With free agency looming in the National Football League, all 32 teams are getting ready to dip into the open market to try and acquire players that could be the missing link to a Super Bowl run. There are dozens of players who can provide an impact on new teams next year, but here are Touchdown Wire’s top 25 free agents.
Many of these players are likely to return to their current teams either with a new long-term deal or via the franchise tag, but as they say in the league, “…on any given Sunday.”
1. Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys
Quarterbacks are going to top this list, given the importance of the position in today’s National Football League. Sure, any pantheon of quarterback rankings will have living legends such as Drew Brees and Tom Brady atop the list, but if you are a current franchise looking to lock down your quarterback for the next five years or more, you are going to prioritize the QB who turns 27 this summer. The Dallas Cowboys likely find a way to bring Prescott back via a long-term deal or the franchise tag, but if he somehow finds a way to the open market, expect plenty of suitors.
2. Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints
Drew Brees is still playing the quarterback position at an extremely high level. Last season, according to PFF’s charting data, he led the NFL last season in Adjusted Completion Percentage (ACP) with a number of 82.9, and according to NFL Next Gen Stats, Brees was second in the league with a 6.3 jump from his Expected Completion Percentage (xCOMP) of 68.0% to his actual Completion Percentage (CP) of 74.3%, behind only Ryan Tannehill. Brees had declared that he is “Who Dat Nation for life” recently on Boston sports radio, but a team that is close to making a run at a title but needs immediate help at the quarterback position – and can afford him – is at least going to pick up the phone.
3. Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots
Arguably the greatest quarterback of all time, Tom Brady is set to truly test free agency for the first time in his career. While Brady and the New England Patriots experienced a setback last season, with the quarterback putting up pedestrian numbers while the franchise was bounced out of the playoffs in the Wild Card round for the first time since 2009, with weapons around him and in the right offense Brady is still capable of leading a team deep into the playoffs. New England might still be the best situation for him, given his familiarity with the offense, but teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Chargers are expected to take a run at the six-time Super Bowl Champion.
4. Amari Cooper, WR, Dallas Cowboys
Expectations are high that the rookie class of wide receivers is going to have an instant and immediate impact on the NFL next season. Draft expert Daniel Jeremiah declared before the Scouting Combine that on his draft board, he has “27 wide receivers with top three-round grades in this draft.” That may depress the market for free agent WRs somewhat, but you cannot deny that Amari Cooper is a top-flight talent at the position with the ability to run a diverse route tree immediately for a franchise. His impact on quarterback Dak Prescott was almost immediate when the Cowboys acquired him two seasons ago, and at just 25 years old he has years of high-level production ahead of him.
5. Chris Jones, DL, Kansas City Chiefs
Over his last 29 regular season games, Chris Jones has tallied 24.5 sacks. Those are impressive numbers for an interior defensive lineman, and under defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo last season Jones showed the positional flexibility to play in a variety of alignments up front for the Kansas City Chiefs’ defense. The organization has stressed that retaining Jones is a top priority for them, and you can expect him to return to KC either with a long-term deal or under the franchise tag. However, teams that have a lot of cap space like the Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills will likely inquire once the tampering window opens if Jones is not inked or tagged by then.
6. Byron Jones, CB, Dallas Cowboys
Cornerbacks with the potential to be true shutdown players on defense do not grow on trees. However, with the Dallas Cowboys facing decisions on a number of free agents (consider that two of their current players are in the Top Five of this list) Byron Jones likely finds himself on the move this off-season. Fans may quibble with his lack of interception numbers, but that might be due more to the fact that quarterbacks fear throwing in his direction. Jones was targeted just 53 times last season, and according to PFF charting he allowed just 0.62 yards per coverage snap, fourth-fewest in the league.
7. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans rode a magical carpet ride last season to the AFC Championship Game, and quarterback Ryan Tannehill played a huge role as one of the pilots on that trip. After stepping into the lineup during a Week 6 loss to the Denver Broncos to replace an ineffective Marcus Mariota, the Titans went 7-3 with Tannehill in the lineup and upset both the New England Patriots and the top-seeded Baltimore Ravens – on the road – in the playoffs. Tannehill was very effective as a passer in 2019, particularly on play action designs where he led the league with a whopping 13.5 Yards Per Attempt, and has likely earned a new deal with the Titans. Now the quarterback carousel is going to be fascinating and with Tom Brady potentially in the mix for Tennessee, there is a shot that Tannehill hits the open market, but odds are the Titans find a way to run it back with both Tannehill and fellow free agent Derrick Henry.
