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There is less than a week to go before NFL free agency begins and it’s been a busy few days around the league.
Players are being released for salary-cap purposes and others are being scooped up by clubs looking to improve their roster. There are also trade talks in the works, although nothing officially happens on that front until March 10.
Here we are taking a look at 15 positions and the biggest name that could become an unrestricted free agent early next week. Here, we won’t be including the five players given the franchise tag: Wide receivers Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas of the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos, respectively, outside linebacker Justin Houston of the Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots placekicker Stephen Gostkowski and New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul.
Another player, tight end Charles Clay of the Miami Dolphins, was given the transition tag.
So here’s yet another preview of what should be an entertaining and busy free-agent period, with an emphasis on the premier player at their position.
All free-agent information and team transactions courtesy of Spotrac, while all current 2015 team depth charts courtesy of Ourlads.
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As has been well stated by many, getting your starting quarterback via free agency these days has not been the path of preference for NFL teams.
In a free-agent class that could include Jake Locker, Christian Ponder, Mark Sanchez and Michael Vick, Brian Hoyer looks like the standout of the group. And that’s despite a late-season slump this past season with the Cleveland Browns that saw him benched in December.
The former undrafted free agent who began his career with the New England Patriots actually threw more interceptions (13) than touchdown passes (12) this past season. And any return to Cleveland this year appears to be squelched following the team’s recent signing of journeyman Josh McCown.
Locker and Ponder, a pair of 2011 first-round picks, either failed to succeed due to injury and/or inconsistency. Vick’s NFL future could be in doubt, at least in a starting role.
You could make a case for Sanchez, who threw for 2,418 yards in a relief role with the Philadelphia Eagles this past season. But those same-old turnover issues that he had with the Jets followed him to Philadelphia. Hence Hoyer gets the slight nod here.
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It appeared that this was inevitable.
The Dallas Cowboys had to decide on which of two of their star players to slap the franchise tag on this week: The NFL’s leading rusher or the league leader with 16 touchdown receptions?
The game of tag went to wide receiver Dez Bryant, which means running back DeMarco Murray could take a better offer from another team sometime soon. However, ESPN’s Ed Werder reported (via Pro Football Talk) that the Cowboys could get Murray back with a reasonable offer.
In 2014, Murray ran for a franchise record 1,845 yards and reached the 100-yard mark in 12 of his 16 appearances. He was the first Cowboys’ player to lead the NFL in rushing since Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith turned the trick in 1995.
There are quite a few other notable running backs about to hit the market in the form of Justin Forsett (Baltimore Ravens), Mark Ingram (New Orleans Saints), Frank Gore (San Francisco 49ers) and Super Bowl champion Shane Vereen (New England Patriots). But this is a no-brainer when it comes to Murray.
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With Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas getting the franchise tag from the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos, respectively, Green Bay Packers wideout Randall Cobb has vaulted to the head of the free-agent wide receiver class.
This past season, the fourth-year pro totaled 91 receptions for 1,287 yards and 12 touchdowns. He’s also an occasional factor on punt returns and also totaled 37 yards rushing on 11 attempts in 2014.
In recent years, we have seen Packers wideouts such as Greg Jennings () and James Jones depart via free agency. But those were players with a little more mileage on their resumes. Cobb will command big money on the open market but does the franchise want to lose a young and talented player after just four seasons?
Some may replace Cobb at the top of this list with Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, whom comes off a huge year. But Cobb’s versatility gives him the edge here.
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Tight end Julius Thomas was off to a record-setting type year before injuries struck in November. The Pro Bowl performer totaled 43 catches for 489 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2014.
But take a closer look at the numbers and you’ll see that Thomas totaled 38 catches and all 12 scores in his first nine outings of the season. His lack of presence during the majority of the stretch no doubt hurt what proved to be a hurt Peyton Manning.
