With the 2017 NFL Draft in the books, teams once again are looking at the veteran free agent market to fill voids on their rosters.
Here we look at the most expensive players from the 2016 season who remain available in free agency.
— Colin Kaepernick, QB, $15.6 million
With Jay Cutler having moved on to the broadcast booth, Kaepernick holds the mantle as the most expensive player without an NFL home, surprising even given the off-field considerations we knew would follow him.
Logic says Kaepernick should get a similar look as the one the Browns gave Robert Griffin III last year, but that hasn’t happened. The ship probably has sailed on starting jobs for Kaepernick, as neither the Browns nor Texans have shown interest, but at least one team should be looking to add him for a few million.
There's no reason contending teams with bad backup situations (Dallas, Seattle, etc.), teams with aging QBs and no solution (Arizona) or teams with starters who generally miss time (Pittsburgh) should not reach out. Kaepernick should get a chance before the summer, but the odds grow less certain with each passing week.
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— Darrelle Revis, CB, $14.1 million
Revis’ return to the Jets was not the honeymoon everyone expected, as his play fell off a cliff the last two seasons. He can still play football; just not anywhere close to the level he played at in the past.
Revis’ situation is complicated, because the Jets owe him $6 million. So unless a team pays him more than $6 million, he will earn the same sitting on the couch as he would playing football. If not for that guarantee, he would probably be employed somewhere right now for $1.5 million-$2 million, but with no financial incentive, he might sit out.
Sitting out might make it harder for Revis to find a job next season, but the odds would be against him receiving a lucrative contract in 2018 even if he did play this year. There is probably no real benefit for a team to take on the injury risk. Revis could be a mid-season addition to a contender, but don’t be surprised if we don’t see him play in 2017.
— Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, $12 million (UPDATE: Fitzpatrick signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Buccaneers.)
Fitzpatrick has started at least eight games every year since 2008, but that streak should come to an end this season. He was terrible last year; the centerpiece of a major market team collapse, which kills his value.
Fitzpatrick sat around all spring last year with no interest, so there is no reason to think more interest would magically appear this season. If someone gets hurt in training camp, it’s possible Fitz could get a call, but it’s hard to see a fit for him.
— Vincent Jackson, WR, $11 million
Jackson has played in only 15 games over the last two seasons and has seen his numbers decline in each of the last three years. At 34, he is not in a very desirable position. Teams likely are looking at him as more like Andre Johnson with the Colts and Titans.
Jackson is big and can still get down the field, so for a team looking for a veteran specialist, he might fit the bill. But he’s going to have to play for cheap if he wants a new job.
— Sam Shields CB, $9.8 million
Shields was released by the Packers after he mised 19 games in the last two seasons. He has a long concussion history, which may be enough to scare teams away. Shields also may be able to collect over $1 million this year from Green Bay if he is unable to pass a physical and sign a contract with another team.
Given that he probably would not earn much more than the minimum if signed, it may be in his best interest to not play again and attempt to collect on the NFL injury protection clause.
— Brandon Flowers, CB, $9.1 million
Flowers was last released from a contract in 2014, and he signed a one-year deal with the Chargers that paid off big when they signed him to a $9.1 million-per-year contract just one season later. Since signing that contract, Flowers has missed 16 games, which makes him a question mark for any other team.
If Flowers is willing to give another shot on a low-cost, one-year contract, expect someone to give him a chance in the summer.
— Jason McCourty, CB, $8.6 million (UPDATE: McCourty signed a two-year, $6 million deal with the Browns.)
McCourty still being a free agent is an indication that he might be looking for too much money. While he did miss 12 games in 2015, he played in 14 games last year and had two interceptions. Now that the draft is over, more teams should seriously target McCourty. He’ll be signed as soon as a team is willing to convince him to come in at a reasonable price.
— Mario Williams, DE, $8.5 million
Williams hasn’t been effective since 2014 and limped to the finish line last year with a career-low 1.5 sacks. He made a hefty salary as the top overall draft pick in 2006 and then broke the bank with the Bills on a ludicrous contract. That said, it’s doubtful he wants to play for $1 million-$2 million, which means he might not play in 2017.
— Jared Odrick, DT, $8.5 million
Odrick had one of many overvalued contracts signed by the Jaguars over the last few seasons. He missed 10 games last year, but that was the first time he missed any games since 2010. He’s versatile and, if healthy, will probably be added to a team in need of situational help on the defensive line. He shouldn’t cost much and could be a good addition to a contender.
— Ryan Clady, LT, $8 million
Clady, who has missed 37 games in the last four years, simply is never healthy. He had a chance to jumpstart his career with the Jets last season but played poorly and once again finished the season on IR.
Teams are desperate for left tackles, and he may follow the Jake Long career path, playing for $1.5 million or so per year and hoping to put together one last quality season.
— Nick Mangold, C, $7.7 million
The fourth Jet on this list, Mangold’s free agent status is the most surprising on the list. He missed eight games last year but had made three straight Pro Bowls before that.
Teams often view center as a cheap position, which could be a hang-up for a player used to earning bigger money. But it's hard not to see Mangold playing somewhere for $2 million-$3 million this season.
Jason Fitzgerald is an NFL salary expert and contributor for Sporting News. Read more of his writing at OverTheCap.com and follow him on Twitter: @Jason_OTC.