NFL Free Agent Tracker: Top 50 Free Agents
By Josh Hill
NFL free agency opens on March 12th and there are a slew of names looking for big money. As is the question every free agent period, every fan wants to know if a big name player is going to get big time dollars from their previous team or will a new one swoop in and snatch them off the market. Here’s a quick look at the top 50 free agents on the market for the 2013 free agent period.
1. Joe Flacco, QB
2012 team: Baltimore Ravens
2013 team: Baltimore Ravens (6-yr/$120.6M)
Re-signed by Baltimore Ravens on March 1st
Joe Flacco likely isn’t going to hit the open market but if he does, there’s going to be a frenzy. If he somehow hits the market, teams like the Cleveland Browns are going to make a serious run at getting Flacco on their team. There is no way the Ravens will let Flacco even graze the market but as long as he doesn’t have a contract or a franchise tag, anything is possible. If the Flacco situation is botched, it wouldn’t be the first time a player hit free agency when his team didn’t want him to, it would just be the highest profile example yet.
2. Ryan Clady, T
2012 team: Denver Broncos
2013 team: Denver Broncos (Non-exclusive franchise tag)
Given non-exclusive franchise tag by Denver Broncos on March 1st.
Clady gave up only one sack, six hits and 15 hurries all year, which was good for the fourth-best pass blocking efficiency score of all tackles in 2012. Like Flacco, if he somehow hits the open market, he’s going to get top dollar.
3. Wes Welker, WR
2012 team: New England Patriots
2013 team:
We all know what kind of player Welker is, and just because the Patriots aren’t paying him what he wants doesn’t mean he’s not worth it. Welker not only brings his skill set but he brings a veteran knowledge that will be well worth the price tag.
4. Henry Melton, DT
2012 team: Chicago Bears
2013 team: Chicago Bears
Franchised tagged by the Chicago Bears on March 1st
He’s not a huge name to the average fan, but Henry Melton is insanely valuable, especially considering his 37 combined sacks, hits and hurries which was ranked fifth among other DE’s in the NFL.
5. Greg Jennings, WR
2012 team: Green Bay Packers
2013 team:
Jennings has battled injuries the last few seasons but he’s still a viable threat as a wide out. There’s a chance he returns to Green Bay but if he doesn’t, he’ll get work somewhere in the NFL and he’ll be prized wherever he lands.
6. Jairus Byrd, S
2012 team: Buffalo Bills
2013 team: Buffalo Bills (1-yr/$6.9M)
Franchise tagged by Buffalo Bills on March 1st.
Byrd gave up just 0.28 yards per snap in coverage, intercepted five passes and wasn’t beaten for any touchdowns in 2012. Safety is a coveted position in the NFL and Byrd is one of the best in the game today.
7. Dwayne Bowe, WR
2012 team: Kansas City Chiefs
2013 team:
The biggest thing we’ve all wondered about Dwayne Bowe is how big of a star he’d be had he been playing with a real quarterback his entire carer. We might finally find that out if and when Bowe signs with a team that has a capable signal caller.
8. Tony Gonzalez, TE
2012 team: Atlanta Falcons
2013 team:
There is a lot of speculation that Gonzalez will retire this offseason, but it’s hard to believe a competitor like the one he is will hang it up after getting so close to tasting immortality. If he comes back, he’s re-singing with the Falcons, but the ‘if’ involved is a real cliffhanger.
9. Jake Long, T
2012 team: Miami Dolphins
2013 team:
Jake Long hasn’t been a bust but he hasn’t been allowing success either. Nevertheless, Thomas is going to get a decent salary and can still be a decent anchor on an offensive line somewhere.
10. Michael Bennett, DE
2012 team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2013 team:
Thanks to a stellar breakout season with the Buccaneers, Bennett is set to be one of the most coveted edge rushers in free agency. Tampa will want to re-sign him but that won’t be before other teams throw some serious money in Bennett’s direction.
11. Brent Grimes, CB
2012 team: Atlanta Falcons
2013 team:
Grimes saw his 2012 season wiped out due to an injury but he’s looking to bounce back in a big way. He won’t get the money he otherwise could have gotten but he’s a dangerous cornerback with a lot to prove, which means someone’s going to get a serious bargain.
12. Anthony Spencer, OLB
2012 team: Dallas Cowboys
2013 team:
Spencer might return to Dallas as he’s reportedly open to the idea but he won’t take a discount to do so. This means Spencer will hit the open market and will get some serious attention from competitors and contenders. Spencer has a lot going for him, from his age (he’s only 29 years old) to his talent and commitment to winning. Spencer will stand out with anyone he signs with and that likely won’t be with Dallas.
13. Victor Cruz, WR
2012 team: New York Giants
2013 team:
Cruz took a step back in 2012 but that’s only going to motivate him to be better. He has the skills to be a No. 1 receiver anywhere in the NFL and he’ll expect to be paid as such. He’s a restricted free agent, so the possibility he returns to the Giants is very real but the market will set his value and it might be one the Giants can’t pay. The question is will he be better in 2013 for the Giants or someone else?
14. Mike Wallace, WR
2012 team: Pittsburgh Steelers
2013 team:
The Steelers would love to hang onto Mike Wallace but the fact of the matter is they might not be able to. Last season the two sides came dangerously close to not being able to reconcile their differences and this year Wallace may bolt for a bigger contract even if it’s not on a better team.
15. Sebastian Vollmer, T
2012 team: New England Patriots
2013 team:
He can line up on either the right or left side of the line and be a dominating force, but the question with Vollmer seems to be injuries. If he can stay healthy, he’s one of the best tackles in the NFL but if his lingering issues continue to be a problem he’ll never fully develop into the tackle he could be. It’ll be the injuries that dictate his salary but they won’t scare off teams interested in his talent up front.