8. Chris Harris Jr., CB, Denver Broncos
Chris Harris might be older than some of the other cornerbacks set to test the market, but he still has the ability to lockdown a receiver when necessary. He also has some versatility, given his experience operating as both a slot and a boundary cornerback. Teams that miss out on Byron Jones — or the Dallas Cowboys who might lose Jones himself — are likely going to look at Harris as the next best option for their own secondaries.
9. A.J. Green, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Similar to the discussion with Amari Cooper, the potential of the incoming rookie wide receiver class has the potential to depress the market for veteran WR A.J. Green somewhat. Additionally, Green has a rather lengthy injury history, especially in recent years. He missed three games in the middle of the 2018 season with a toe injury and despite returning to the lineup, he re-injured the toe and was lost for the season. Furthermore, Green missed the entire 2019 season due to torn ligaments in his ankle. Teams that are in contention for a Super Bowl in the near term such as the Green Bay Packers might be willing to overlook those injuries and bring him into the fold, given that when healthy Green can be a game-changer on the outside for an offense.
10. Jadeveon Clowney, EDGE, Seattle Seahawks
Signing Jadeveon Clowney might require a team to back up the Brinks truck to his front door, given that the talented defender is seeking a “market-setting” contract this off-season. But even with the financial risks, Clowney is still a very attractive option for teams looking to bolster their pass rush. According to ESPN’s Pass Rush Win Rate statistic, Clowney was one of the most consistent pass rushers during the 2019 season, winning on 24% of his pass rushing snaps a year ago. He may be expensive, and signing him could force a team to cut corners elsewhere, but if passing is king in today’s NFL stopping the pass is a priority, and having a game-changing pass rusher is a solid weapon for a defensive coordinator to bring to bear.
11. Anthony Harris, S, Minnesota Vikings
This off-season a number of teams will need to get their own financial house in order before even contemplating making moves on the open market, and the Minnesota Vikings are one such franchise. According to OverTheCap.com the Vikings have just under $1.4 million in available cap space, but face decisions players such as Everson Griffen, Trae Waynes, and fellow safety Andrew Sendejo, which might make Harris available on the market. Last season was his first as a full-time starter, but Harris showed the ability to play safety at an extremely high level and he looked the part of a ball-hawking single-high free safety, tying Stephon Gilmore and Tre’Davious White with a league-high six interceptions. Teams that play a good deal of single-high coverages such as the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots are likely to get him on the phone.
12. Jameis Winston, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The game of quarterback musical chairs has a chance to spin out of control, and it begins of course with Tom Brady. While both Dak Prescott and Drew Brees are expected to return to their current homes, Brady is testing the market and teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are said to be “all in” on the veteran passer. That could leave Jameis Winston looking for a new spot to sit when the music stops. Sure, Winston threw a league-high 30 interceptions last season and still seems far too willing to take chances with the football, but at just 25 he is younger than Prescott and in the right system he could really turn his career around. Plus, maybe life imitates art and the off-season LASIK surgery allows Winston to be football’s version of Ricky “Wild Thing” Vaughn?
13. Philip Rivers, QB, Los Angeles Chargers
Philip Rivers is coming off a subpar season by his standards, as he threw 20 interceptions in 2019, third-most in the league and coming just one short of his career high of 21 set in 2016. Perhaps more concerning is the Adjusted Yards per Attempt of 6.32 he posted last year, the lowest of his career since 2012 and a whole 1.47 yards less than his ANY/A of 7.79 a year ago. But Rivers did have a very solid 2018 campaign, when he led the Los Angeles Chargers to the Divisional Round, and seems to have a bit left in the tank provided a team can put weapons around him and protect him, as outlined in Touchdown Wire’s recent piece on risky free agent signings. For a team that is thinking about drafting a quarterback of the future, but needs a veteran bridge QB, Rivers could be the answer.