With the Denver Broncos opting to give wide receiver Demaryius Thomas the franchise tag, this Thomas will hit the open market next week unless the team agrees to a deal. That doesn’t seem likely at this stage but it’s certainly not impossible.
Other tight ends that may be in play are Cincinnati’s Jermaine Gresham and Cleveland’s Jordan Cameron. But like Thomas they had problems staying on the field this past season as well.
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Dallas Cowboys right tackle Doug Free missed five games in 2014 and has also played left tackle during his career. He’s made a total of 75 starts over the past five seasons at both positions.
However, we lean towards Green Bay Packers right tackle Bryan Bulaga, who may be just hitting his stride. A big part of the team’s Super Bowl XLV championship run in 2010, the former first-round pick has had his share of injury issues. But after missing all of 2013, the former University of Iowa standout started 15 games this past season and helped the club reach the NFC Championship Game.
The Packers have their share of big-name free agents to re-sign but you would think that Bulaga would be near the top of that list.
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Simply put, it was not a good year for the San Francisco 49ers in many regards.
That includes an offensive line that for numerous reasons played well below its recent standards.
Those struggles include guard Mike Iupati, who has been named to each of the last three Pro Bowls but via Pro Football Focus, did struggle with pass protection this past season. The Niners allowed a whopping 52 sacks in 2014 and Iupati was responsible for seven of those sacks.
Still, the 17th overall pick in 2010 is a road grader and a big reason the San Francisco running game has been so potent in recent seasons.
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It’s not a particularly deep free-agent class when it comes to center.
Here’s what we do know according to Pro Football Focus. Only Nick Mangold (New York Jets) and Travis Frederick (Dallas Cowboys) performed this past season at the position than Kansas City Chiefs’ pivot Rodney Hudson.
A second-round pick in 2011 from Florida State University, Hudson was effective in all aspects of his game and was also one of the best pass-blocking centers in the league. Could he be on the move in an AFC West where you could see all four teams make changes at the position this offseason?
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This is a tricky call.
Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes comes off back-to-back 10-sack seasons while Greg Hardy played one game for the Carolina Panthers this past season before off-the-field issues sidelined him for the rest of 2014.
Hardy was a rising star and part of a sturdy Panthers defense in 2013 that led the team to the first of its back-to-back NFC South titles. In five seasons, he has totaled 34 sacks and saw his production in that department rise every year during his first four years in the league.
Hardy played under the franchise tag in 2014 and totaled one sacks in his lone contest of the season. He was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list last fall due to domestic violence charges.
Courtesy of the Associated Press (and via FoxSports.com), Hardy is scheduled to meet with NFL officials later today (Wednesday, March 4) as he seeks reinstatement from the league. That means we may not have to wait very long to find out when he will be available.
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The biggest news out of the Detroit Lions this past week was what didn’t happen.
The franchise opted not to give four-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh the franchise tag. Unless the two parties get together and cement a deal before next week, the disruptive defensive force will hit the open market and let the bidding begin.
This past season, Suh finished sixth on the team with 53 stops, totaled a team-high 8.5 sacks and knocked down three passes. More significantly, the Lions ranked second in the NFL in fewest total yards and fewest points allowed and were tops in the league against the run.
It’s a healthy defensive tackle market with the likes of Dan Williams (Arizona Cardinals), Jared Odrick (Miami Dolphins) and even Suh’s teammate Nick Fairley, who played in only eight games in 2014. But pun intended, we would be Lion if any other names topped this list but Suh.
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We haven’t officially hit the free-agent period yet and the Washington Redskins have already been busy when it comes to the defensive side of the ball.
Joe Barry replaces Jim Haslett at defensive coordinator and we have already seen the club release defensive tackle Barry Cofield and defensive end Stephen Bowen while free safety Ryan Clark has opted for retirement. The Redskins also struck a deal with defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois, cut loose by the Indianapolis Colts this offseason.
