NFL Free Agents 2016: Best Fits for Top 10 Remaining Players

When the free-agent frenzy dies down, it's not just the frequency of player signings that slow down—contract negotiations slow to a crawl, it seems, as teams begin to pinch pennies and vacancies become rarer.

The top remaining players have seemingly been on the market forever, some of whom should have been signed or re-signed by now. But they will, sooner or later, and we've got their best fits pegged.

Let's take a look at some of the top free agents left and which teams would suit them best, based on team need and scheme.

10. Robert Griffin III, Quarterback

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Robert Griffin III and the Cleveland Browns are doing the intricate dance of death in free agency right now, circling each other in a tightening spiral that could lead to a deal.

The former Rookie of the Year would certainly have a starting gig in Cleveland, where he reportedly met with Browns brass last week according to Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot.

But are the Browns the best fit?

If there is any team that could rival his old one's dysfunction, it's the Browns. Cleveland chews quarterbacks up and spits them out, though much of that has to do with poor decision-making in the front office. 

So who should Griffin sign with?

How about a team with a great surrounding cast and a now-proven head coach? A team that is the opposite of dysfunctional by way of being defending champions? 

The Denver Broncos might be taking a half-step backwards in free agency because of high-priced defections, but they are still a well-run organization with an ostensibly great defense and another shot at a title. They traded for Mark Sanchez, but they could use a little competition, at the very least.

A healthy, confident Griffin would be a great fit in that run-heavy offense with a quality offensive line and great pass-catchers. 

Best Fit: Denver Broncos

9. Rueben Randle, Wide Receiver

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Rueben Randle had all the opportunity in the world to shine with the Giants since New York drafted him. He couldn't make much of it during his tenure there, though, not even when he was the clear No. 2 receiver playing across from attention-hogging Odell Beckham Jr.

The fifth-year wideout caught eight touchdowns last season, but he only amassed 57 receptions for 797 yards on 90 targets. Those numbers were down from the previous season, when he looked like he might be on the cusp of realizing his potential.

Randle is a big, talented receiver who has been maddeningly inconsistent in the NFL, so it's not a big surprise he hasn't signed with a team yet. But his time is coming, and the right situation could turn him into a star.

The Los Angeles Rams aren't likely that situation, but that's the only team with which Randle has met thus far, per Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News.

What if Randle landed in New Orleans? The Saints released long-time No. 1 Marques Colston before free agency, and Randle could be an excellent replacement if quarterback Drew Brees helps him realize his potential.

New Orleans is down to Brandin Cooks and a bunch of lottery tickets at receiver. Randle would probably be another lottery ticket, but he would be an affordable one with four years of experience.

Best Fit: New Orleans Saints

8. Alfred Morris, Running Back

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There isn't a huge market for a one-dimensional running back these days, which is why Alfred Morris is still hunting for a job.

It has been a steady decline for Morris since he burst onto the scene alongside Robert Griffin III as a rookie in 2012. His fantastic inaugural campaign was the peak of his career to date, though, his worst year coming last season.

Morris is very much a two-down back lacking the proper skill set as a pass-catcher at the NFL level. That limits his market.

Then there is the fact Morris seems to be best-suited to run in a zone-blocking scheme (ZBS) like the one employed in Washington before Jay Gruden and his regime took over last season.

The bad news is there are only a handful of teams that employ the ZBS and even fewer with job openings. The good news is Dallas needs an early down back and happens to employ the ZBS.

That would probably be why Morris visited there last week, per NFL.com's Chris Wesseling—it's his best fit as a free agent. Too bad the Broncos retained C.J. Anderson, otherwise Morris would have been well-suited to play there, too.

Best Fit: Dallas Cowboys

7. Patrick Robinson, Cornerback

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Slot cornerbacks aren't exactly household names, but good ones are vital to defensive success. 

Patrick Robinson had a forgettable stint in New Orleans, where he was drafted. But the last couple of years saw the disappointing corner out of Florida State blossom into a valuable cog in that defense.

He turned in a fine final season with the Saints before a one-year gig with the Chargers, where he continued his solid play last season. He ranked 26th among all cornerbacks according to Pro Football Focus, ahead of the likes of Darrelle Revis and Brent Grimes.

The Chargers still felt like they needed an upgrade, though, so they brought in Casey Hayward from Green Bay. That left Robinson free to sign elsewhere.

In spite of all of the wheeling and dealing, the Miami Dolphins still need a ton of help on the defensive side of the ball. That is especially true in the secondary, where they could use a man of Patrick Robinson's talents at slot cornerback. 

Best Fit: Miami Dolphins

6. Arian Foster, Running Back

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If Arian Foster wasn't a 29-year-old running back coming back from an Achilles injury, he would be ranked much higher on this list. Then again, he probably wouldn't have been cut in the first place, or he would have been signed by now if he was.