14. Teddy Bridgewater, QB, New Orleans Saints
With the expectation that Drew Brees returns to the Big Easy for a final ride, current backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater might get a chance to find a starting spot for the 2020 season. After suffering a potentially career-ending knee injury, Bridgewater has returned to the game and is an enticing option for teams looking for a veteran option at the QB position. When he was forced into the lineup when Brees suffered a thumb injury, Bridgewater guided the New Orleans Saints to five-straight victories, and showed an ability to be efficient running Sean Payton’s West Coast offense. Teams with similar playbooks would be wise to kick the tires on Bridgewater come next week.
15. Justin Simmons, S, Denver Broncos
Similar to many of the players on this list, it is very likely that Justin Simmons returns to his current team when all is said and done. John Elway has indicated that he wants to re-sign the safety and is willing to trigger the franchise tag if necessary. However, teams that value versatility in the secondary, especially from their safeties, would love to have a player with his skill-set on their roster. Simmons showed last season the ability to play in a variety of roles, including down in the box, in the slot and as a single-high safety. He also tallied four interceptions and 17 pass break-ups in 2019, making him all the more attractive.
16. Joe Thuney, G, New England Patriots
In a somewhat limited market for offensive guards, Joe Thuney might be atop the list of available players. For the past few seasons Thuney has been a rock in the interior of the New England Patriots’ offensive line, and during his time in the AFC East he has appeared in ten post-season games without allowing a single sack. That includes a very memorable battle with Aaron Donald on the inside during Super Bowl LIII. There are other guards available on the open market, such as Washington’s Brandon Scherff, but Thuney’s steady play, clean bill of health, positional flexibility (he saw time at right tackle early in the 2019 season when Marcus Cannon left New England’s Week 1 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers) and time under notable offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia make Thuney very appealing to teams.
17. Yannick Ngakoue, EDGE, Jacksonville Jaguars
Yannick Ngakoue has put together a very impressive resume over his time in the league, and with the Jacksonville Jaguars looking to rebuild what was once a feared defense, Ngakoue could be looking at life in a new uniform in the next few days. Talks between the edge rusher and Jacksonville have broken down, and the franchise may be forced to use the franchise tag on him as part of a trade deal. On the field, Ngakoue generates consistent pressure on opposing passers, demonstrated by the 231 pressures he has posted since entering the league. In addition, his 54 quarterback hits over the past four years is second-most in the league over that stretch of time. Whether he hits free agency, or is part of a trade deal, Ngakoue is sure to generate a lot of attention over the next few days.
18. Cory Littleton, LB, Los Angeles Rams
Coming out of the University of Washington, Cory Littleton was considered an undersized prospect at the linebacker position, and as such he began his career as an undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Rams. He worked his way from special teams into the starting lineup, and over the past few seasons he has been a critical cog in the middle of the Rams’ defense. Over the past two seasons, his first two as a starter, he has tallied 259 total tackles, and his 134 combined tackles in 2019 was ninth-most in the league. But what might make Littleton the most attractive on the open market is what he can do against the pass. Again, take Pro Football Focus grades with a grain of salt, but according to their film study, his 90.6 coverage grade over the past two seasons ranks third in the NFL behind only Lavonte David and Luke Kuechly.
19. Hunter Henry, TE, Los Angeles Chargers
Tight end Hunter Henry might benefit from the opposite effect that impacts the free agency market at the wide receiver position. In contract to the high expectations for the incoming rookie WR class, NFL scouts and evaluators have diminished hopes for the upcoming TE group. That might make Henry and fellow tight end Austin Hooper enticing players when free agency opens. Henry certainly has a spotty injury history, but when healthy he can be the kind of mismatch at the tight end position that offensive coordinators covet. Henry is also coming off perhaps his best season as a pro. Despite missing four games to start the season, he posted career highs in targets, receptions, yards and yards per game.
