NFL teams have scooped up more than 70% of the ESPN’s original top 100 free agents this week, either through market signings or by using the franchise and transition tags. That doesn’t mean the well is dry, however.
Here are 15 of the best players remaining. As always, we’ve focused this list toward the philosophies of most teams rather than simply 2019 production or skill level in a vacuum. Age is crucial as teams attempt to project future performance — 26 and 27 are the sweet spots — and certain positions are always higher priorities.
Note: We are updating as signings happen. Ages are listed as of the start of the 2020 season.
2019 team: Seattle Seahawks | Age: 27
Rented (cheaply) for the season by the Seahawks, Clowney reaffirmed most existing impressions of him: He is a difference-maker when healthy. But the market hasn’t formed as some thought it might, possibly because of his injury history.
2019 team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Age: 26
All you need to know about Winston is that in 2019 he became the first player in NFL history to throw at least 30 touchdown passes and 30 interceptions in the same season. His downfield explosiveness is undeniable, but his turnover rate is totally out of sync with today’s passing-friendly league. It had been 31 years since a quarterback threw as many as 30 interceptions in one season.
2019 team: New York Jets | Age: 27
A late-season surge — 27 receptions for 420 yards over the Jets’ final six games — pushed Anderson up the rankings of young wide receivers with expiring contracts. His emergence roughly tracked the Jets’ offensive improvement over that period. But he has no doubt been hurt by the deep receiver class in the 2020 NFL draft.
2019 team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Age: 26
A career year in the Buccaneers’ high-octane offense demonstrated that Perriman still has big-play ability after an injury-plagued start to his career. He set career highs in receptions (36), yards (645) and touchdowns (six) but, like Anderson, looks to be facing competition from the 2020 draft class.
2019 team: New York Giants | Age: 29
Golden was one of the few bright spots for the 2019 Giants, recording 10 sacks — including one that came as a result of a postgame stat change. There weren’t many takers for him in the 2019 market, but his sacks total will generate a few more eyes.
2019 team: Seattle Seahawks | Age: 26
The Seahawks declined their fifth-year option on Ifedi, a first-round pick in 2016. He started all 16 games at right tackle but has had some rough moments over his career. With his age and experience, however, he should find plenty of interest.
2019 team: New Orleans Saints | Age: 25
Bell emerged as a full-time starter in 2019 and had the kind of season that suggests his career is about to take off. The Saints have a possible replacement on the roster in C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
2019 team: Philadelphia Eagles | Age: 38
At his age, Peters is a year-to-year proposition. But after he played in 29 of a possible 32 games over the past two seasons, there is a reason to think he could squeeze out at least one more quality season. Even if his best years are long behind him, starting left tackles of any quality generate intense interest.
2019 team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Age: 33
Once one of the NFL’s most dominant defensive players, Suh has entered the journeyman phase of his career. The Buccaneers were his third team in as many seasons, but he remained productive (four fumble recoveries, including two for touchdowns) and extended his consecutive-starts streak to 131 games dating to 2011.
2019 team: Minnesota Vikings | Age: 32
Griffen exercised an option to terminate his contract and test the open market. After taking time away in 2018 to focus on his mental health, Griffen came back in 2019 with eight sacks and can still be a force on the edge.
2019 team: Baltimore Ravens | Age: 32
Smith remains immensely talented, but every interested team will have to take into account his long injury history. He managed to play only nine games in 2019 and has appeared in all 16 games of a season only twice in a career that began in 2011.
2019 team: Carolina Panthers | Age: 28
Although he was caught up in the Panthers’ roster transition under new coach Matt Rhule, Reid can still be a strong anchor and leader in the defensive backfield.
2019 team: Cleveland Browns | Age: 28
A mercurial playmaker, Randall always had an advocate in former Browns general manager John Dorsey. Who will pick up the torch?
2019 team: Tennessee Titans | Age: 29
Ryan had never been more productive than he was in 2019, intercepting four passes and knocking down a career-high total of 18. He also forced four fumbles and recorded 113 tackles, both career highs.
2019 team: Carolina Panthers | Age: 28
Williams returned to the Panthers last season on a one-year contract, seeing action at right tackle and both guard spots. That’s the good news. The bad news: The Panthers appear to have no interest in bringing him back again.
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