Top 100 Free Agent List

An overview of our picks for the top 100 NFL free agents

Since I have been receiving so many questions about free agents I thought it might be fun to put together a top 100 unrestricted free agents list. I ranked the players in order of where I think their APY might land. I didn’t put in estimated values but the cutoff for the bottom of the list is around $3.5 million. I am sure there are a few names I simply missed here and there so feel free to ask about any players and Ill try to answer in the comments. Remember these are just one persons opinion to give a general overview of free agency. Clicking on the table headers should allow you to sort by team, position, age, etc…

Rank	Name	Position	Team	Age	Snaps	Notes
1	Kirk Cousins	QB	Redskins	30	1012	Biggest name QB to hit free agency since Peyton Manning in 2012. Could challenge for $30 million a year if market breaks right.
2	Drew Brees	QB	Saints	39	1034	Veteran QB still plays at a high level. Likely to stay in New Orleans with a deal signed right before start of free agency
3	Demarcus Lawrence	DE	Cowboys	26	704	14.5 sack season makes him a lock for the franchise tag. Would make a massive payday if he goes to market.
4	Case Keenum	QB	Vikings	30	1016	Right place, right time for Keenum last year. When a QB hits like that they generally get a good payday. Transition tag could be in play, though likely too expensive.
5	Ziggy Ansah	DE	Lions	29	516	Ultra talented player but injuries are a concern. Hard to see a number 5 pick off a 12 sack year not getting close to $15M no matter what negatives exist.
6	LeVeon Bell	RB	Steelers	26	945	Most used running back in the league will likely get tagged again and earn close to $15 million in the process.
7	Jarvis Landry	WR	Dolphins	26	932	Market dynamics for receivers changed again this year and Landry should benefit. Only once in the last 5 years have the top receivers not gotten massive free agent paydays
8	Nate Solder	LT	Patriots	30	1116	Left tackles are like QBs when it comes to the payscale. None are available so those who are get paid near the top.
9	Andrew Norwell	G	Panthers	27	1079	Will see the new high water mark for guards. Hottest free agent position the last two years and Norwell upped his stock significantly this year.
10	Trumaine Johnson	CB	Rams	28	938	Versatile corner is probably the only player more teams than not think could be a top cover corner. Generally such players hit double digit APYs.
11	Justin Pugh	G	Giants	28	435	Positional need and versatility make Pugh a good bet to reach the $10 million mark despite nagging injuries.
12	Allen Robinson	WR	Jaguars	25	3	Best receiver available but coming off injury has me concerned about the kind of offers that will come in. Could be tagged, but I could see logic in taking 1 year deal with a contending team with a good QB.
13	Malcolm Butler	CB	Patriots	28	1040	Stock took a big hit this year but he should still do well in free agency since most corners do pretty well.
14	Sheldon Richardson	DT	Seahawks	28	655	Cant see teams risking a long term contract with Richardson, but he is too talented for a team to pass up on a one year contract. Last year this position saw multiple players take deals like this.
15	Sammy Watkins	WR	Rams	25	778	Wouldn’t surprise me for Watkins to earn $11 million a year from the Rams or be lucky to find $7 million elsewhere. Inconsistent but very young and has a high pedigree.
16	LaMarcus Joyer	S	Rams	28	688	Stood out in his walk year and is pretty versatile in coverage. Those players in recent years have scored big contracts in free agency.
17	Prince Amukamara	CB	Bears	29	848	Solid corner that has taken one year contracts since leaving the Giants. Probably time to take a 3 or 4 year deal for over $8 million a season.
18	Dontari Poe	DT	Falcons	28	742	Good player but injury issues and inability to pressure the QB will likely keep him out from making the kind of money the better interior d-line players make.
19	Sam Bradford	QB	Vikings	31	91	A pure gamble given that a strong gust of wind might break him. Not sure any free agent lost more money this year than Bradford.
20	Jimmy Graham	TE	Seahawks	32	730	Aging tight ends best days are behind him, but he is a solid red zone threat and has to be respected in passing game. Doubtful he matches his old contract but $8 million isnt a reach considering his name.