Foster is reportedly doing great in his rehab according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Of course, it should be no surprise his own agent would be reassuring potential employers about his client's health.

The Achilles injury is just the latest in a string of maladies for Foster, who has missed 23 games since leading the league with 351 carries in 2012.

Assuming he can get healthy, Foster is a rich man's version of Alfred Morris—that is to say, he is best-suited to play in a zone-blocking scheme (ZBS). His pass-catching ability is a bonus, though, one that makes him more valuable than Morris if he can stay healthy.

Just like with Morris, the Dallas Cowboys happen to need a running back and employ a ZBS. Foster would have the added bonus of shining a few hundred miles up the road from his old team.

Best Fit: Dallas Cowboys

5. Walter Thurmond, Safety

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The Siren song of retirement is calling, and more NFL players are listening each year.

Walter Thurmond is the latest to hear its call, per Geoffrey C. Arnold of OregonLive.com, and he may be on his way out of the free-agent pool as a result. Who could blame him? Thurmond has been injury plagued throughout his career—last season was his first full campaign, having missed 42 games over the previous four years combined.

Thurmond made a great transition to safety from cornerback last season, grading out as the 26th-best safety according to PFF. Considering he was playing a new position, that's not shabby at all.

If he can ignore that call to retire, Thurmond would be a nice addition for many secondaries. He is just 28, his best years theoretically ahead of him. 

The Oakland Raiders have done a great job in free agency, but losing Charles Woodson to retirement will hurt that secondary. Thurmond would have big shoes to fill, but those shoes might fit him best among free agents at safety.

Best Fit: Oakland Raiders

4. Anquan Boldin, Wide Receiver

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The 49ers may as well have had one of those wacky waving inflatable arm-flailing tube men at quarterback last season, yet Anquan Boldin still secured 69 receptions for 789 yards and seven touchdowns.

Still, that was a downturn in production for a player that is theoretically in the twilight of his career. Boldin is 35 years old, quite old by NFL receiver standards. Playing well at this age isn't unprecedented, though, and Boldin could be a huge asset for the right team.

Though the New England Patriots signed Chris Hogan and traded for Martellus Bennett, adding a man of Boldin's caliber—not to mention motivation to win another ring before retiring—could complete an offense that has lacked a solid outside receiver for years.

Best Fit: New England Patriots

3. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Quarterback

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The longer Ryan Fitzpatrick dilly dallies trying to negotiate a larger contract, the worse it'll be for him when he finally does sign.

Fitzpatrick is a journeyman, 33-year-old quarterback with limited upside and one above-average season in his career. Yet he is reportedly seeking $18 million annually, per Brian Costello of the New York Post, a number at which New York has rightfully balked.

The trouble is that Fitzpatrick was legitimately New York's best quarterback in the past eight years, and New York isn't in a good position to upgrade either in the draft or another route in free agency.

These two deserve each other.

Best Fit: New York Jets

2. Nick Fairley, Defensive Tackle

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Nick Fairley was great with the Detroit Lions in spite of off-field issues. Those issues probably tanked his free-agent stock a year ago, when he was forced to sign a one-year deal with the then-St. Louis Rams.

He is back on the market now, though, and his prospects should be better for a multiyear deal. 

That's because Fairley kept his head on straight last season and had a nice campaign in a rotation for the Rams. The five-year veteran graded 26th-overall among interior defensive linemen, according to Pro Football Focus, despite playing fewer snaps than many of his contemporaries.

Fairley is a good pass-rusher from the middle, and he has done well against the run in recent years. He would be a nice fit just about anywhere. He could definitely thrive as a starter, but he showed he could do well as a rotational player last season.

A trip down Route 101 might be the best way to go for Fairley, given Corey Liuget needs help in the middle and the Chargers could use a man of Fairley's talents. They already signed Brandon Mebane, but Fairley could be the starter between the two and a deep defensive line is never a bad thing.

San Diego has more than $13 million left in cap space—not a ton, but not too little—and Fairley's price tag shouldn't be terribly high even if there is more interest than a year ago.

Best Fit: San Diego Chargers

1. Reggie Nelson, Safety

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It's too bad Reggie Nelson didn't have a breakout season until he was nearly 32. 

The nine-year veteran made his first Pro Bowl on the wings of his league-leading eight interceptions last season. He graded among the best at his position according to Pro Football Focus, and he was a key member of a quality Bengals secondary.

Though he is no spring chicken, there is no indication Nelson can't continue being an important member of any secondary for another year or two, if not longer. 

The fact the Bengals haven't offered a big extension isn't a great sign, but they could certainly use him back alongside re-signed George Iloka next season, keeping some continuity on that side of the ball in the process. The question is whether other teams will swoop in and outbid his old team, which spent a lot on Iloka's contract.

Best Fit: Cincinnati Bengals

All cap and contract information courtesy of Overthecap.com.