The One Free Agent Each NFL Team Must Re-Sign in 2016 Offseason
The 2015 NFL season is done. Super Bowl 50 has come and gone, with Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos hoisting the Lombardi Trophy as NFL champions.
Now, NFL teams can settle in for a long, uneventful offseason.
Or not.
The fact is, in the NFL there is no offseason. As soon as one year ends, the tasks of the following season begin. Rookie scouting. The combine in Indianapolis. And, of course, free agency.
For fans, free agency means dreams of the splash signing. Adding a Pro Bowl performer—the proverbial final piece that will get their favorite team over the hump.
For the teams, however, free agency is as much about avoiding subtraction as it is addition. Making sure that big-name player doesn't go anywhere, either by inking him to a long-term extension or by using the transition or franchise tags.
No general manager wants to be the guy who let Johnny Freedom walk.
With that in mind, here's a team-by-team look around the NFL at the one free agent each squad most needs to keep in town.
Including the MVP of Super Bowl 50.
Arizona Cardinals
1 of 32
Bobby Massie, Offensive Tackle
Cap Space: $19.5 million
You're going to notice a trend quickly in this piece: appearances by offensive linemen, early and often.
The fact is, NFL teams are loath to let even semi-competent linemen hit the open market lest a bidding war ensue for their services. Doubly so for tackles. Extra doubly so for tackles with starting experience.
Granted, it's not as if four-year pro Bobby Massie was a world-beater for the Arizona Cardinals in 2015. He spent the first two games of the 2015 campaign serving a suspension and then ranked a so-so 49th at his position, per Pro Football Focus, in 14 starts at right tackle.
In pass protection Massie graded out even worse—outside the top 60. His seven sacks allowed on the season tied for the seventh most in the NFL.
Those may not sound like must-keep numbers, especially after head coach Bruce Arians told Darren Urban of the team's website that rookie D.J. Humphries should be prepared for a larger role in 2016:
"The last half of the season, I’d have had no problems playing (Humphries). I wouldn’t tell him that, but I had a ton of confidence in him.
I like our offensive line, where it’s at. The young guys on the practice squad, I think, have really good futures. Then, both number one picks, I think, are going to be good players. I think we’re fine there.
"
However, Arians had so much confidence in Humphries that the team's first-round pick in 2015 was active for a grand total of zero games.
Massie is no Joe Thomas, and the Redbirds aren't going to break the bank for him, but it's in their best interest to keep the 316-pounder in the fold.
Atlanta Falcons
2 of 32
Paul Worrilow, Inside Linebacker
Cap Space: $26.5 million
Much like Bobby Massie, Paul Worrilow's performance for the Atlanta Falcons in 2015 doesn't exactly scream "keep me!"
Yes, Worrilow led the Falcons with 95 tackles last season. But among inside linebackers who played more than 850 snaps in 2015, only three players received a lower grade at Pro Football Focus than Worrilow's minus-19.2.
Head coach Dan Quinn admitted to ESPN.com's Vaughn McClure that the Falcons need to get better at the linebacker spot this offseason:
"We certainly want to find ways to see our speed and tackling at linebacker [improve]. I haven't dug in all the way with the group, but I have a real clear vision of what I'm looking for. It's the space tackling. In college football right now, there are so many spread offenses. So space and tackling, that's where so much of the game is.
"
However, the Falcons don't have a ton of salary-cap space. The team has other holes to fill (namely the pass rush), and Atlanta already parted ways with veteran linebacker Justin Durant.
Assuming that Worrilow's contract demands aren't completely wonky, it makes sense for a team that doesn't have much in the way of pending free agents to bring the 25-year-old back.
Baltimore Ravens
3 of 32
Kelechi Osemele, Offensive Guard
Cap Space: $6.3 million
With about $6 million in cap space, the Baltimore Ravens aren't exactly in a position to be major players in free agency.
General manager Ozzie Newsome is going to have to find some coin in the seat cushions, though. Because guard Kelechi Osemele is about to get paid.
It isn't just that Osemele was a top-15 guard in 2015, per Pro Football Focus. Or that he ranked fifth at his position in run blocking.
Osemele also made four starts at left tackle, and former Ravens lineman Wally Williams went so far as to tell Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun that he feels Osemele is an upgrade at that position over Eugene Monroe:
"He has great athleticism, as we saw him play a snap without a shoe and still do his job. He could be a good left tackle and start there for many years, but he is a Pro Bowl-caliber guard. He has the ability to move and is versatile. With his play, I truly think the Monroe era is over and it needs to be over.
"
There isn't going to be any shortage of suitors for a four-year veteran who has shown the ability to be a Pro Bowl performer inside and at the very least a capable blocker on the edge.
Simply put, if the 26-year-old reaches the open market, his price tag will probably climb out of the Ravens' range quickly.
So Newsome better dive into those cushions and free up the space to re-sign Osemele before that happens.
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Buffalo Bills
4 of 32
Cordy Glenn, Offensive Tackle
Cap Space: $209,715
The Buffalo Bills are in an even worse position cap-wise than the Ravens. As a matter of fact, the Bills could be in the red.
And that's a problem for Rex's boys.
Because left tackle Cordy Glenn is set to hit the proverbial jackpot.
As ESPN.com's Mike Rodak wrote, Buffalo general manager Doug Whaley made it no secret that re-upping Glenn (and guard Richie Incognito) is a priority for the Bills in 2016:
"It’s imperative. When you look at that position as a whole, you like to have those guys with some continuity and playing together and basically playing like one. The longer they're together, the better they're gonna be. And for us to have them in Year 1, to have us leading the league in rushing, that's a pretty high mark and a good standard, and we want to keep that. Those two guys, I think, are the key for us taking the step forward next year.
"
There's just one problem. Glenn is a 26-year-old blindside protector who ranked among the top 10 tackles in the NFL last year, per PFF.
