NFL Free Agents 2016: Best Players Available at Each Position After Day 1

Welcome to the NFL free-agency period. The legal tampering window for teams has led to an action-packed last few days on social media as deals leaked but weren’t yet official. March 9 at 4 p.m. ET officially welcomed the new NFL calendar year.

Day 1 of NFL free agency saw major free agents go off the market almost as soon as they became available. There’s still a lot of talent on the board to comb through, though, and we have you covered for the best players available at each position as we enter the second day of free agency.

As teams sort through their top priorities and players make career-changing decisions, we'll offer daily updates on the best positional players available during this week of free-agency hoopla. The players will be listed in alphabetical order on each page.

Don’t forget to leave your predictions for free agency in the comments section below.

Quarterbacks

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Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, New York Jets

The best quarterback available this free-agency period is Ryan Fitzpatrick of the New York Jets. He is erratic with his wild playing style but turned in a career-high 31 touchdowns and 3,905 yards last year. The 33-year old is simply a short-term option for playoff contenders at this point, but he has played well enough to earn consideration.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the Jets and Fitzpatrick remain “far apart” in negotiations. The Jets don’t have many other options than Fitzpatrick unless they’re prepared to give Geno Smith the reins.

Robert Griffin III, QB, Washington Redskins

The quarterback with the most upside in the 2016 free-agency class is former Washington Redskins star Robert Griffin III. The former No. 2 overall pick is as boom-or-bust as anyone, since he hasn’t played since the end of 2014. He’s struggled with injuries and even basic throwing fundamentals at times.

But Griffin has been electric when healthy. The right situation could be where he’s allowed to run a read-option offense that gets him on the move. Vertical offenses also make sense with his skill set. Ed Werder of ESPN via Rotoworld reported the San Francisco 49ers are his best landing spot. He could receive a modest multiyear deal that doesn’t put pressure on him to start right away.

Thaddeus Lewis, QB, Philadelphia Eagles

The quarterback class is lacking depth as other options have already been snatched up on Day 1. One of the best backups available is Thaddeus Lewis, who is just 28 years old. He’s bounced around the league and has gone 2-4 in six career starts. He didn’t log a snap in 2015 for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Editor's note: According to NFL Network's Rand Getlin, the 49ers have signed Lewis.

Running Backs

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Arian Foster, RB, Houston Texans

Coming off a torn Achilles injury is especially brutal for an aging running back. That’s where Arian Foster finds himself after being cut from the Houston Texans. He was one of the top backs in the NFL when he was healthy but often suffered from nagging lower-body injuries.

Now about to turn 30 years old and coming off a major injury, Foster may have to wait for a contract offer. His upside is huge if a team doesn’t rely too heavily on him, so a one-year deal closer to training camp would make sense.

Ronnie Hillman, RB, Denver Broncos

At 24 years old, running back Ronnie Hillman's best days are arguably still ahead of him. The Denver Broncos were unable to re-sign him despite also having C.J. Anderson as a restricted free agent. Hillman has been productive to this point in his career and posted 863 yards and seven touchdowns in 2015. He's a good option for a zone-blocking team that is looking for a steady back. 

Alfred Morris, RB, Washington Redskins

Once a star in Washington’s zone-blocking scheme with Robert Griffin, Alfred Morris couldn’t produce much in 2015. The Redskins moved into a gap scheme and suffered some offensive line injuries, which brought their running game to a halt. Morris suffered and visibly looked like his athleticism has dipped.

At 27 years old, Morris should be considered as a rotational back. His yards-per-carry average has dropped every season in the NFL after his breakout rookie year. A short-term contract would be a low-risk signing.

Wide Receivers

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Anquan Boldin, WR, San Francisco 49ers

Despite being 35 years old and entering his 14th season in the NFL, wide receiver Anquan Boldin may still have some run left in him. The timeless possession receiver logged the lowest number of receiving yards since 2004 last year but was still respectable with 69 receptions and 789 yards. He’d be a nice addition on a one-year deal for a playoff contender.