20. Jack Conklin, RT, Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans declined to pick up the fifth-year option on right tackle Jack Conklin prior to the start of the 2019 season, giving him the chance to test the free agency market when the tampering period opens in a few days. While Conklin missed seven games during the 2018 season due to two different knee injuries as well as a concussion, he appeared in every game for the Titans this past year and turned in a very impressive season. According to ESPN’s Pass Block Win Rate Conklin won 92% of his pass blocking assignments last year, placing him eighth in the league among tackles. While there is a great level of excitement surrounding the incoming class of rookie offensive tackles, Conklin presents as a very solid veteran option who should generate a lot of attention.
21. Shaquil Barrett, EDGE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jadeveon Clowney might be the premier pass rushing target this free agency cycle, but by no means is he the only pocket buster potentially available. Shaquil Barrett is coming off the best season of his career, having posted a league-high 19.5 sacks along with 37 quarterback hits and 19 tackles for a loss. Jason Licht will reportedly use the franchise tag on the edge rusher, but if plans change in Tampa Bay teams are going to come calling for a pass rusher with that kind of pressure production. Teams may wonder what took so long for Barrett to put things together, as he tallied just 14 sacks over his five years in Denver with the Broncos, but his production last season — coupled with his Pass Rush Win Rate of 25% — makes him very appealing.
22.Marcus Mariota, QB, Tennessee Titans
Ryan Tannehill’s magical 2019 season likely makes Marcus Mariota, the former second-overall selection, the odd man out in the Tennessee Titans’ quarterback room. While he was forced to the bench due to ineffective play, teams that are looking for a solid veteran option either as a starter or a backup would be wise to bring Mariota into the fold. In the right offensive system Mariota can still be an effective quarterback, and in today’s NFL, where athleticism is a valued asset at the QB position, Mariota is a viable option due to his ability to create with his legs and contribute as a runner.
23. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans
And we get to our first running back…
Derrick Henry was a massive weapon for the Tennessee Titans’ offense a season ago, posting career-high numbers in carries (303), yards (1,540), touchdowns (16) and yards per game (102.7). When the Titans pulled off successive road upsets over the New England Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens – two very stout defenses – Henry posted very impressive outings. He racked up 182 yards against the Patriots (averaging 5.35 yards per attempt) and 195 yards against the Ravens (averaging a whopping 6.50 yards per attempt). But despite these numbers, the value of a running back in the modern NFL remains questionable, given the wear and tear on the player and the evidence that the passing game is still more valuable on an expected points basis. The Titans likely find a way to bring him back – and their decision to release fellow RB Dion Lewis points to such a move – but Henry would still be attractive to some teams if he hits the market.
24. Robby Anderson, WR, New York Jets
While Amari Cooper and A.J. Green might be more established wide receivers, over the past few years Robby Anderson has shown the ability to be a very dangerous weapon in the vertical passing game. Since 2016 Anderson has seen 112 targets on throws of more than 20 yards downfield, and only Julio Jones, Mike Evans and Antonio Brown have seen more. But despite his well-earned reputation as a downfield threat, he has become a more well-rounded receiver the past few years. According to data from Pro Football Focus, 40% of his receiving yards during the 2018 season came on passes 10-19 yards downfield, and 39% of his receiving yards last year came on such throws. That is a huge increase from his 2016 (18%) and 2017 (20%) numbers. Teams looking to inject talent into their wide receiver rooms that miss out on either Cooper/Green or premier rookies would be wise to target Anderson.
25. Brandon Scherff, G, Washington Redskins
We round out the list with Brandon Scherff, who has been a main cog in the interior of the Washington Redskins’ offensive line the past few seasons. Between him and Joe Thuney, teams looking for help on the inside will have two very solid options, but teams inquiring about Scherff will likely have some questions to raise during the free agency process. Scherff has a bit of a checkered injury history, and has given up 13 sacks over 65 regular season games as opposed to the seven surrendered by Thuney over 64 regular season games. (Of course, elite quarterback play might play a role in those numbers). But provided a team is satisfied with Scherff from a medical perspective, he is a very good option on the interior OL.
After ten years of practicing law in the Washington, D.C., area, Mark Schofield now dedicates his time to his first love: The game of football. The former college quarterback’s work has been featured a number of places, including The Washington Post, Bleacher Report, SB Nation, Pro Football Weekly and the Matt Waldman Rookie Scouting Portfolio.