The bidding for a player of that caliber likely starts at over $10 million annually.
Let's see...subtract 10 from practically zero and you get...
OK, maybe the Bills have more than one problem.
They may actually have millions of them.
Mario Williams, can you come into my office for a second?
Close the door.
Carolina Panthers
5 of 32
Josh Norman, Cornerback
Cap Space: $22.4 million
The 2015 season may not have ended the way the Carolina Panthers wanted, but for most of the year, the NFC champions were the talk of the NFL.
One of the Panthers' biggest contributors was cornerback Josh Norman, who emerged as one of the NFL's best at his position in 2015.
Norman finished his fourth NFL season as the sixth-best cornerback, according to Pro Football Focus. No cornerback who played over 1,000 snaps had a higher grade in pass coverage. Norman intercepted four passes, returning two for scores.
Of course, as ESPN.com's David Newton pointed out, that transcendent season carries a price for the team. Now, the Panthers have to try to figure out a way to keep him:
"Norman, who returned two of his four interceptions for touchdowns, turned down an extension prior to the season that would have paid him more than $7 million a year. He likely will demand $10 million to $14 million annually with a new deal. The Panthers are expected to place their franchise tender on Norman if no deal is reached with him in the next month, a source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Even with the cap number for each team expected to top $150 million, the Panthers will have to make salary cap adjustments in other places to keep Norman.
"
Make no mistake: Those adjustments will get made. Because there's three positions where you just don't let players hit free agency.
Solid left tackles.
Any quarterback with a pulse.
And elite cornerbacks.
Chicago Bears
6 of 32
Alshon Jeffery, Wide Receiver
Cap Space: $56.6 million
The Chicago Bears are swimming in cap space in 2016. That's a good thing, too, because a fat chunk of that is about to go right into Alshon Jeffery's pocket.
Sure, Jeffery's numbers were down in 2015. The 26-year-old missed nearly half the season, and after topping 1,100 receiving yards in both 2013 and 2014, he barely cleared 800 yards last season.
Despite the windfall that's about to be headed Jeffery's way, he insisted to Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times that money isn't his only consideration in free agency:
"It’s not about the money. It’s also about what’s the right situation for me — like winning a championship. That’s all I care about.
We have a great team here in Chicago. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out this year. But we have something to build off of for next year."
The only real consideration for the team?
Spending a whole season with the dearth of talent at receiver the Bears suffered through in 2015 while Jeffery was on the shelf.
And while the four-year veteran would be the top wideout available were he to hit the open market, there's practically no chance that happens.
Cincinnati Bengals
7 of 32
Reggie Nelson, Safety
Cap Space: $38.9 million
No team in the NFL faces more tough decisions in free agency than the Cincinnati Bengals.
Cornerback Adam Jones. Tackle Andre Smith. Wide receivers Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones. Safety George Iloka. All played major roles for the Bengals in 2015.
All are free agents.
And yet none is the one player the Bengals can least afford to lose.
That would be veteran safety Reggie Nelson, who has become the leader of the secondary after tying for the NFL lead with eight interceptions last year.
Granted, given Nelson's age (32), Paul Dehner of Cincinnati.com cautioned that the Bengals must be leery of overpaying:
"Nelson made an impressive argument to return to the Bengals. His nose for the football became a centerpiece of the Bengals' defense. The only problem is he’s 32, and the Bengals are ready for Shawn Williams to start. Investing in aging safeties rarely makes sound strategy. If Cincinnati can’t come to terms with George Iloka, however, they could look to a short-term deal with Nelson to play alongside Williams while they groom an eventual replacement. To be noted, coming to terms with Iloka is no sure thing.
"
The Bengals have stockpiled young cornerbacks and tackles the past few years. And in a light free-agent class at wideout, Jones and Sanu are even better prospects to be overpaid than Nelson is.
Among NFL safeties, Nelson ranked fourth in pass coverage last year, per Pro Football Focus, and the Bengals need him prowling the back end of their defense in 2016.
Cleveland Browns
8 of 32
Mitchell Schwartz, Offensive Tackle
Cap Space: $38.2 million
In theory, the Cleveland Browns have the cap space necessary to bring back tackle Mitchell Schwartz after a 2015 campaign that saw the former Cal standout rank as the NFL's best right tackle, per Pro Football Focus.
Schwartz even told Tom Reed of Cleveland.com that given his choice, he'd remain in Cleveland:
"In a perfect world, yeah. But that's stuff where the business side kind of takes control over the emotional side, so you've just got to see.
I've had a really awesome time here, so if it is [my last game with the Browns], it'll be a little bit sad. I'd be leaving a lot of guys that I've played a lot of ball with.
"
You read that right. Schwartz likes it in Cleveland. He actually wants to stay. On purpose.
And the Browns need to do everything in their power to keep him.
As Reed reported, early indications are that Pro Bowl center Alex Mack will opt out of his contract and hit free agency as well. Per Pat McManamon of ESPN.com, All-Everything left tackle Joe Thomas has tired of the constant losing and rebuilding on the shores of Lake Erie.
The offensive line is one of the few things about the Browns that aren't offensive. The team needs to do everything it can to keep that front intact.
Dallas Cowboys
9 of 32
Rolando McClain, Inside Linebacker
Cap Space: $11.8 million
The Dallas Cowboys really don't have any pending free agents whose loss in 2016 would be devastating.
That's good, because in news that should surprise absolutely no one, the Dallas Cowboys don't have a ton of cap space.
That isn't to say there's no one worth keeping. As Bryan Broaddus of the team's website wrote, outside linebacker Rolando McClain has had his moments since resurrecting his NFL career in Dallas:
"McClain came back from his four-week suspension and had a nice start against New England, but he played slow and lethargic until the Tampa Bay game several weeks later. He went on a four-game run where he was outstanding. Paired with Sean Lee, this was as good of a combination of linebackers in the league. When he is on, you see the passion for the game along with the physical toughness – but when he’s not on, you see that too. Does not get nearly enough credit for his football intelligence.