21	Kyle Fuller	CB	Bears	26	1015	Too many questionable years for teams to gamble on a big contract. Would expect a moderate one year contract knowing big money awaits next year.
22	Eric Reid	S	49ers	27	740	Versatile player that can do a lot on the field but has been a bit lost in the 49ers shuffle the last few years. Team could get a big bargain here if in the $8M range.
23	Star Lotulelei	DT	Panthers	29	590	Solid defensive tackle will get a lot of looks from teams looking for an affordable player that can play both run and pass.
24	AJ McCarron	QB	Bengals	28	26	Somehow I have a feeling his stock increased by never playing and the Browns almost making a ridiculous trade for him. Still hard to see him breaking the bank in a crowded field of options this year.
25	Kenny Vaccaro	S	Saints	27	618	Salary may be based more on where he was drafted and potential than anything done on the field. Still upside gets players paid in free agency.
26	Morgan Burnett	S	Packers	29	728	Should gain interest as a second safety similar to the crop of players who all got contracts in the $7 million range last season
27	Tre Boston	S	Chargers	26	1041	Plays pretty much every down and doesn’t make many blatant mistakes. Doesn’t have the kind of upside other might.
28	Brent Grimes	CB	Buccaneers	35	781	Part of me wants to say his age should put him down in the $3 million range, but hes been good enough to probably hold out and wait for something close to the $6.5M he earned last season.
29	Jay Cutler	QB	Dolphins	35	764	If Cutler had a better attitude hed be locked in somewhere at close to $20 million a year. Since he doesn’t I guess the question is will he play for $7 million in 2018?
30	Bennie Logan	DT	Chiefs	29	574	One year gamble didn’t hurt or help him. Probably lands on a 43 team looking for a situational player.
31	Isaiah Crowell	RB	Browns	25	536	Consistent year to year and some teams may see more upside since he put up all his numbers on the worst team in the NFL. Can he break the $6m barrier?
32	Teddy Bridgewater	QB	Vikings	26	9	Another enigma because of injury, but a 1st round guy who certainly didn’t bust should be worth between $6 and $7 million for a year or two. Could be a steal if healthy.
33	Josh McCown	QB	Jets	39	819	McCown had best year of his career before his annual injury cut it short. Still its hard to see his stock improving any from last year given age.
34	Trey Burton	TE	Eagles	27	300	High upside tight end should get more action than Graham though not as much money. Should top $6M and $7m is a possibility given the way teams pay for tight ends.
35	Paul Richardson	WR	Seahawks	26	816	Should have established himself in the lower second tier of receivers. Intriguing because of down field ability and chance to thrive in a different style offense.
36	TJ Carrie	CB	Raiders	28	1024	Should get the top slot money this year unless teams see him playing the outside. If he sticks with Raiders his money could go up based on how they paid others.
37	Marqise Lee	WR	Jaguars	27	738	Decent second target on a team with a top level 1 to draw defenses. Likely doesn’t have the big play upside to see stock rise despite lack of top options this year.
38	EJ Gaines	CB	Bills	26	654	Had a good year in Buffalo and should have no problems earning similar to the $6-$6.5M contracts the decent slot guys have received in recent years.
39	Bashaud Breeland	CB	Redskins	26	856	Has the physical tools to score a big contract and it would not stun me is someone reached big for him, but more likely he’ll earn a mid/lower level 2nd corner contract.
40	Aaron Colvin	CB	Jaguars	27	705	Everything about Gaines pretty much applies here.
41	NaVorro Bowman	LB	Raiders	30	999	Often injured and doesn’t play a position that typically gets paid big, but he plays big enough when healthy to top the $6 million a year mark.
42	Nigel Bradham	LB	Eagles	29	923	Had a great year for the Eagles and was in almost every play, but position rarely gets paid big in free agency. Maybe he will be the exception.
43	Adrian Clayborn	DE	Falcons	30	533	Most of his top line production all came in one game so his overall numbers will be discounted because of that. Still a solid veteran that can rush the passer should get a decent raise over his current $4.25M per year deal.
