NFL Free Agency 2016: Riskiest Players Left on the Market

A certain level of risk exists for every player left in NFL free agency. 

While those remaining on the open market aren't likely to command big dollars, there's a reason why players are still without teams as April approaches. Age, injuries and off-the-field issues all contribute to keeping players on the open market. 

In the following slides, we will look at the five riskiest players left in free agency. These players will have the aforementioned issues listed above—age, injury or off-the-field red flags—working against them. 

DE Greg Hardy

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Destructive off the field and occasionally toxic on it, Hardy possesses as many red flags as any free agent left on the market. But there's a reason why he hasn't yet become an afterthought around the league. 

Still only 27 years old, Hardy is a talented, productive pass-rusher in the middle of his prime. Players with his ability—especially in terms of disrupting the quarterback—typically get second, third and fourth chances in the NFL, where talent often trumps any morality factors. 

Then again, it's also telling that the Dallas Cowboys—a team in obvious need of pass-rushers—have been comfortable letting Hardy go this offseason. Despite a league-wide desire to get better at attacking the quarterback, Hardy hasn't received any reported interest on the open market. 

At some point, the risks outweigh the reward. Hardy might have finally shifted the scale against himself. 

OLB Aldon Smith

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Once the NFL's next great pass-rusher, Smith is now one more mistake away from throwing his promising career away. He'll start the 2016 season on the suspended list, where he'll stay until at least November after the NFL slapped him with a one-year ban to end 2015. 

Still, expect a team to give him an opportunity. Pass-rushers with his ability and productivity don't just fade into the sunset. 

Smith, 26, began his NFL career with 33.5 sacks over his first 32 games, while also becoming the fastest player in league history to 30 sacks (27 games). His numbers dipped severely over the last two seasons (5.5 sacks over 16 games), but his length and agility on the edge will ensure he's still a feared pass-rusher when he returns. 

However, a number of compounding off-the-field incidents have pushed his NFL career to the brink. One more mishap and Smith might never play another down, making him one of the riskiest free agents in recent memory. 

RB Arian Foster

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Arian Foster is a four-time Pro Bowler and the Houston Texans' all-time leader in rushing yards and touchdowns. 

He's also going on 30 years old and coming off one of the most devastating injuries a running back can face. 

Weighing his past production against last season's torn Achilles tendon, there now seems to be just as good a chance that Foster will play well in 2016 as there is he'll flame out of the league with nothing left in the tank. 

He'll have time this summer to get healthy and find the right fit. And if he returns at close to 100 percent, Foster could provide a team with a versatile and talented running back at a discount price. 

Then again, he's missed 23 games over the last three seasons, and injuries don't become easier to avoid as running backs hit the age-30 mark. Time will tell if last year's Achilles rupture sapped any of his explosiveness as a runner. 

Foster is a game-breaking talent when on the field. But he's also one of the game's biggest injury risks entering the 2016 season. 

WR Percy Harvin

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According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Harvin is "definitely" playing in 2016, and he has offers on the table from a number of teams. 

Prepare for the good and the bad. 

Harvin produced 218 receiving yards—plus 31 rushing yards and 108 return yards—over just five games with the Buffalo Bills last season. He's still one of the NFL's most dynamic and versatile playmakers when on the field.

But staying on the field has been a major issue. He landed on injured reserve and missed 11 games after a strong start in 2015, continuing his career arc. He's missed 36 total games since 2012, including at least eight in all four seasons. 

Harvin will tease with his unique versatility and production, but few players can be trusted less to avoid injury. 

QB Ryan Fitzpatrick

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The short supply of proven NFL quarterbacks will make Ryan Fitzpatrick one of the bigger gambles of the 2016 season. 

Yes, Fitzpatrick threw 31 touchdown passes last season. Yes, he jelled with offensive coordinator Chan Gailey and helped the New York Jets win 10 games. 

However, he's also turning 34 in November, and his career—which features six different teams and an 80.8 passer rating—doesn't exactly scream franchise quarterback. Even during his breakout season in 2015, Fitzpatrick ranked 29th in completion percentage (59.6) and 24th in passer rating (88). 

He is almost certainly one of the best 32 quarterbacks in the NFL right now. But how high is that bar? And how much will it cost to acquire him (or in New York's case, keep him)? Slice it any way you like, but paying big money to a journeyman quarterback is a risk.