The decision to re-sign him will come down to whether the front office and coaching staff can live with the lack of consistency in his game. There will always be a questions of his reliability and stability. You’d like to believe that, with the support group the Cowboys have in place, you could live with these issues -- but even with that, the job might be too tough.
"
That's the rub with McClain—those moments have been both good and bad. Still, there was more of the former relative to the latter than with defensive end Greg Hardy, who would be significantly more expensive to keep.
Jerry Jones will create some more cap room (goodbye, 2017 space!), but the Cowboys still need to be frugal this spring.
And assuming the price is right, McClain is just the sort of mid-range quality signing the Cowboys should target.
Don't fix what isn't broken.
Denver Broncos
10 of 32
Von Miller, Outside Linebacker
Cap Space: $12.4 million
This is the no-brainiest no-brainer on this list.
And what the Broncos have in cap space isn't going to be nearly enough when it comes to paying outside linebacker Von Miller this spring.
(Ask Joe Flacco what being named Super Bowl MVP does for one's paycheck.)
The good feelings from that win in the Big Game are apparently carrying over, because as Miller told Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post, he's not even a little bit worried about his contract:
"As far as my situation coming up, we have (general manager John) Elway, and he has played in the National Football League. He is one of the best (GMs) there is. We're here today because of him. I have people representing my situation as well and it's going to be a peaceful thing. I am not really worried about it.
"
We'll see if those good feelings continue once the Broncos slap the franchise tag on Miller as they're widely expected to do. It buys time to work out an extension without the threat of Miller leaving hanging over the team.
If it doesn't, Miller will grouse a bit. Maybe even hold out for a few days. But one way or another, Miller will be playing in Denver in 2016. For $10-plus million.
There is a better chance that Miller is the league's highest-paid defender a year from now than there is of him playing elsewhere anytime soon.
Looks like the Broncos have some wiggling to do.
Detroit Lions
11 of 32
Isa Abdul-Quddus, Safety
Cap Space: $22.1 million
The offseason headlines for the Detroit Lions have been dominated by the likely retirement of veteran wide receiver Calvin Johnson, but in a rotten year (both in the draft and free agency) for that position, there isn't a whole lot the team can do about it.
What the Lions can do, however, is bring back a young up-and-comer on defense. And in the opinion of Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, safety Isa Abdul-Quddus fits that bill. "Abdul-Quddus replaced James Ihedigbo as a starter midway through the season and gave an immediate lift to the secondary," Birkett wrote. "He’s young (turns 26 in August) and a big hitter, and even if the Lions draft over him, he’d be a contributor on special teams."
Granted, the terms "draft over him" and "special teams contributor" don't exactly inspire cartwheels in the minds of many fans.
But Abdul-Quddus ranked a respectable 19th among in NFL safeties in 584 snaps last year, per Pro Football Focus. The five-year veteran was a top-10 performer at his position against the run.
The big-money "splash" signings aren't what makes waves in free agency.
It's the teams that play it smart that have the most success, and step one in playing it smart is locking up players just like Abdul-Quddus.
Green Bay Packers
12 of 32
Casey Hayward, Cornerback
Cap Space: $24.9 million
Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson has a long-standing policy regarding free agency.
Said policy involves a lot of crickets.
However, while Thompson doesn't generally make much noise in free agency, he has been known to hang on to the talent the Packers have developed.
And according to Rob Reischel of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, cornerback Casey Hayward thinks his resume makes him one of those players worth keeping.
"I think my film speaks for itself," Hayward said. "No matter what people say, when people turn on that film, they'll see me making tons of plays, this year and all years. I haven't been getting many balls completed on me. Overall, I think I've been playing well and I think I've been helping the team."
Hayward admits, however, that his future in Green Bay is uncertain.
"Those young guys have played well, but I've also played well," he said. "So it's on them. It's on the front office. If they feel they want to go young, or they feel they want me to stay, it's kind of on them."
The Packers haven't made an offer to Hayward's camp yet, but the team would be well-advised to at least inquire as to how much winning means to Hayward relative to salary. Twenty-six-year-old cover corners with Hayward's skill don't grow on trees.
Unfortunately, the numbers aren't in Green Bay's favor, at least if recent history is any indication. Byron Maxwell, last year's lottery winner among free-agent corners who changed mailing addresses, got $10-plus million per season from the Philadelphia Eagles.
And Hayward is actually good.
Houston Texans
13 of 32
Ben Jones, Center
Cap Space: $32.1 million
That the Houston Texans somehow won the AFC South in 2015 despite four different starting quarterbacks is either a testament to their resiliency or an indictment of the division.
There's no argument that the Texans' success last season speaks well to the versatility of offensive lineman Ben Jones. Despite all those quarterbacks and the fact he was learning a new position, Jones fared well last year at center, according to what head coach Bill O' Brien told ESPN.com's Tania Ganguli:
"He’s done a really good job of running the show up front, and yeah, he’s had to put in extra time with all those guys. He meets early in the morning. I think they meet at 6:30 in the morning, just him and the quarterbacks. They do it after practice. ... So he’s had to do that with everybody.
"
Jones, who has started every game each of the past two years, told Ganguli it was all in a day's work:
"I’ve been in the system for two years and I’ve poured everything I have into it, and switching quarterbacks, we had to be on the same page and I knew that. So the extra meetings, the before and after practice that we spent the time to make sure everything went smoothly so we could be in the (playoffs).
"
There are those who will say that Jones' performance last season was uneven. That only one center in the NFL last year allowed more sacks than Jones. That he ranked outside the top 20 NFL centers at Pro Football Focus.
However, Jones is also a 26-year-old offensive lineman who can play all along the inside and has 43 career starts.
You don't let those sorts of beef-eaters walk out the front door.
