Top 25 free agents: Cowboys in a pinch, Suh aiming high

Jason Fitzgerald

Top 25 free agents: Cowboys in a pinch, Suh aiming high image

Almost every team in the NFL is now preparing for the 2015 season and trying to find ways to improve their chances of representing their conference in the Super Bowl.  One way of upgrading the roster occurs in March and April when teams sign free agents. 

Sometimes this can be a chase for fool’s gold when the wrong players are targeted, but sometimes it provides the talent needed to get to the next level of the playoffs. 

This year’s Super Bowl is no exception as both the Patriots and Seahawks have successfully used free agency to improve weak areas of the team. Players such as Darrelle Revis, Cliff Avril, Michael Bennett, Brandon Browner, and Brandon LaFell are all big free agent contributors to their respective Super Bowl team.

Here are the top 25:

1. Ndamukong Suh, DT, Lions

In five years Suh has four Pro Bowl and three All-Pro selections. Suh wants big money and will try to convince a team that a defensive tackle is worth $16 million a year.

2. Demaryius Thomas, WR, Broncos

Thomas has not had a season under 1,400 receiving yards since 2011 when his quarterbacks were Kyle Orton and Tim Tebow. His next contract should top the $13 million a year mark.

3. Dez Bryant, WR, Cowboys

Bryant has averaged 90 receptions, 1,278 yards and 13 touchdowns since 2012 and is just 26 years old. He could earn over $13 million a season if the Cowboys don’t use the franchise tag on him.

4. Justin Houston, DE/OLB, Chiefs

Houston led the NFL with 18 sacks in 2014 and is one of the most dynamic rushers in the NFL. He’ll look to surpass the $14.25 million per year contract signed by Robert Quinn earlier this year.

5. Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, Giants

Pierre-Paul has been inconsistent at times but finished the year with 10.5 sacks and when at his best, he is as good as anyone in the game. He won’t turn 26 until February, which should help boost his value.

6. Greg Hardy, DE, Panthers

Hardy had 15 sacks in 2013 before legal troubles landed him on the exempt list. How his legal situation plays out will dictate if he can earn a multiyear contract worth upwards of $13 million.

7. Mike Iupati, G, 49ers

Generally regarded as the top guard in the NFL, Iupati has a strong chance of earning over $8 million a year. That would make him the highest paid guard in the NFL.

8. Jerry Hughes, DE/OLB, Bills

After being given up on by the Colts, Hughes has quietly become one of the best pass rushers in the league. His 19.5 sacks since 2013 should help him earn a contract in the $11-$12 million per-year range.

9. DeMarco Murray, RB, Cowboys

Murray’s 1,745 yard season would have earned him $10 million a year just a few years ago, but now he’ll have to really negotiate to try for more than $6 million or $7 million a year.

10. Randall Cobb, WR, Packers

The young receiver fulfilled all expectations by playing all 16 games and putting up a 1,200 yard-plus season in 2014. Cobb might top $10 million on his new deal if people believe he can do it without Rodgers.

11. Jeremy Maclin, WR, Eagles

Maclin took the risk of a one-year contract to help improve his value and he has a career year with 1,269 yards. His stats trailed off in the second half, but he should sign a deal between $9 million and $10 million.

12. Devin McCourty, S, Patriots

McCourty is one of the better all around safeties in the NFL, providing the Patriots with both run and pass support. McCourty will seek a deal around $8 million a year and could be franchised by New England.

13. Pernell McPhee, OLB, Ravens

McPhee had his best season as a pro and may be following the same path Paul Kruger did a few years back when he received an $8.1 million per-year deal from the Browns. 

14.  Brian Orakpo, OLB, Redskins

The three-time Pro Bowler is a lock for eight to 10 sacks a year when healthy, which he has rarely been, missing 24 games in the last three years. He could opt for a one-year contract rather than settling for a lower value contract.

15. Jason Worilds, OLB, Steelers

Worilds doesn’t have the upside of other rushers, but can be a steady, seven-sack-a-year player in the right defense.  That’s worth $6 million to $7 million a year, plus incentives.

16. Torrey Smith, WR, Ravens

Smith didn’t make the most of his contract year, posting career lows in yards and receptions while struggling with drops. He’ll be the top rated tier-two player at the position.

17. Julius Thomas, TE, Broncos

Thomas has posted back-to-back seasons of 12 touchdowns, but just 489 yards in 2014 and is injury prone. His reputation could carry him to a $7 million-plus a year deal, making him a top candidate for most overpaid and high risk signing.

18. Orlando Franklin, T/G, Broncos

Franklin has shown the ability to play either guard or right tackle at a very high level. His former teammate Zane Beadles received $6 million a year and Franklin should expect similar. 

19. Bryan Bulaga, T, Packers

Bulaga played in 15 games this year and will be the top available right tackle. He should be able to turn earn a $6 million to $7 million a year contract unless there are more concerns about his durability that drive that number down.

20. Derrick Morgan, OLB/DE, Titans

Morgan has been a consistent, six-sack a year player who is well rounded in all phases of the game. He hasn’t shown the upside of some others but will be a nice complementary rusher worth round $5 million a year.

21. Brandon Graham, DE, Eagles

Graham only received limited opportunities from the Eagles but has been very efficient as a situational rusher. He could provide great value at $5 million a season but could have the upside to earn much more in free agency.

22. Mark Sanchez, QB, Eagles

Sanchez showed the world he could still play QB, but also reminded the world why he was released in the first place with the high number of turnovers. He is the only viable QB available and could grab around $8 million a year if offered a starting job.

23. Byron Maxwell, CB, Seahawks

Maxwell has been an important part of the Seahawks defense for the last two years and will potentially be the best available corner this offseason. His 25 passes defensed over the last two years should help him push for $6 million a season.

24. Terrance Knighton, DT, Broncos

Knighton has shut down the middle lanes for the Broncos the last two seasons and stands to earn in the $5 million a year or more range from a team looking to improve their interior.

 

25. CJ Spiller, RB, Bills

Spiller struggled with injuries and did not seem to be favored by his head coach, but averaged over 1,000 yards in his two prior seasons. He can earn $4 million or more in free agency.

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Jason Fitzgerald

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.