44	Morris Claiborne	CB	Jets	28	921	Had a solid year with the Jets but had to be near top of the NFL in defensive holding calls. Affordable second corner but teams wont look for upside.
45	Carlos Hyde	RB	49ers	27	786	Shown that he can play in all phases of the game over last two seasons and three down players will break $5 million.
46	Weston Richburg	C	Giants	27	239	The best available center, though season ending on IR with a concussion could scare some teams off.
47	Ryan Jensen	C	Ravens	27	1086	Had a good season in his walk year and overall effort week in and out will make him a solid 2nd tier center.
48	Byron Maxwell	CB	Seahawks	30	584	Play looked worse because of his contract but veteran players like Maxwell can usually find in the mid $5 million range.
49	Denico Autry	DT	Raiders	28	592	Productive pass rusher. If teams think he can start and be more consistent could be worth more.
50	Austin Seferian Jenkins	TE	Jets	26	655	Expect ASJ to get paid based on narrow salary band at position and his draft status.
51	Kyle Williams	DT	Bills	34	758	Veteran DT should be able to score a nice two year contract in Buffalo or elsewhere.
52	Mike Wallace	WR	Ravens	32	714	Wallace is still productive as a secondary target and is a known quantity. He should be able to be in the $5 million range again on a short term deal.
53	Josh Kline	G	Titans	29	1023	Not a difference maker, but a solid professional that can solidify the guard position.
54	Kony Ealy	Edge	Jets	27	452	Enigma player. Has ability to be one of best bargains in the NFL if he develops or wasted cap space if he doesn’t.
55	Paul Posluszny	LB	Jaguars	34	481	Aging linebacker should earn close to what he did last season, likely with the Jaguars.
56	Chris Hubbard	RT	Steelers	27	781	Made the most of opportunity last season and should have a chance to earn a low end starting contract for a right tackle.
57	Dion Lewis	RB	Patriots	28	404	Solid run at the end of the season to improve his stock. If teams think he can catch he should find a nice market.
58	Patrick Robinson	CB	Eagles	31	710	Really good season for the Eagles, but at 31 and an up and down career the ceiling is pretty limited.
59	Trent Murphy	Edge	Redskins	28	0	Spent the year on IR and was also suspended. Lost a chance to cash in because of that but should get 3rd tier rusher money with incentives to increase.
60	John Brown	WR	Cardinals	28	898	Ultimate boom or bust type. Numbers down the last two seasons but could find that 1,000 yard form with new setting. Could see him earning more if teams get hot for him.
61	Ross Cockrell	CB	Giants	27	681	Should add solid depth to a secondary. Has started the last two years more often than not, but ultimate role will probably be as an extra DB.
62	DaQuan Jones	DE	Titans	27	437	Fills the role of professional lineman on a team with talent. Paired with right personnel could surprise.
63	Jordan Matthews	WR	Bills	26	509	2017 was a lost year. If teams discount the season expect him to earn in the $6-7M range, but if they don’t hell stick here in the $4.5M range.
64	Avery Williamson	LB	Titans	26	654	Jack of all trades linebacker, but unless you standout its hard to breakout in free agency as a linebacker.
65	Jack Mewhort	G	Colts	27	313	Solid player that could hit the $6 million range, but injuries have derailed him and he didn’t stand out enough when not injured. Could be a 1 year deal.
66	Tahir Whitehead	LB	Lions	28	950	On the field nearly every down and a pretty sure tackler. Id imagine a new contract very similar to last extension at $4 million.
67	Alex Okafor	Edge	Saints	27	486	Was on track to potentially have a career year but a late Achilles ended his chances. If teams think he is healthy he should double his salary from last year.
68	Taylor Gabriel	WR	Falcons	27	508	Bit of a niche player that didn’t stand out enough this year to move into the 2nd WR tier, but should be in the 3rd tier of players.
69	Marcus Gilchrist	S	Texans	30	817	Did enough this past season to remove stigma of Jets years and move back into solid veteran money.
70	Zach Brown	LB	Redskins	29	834	Not a lot of interest last year at a big money number and cant see anything this year that will change that.
71	Jerick McKinnon	RB	Vikings	26	528	Good receiever and receiving skills are always sought after and paid for in free agency.