Jermaine Kearse, WR, Seattle Seahawks

At 26 years old, former Seattle Seahawks receiver Jermaine Kearse is hitting the open market for his first free-agent payday. He’s improved statistically every season and is a valuable third option for an offense. His career-high 685 yards and five touchdowns indicate he’s ready for a bigger role than what Seattle could give him.

A multiyear contract for an upstart team would be fitting. He’s a relatively safe investment because of his age and progression.

Mike Wallace, WR, Minnesota Vikings

Once known as the most dangerous deep threat in the NFL, wide receiver Mike Wallace just hasn’t been able to boost an offense the same way as he did in his prime with the Pittsburgh Steelers. His stint with the Miami Dolphins was underwhelming, and the Minnesota Vikings cut bait with him after trading for him a year ago. Wallace may still bring some value as a third or fourth receiver.

Tight Ends

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Scott Chandler, TE, New England Patriots

If a team is looking for a solid blocking tight end capable of sealing off a linebacker at the line of scrimmage, then giving Scott Chandler a call would be a good decision. The former New England Patriots tight end finished with the seventh-highest run-block grade from Pro Football Focus. At just 30 years old he can still contribute to an offense that values two-tight end sets.

Owen Daniels, TE, Denver Broncos

The window is shrinking for 33-year-old tight end Owen Daniels to extend his football career. The Super Bowl 50 champion played a key role for the Denver Broncos down the playoff stretch, but the team decided it’s time to turn the page. Owens has only played for head coach Gary Kubiak throughout his career.

Daniels is still a good enough blocker and receiver to earn another contract. He may only have one or two years left, though. Look for a contender to kick the tires here.

Zach Miller, TE, Chicago Bears

After not playing a single snap since 2011, tight end Zach Miller put together a solid 2015 campaign with the Chicago Bears. At 31, he has little wear on his body and could command a multiyear deal. According to Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com, the Bears have resumed negotiations with Miller.

Offensive Tackles

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Kelvin Beachum, OT, Pittsburgh Steelers

A 26-year-old left tackle coming off a torn ACL, Kelvin Beachum could be the steal of free agency. Then again, he may need more time to heal from the major knee injury. His considerable upside makes him worth the risk, given the value of the tackle position.

Beachum may not be going anywhere, though. According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Beachum may return to the Steelers on a one-year contract.

Russell Okung, OT, Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks invested a first-round pick into left tackle Russell Okung in 2010 but could now lose him. The athletic road-grading blocker is only 28 years old but is coming off a dislocated shoulder injury that will sideline him for five months. Nevertheless, the Seahawks need Okung since they’re competing for the Super Bowl every year.

Teams that run a zone-blocking scheme should be interested in Okung. He’s not the best pass protector, but he’s good enough to be considered average. That’s an upgrade for a handful of teams. Expect him to receive a long-term deal.

Donald Penn, OT, Oakland Raiders

Soon-to-be 33-year-old left tackle Donald Penn revitalized his career in Oakland over the last two seasons. He’s been a solid starter at a key position while the team developed its young players. Now, he’s looking for one more contract before closing the book on his career.

Penn is a short-term option only and may not leave the Raiders. According to Jerry McDonald of the Oakland Tribune, Penn wants to re-sign and claims the team wants him to stay.

Offensive Guards

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Jahri Evans, OG, New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints parted ways with longtime right guard Jahri Evans this offseason as they trim salary obligations. Evans was still a good starter for the team but didn’t fit the transition to a zone-blocking scheme. He’s only a gap scheme fit.

At 32, Evans doesn’t have much left in him. He’s a short-term fix only. According to his Twitter account, he was visiting the Buffalo Bills earlier in the week.

Evan Mathis, OG, Denver Broncos

Coming off a Super Bowl run with the Denver Broncos, veteran left guard Evan Mathis is back on the free-agent circuit. The 34-year-old underwent ankle surgery after Super Bowl 50, and it is uncertain if he’s still interested in playing next year. If he wants to play, he should have several interested teams, as he’s still a high-level performer.