Indianapolis Colts
14 of 32
Coby Fleener, Tight End
Cap Space: $24.6 million
By most accounts, Coby Fleener's first four NFL seasons would be considered a disappointment. One of two tight ends the Colts took in the first three rounds of the 2012 NFL draft, Andrew Luck's Stanford teammate hasn't had even amassed 800 receiving yards in a season.
Fleener did tally a career-high 54 catches in 2015, but his yards per catch and touchdowns both plummeted. Still, he offers the Colts one thing fellow free agent Dwayne Allen cannot: reliability.
Four NFL tight ends have played in every game since 2013. Fleener is one of them. With Luck tossing him the ball two years ago, Fleener averaged more than 15 yards a pop and scored eight times.
Fleener told Kevin Bowen of the team's website that he'd be back catching passes from his old buddy in 2016 if it were up to him:
"If the Colts don’t ask me back, yes, I would to play for another team. But the Colts are my No. 1 priority right now.
There are a lot of things that aren’t up to me.
The business side of things will take care of itself. It’s out of my control. I pay someone to deal with (my contract). Thankfully, for me, I can just put my head down and train.
"
No, Fleener is never going to be Rob Gronkowski.
He also won't cost as much.
Fleener is a serviceable, versatile and durable tight end whom the team's star quarterback has a huge comfort level with after years of playing together.
Given all the holes the team has to fill elsewhere, the Colts could do worse.
Jacksonville Jaguars
15 of 32
Andre Branch, Defensive End
Cap Space: $79.8 million
As you can see, with nearly $80 million to spend, the Jacksonville Jaguars have the room to be big players in free agency in 2016.
Of course, as Gene Frenette of the Florida Times-Union wrote, that may not be such a good thing:
"The key is what happens in free agency to kick-start the defensive makeover. Don’t forget, Caldwell spent about $40 million in guaranteed money on four free agents (Jared Odrick, Davon House, Dan Skuta and Sergio Brown) last year, resulting in a unit that showed no improvement and coordinator Bob Babich getting fired.
If the season-ending disaster against the AFC South rival Houston Texans taught the Jaguars anything – besides needing an insurance policy for OT Luke Joeckel — it’s that you can’t have enough pass rushers.
"
Defensive end Andre Branch is coming off an up-and-down year for a Jaguars pass rush that regressed in 2015. His four sacks last year give him only 14 over his four years with the Jags, and head coach Gus Bradley admitted to Frenette's colleague, Vito Stellino, that isn't the sort of production one usually looks for in a "Leo" end:
"I think with Branch we’ve seen spurts.
I think some of the criticism we’ve had (is that) we haven’t had a lot of pressure and generally that falls all to the Leos.
I think there’s a combination of things that go in it. I think he’s had some good rushes, some good games and I think there’s times when we have more of him when he struggled.
I think to find the truth out we have to look at it in the offseason.
"
When the Jags look at it, it's likely they'll see a good but not great defensive end.
And while Branch is no world-beater, he's at least as good as anything the Jaguars will be able to realistically land on the open market.
Kansas City Chiefs
16 of 32
Eric Berry, Safety
Cap Space: $32.7 million
The remarkable thing about Eric Berry isn't that he's the free agent who should receive the most attention from the Kansas City Chiefs in 2016.
It's that he merits attention (or is even playing, for that matter) at all.
At this time one year ago, Berry was fighting for his life after being diagnosed with cancer. Now, the 27-year-old is a Pro Bowler and the reigning NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
According to Adam Teicher of ESPN.com, Berry both fully expected to get here and is blown away by the last year as well. "I knew I would be here, but I feel like I'm dreaming," he said. "There were some times where I felt like I couldn't do it anymore. There were a lot of rough times, rough nights, lonely nights."
Berry didn't just return to the field surprisingly quickly. He was able to slide right back into his slot as one of the league's best young safeties. For the year, only three safeties had higher grades at Pro Football Focus. Berry fared even better (third) in pass coverage.
When you find a safety who is just as capable shadowing a tight end as he is helping out against the run, you don't let him get away.
And Berry got back to being just that kind of safety in 2015.
Los Angeles Rams
17 of 32
Trumaine Johnson, Cornerback
Cap Space: $36.7 million
Of the offseason decisions facing the Rams this year, the biggest beside their change of mailing address lies at the back end of the defense, where starting cornerbacks Trumaine Johnson and Janoris Jenkins are both set to become unrestricted free agents.
Jenkins, who showed a nose for the big play dating back to scoring three touchdowns as a rookie in 2012, has the higher profile. However, as Matt Claassen of Pro Football Focus pointed out, big plays and good plays are not mutually inclusive concepts:
"We’ve come to expect big plays when quarterbacks target Janoris Jenkins, but those could be either good plays made by Jenkins, or big plays that he has allowed. Over his four-year career, Jenkins has allowed five or more touchdowns in every season (22 total), and missed 56 tackles in 60 games. However, Jenkins has also had 13 or more combined interceptions and pass defenses in three of his four seasons. He has improved over time, and is coming off his highest-graded season in coverage, where he ranked 30th among cornerbacks. Jenkins will make some impactful plays on defense, but he has shown over the last few years that he is susceptible to giving them up, as well.
"
In fact, per the game-graders at PFF, it was Johnson who was quietly the better player in 2015:
"Johnson is the lesser known of two free agent cornerbacks for the Rams, but he had his best season as a starter and ranked 19th at his position with an 82.2 overall player grade. Johnson allowed a 55.0 passer rating when targeted, second to only Norman this season among corners. He still needs to prove that he can sustain that level of play for more than one season, but the arrow seems to be pointing up for Johnson.
"
Frankly, you can flip-flop the two. The Rams can afford to keep one, but if they hit the open market, cornerback is a position where teams overpay with regularity.