72	Anthony Hitchens	LB	Cowboys	26	547	Flashes at times and that could push his price up a little but should settle in the $4 to $5 million range.
73	Zach Fulton	G/C	Chiefs	27	794	Utility interior lineman that should be an affordable part of a good line.
74	Justin Ellis	DT	Raiders	28	462	This the price range for most interior players who can log 40% playtime.
75	Demario Davis	LB	Jets	29	1118	Good season in his return to the Jets, but its hard to picture any more interest than when he was a free agent a few years back.
76	Antonio Gates	TE	Chargers	38	500	Nearing the end of his career but can still fill a role for a team if he doesn’t call it quits.
77	Julius Peppers	Edge	Panthers	38	500	Can still dominate in the pass rush and is worth more, but he signed in this range last year and given his age expect it to be the same.
78	Todd Davis	LB	Broncos	26	522	Good run defender in the Broncos defense. Probably doesn’t do enough other things to have big value elsewhere.
79	Albert Wilson	WR	Chiefs	26	538	Had a big standout game at the end of the season, but overall has been too inconsistent to earn more than 3/4 money.
80	Tyler Eifert	TE	Bengals	28	104	$8 million talent in an $8 body. Hasn’t been able to hold up to NFL grind and its only his talent level that will have a team take a risk for more than the minimum.
81	Rashaan Melvin	CB	Colts	29	552	Had best season of his career, but only 10 games and has already bounced around the NFL.
82	Spencer Long	C	Redskins	28	394	Injury kept him from enhancing status but he should be able to break out from the $3M and under players.
83	Nickell Robey-Coleman	CB	Rams	26	658	Decent 3rd or 4th corner whose salary is probably a bit compromised based on prior contracts.
84	Connor Barwin	Edge	Rams	32	659	Since this is not a big year for free agent rushers expect Barwin to sign a similar one year contract for a team needing a steady presence.
85	Kareem Martin	Edge	Cardinals	26	458	Intriguing prospect is only 26 and could find a team to gamble in the $3M tier for a season.
86	Beau Allen	DT	Eagles	27	422	Didn’t have the kind of year he needed to make a free agent splash, but he still plays a role that is valuable around the league.
87	William Hayes	Edge	Dolphins	33	274	Struggled in Miami but probably has enough name value to get a one year deal in the $3 million tier but with a low guarantee.
88	Barkevious Mingo	Edge	Colts	28	501	Mingo is pretty much settled into this group now as a part time jack of all trades but with a very limited upside.
89	Dontrelle Inman	WR	Bears	29	457	I could see him moving up a tier but nothing stands out enough for me to really justify it.
90	Terrelle Pryor	WR	Redskins	29	378	Awful season and his expectations are going to be terribly low this year as he takes another one year contract to try to salvage his career.
91	Ryan Fitzpatrick	QB	Buccaneers	36	299	Probably the top rated backup available.
92	Bradley McDougald	S	Seahawks	28	681	Think he is worth more than this but something turned teams off last season and has that really changed?
93	Tramon Williams	CB	Cardinals	35	670	Veteran had a good season last year which should set him up for a 3rd corner kind of contract.
94	Haloti Ngata	DT	Lions	34	145	No idea if Ngata wants to keep playing for a low price but expect a $3 millionish base value with incentives based on playtim.
95	Jaron Brown	WR	Cardinals	28	415	May draw more interest than this based on skillset but hard to picture a team really going in too deep.
96	Kendall Wright	WR	Bears	29	580	Should find a home as a third target on a team with a bad or young group of receivers.
97	Erik Walden	Edge	Titans	33	581	Veteran that can still rush the passer a bit should find a home on a pass rush needed team.
98	Terrence Newman	CB	Vikings	40	560	Ageless player seemingly signs almost the same contract every season.
99	Brandon Fusco	G	49ers	30	1088	End of stay with the Vikings probably damaged him too much but should be a cheaper option to plug in on a good line and he wont hurt you.
100	Ryan Grant	WR	Redskins	28	616	Does just enough to have a role for a team but not enough for a team to overreach on him.

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Jason Fitzgerald

Tags: NFL Free Agents

6 years ago

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