With the Franchise Tag Deadline behind, we can now look forward to the free agency frenzy which opens up on March 7th. Here are the Top 15 players that will be available when the market opens up and some potential landing spots become available.
1.Alshon Jeffery, WR, Chi
Jeffery has had troubles with injuries throughout his career but when he’s on the field, Jeffery is a true number 1 receiver. At age 27, Jeffery is still in his prime and will command big bucks on the open market
Potential Landing Spots: LA Rams, SF, TEN, PHI
- Dont’a Hightower, NE, ILB
I’m personally surprised to see Hightower hit the open market, but now that he is, the 27 year old linebacker will he one of the best players on the market. Hightower is a great leader, he has a great football IQ, and is extremely athletic.
Potential Landing Spots: IND, KC, LA Chargers
- Calais Campbell, ARZ, DE
Calais Campbell is physically an absolute beast. At 6 foot-8, 300 pounds, Campbell has been one of the best 3-4 defensive ends in the league. He will cash in this year and may be the 30-year-old’s last contract.
Potential Landing Spots: OAK, TEN, BAL
- Kevin Zeitler, CIN, OG
Zeitler is a great all around guard. According to Pro Football Focus, he has been ranked one of the best offensive linemen over the past few seasons. He is at the ripe age of 26 and is in his prime. Teams will look to cash in and get the tremendous lineman.
Potential Landing Spots: SEA, LA Chargers, GB
5.TJ Lang, GB, OG
Lang has been one of the best linemen on the Packers O-Line, but may look to move on and cash in somewhere else. Lang and Zeitler are very similar production wise, but Lang is one year older so I have him one spot below Zeitler. I expect to see these two to get similar deals.
Potential Landing Spots: CLE, DET, JAX
- Brandon Williams, BAL, DT
While not being a great pass rusher, Williams is the best run stuffer available. He was one of the main reasons why Baltimore had one of the best rush defenses in the NFL last season.
Potential Landing Spots: MIA, SF, WAS
- Stephon Gilmore, BUF, CB
Gilmore is coming off a bit of a down year, but his resume before this season will show you that he is still a great corner. Gilmore will look to bounce back next year, potentially in a different uniform.
Potential Landing Spots: NE, DET, GB, PHI
- AJ Boye, HOU, CB
Boye has had almost the exact opposite career as Gilmore did. After not doing much in his first 3 seasons, Boye emerged as a shutdown corner on the Texans. Is Boye a true shutdown corner or just another one year wonder?
Potential Landing Spots: GB, BUF, CLE, PHI
- Tony Jefferson, ARZ, S
Jefferson emerged as a great tackling safety with the Cardinals. Jefferson’s stats have only improved since his rookie year and at age 25, Jefferson still has upside.
Potential Landing Spots: BAL, OAK, LA Chargers
- Adrian Peterson, MIN, HB
Peterson is coming off another injury-filled season and the Vikings decided it was not worth paying the veteran 18 million this year. The future Hall of Famer is now expected to hit the open market. Peterson is a risk as he’s now 30 and is coming off another serious knee injury but if AD comes back strong, he can potentially be the most important free agent signing this year.
Potential Landing Spot: NYG, TB, OAK, HOU, DAL
- Andrew Whitworth, CIN, OT
Whitworth isn’t a long term fix at left tackle, but the veteran at age 35 can still help a contender reach the next level. We’ve yet to see Whitworth’s production dwindle so he will still be a hot commodity on the open market.
Potential Landing Spots: SEA, CLE, IND
- Terrelle Pryor, CLE, WR
Pryor is a great story. He started as a quarterback with the Oakland Raiders but converted to a receiver with Cleveland. This year Pryor had a big year in Cleveland with over 1,000 receiving yards and will look the cash in on his incredible spike in production.
Potential Landing Spots: NE, CIN, TEN
- Johnathan Hankins, NYG, DT
Hankins was a big part to the Giants success on defense last year. While not being a great pass rusher, he’s a fantastic run stopped and will still have a lot of value going into the off season.
Potential Landing Spots: WAS, SF, KC
- DeSean Jackson, WAS, WR
Jackson’s coming to the end of his prime years but is still a big play maker. The veteran at age 30 can still stretch the field and any team would love to have a player like Jackson.
Potential Landing Spots: PHI, LA Rams, TEN, CAR
15. Dontari Poe, KC, DT
Once again there’s another great run stuffer on my list and Poe is a great one. At age 26 Poe is in his prime and can do damage filling up run gaps on game day.
Potential Landing Spots: BAL, WAS, SF