(nods in direction of Tramon Williams and Byron Maxwell)
Johnson isn't as flashy as his batterymate, but he's the steadier of the two. And he'll come cheaper when contract time rolls around—as good a tiebreak as any in the salary-cap era.
Miami Dolphins
18 of 32
Derrick Shelby, Defensive End
Cap Space: $8.7 million
After last year's (mostly) disastrous free-agent spending spree, the Miami Dolphins are short on wiggle room in 2016.
And that's a problem, because they have a few in-house free-agent questions to answer—including at both defensive end spots.
As ESPN.com's James Walker wrote, there's a real chance Miami will begin the 2016 season with new starters on both sides of the defensive front:
"Will Miami re-sign 2015 sack leader (Olivier) Vernon? Probably not. Will the team cut or restructure the contract of former Pro Bowler Cameron Wake, who is coming off a season-ending Achilles injury? Maybe. What about top backup Shelby, who started nine games last season and is an unrestricted free agent? Dolphins vice president Mike Tannenbaum, new general manager Chris Grier and rookie head coach Adam Gase have a lot of decisions to make at the position in the next month. Their choices will impact how big a need the team has at defensive end. Either way, the Dolphins were ranked 25th in sacks last season and need more of a pass rush coming off the edge. Miami’s defensive ends also struggled at times setting the edge, and the team was ranked 28th against the run.
"
I want to list Vernon here, as he's a 25-year-old pass-rusher with 25.5 sacks over the past three years. The problem is Vernon is a 25-year-old pass-rusher with 25.5 sacks over the past three years.
He isn't quite an elite option at end, but as the top free agent with a real shot of switching teams, he might get paid like one. The Dolphins just can't afford that.
If the Dolphins do somehow retain Vernon, that means Wake is all but a goner. There just isn't enough coin to pay them both.
And that means the Dolphins need to try to retain Shelby, who showed the ability to perform capably at left defensive end in nine starts in 2015.
Besides, given how handing Ndamukong Suh $114 million last year went, maybe the Dolphins should lower their sights a touch.
Minnesota Vikings
19 of 32
Mike Harris, Offensive Guard
Cap Space: $24.5 million
The Minnesota Vikings were one of the NFL's pleasant surprises in 2015, capturing the NFC North. And with a fair amount of cap room and no key players set to hit the open market this spring, the Vikes enter the offseason in a good spot.
Of course, as Ben Goessling of ESPN.com reports, that doesn't mean there isn't work to be done—specifically along the offensive line:
"Second-year quarterback [Teddy Bridgewater] was pressured more often than any other passer in the NFL in 2015, according to ESPN Stats & Information, and he's been sacked 83 times in 29 career games. Veteran offensive line starters Phil Loadholt and John Sullivan will be trying to return from a torn Achilles and two back surgeries, respectively, and the Vikings will have a decision to make on Loadholt, who's scheduled to carry a $7.75 million cap figure in the final year of his contract. But after a tough first season for rookie T.J. Clemmings, the Vikings might have to figure out whether Clemmings is ready to be the full-time right tackle. In any case, the Vikings have to do something to create more consistent protection for Bridgewater, who's been forced to run from pressure too often in his first two seasons.
"
Given that, Arif Hasan of SB Nation posited that the Vikings need to re-up guard Mike Harris, who ranked 24th at his position in 16 starts on the right side in 2015, per Pro Football Focus:
"I think the Vikings need Mike Harris back. He's played excellently, and in some games was the best player on the line. Despite his one good year of play, I don't think he'll command much. More than [Joe] Berger [just over $1 million] but less than more well-known quantities that hit the market.
It's hard to find comparable contracts to players in Harris' situation, but my guess is that the Vikings can have him for $1.9 million [average].
"
Hasan is both right and wrong. The Vikings have enough problems up front without creating another by letting Harris leave.
But as a 27-year-old above-average starter on the offensive line, $2 million per season isn't going to get it done. If Harris hits the open market, double that.
And then some.
New England Patriots
20 of 32
Akiem Hicks, Defensive Lineman
Cap Space: $5.8 million
With little cap space as things stand today, the Patriots don't figure to be big spenders in free agency.
However, as Kevin Duffy of Mass Live wrote, Darth Hoodie and the boys would be well-advised to dedicate some of their sparse salary resources this spring into making sure Akiem Hicks hangs around:
"Perhaps the Patriots' top free agent priority. Hicks was acquired from New Orleans in exchange for backup tight end Michael Hoomanawanui, a trade that ultimately favored the Patriots. The 6-foot-5, 324-pound Hicks was a disruptive force down the stretch, especially when his role increased following [Dominique] Easley's season-ending injury. Just 26 years old, Hicks may have played himself into a nice contract elsewhere. The Pats don't have a ton of money to throw at him, but if he's affordable enough, the team should make every effort to bring him back.
"
The Patriots have invested a lot of draft capital in the defensive line the past couple of years, but while Malcom Brown appears to be the real deal, Easley has had all sorts of problems staying on the field.
Not only did Hicks play better the longer he was in Beantown, but he also has experience in both three- and four-man fronts...the sort of scheme versatility Bill Belichick loves.
The problem is that Belichick isn't alone, and the market for Hicks' services could be more robust than many think.
New Orleans Saints
21 of 32
Ben Watson, Tight End
Cap Space: $2.9 million
It isn't every season that a 35-year-old player leads a group of in-house free agents, as Ben Watson does for the New Orleans Saints in 2016.
Of course, most 35-year-old players aren't coming off career seasons.
Watson most assuredly is. The 2015 Walter Payton Man of the Year finalist set career bests in catches (74), yards (825) and touchdowns (six).
Watson said on the Black and Blue Report podcast he isn't interested in another change in teams, per the team's website (via Christopher Dabe of NOLA.com):
"I had a good meeting with Mickey [Loomis] and Sean [Payton], and we talked about the season like they do with everybody. They'll make their decisions with personnel whenever the time comes. I'm at a position where I'm healthy -- thank God. I didn't have any surgeries.
