Predicting Where the Top 25 Players Will Land In NFL Free Agency
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Free agency starts in a little less than two weeks, and this year’s class has the chance to be one of the best in recent memory. Though many of the top-tier players will probably either re-sign or get tagged, the second class is still pretty stacked and could lead to an offseason full of change for some teams. Here are the top 25 players and where they might end up.
25. RB Justin Forsett
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25. RB Justin Forsett
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Forsett had a mondo breakout year for the Ravens, rushing for over 1,200 yards and eight touchdowns. Even though he’ll be entering his eighth season, Forsett has mostly been a backup throughout his career, so he still has plenty left in the tank. He’s expressed interest in staying in Baltimore, but due to their cap situation, that’s not happening.
2015 team: Atlanta Falcons
24. TE Jordan Cameron
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24. TE Jordan Cameron
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If Cameron could only stay healthy, he’d be one of the best tight ends in the league right now. However, the 26-year-old pass-catcher has yet to play a full season, and that’ll make teams cautious. Still, the man is a talent, and there are plenty of teams that need a big tight end like Cameron.
2015 team: Denver Broncos
23. DT Terrance Knighton
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23. DT Terrance Knighton
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Knighton, or Pot Roast as he’s more commonly known, is a monster in the middle. While he doesn’t boast a number-filled stat line, he takes up a lot of space on the defensive line and allows his teammates to come in and make the plays. Knighton has also been extremely durable throughout his career which is a huge bonus.
2015 team: Indianapolis Colts
22. LB Brian Orakpo
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22. LB Brian Orakpo
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Orakpo has proven to be a double-digit sack master in this league. However, that hinges on his ability to stay healthy, as yet again he was out for the majority of this past season with a torn pectoral muscle. But because of his injury history, a team might be able to take a flyer on him at a relatively cheap price.
2015 team: Atlanta Falcons
21. CB Brandon Flowers
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21. CB Brandon Flowers
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After being released by the Chiefs last year, Flowers had an extremely productive season for the Chargers, grabbing three interceptions and adding 52 tackles. The Chargers have good amount of cap space, so don’t be surprised to see Flowers return to San Diego this offseason.
2015 team: San Diego Chargers
20. WR Torrey Smith
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20. WR Torrey Smith
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Don’t be fooled by his low 49 catches; Smith had a strong 2014 season, catching 11 touchdowns and accumulating 767 receiving yards. Smith is a speedy deep threat who has been Flacco’s favorite target for the past few years, but he could be moving on in search of more money.
2015 team: Cleveland Browns
19. OT Doug Free
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19. OT Doug Free
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While his age might be a concern for teams (31), Free is still a very reliable right tackle and was a big part in a very powerful and successful Cowboys offensive line. There’s no way in heck the Cowboys can keep Free around, so he’ll definitely make it out on the open market.
2015 team: Carolina Panthers
18. DT Nick Fairley
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18. DT Nick Fairley
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Fairley is a space-eating, extremely talented defensive tackle who will instantly bolster any team’s defensive line. However, he does come with off the field baggage (what Lions player doesn’t?), so that might make teams hesitant. Despite that, someone will sign Fairley and hopefully be happy with the outcome.
2015 team: Oakland Raiders
17. CB Byron Maxwell
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17. CB Byron Maxwell
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Maxwell is soon to be a very rich man as he will undoubtedly get overpaid due to his association with the Legion of Boom. He still is a big, strong corner, standing at 6-foot-1, who will help out a team looking for a pass defense upgrade. Look for cornerback-needy teams to throw heaps of cash his way.
2015 team: New York Jets
16. OT Brian Bulaga
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16. OT Brian Bulaga
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The key to any quarterback’s success is his offensive line, and Bulaga has been a huge part of the Packers for some time now. He’s an excellent pass blocker, and while he’s had injury problems, quality tackles are hard to come by. The Packers know that, so Bulaga isn’t going far.
2015 team: Green Bay Packers
15. LB Jason Worilds
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15. LB Jason Worilds
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Worilds is quickly turning into an up-and-coming defensive star and that will most likely put him out of the Steelers’ price range. After totaling 59 tackles and 7.5 sacks this past season, Worilds has established himself as a do-it-all linebacker who teams will definitely covet given his versatility.
2015 team: Cleveland Browns
14. DE Jerry Hughes
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14. DE Jerry Hughes
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Hughes posted back-to-back 10-sack seasons and will be looking for a big payday this offseason. He’s a young, aggressive pass-rusher with excellent speed. He’s the kind of player Rex Ryan loves, so you can bet the Bills will be investing heavily in Hughes.