Geoff Schwartz, OG, New York Giants

When Geoff Schwartz plays, he’s been a good right guard for zone-blocking teams. The issue is he’s dealt with a bevy of lower-body injuries since 2010. He hasn’t played a full season since then, so durability is a major concern. According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Miami Dolphins have registered interested in the 29-year-old.

Centers

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Tim Barnes, C, Los Angeles Rams

If you’re looking for a young, backup-caliber center with starting experience, then former Los Angeles Rams center Tim Barnes is an option. He was overwhelmed as the full-time starter last year. According to Pro Football Focus, he was tied for the 32nd-best center in football.

The positive is Barnes is only 27 and can provide depth. 

Editor's note: The Rams have re-signed Barnes, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com.

Lyle Sendlein, C, Arizona Cardinals

The center that Barnes was tied for 32nd with by Pro Football Focus was the Arizona Cardinals' Lyle Sendlein. Sendlein, 31, was not good enough to keep his roster spot and is at the age where he should be considered as an emergency spot starter only. With a deep center draft coming, he may not receive any calls until training camp.

Stefen Wisniewski, C, Jacksonville Jaguars

The best center still on the market is 26-year-old Stefen Wisniewski. The zone-blocking scheme specialist has been a solid player to this point in his career, and it is surprising he continues to find himself available. As the Jacksonville Jaguars transition to more of a gap scheme, Wisniewski is simply not in their plans.

Defensive Ends

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Robert Ayers, DE, New York Giants

Robert Ayers struggled to capitalize on his first-round pick status for the first part of his career. After busting with the Denver Broncos, he revitalized his career as a situational pass-rusher with the Giants. The 30-year-old now seems primed to cash in.

Ayers has logged 14.5 sacks over the last two seasons with the team as a third-down specialist. He’s not a dynamic pass-rusher but would be a good option for the right price. Dan Graziano of ESPN.com doesn't expect Ayers to return to the Giants.

Greg Hardy, DE, Dallas Cowboys

A troubled but talented defensive end, Greg Hardy will be a fascinating individual to watch during free agency. He’s supremely talented and only 27, but he comes with a history of domestic abuse and locker-room issues. His reputation and personality could keep him on the market for a while. He’ll be an instant-impact starter if he does sign somewhere.

Chris Long, DE, Los Angeles Rams

The 30-year-old defensive end had a long and fruitful career with the Los Angeles Rams, but it’s time for him to find a home elsewhere. He was a cap casualty prior to free agency. He’s a perfect 4-3 strong-side defensive end who can rotate to stay fresh. He’s accumulated 54.5 sacks in his nine NFL seasons. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the Dallas Cowboys will host him for a visit this week.

Defensive Tackles

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Nick Fairley, DT, Detroit Lions

Former first-round pick Nick Fairley is the best pass-rushing defensive tackle left on the market. The 28-year-old has struggled with consistency and conditioning to this point in his career, which is highly concerning for someone nearing his 30s. He’s two years removed from logging six sacks and has recorded 1.5 combined sacks since. He’s a low-risk, high-upside signing at this point.

Terrance Knighton, DT, Washington Redskins

The man called “Pot Roast” hits free agency for the second straight offseason. Terrance Knighton is a traditional 3-4 and 4-3 nose tackle at 6’3” and 354 pounds. He wasn’t able to replicate the success last season as he had in Denver back in 2014. A return to a 4-3 front may help the giant tackle.  

B.J. Raji, DT, Green Bay Packers

The top nose tackle who is still available this free-agency class is former Green Bay Packers B.J. Raji. The mammoth 6’2”, 337-pound gap-eater has had an up-and-down career to this point as he’s been banged up the last two seasons. At 29, Raji needs to put together another big season to earn one more significant contract.

Outside Linebackers

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Junior Galette, OLB, Washington Redskins

One of the best pass-rushers in football is on the market in former Washington Redskins linebacker Junior Galette. The New Orleans Saints released him due to a domestic abuse incident, and then he signed a one-year deal with Washington. He tore his Achilles last fall before ever logging a snap for the team. Tarik El-Bashir of CSN Mid-Atlantic reported he’s looking for a one-year contract to prove his worth.

