7 NFL Free Agents Who Will Command Top Dollar

The NFL offseason is a unique time of the year when every team feels optimistic about its chances in the coming season.

Several teams feel they are only a move or two away from a championship, while others hope to build for long-term success.

The reality is there are only so many available free agents to help fill the voids, so negotiations with players can be tough.

Teams use every negotiating tactic, as well as a big chunk of their cap space, to sign available talent with the hope of building a successful team for the coming year.

This season, there are several available free agents who could all have a huge impact on the team they sign with, as well as on the league as a whole.

Some players are more highly-touted than others, and the following list discusses seven players who could land solid deals in free agency this offseason.

7. Eric Weddle

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Eric Weddle has played his entire career in San Diego, but will likely be finding a new home in 2016.

Entering the season it would have been natural to expect Eric Weddle to sign a long-term deal with the San Diego Chargers to continue his professional career.

However, Weddle seemed displeased with how he was treated by the Chargers organization this past season and doesn't appear to have any interest in returning to San Diego in the future.

The nine-year veteran has racked up 19 interceptions in his career while also being regarded as one of the best tackling safeties in the league.

While only 5'11'', the former Utah Ute has shown a certain tenacity on the field that allows him to play much bigger than his actual size.

Weddle would be an ideal pickup for a playoff contender looking for depth or a rebuilding team in need of a veteran presence in the secondary.

Some potential landing spots could be the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles or Oakland Raiders.

Whoever ends up signing Weddle will receive a savvy veteran who can make an impact for years to come.

6. Sam Bradford

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Bradford's tendency for injuries makes him a risky sign, but he has shown enough talent to make an investment worthwhile.

Bradford is the very definition of a risky pickup. Not only is he injury-prone, but the former Heisman winner has lacked consistency on the field in his professional career.

Coming off a year in which he threw 19 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, it might not seem like his value is all that high. However, his youth makes him an intriguing option for team's looking for a franchise guy to build around.

If put into the right system with the proper talent around him, the 28-year-old Bradford could resurrect a once-promising career.

Knowing Bradford's ability in the short passing game, the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns seem like potential landing points for the six-year veteran.

With the Browns expected to draft a quarterback with the second pick in the 2016 NFL draft, it's possible they will remove themselves from any discussion once April rolls around.

Philadelphia seems like the likeliest scenario for Bradford to wind up, despite breaking in a new head coach in Doug Pederson in 2016.

The Eagles will likely be looking to add depth in the receiving core, and if DeMarco Murray can return to 2014 form, Philadelphia will be much more balanced next year.

It seems logical that Philly will give Bradford a short-term deal to see if he can truly thrive as an NFL quarterback, so expect him to cash in this offseason for one final showcase with the Eagles.

5. Eric Berry

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Eric Berry was easily one of the most inspiring stories of the season, and the safety is due to cash in this offseason.

Apart from being one of the truly great guys in the league as well as a big inspiration among players last year, Eric Berry is also a really good football player.

The 2015 Pro Bowler returned to the field and thrived for the Chiefs despite undergoing treatments for Hodgkin's lymphoma in the months leading up to the season.

Berry is a proven leader on the defensive side, having a knack for finding the ball that separates him from other defensive backs.

The six-year veteran will be chased by several teams, as the 27-year-old figures to have plenty of solid years left in the tank.

Kansas City seems to have made Berry a priority this offseason, per Matt Verderame of Fansided, and will likely use some of its cap space in bringing back the veteran safety.

If by some chance the Chiefs let him go, the Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons are two of the teams expected to come running with big checks for Mr. Berry, per Verderame.

4. Matt Forte

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Although Forte has played his entire season in Chicago, the veteran running back is not expected to return to the Bears in 2016.

It's rare for free-agent running backs to cash in during the offseason, but the veteran Matt Forte is primed to do just that in 2016.

Coming off a year where he ran for 898 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games for the Bears, the eight-year veteran out of Tulane is expected to have a new team this coming season.

Before the 2015 season, Forte had run for 1,000-plus yards in three consecutive seasons, so consistency hasn't been an issue for him.

While his age (30) might deter some, Forte has the receiving ability to be an intriguing option for just about any team.

New England and Green Bay are each perennial playoff contenders who could greatly utilize the veteran running back's abilities, especially as part of two of the league's highest-powered passing attacks.

Forte likely wants to join a team with legitimate Super Bowl talent, so expect the Patriots and Packers to be among his favorites throughout the offseason.

3. Haloti Ngata

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Ngata didn't dominate on the defensive line this past season, but has the physical traits to be successful on several teams.

For years Haloti Ngata was regarded as one of the league's best defensive lineman and was key in making the Ravens defense dominant for several years.

While Ngata wasn't the dominant force he was in his Baltimore days this past season, the veteran can still be a key contributor in disrupting the pass game, as he recorded 25 quarterback hurries in 2015.

Despite being a 32-year-old playing one of the most physically demanding positions in the league, Ngata stated he wants to play in the NFL for at least a few more years, according to Marc Sessler of NFL.com.

Detroit seems the favorite to land the veteran defender, but the Lions could also use a draft pick to shore up the defensive line, which would likely be cheaper than bringing Ngata back.

Watch for Oakland to be among the teams looking into Ngata if the Lions choose not to bring him back, as his depth would greatly help out the Raiders on the defensive line.

2. Alshon Jeffery

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Jeffery has proven to be one of the league's top receivers when he stays healthy, and is due for a big pay day in free agency.

Alshon Jeffery just might be the most talented offensive player in free agency. All that talent means Jeffery is sure to cash in this offseason. It's just a matter of where he'll end up.

Obviously, his services could be useful for just about any team, but only one will claim the prize of the young receiver.

Jeffery pulled in 54 catches for 807 yards and four touchdowns in just nine games for Chicago last year, and he figures to be the main receiving threat wherever he ends up in 2016.

The Bears appear to be the favorites in bringing back Jay Cutler's favorite target and have an opportunity to place their franchise tag on the young receiver to keep him around for another season.

If, by chance, Jeffery is not locked up, look for the Los Angeles Rams to be among the leaders in trying to draw the receiver away from Chicago.

The new-look Rams could use a big free-agency splash to drum up interest in season tickets, and improving the passing game with a receiver of Jeffery's quality would surely bode well for the fanbase.

It's a long-shot, but one worth taking for L.A.

1. Von Miller

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The Super Bowl MVP will be a highly sought-after addition this offseason, but all signs point to his return to Denver in 2016.

If anyone is going to cash in this offseason, it'll likely be Von Miller.

Even if the Broncos place their franchise tag on him, the veteran pass-rusher will receive a one-year deal before testing the market again in 2017.

It seems highly unlikely that Denver would let the Super Bowl MVP walk away, but Miller's value could make it difficult for the Broncos to bring back other important pieces such as Malik Jackson and Brock Osweiler.

Miller has definitely proven that he is worth every penny and will certainly be a top priority for Denver's front office.

If Miller does somehow avoid the franchise tag, San Diego and Chicago would each by ideal fits for the pass-rusher's services.

With enough cap space and a fitting need for a dominant defender, Miller would make sense on either team.

Again, seeing Miller leave the Broncos after their Super Bowl run is hard to envision, but anything is possible when team's come calling with the big bucks in free agency.