I enjoyed playing this season. I enjoy the city of New Orleans. If it's New Orleans, I would love to be here. We're already settled. We've got five kids. I don't feel like moving people everywhere. This is a great place for us and I enjoy playing here.
"
Is Watson the future for the Saints at tight end? No. Should the Saints sign him to more than a one-year deal? No, unless it's structured in a way that they have an out after the upcoming season.
As soon as the Saints brought back Sean Payton and indicated they were going to make one more run essentially as-is, though, it became a priority to make sure Drew Brees' most reliable underneath target gets his wish to stay put.
New York Giants
22 of 32
Prince Amukamara, Cornerback
Cap Space: $58.6 million
With over $50 million to spend, the New York Giants are in position to be a "splash" team in free agency in 2016.
The thing is, much of their splashing around will probably be in their own pool. Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, who suffered through a nightmarish 2015 season after losing part of his right hand in a fireworks accident, is set to hit the market.
So is fellow end Robert Ayers, who led the G-Men with a career-high 9.5 sacks last year.
However, according to just over 35 percent of the fans polled at NJ.com, it's cornerback Prince Amukamara who is the team's top priority in 2016.
James Parks of 247Sports isn't so sure that's a wise course of action:
"Only 26 years old, Amukamara has not had serious issue going against some of the best receivers in the game, but his penchant for injuries will give the Giants pause. He broke his left foot the day after signing with the team, tore a bicep in November of 2014, and suffered a pectoral injury near the end of last season.
A history that may propel the franchise to seek a cheaper option elsewhere; the marketplace is expected to be awash with some potential veteran replacements, allowing the Giants to use those savings in aid of their injured linebacking corps and dreadful pass rush.
There is more than enough to repair in their defensive secondary, and, given Amukamara’s success, the club may first attempt a negotiation more to their liking. If not, they would have little compunction in letting him test a market that would be more than willing to bid for his services.
"
That's the rub. All three young defenders have a question hanging over them. Ayers' career season. Pierre-Paul's hand. Amukamara's durability. All three also play at premium positions where demand annually outweighs supply.
Still, when you combine team need (the Giants pass defense was, um, yeah last year) and what each player will command in a contract, Amukamara is likely the best value of the bunch.
New York Jets
23 of 32
Muhammad Wilkerson, Defensive End
Cap Space: $14.1 million
Of all the teams in the National Football League, the New York Jets may be in the stickiest of wickets.
They have less than $15 million in cap space and not one but two key starters to re-sign.
The Jets will re-up quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick after his career year with Gang Green in 2015. That deal will use up most (if not all) of that cap space.
Any signal-caller with a pulse is worth his weight in NFL gold.
And the Jets will do this without using the franchise tag.
Because many, including Sid Saraf of Fox Sports, expect them to apply the tag to defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson:
"Yes, it's true the talented defensive lineman broke his leg in the team's regular-season finale, but that doesn't matter. Wilkerson is due to hit the free-agent market, and even though the Jets have excellent depth in their front seven, keeping a difference-maker in the fold is paramount. For what it's worth. GM Scott Mike Maccagnan told reporters that, "yes, we'd very much like to have Muhammad back in the organization." So, that means they have to hit the negotiating table hard. And if all else fails, use the franchise tag on him. Players usually bristle at that, but the Jets must take that risk if a long-term deal is untenable.
"
You are going to see a lot of articles regarding other teams' potential interest in Wilkerson over the next several weeks.
It's easy to see why. Wilkerson is arguably the best free agent at any position in 2016. Among 3-4 ends who played more than 900 snaps in 2015, only J.J. Watt and Fletcher Cox received higher grades from Pro Football Focus. Wilkerson has racked up 28.5 sacks the past three years, including a career-high 12 last season.
It's also why Wilkerson isn't going anywhere. Not happening.
Oakland Raiders
24 of 32
Donald Penn, Offensive Tackle
Cap Space: $76.9 million
Yes, you read that right. The Oakland Raiders have well over $70 million in cap room.
And yet, despite ranking as a top-10 performer at his position last year at PFF, offensive tackle Donald Penn told Scott Bair of CSN Bay Area that the Raiders have yet to contact the 32-year-old about a new contract:
"I’m not going to lie. I’m a little disappointed in the Oakland Raiders right now. That’s just me being honest. I don’t talk to my agent about deals during the season because I like to focus on my play. But, going into the offseason we talked and my agent said he talked to the team and they said they want me back and want me back. That’s what they told me before I left, but I haven’t heard from them since the season ended.
I’m really disappointed, and I’m starting to look at other opportunities. As man and a player, we have to start looking at other things. Me and my agent are starting to put together a group of teams that need a left tackle and things like that.
"
Simply put, the Raiders need to make with fence-mending. Quickly. That or be prepared to franchise-tag Penn.
Yes, Penn is on the wrong side of 30. He's also played some of the best football of his career in Oakland, and he's played well over 4,000 snaps the last four seasons. He's a good, durable blindside protector.
Think Derek Carr could use one of those in 2016 as he attempts to build on last season's success?
You just don't let those players leave in free agency, especially when you can easily afford to keep them.
Philadelphia Eagles
25 of 32
Sam Bradford, Quarterback
Cap Space: $26.1 million
Quit grumbling, Eagles fans.
Granted, the grumbling coming from Philadelphia in regard to Bradford isn't just coming from fans grousing about a wildly disappointing 2015 campaign. Sportswriter Angelo Cataldi of the PhillyVoice went so far as to guarantee that Bradford will not return to the team in 2016. No way, no how:
"Despite the lack of an established quarterback, the team will not re-sign him to a long-term contract, and it will not place the franchise tag on him, either. In a few weeks, Bradford will be free to sign a deal with any team in the NFL. His legacy with the Eagles will be one lost season.
