The NFL free agency period is on the way. Starting on March 11 it will be no holds barred when going after these athletes. There is a chance that some of these players get re-signed to the team that they are currently on but today we will look at what other NFL teams will prosper the most for their services. The top 20 free agents look like this:
20. Tight End Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints
If Graham fails to make a deal with the Saints, he will be no doubt the most sought after free agent in the market. The tight end you have on your team now just became irrelevant. Graham will make a huge impact on any team and those good teams without a special tight end will do everything they can to sign him. If Graham makes it to free agency, look for talented teams with cap space to take a shot at him like the Green Bay Packers. Aaron Rodgers would have a field day with a big tight end like Graham and make the Packers offense even more scary.
19. Running Back Andre Brown, New York Giants
Brown had a decent finish with the Giants last season so teams will most likely be after him for a backup position. The Houston Texans just lost Ben Tate to free agency so they will be looking for a replacement to back up starter Arian Foster. Brown would supply good speed and the ability to catch passes on the screen or underneath for whomever the quarterback will be next season.
18. Linebacker Jason Worilds, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Packers were killed with injuries to their linebacking core last season. This showed the lack of depth the Packers have at the position and Worilds would provide an excellent option in case injuries infect the Packers again next year. He is a solid option at the linebacker position and a much cheaper option than other sought after linebackers in free agency.
17. Cornerback Aqib Talib, New England Patriots
The Lions constantly have issues at the cornerback position. They draft and sign players and it never seems to pan out the way they want. Talib is coming off a pretty successful season and proved he can shut down some of the top receivers in the game. He is one of the better corners in free agency and the Lions could definitely use his services.
16. Safety T.J. Ward, Cleveland Browns
There was plenty of poor safety play this past season for the Bears. They led the league in missed tackles which allowed teams to rack up points on offense. Luckily Ward was top three in tackles for safeties and that is exactly what the Bears need. Look for them to address this problem in free agency and that can most likely be with Ward.
15. Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Denver Broncos
Cromartie had an excellent season with the Broncos and possibly revived his career. Unfortunately he claims he is on the verge of retirement and may not be available to the Broncos or any team for that matter. The Broncos need some desperate help in their secondary and Cromartie would be a big help if he re-signed. Hopefully the Broncos can convince him to stick around for another year.
14. Linebacker Brian Orakpo, Washington Redskins
It may cost an arm and a leg to get Orakpo on your team but it will be worth it because we know what he can do. The Eagles need an outside rusher and he can supply that right away with the 10 sacks he had last season. The Eagles also need an upgrade in their secondary but the pass rush needs to be addressed first.
13. Quarterback Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles
Vick claims he still has some left in the tank to be a starter in the NFL but that is up to the owners and general managers to decide. One of the most realistic teams I can see taking a shot at Vick is the Raiders. There are plenty of questions at that position and it is possible that the Raiders take a quarterback in the draft. If the Raiders want to explore other options in the draft then Vick would have a good home in Oakland.
12. Running Back Ben Tate, Houson Texans
There are plenty of places for the Giants to upgrade and the running back position is one of them. Tate has proved he can start in the NFL and New York would be a great place to get started. A serious neck injury has put David Wilson in jeopardy for the starting position so the Giants going after Tate wouldn’t be a surprise at all.
11. Running Back Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Raiders have tons of money to spend this offseason. I’m sure they want the get younger at the running back position but you most likely will not find that in free agency. Jones-Drew is coming off of a great season compared to his 2012 campaign and would be able to help out a lot in this new offense. There are other options but it just seems right for the Raiders to make this signing.
10. Safety Jairus Byrd, Buffalo Bills
Byrd is one of the top safeties in the league and it will take top dollar to get him. The Redskins have plenty of spending money to make a big signing like this. It would be a huge upgrade to their secondary that was just abysmal last season. Byrd is ready to move out of Buffalo and Washington would be a great fit as a replacement.
9. Cornerback Alterraun Verner, Tennessee Titans
Verner has placed himself as one of the top corners in the league and now he will test the free agent market. The 49ers are in need of some corner help to solidify that hard-nosed defense. It will cost a pretty penny to get Verner on the team but with some creative moves by the front office, it could definetly happen.
8. Linebacker Karlos Dansby, Arizona Cardinals
Dansby had an outstanding last season in Arizona. Ken Whisenhunt spent a few years coaching him when he was the head coach in Arizona. Now that Dansby is a free agent, it would make sense for Whisenhunt to bring him to the Titans. They need some linebacker help and with Whisenhunt running the show on defense, Dansby would be a big improvement and make an easier transition for the defense.
7. Wide Receiver James Jones, Green Bay Packers
Jones had an average season after having an outstanding season the year before. This depreciates his value just a bit so many teams would be able to sign him. One team that comes to mind is the New York Jets. Geno Smith had no help from his receiving core in his rookie season so there will be plenty of reason for the Jets to sign some better receivers to help him out. Jones would make a good fit to the offense and help make the young quarterback look just a smidgen better.
6. Wide Receiver Anquan Boldin, San Fransico 49ers
Yes Boldin is getting up there with age but he has proven he is among the elite in the receiving category. The Chiefs want to get younger in the receiving core but Boldin plays like he’s 28. Alex Smith needs more options to throw to and if the Chiefs sign Boldin, it would make them a much more versatile offense.
5. Wide Receiver Julian Edelman, New England Patriots
Edelman is a great underneath and slot receiver. When the Patriots were ridden with injuries to their receiving core, Edelman played a big role for Tom Brady. The Ravens have a pretty weak offense which played into them not making the playoffs last season. Edelman could give Joe Flacco and the Ravens offense some new ways to move the ball down field.
4. Running Back Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders
The Jaguars just lost Jones-Drew to free agency so now they are in the hunt for a new running back. I’m sure that McFadden would like to play for a team that is bound to make the playoffs instead of being on a team at the bottom of the barrel again but the Jaguars have the money to spend and he will go where the money is. The Jaguars are rebuilding practically their whole team and McFadden would be a solid addition.
3. Wide Receiver Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants
Nicks had a poor season with the Giants and failed to reach the end zone all year. Now that he is testing free agency, he wants to find a team that will utilize his talents much more. The Carolina Panthers are a team on the brink of becoming an NFC favorite and need just a couple pieces to help the team move further in the playoffs. A receiver like Nicks would be very beneficial to quarterback Cam Newton. The Panthers offense needs to be upgraded to score more points and when that happens, this team will be among the elite.
2. Wide Receiver Eric Decker, Denver Broncos
Decker will probably be the most sought after receiver in free agency. He had a breakout year with the Broncos and is on the verge of signing a big deal with a team that can afford him. The Vikings are very weak on offense and are looking for some new receivers. Decker could be a great fit in Minnesota as long as they find the right quarterback to throw to him as well.
1. Running Back Knowshon Moreno, Denver Broncos
Moreno is another player who had a breakout season with the Broncos. Unfortunately they cannot afford to keep these players so Moreno will have to move on, especially with Montee Ball coming up the ranks. The Browns have tons of money to spend on free agents and Moreno could benefit greatly from it. The Browns are in need of a running back and Moreno would fit the bill perfectly. Now all they need is a quarterback.
Other Notable Free Agents
Cornerback Brent Grimes, Miami Dolphins
Cornerback Charles Tillman, Chicago Bears
Wide Receiver Golden Tate, Seattle Seahawks
Running Back Donald Brown, Indianapolis Colts
Wide Receiver Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles
Running Back LeGarrette Blount, New England Patriots
Linebacker Shaun Phillips, Denver Broncos
Cornerback Vontae Davis, Indianapolis Colts