeney was a midseason addition to the Cardinals and paced the NFC West champions with eight sacks.
Hali is a savvy veteran who finished second on the team with 6.5 sacks. He and the Chiefs not only totaled 47 sacks but also played the final five games of the regular season without fellow outside linebacker Justin Houston. Weatherspoon saw limited action in 2015 but should be healthier this fall after missing 2014 with the Falcons.
All free-agent information courtesy of Spotrac. Unless otherwise noted, all player and team statistics come from Pro Football Reference and ESPN.com. All player ratings courtesy of Pro Football Focus.
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