Mike Neal, OLB, Green Bay Packers

If a team is looking for a high-effort guy who can contribute as a two-down player, then Mike Neal is a good option for depth. He can play both outside linebacker positions in a 3-4 front. He's logged 19 sacks in his six seasons with Green Bay, with 18 coming in the last four years. He should be considered a rotational player capable of cleaning up what others create.

Tahir Whitehead, OLB, Detroit Lions

A potential diamond in the rough is linebacker Tahir Whitehead from the Detroit Lions. The 25-year-old has experience as middle and strong-side linebacker in the last two seasons. As a former fifth-round pick, Whitehead should be eyeing security and guaranteed money moving forward. He’d be a solid, high-upside pickup.

Inside Linebackers

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Zach Brown, LB, Tennessee Titans

A former second-round pick with the Tennessee Titans, 26-year-old linebacker Zach Brown is now in position to find a full-time position elsewhere. He was a high-variance player in Tennessee and was replaced by two others before the end of his tenure. He hasn’t logged starter snaps since 2013, but 3-4 teams should be interested in giving him a chance.

James Laurinaitis, LB, Los Angeles Rams

An accomplished linebacker from his tenure with the Los Angeles Rams, James Laurinaitis accumulated 852 total tackles in his seven years with the team. The middle linebacker lacks athleticism and has been reduced to a two-down player, which is a tough sell in the current NFL landscape. He can bring value to 4-3 defenses that need a veteran backup or low-end starter.

Stephen Tulloch, LB, Detroit Lions

Stephen Tulloch was a longtime Detroit Lions linebacker who was released after struggling with injuries. He tore his ACL in 2015 and turned 31 years old, so it was simply time to move on. But Tulloch was a talented three-down player just two years ago. He should receive one-year offers as he looks to re-establish himself in the league.

Cornerbacks

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Prince Amukamara, CB, New York Giants

While the New York Giants committed $29 million guaranteed to Janoris Jenkins, per NBC Sports, they’re letting a talented player in Prince Amukamara go elsewhere. The 6’0”, 207-pound 26-year-old is a terrific athlete and man-to-man corner. He’s struggled to stay on the field, though, as he’s missed at least six games in each of the last two years. He’s started just 16 games once in five seasons. He’d be an excellent candidate to receive a short-term prove-it deal.

Casey Hayward, CB, Green Bay Packers

The market has been surprisingly quiet for cornerback Casey Hayward. The former Green Bay Packers corner has experience as both a slot and boundary player in both man and zone schemes. He should appeal to a variety of teams as he’s just 26 years old. Once Smith’s future is decided, we may see more action on Hayward.

Patrick Robinson, CB, San Diego Chargers

Coming off a one-year prove-it deal, San Diego Chargers cornerback Patrick Robinson is looking to find a long-term contract. The 28-year old would bring speed and good size to a secondary that utilizes off-man and zone concepts. According to Josina Anderson of ESPN, he's received interest from New York Giants, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears. 

Safeties

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Reggie Nelson, FS, Cincinnati Bengals

At 32 years old, Reggie Nelson has clearly lost a step in his game. He was once known for his blistering speed and ability to play single-high safety, but the Cincinnati Bengals now ease pressure off their old secondary by playing a lot of Cover 2. Nelson still has value for this scheme, though. He’s a leader in the secondary and can be a viable short-term option.

Walter Thurmond III, SS, Philadelphia Eagles

A pleasant surprise in 2015 was Walter Thurmond III’s transition from slot cornerback to strong safety. His physical play style was key for the move to work. He responded with a 71-tackle season with three interceptions on top of that. He should be viewed as the top strong safety on the market right now. He’s only 28 and is capable of providing man coverage, as well as run support.

Eric Weddle, FS, San Diego Chargers

The best safety still on the board is 31-year-old Eric Weddle. Not only has he been a tough and durable player throughout his career, but he’s athletic and instinctive. The former second-round pick played through a groin injury that landed him on injured reserve. His statistics were limited last year from the injury. But he offers rare single-high capability and should be highly sought after from playoff contenders.

All stats used are from Pro-Football-Reference.com.

Ian Wharton is an NFL Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.

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