Does three-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker Brian Orakpo figure into the team’s 2015 plans? With Justin Houston getting the franchise tag from the Kansas City Chiefs, the Redskins defender arguably becomes the top outside linebacker available next Tuesday.
In four of his six seasons, Orakpo has totaled at least 8.5 sacks and twice over that span has racked up 10 or more sacks. He was given the franchise tag by the Redskins last offseason but for the second time in three years saw an injury dramatically cut down on his playing time.
However, it’s safe to say that the market for Orakpo will be pretty healthy.
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The New York Jets certainly have their issues on offense and are in search of help at cornerback this offseason. Of course, there are other aspects of the team that have performed at a high level for a number of years.
In fact, make that eight seasons. Inside linebacker David Harris has been as steady as they come at his position despite never being named to a Pro Bowl. This past season, the Jets ranked sixth in the league in fewest yards allowed and only four teams in the NFL allowed more yards on the ground. Harris totaled a team-high 124 stops, along with six sacks and a pair of forced fumbles. His career totals include 30.5 sacks and six interceptions.
You may be able to make cases for Brandon Spikes (Buffalo Bills), Mason Foster (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and even A.J. Hawk, recently released by the Green Bay Packers. But Harris will be a very hot commodity should be hit the open market.
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It’s been quite the comeback for New England Patriots cornerback Darrelle Revis. But will the next installment of his NFL career be a fourth team in as many seasons?
In 2014, the Pro Bowl defender looked like his old self with the New York Jets pre-2012 knee injury. In a Week 3 contest at Miami that season, he went down for the season. One year later he was a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers via a trade and would wind up in the Pro Bowl.
The rebuilding Bucs opted to let Revis go after one year and he wound up in Foxborough where this past season he helped the franchise capture its fourth Super Bowl title. In 2014, he totaled 47 tackles, two interceptions, a team-high 14 passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He also picked off Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck in New England’s AFC title game victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
We could point to some other corners here but with all due respect, why bother?
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Devin McCourty began his NFL career at cornerback and is currently a free safety. But will he remain a free safety with the New England Patriots?
This past season, the 2010 first-round pick finished fourth on the team with 68 tackles, totaled two interceptions and knocked down six passes.
In five seasons, McCourty has totaled 17 interceptions and was part of a defensive unit that ranked 17th in the league against the pass. During the club’s 2014 Super Bowl XLIX championship run the five-year veteran totaled nine tackles, one interception and three passes defensed in three games.
Underrated Buffalo Bills free safety Da’Norris Searcy and New York Giants veteran Antrel Rolle are worthy of a mention here as well.
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The market at this positon was greatly reduced over the last weeks as the New Orleans Saints re-signed Shayne Graham and the Atlanta Falcons re-upped with Matt Bryant. Add in the fact that the New England Patriots slapped the franchise tag on Stephen Gostkowski and Cincinnati Bengals specialist Mike Nugent now heads this list.
The veteran placekicker connected on all 39 PAT attempts this past season and also connected on 26-of-33 field goal tries. Yes, there was that memorable miss in the closing seconds against the Carolina Panthers that resulted in a 37-37 tie and Nugent did miss all three attempts from 50-plus yards.
Still, Nugent rates the slight edge over Matt Prater, who bailed out the Detroit Lions after signing with the club during the season.
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A member of the Tennessee Titans for the last five-plus seasons after beginning his career with the Denver Broncos in 2008, punter Brett Kern tops the list of the best available punters come March 10.
The seven-year pro ranked fifth in the league in gross average and seven in the NFL in net average in 2014. Kern averaged 46.8 yards per boot and put 28 of his 88 kicks inside the 20. He did have a punt blocked in that wild 29-28 loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 5.
The Titans ranked 11th in the NFL in punt return average allowed and the longest return by an opponent all season was a mere 30 yards.
It would be a surprise if Kern signed elsewhere. The Titans could use all the help they can get pinning the opposition down deep in their own territory.
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