The last clue in this puzzle over Sam Bradford – the defining one, really – was provided a few days ago by [head coach Doug] Pederson himself when he told Derrick Gunn of Comcast-Sportsnet: “There are some good quarterbacks in this draft. I’d love to be able to pick one up, develop him, and eventually he becomes your guy over time.”
Two weeks earlier, Pederson had called Bradford “a perfect fit” for his version of the West Coast offense and said he was “looking forward to working with him in the spring.” The Eagles aren’t about to commit up to $100 million for Bradford while the new coach is pining for a young guy he can groom.
"
After a season in which Bradford managed only two more touchdowns (19) than turnovers (17) and the Eagles won only six games, it isn't hard to see why some don't have the warm and fuzzies about year two of the Age of Sam.
Here's the thing, though—Bradford really wasn't that bad in 2015.
According to Pro Football Focus, Bradford graded out 12th among NFL quarterbacks last season. That's higher than Teddy Bridgewater of the Minnesota Vikings, Kirk Cousins of the Washington Redskins, Brian Hoyer of the Houston Texans and Alex Smith of the Kansas City Chiefs.
All four of those quarterbacks played in the postseason in 2015.
I'm not going to sit here and tell you that Bradford is a great quarterback. Or even an especially good one. The 28-year-old former No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft is, however, at least an average NFL option at his position.
The most coveted position in football. One where more than a few NFL teams would kill for just average.
Pittsburgh Steelers
26 of 32
Kelvin Beachum, Offensive Tackle
Cap Space: $8.4 million
A year ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers made a contract offer to offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum. He balked, convinced that another good year would mean even more money down the road.
It was a plan that backfired. Yes, in six starts on the left side, Beachum ranked a solid 19th among tackles in pass protection, per Pro Football Focus. However, Beachum allowed three sacks in those six games...
And then got hurt.
Still, he told 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh recently that he isn't about to second-guess his decision or worry about his future.
"No regrets at all," he said. "At the same time, I have to make sure that I take care of my family and my legacy. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. My only focus right now is taking care of my body and taking care of my family."
Beachum also admitted, however, that the circumstances of 2015 didn't exactly boost his chances of remaining in the Steel City in 2016.
"You’ll have to ask [general manager] Kevin Colbert and Coach Tomlin," he said. "I think everybody wants to be back, but I mean, it just depends on, you know, how the numbers fit, how things will fit in their eyes and we’ll roll from there."
The numbers Beachum is referring to aren't exactly in his favor. The Steelers aren't known for doling out big contracts, and even if they want to, it's going to take some doing to find the room to pay a 26-year-old left tackle who was a top-five performer at PFF during his last full season.
So, why should Colbert start making that room?
Because of that whole 26-year-old top-five left tackle thing. Assuming Beachum's balky knee checks out OK, those most assuredly do not grow on trees.
San Diego Chargers
27 of 32
Joe Barksdale, Offensive Tackle
Cap Space: $31.8 million
To say that not much went right for the San Diego Chargers in 2015 is an understatement. The Bolts were besieged with bumps and bruises, including along the offensive line.
However, as ESPN.com's Eric Williams reported, the play of veteran lineman Joe Barksdale was a bright spot in an otherwise dismal season:
"Barksdale, 28, is the only offensive linemen to start every game for the Chargers this season, playing a total of 1,050 snaps on offense, second only to Philip Rivers (1,085). It’s the most snaps played in a single season by a San Diego offensive linemen since at least 2007, which is as far back as ESPN Stats & Information has been tracking those stats.
Barksdale also played in 16 games for a third straight season. He provides versatility, spending time at right tackle, left tackle and right guard for the Chargers this season.
"
For his part, Barksdale is saying all the right things as well. “I still feel like there’s things I have to get better at, things I could have done to help the team,” he said.
Barksdale isn't a great lineman. He ranked a so-so 30th among NFL tackles last year at PFF.
He is, however, a good one. And a durable one.
Given that, the Chargers would be wise to get something done early. Plenty of teams are willing to take Barksdale off San Diego's hands otherwise.
San Francisco 49ers
28 of 32
Anquan Boldin, Wide Receiver
Cap Space: $55.2 million
It's a good thing the San Francisco 49ers have a ton of salary-cap space. They may have more holes to fill than any team in the NFC.
Given that, the last thing the 49ers need is any more voids in the roster.
Like, say, at wide receiver.
Yes, Anquan Boldin is 35. Yes, his 789 receiving yards in 2015 were his lowest output in that regard since 2004. The former stat is undeniable. That the latter wasn't exactly his fault is even more so.
Simply put, the veteran is the only player who resembles a dependable target in the passing game on the roster. Those 789 yards were enough to lead the team for the third consecutive season.
New San Francisco head coach Chip Kelly reached out to Boldin after taking the job, and the player admitted to Doug Williams of NBC Bay Area that he's intrigued by the notion of playing in Kelly's uptempo offense.
"I think everybody is," Boldin said. "It’s always that way when you have a new coach coming in. Everybody is [curious] about a number of different things. We’ll just have to see how that plays out."
The best way it can play out for the Niners is to bring Boldin back on a short-term deal that lets the 2015 Walter Payton Man of the Year finish his career in the Bay Area.
Right now, they need all the help they can get.
Seattle Seahawks
29 of 32
Russell Okung, Offensive Tackle
Cap Space: $23 million
The Seattle Seahawks didn't have the best of seasons on the offensive front in 2015. Of the team's five starters on the offensive line, only tackle Russell Okung received a positive grade for the season from Pro Football Focus.
The problem is that Okung also knows what a capable left tackle can fetch on the open market in free agency. He said as much while writing about becoming his own agent in the Players' Tribune:
"I know my worth. I can look at the market and go directly to a team without an agent and tell that team my worth. And I can do so with confidence because I’ve done my research, I’ve educated myself and I’ve questioned the answers I’ve been given. And when it comes to reviewing the details of my next deal, I’ll hire an expert — a lawyer or a sports attorney who understands the dynamic of football contracts — to read the paperwork. I’ll negotiate a one-time flat fee that isn’t dependent on the size of my salary.