2015 team: Buffalo Bills
13. Pernell McPhee
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13. Pernell McPhee
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McPhee comes into free agency with possibly the most question marks surrounding him as an every down player. He thrived in a backup role in Baltimore, registering 7.5 sacks this season, but it’ll be interesting to see if he can play as a full-time starter. Also, he’ll most likely be limited in free agency to 3-4 defense due to his playing size and style.
2015 team: Tennessee Titans
12. WR Jeremy Maclin
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12. WR Jeremy Maclin
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Maclin signed the infamous one-year prove-it deal last offseason and boy did he prove it. He posted a career year and now will be looking for a long-term contract. Chip Kelly knows what Maclin can do, and the NFL now knows how dangerous Maclin is in Kelly’s offense. Franchise tag, please.
2015 team: Philadelphia Eagles
11. OG Mike Iupati
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11. OG Mike Iupati
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Iupati is a destroyer of worlds in the middle of the 49ers’ offensive line, but don’t expect him to return to the West Coast as the Niners are riddled with cap issues. Iupati is hands down the best offensive lineman in free agency and will be paid as such.
2015 team: New York Jets
10. WR Randall Cobb
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10. WR Randall Cobb
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Now I wrote a nice long piece about why teams should be hesitant signing Cobb to an enormous contact, but that shouldn’t take away from how good Cobb is. That being said, Cobb is probably best when he’s catching balls from Aaron Rodgers, and the Packers will want to keep that going.
2015 team: Green Bay Packers
9. TE Julius Thomas
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9. TE Julius Thomas
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Thomas looked to be the NFL’s most dominant tight end at the beginning of the season, scoring 12 touchdowns in nine games, but his 2014 season was derailed by injuries. The Broncos have another Thomas to worry about, and with limited cap space, Julius Thomas is likely odd Thomas out.
2015 team: Jacksonville Jaguars
8. RB DeMarco Murray
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8. RB DeMarco Murray
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We all bore witness to the miraculous season a healthy Murray put together, and it’s amazing to think that the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year is likely to be on another team next season. But with Dez Bryant also a free agent and the Cowboys having limited cap space, Murray will be on another team in 2015.
2015 team: Minnesota Vikings
7. DE Jason Pierre-Paul
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7. DE Jason Pierre-Paul
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Young pass-rushers are hard to come by in the NFL, and JPP might be on the top of that list. Despite nagging injuries, he had a productive 2014 season, finishing with 12.5 sacks and 77 tackles. The Giants know what they’ve got, and it seems like they’ll slap the old franchise tag on JPP.
2015 team: New York Giants
6. DE Greg Hardy
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6. DE Greg Hardy
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Hardy comes with his baggage, as he was suspended for most of the 2014 season due to domestic violence charges (though those were dropped), but some team will take a risk on him. He’s just too good. With a full year of rest, Hardy will look to return to his dominant pass-rushing self next season.
2015 team: Dallas Cowboys
5. FS Devin McCourty
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5. FS Devin McCourty
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While he might not be as flashy as other safeties in the league, McCourty continues to rank atop the free safety list in the NFL and was a huge piece to the Patriots’ Super Bowl run. The Patriots aren’t going to let their Super Bowl core fall apart and all signs point to a deal or the franchise tag.
2015 team: New England Patriots
4. WR Demaryius Thomas
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4. WR Demaryius Thomas
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The Broncos’ other Thomas will not be allowed to test free agency. While Thomas may want to leave if Peyton Manning doesn’t return, he won’t have a choice as he’ll get franchise tagged about as soon as a player possibly can.
2015 team: Denver Broncos
3. WR Dez Bryant
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3. WR Dez Bryant
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Now the Dez Bryant case might get a lot more interesting in the next few days. Originally it was obvious the Cowboys were going to tag Bryant and keep him for another year. However, if this mysterious tape that’s career-ending ever comes out, the Cowboys might have a bigger decision to make.
2015 team: Dallas Cowboys, maybe…
2. DT Ndamukong Suh
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2. DT Ndamukong Suh
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While there was a time where it seemed Suh would be testing the free agency waters and every team was getting together their best offers, it now seems the Lions and Suh are working things out and the defensive tackle will be returning to Detroit. That's kind of boring in my opinion.
2015 team: Detroit Lions
1. LB Justin Houston
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1. LB Justin Houston
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I would love to see Houston hit free agency just to see the kind of contracts that get thrown his way. However, the Chiefs would never ever let that happen, and they’ll tag Houston quicker than the Millennium Falcon in light speed.
2015 team: Kansas City Chiefs
Peter Rogers is a featured NFL writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @petahrahgas or add him to your network on Google
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