Ideal Free-Agent Targets for NFL Teams with Most Cap Space

At least 10 NFL teams are expected to enter free agency with at least $40 million in cap space, including four over $50 million and two over $70 million. 

The ridiculous amount of available cash should mean a wild period of spending once the market officially opens this week. 

In the following slides, we will highlight the teams with the most cap space available and the players that those teams should target in free agency. Team and player fits are based mostly upon roster needs. 

1. Jacksonville Jaguars

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Cap space: $80.9 million

Players to target: DL Malik Jackson, DE Olivier Vernon, OLB Bruce Irvin, DE Mario Williams, C Alex Mack, G/T Kelechi Osemele, CB Janoris Jenkins, S Eric Weddle

The Jaguars will enter free agency with the most cap space in the NFL, providing general manager David Caldwell with the monetary ability to sign any player he desires. In fact, he could sign a few of the highest-priced players and still sit comfortably under the salary cap. 

First things first: Head coach Gus Bradley must continue to prioritize the pass rush. The Jaguars will have a number of attractive options available on the open market, including Jackson, Vernon, Irvin and Williams. Given all the money available, it would be a major upset if Jacksonville exited free agency without signing one of those four edge-rushers. 

In the secondary, the Jaguars could sign an immediate upgrade with Jenkins or Weddle. 

While the needs on offense aren't as severe, quarterback Blake Bottles probably wouldn't mind if Caldwell spent some money on the offensive line. Mack signed an offer sheet in Jacksonville in 2014, while Osemele would slide in as a replacement (and obvious upgrade) for Zane Beadles. 

2. Oakland Raiders

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Cap space: $65.7 million 

Players to Target: S Eric Weddle, DE Mario Williams, DL Malik Jackson, DE Chris Long, CB Sean Smith, LB Danny Trevathan, CB Janoris Jenkins, CB Casey Hayward

Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie could easily add one impact starter at every level of his emerging defense. 

Both Williams and Jackson appear to be natural fits for Oakland, especially as complementary pieces to a pass rush that already features All-Pro Khalil Mack. Can you imagine facing a front four with Mack and Williams off the edges and Jackson on the interior?

Following in his father's footsteps would make for a great story for Long. 

Weddle turned 31 in January, but the Raiders hit a home run on signing Charles Woodson—another veteran defensive back—in 2013. The former San Diego Charger could provide similar impact for a position of need. 

Trevathan is arguably the top off-the-ball linebacker available, and he'd be an immediate upgrade over Curtis Lofton in the middle. 

At cornerback, the Raiders could find solutions to one of the roster's biggest weaknesses by signing Smith, Jenkins or Hayward (who McKenzie helped draft in Green Bay). 

McKenzie has built a team capable of competing for the postseason. Oakland needs one last push over the finish line, which could come through the millions the team has available in free agency. 

3. New York Giants

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Cap Space: $55.8 million 

Players to Target: DE Mario Williams, DE Olivier Vernon, LB Bruce Irvin, CB Casey Hayward, WR Marvin Jones, DT Nick Fairley, LB Danny Trevathan, DL Jaye Howard

The defense that allowed the most yards in the NFL last season needs a serious overhaul, starting with the pass rush. The Giants have Jason Pierre-Paul and Robert Ayers entering free agency, and if New York loses one or both players, general manager Jerry Reese will need to spend to fill the holes. 

Williams and Vernon are probably the two top 4-3 defensive ends available. Williams has been productive in the past and is probably fired up to prove Buffalo wrong, while Vernon is still only 25 years old with an arrow pointing straight up. 

Irvin makes sense as an attacking outside linebacker who is capable of disrupting the passer.

If cornerback Prince Amukamara bolts in free agency, Hayward—an established slot corner with experience on the perimeter—could be an option to replace him. 

Also, don't rule out the Giants looking for help at receiver behind Odell Beckham Jr. Jones might be the top pass-catcher on the market, but he'd slide in as a perfect No. 2 for the Giants offense under head coach Ben McAdoo. 

4. San Francisco 49ers

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Cap Space: $53.8 million

Players to Target: G/T Kelechi Osemele, WR Marvin Jones, CB Sean Smith, CB Janoris Jenkins, WR Mohamed Sanu, G Brandon Brooks, LB James Laurinaitis, RB Lamar Miller

The first three players listed here—Osemele, Jones and Smith—could all end up in San Francisco. 

Osemele would fill a huge need at guard, where the 49ers must find an upgrade to help spark the run game. Jones is the best receiver in an otherwise shallow market, and Smith is the kind of long cornerback the 49ers have coveted in the past. 

Brooks, Sanu and Jenkins are also listed as potential backup plans at the three positions. 

Could Miller be a wild card? Remember, new 49ers head coach Chip Kelly signed both DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews last season. Miller—a bona fide home run hitter—could team with Carlos Hyde to give the 49ers a deadly combination of young backs. However, Miller likely wants a featured role with a bigger chunk of the carries than Kelly can offer. 

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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Cap Space: $49.3 million

Players to Target: DE Jason Pierre-Paul, DE Olivier Vernon, DE Mario Williams, DL Jaye Howard, S Reggie Nelson, WR Travis Benjamin

Targeting pass-rushers has become an annual tradition for the Buccaneers. The team continues to swing and miss on edge players, but those failures shouldn't stop a team with almost $50 million to spend from stepping back up to the plate. 

Pierre-Paul, Vernon and Williams all make varying degrees of sense in Tampa Bay, depending on the kind of player the Buccaneers want to target.

Pierre-Paul is overflowing with talent, but he's also somewhat of an unknown after injuring his hand in a fireworks accident last July. Vernon has produced 25.5 sacks over the last three seasons and doesn't turn 26 until October. Williams is 31 and coming off a season with only five sacks, but he's also only two years removed from 14.5 sacks and an All-Pro nod. 

Outside of defensive ends, Howard would be a strong option next to Gerald McCoy, and Nelson would fill a need at safety. 

And what about the offense? Receiver isn't a problem area, but Benjamin could be a consistently productive player as the third pass-catcher behind Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans. 

Teams 6-10

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6. Cleveland Browns ($47.6 million): A reunion between head coach Hue Jackson and receivers Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu makes a lot of sense. The big question: Will the Browns kick the tires on Brock Osweiler or Robert Griffin III?

7. Tennessee Titans ($47.4 million): The Titans have big needs along the offensive line and safety. Kelechi Osemele, Alex Mack or Andre Smith could help up front, while Tashaun Gipson and Eric Weddle should be top safety targets.  

8. Los Angeles Rams ($46.1 million): Much of the Rams' cap space will likely be spent on the team's in-house free agents. Could L.A. save a portion for a quarterback? Adding Brock Osweiler could make the Rams a real contender for their first season in Los Angeles. 

9. Chicago Bears ($46 million): The Bears have a number of holes to fill on defense. Head coach John Fox may want to reunite with linebacker Danny Trevathan, while Tashaun Gipson or Reggie Nelson would be a huge upgrade at the back end of the secondary.  

10. Houston Texans ($41.3 million): Malik Jackson might be the most expensive player available, but he'd be an absolute force along the same defensive front as J.J. Watt. Safety (George Iloka?), receiver (Travis Benjamin?) and quarterback (Robert Griffin III?) are other priorities. 

All salary-cap information provided by Spotrac.