"
These are not the sorts of statements that make it sound like a hometown discount will be in order.
Neither is the email Okung sent out detailing his successful surgery to repair a dislocated shoulder, per CBS Sports.
It's an email Okung sent to all 32 NFL teams.
However, the Seahawks need to do everything this side of the franchise tag to keep Okung in town. Seattle needs to get better in 2016.
It can't afford to get worse.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
30 of 32
Doug Martin, Running Back
Cap Space: $49.9 million
You can't blame the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for not wanting to use their 2016 team option on tailback Doug Martin last year. He hadn't topped even 500 rushing yards in a season since rolling up 1,454 as a rookie in 2012.
You also can't blame the Buccaneers for wishing they could get a do-over after Martin finished as the league's runner-up in rushing yards in 2015.
Oops.
Still, this situation appears to be headed for a happy ending. Martin told Mike Florio of PFT Live (h/t Curtis Crabtree of Pro Football Talk) that his preference is to remain with the Buccaneers, even if it means playing the season under the franchise tag.
"I love Tampa and Tampa loves me," he said. "I’ve got a house out there so I do wish I’ll go back to Tampa. I’ll play the year and we’ll see what happens. Those negotiations are being talked about behind the scenes."
ESPN's Adam Schefter doesn't believe things will even reach that point. "Tampa Bay and Doug Martin are likely to figure out a deal that works for both sides," Schefter wrote, "which would take one of the top running backs off the market before he gets there."
Tailback isn't a premium position. In fact, you need only go back one season to see the perils of free agency in the backfield.
But the Buccaneers are in a good spot with the cap, and Martin is in the prime of his career and a key part of Dirk Koetter's offense in Tampa Bay.
It makes too much sense for a deal not to get done.
Tennessee Titans
31 of 32
Coty Sensabaugh, Cornerback
Cap Space: $50.7 million
There's a thing about teams like the Tennessee Titans. Bad teams like the Tennessee Titans.
Like car mirrors, their cap space is closer to gone than it appears.
$50.7 million isn't really $50.7 million. Not when the best (and often only way) to overcome the stink of being a tomato can is by overpaying in free agency.
Call it Cleveland Syndrome.
Still, though, the Titans should be in a position to be impact players on the open market this season. First, because they have holes galore to fill.
And second, because the team doesn't have a single in-house free agent who it should break the bank for.
In fact, there isn't a player worth going to the bank for.
Inside linebacker Zach Brown showed flashes during his first two NFL seasons, but 2014 was lost to injury and Brown fell out of favor (and the starting lineup) with defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau last season.
In fact, the free agent who is most "worth" bringing back is probably fifth-year cornerback Coty Sensabaugh, who started 15 games for an injury-depleted Titans secondary in 2015.
The high point of Sensabaugh's season? Intercepting Jameis Winston's first NFL pass and returning it for a touchdown.
The low point? Well, most of the rest of the season. Sensabaugh ranked 99th among NFL corners in 2015, per PFF. Only four corners allowed more touchdown passes. Sensabaugh's passer rating against was well into the triple digits.
For the right price, Sensabaugh is an OK subpackage player. But he isn't a starter-level talent at his position.
And he certainly shouldn't be paid like one.
Washington Redskins
32 of 32
Kirk Cousins, Quarterback
Cap Space: $13.4 million
The Washington Redskins are another team that needs to trim the fat over the next few weeks. As things stand, they have under $14 million in wiggle room.
And with a young quarterback to sign, that won't come close to covering it.
It isn't like the Redskins have a choice. Not after Kirk Cousins led the team to an NFC East title in his first year as a starter in Washington. Not after he threw 29 touchdown passes and only 11 interceptions. Not after he set a franchise record with 4,166 passing yards.
Twenty-seven-year-old quarterbacks who just led the NFL in completion percentage don't get within miles of the open market.
Of course, as Master Tesfatsion of the Washington Post reported, the Redskins are about to receive quite a bit of cap relief if (as expected) the team bids adieu to Robert Griffin:
"The Redskins will aim to build their team around Cousins and, as a result, build their salary cap strategy around his contract. Washington has avoided shelling out big bucks on a quarterback because of the economical rookie contracts of Cousins and Robert Griffin III the past four seasons, but it will have to soon deal with the hefty cost to retain Cousins. The ramifications will impact the franchise’s decision-making, both in the short and long term, on how it juggles the cap while improving the roster.
Cap analysts currently expect the NFL base salary cap to be around $153.4 million next season, which would give the Redskins just over $12.7 million in cap space — the sixth-lowest figure in the NFL. Washington will receive some relief in the coming weeks once it inevitably releases Griffin, who has an unguaranteed base salary of $16.1 million next season, in the final year of his rookie deal. The transaction would increase the team’s cap space to a tick under $29 million.
That would place the Redskins in the middle of the pack with their cap figure before reaching a deal with Cousins. Still, it would be beneficial for the team to avoid slapping Cousins with the franchise tag and instead strike a multiyear deal this offseason.
"
It isn't necessarily going to be an easy negotiation. Cousins knows as well as anyone the sorts of windfalls young quarterbacks have reaped in recent years. He also knows the perils of inking the sort of team friendly deal that may well be the end of Colin Kaepernick in San Francisco.
In fact, per ESPN's Adam Schefter the recent contract talks between player and team have broken off, and no new talks are scheduled.
However, whether it's via the franchise tag or the long-term contract, the deal will get done. It's going to be a whopper ($18-$20 million per season), but the Redskins have known for years that the time was coming to pay their young signal-caller.
It just didn't wind up being the one they originally thought.
Cap-space information courtesy of Over the Cap.
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