NFL Free Agent Tracker: Top 50 Free Agents
By Josh Hill
16. Daryl Smith, LB
2012 team: Jacksonville Jaguars
2013 team:
Want to know why the Jaguars defense took such a step back in 2012? Look no further than what the loss of Daryl Smith did to Jacksonville’s defense and you’ll see just how talented he real is.
17. Martellus Bennett, TE
2012 team: New York Giants
2013 team:
Bennett burst onto the scene in a big way on Eli Manning’s offense and it’s going to result in a nice payday. The older brother of Michael Bennett, some think the Bennett Brothers will find way to make a package deal possible but don’t be surprised to see a team throw big money at this big tight end in when free agency opens.
18. Will Beatty, T
2012 team: New York Giants
2013 team: New York Giants (5-yr/$38M)
Re-signed by New York Giants on February 28th
This offseason sees a plethora of offensive tackles hitting the market, and Beatty is sort of suffering from that. In any other year he’d be a Top 10 target but just because he’s lower on this list doesn’t mean he’s not worth a nice contract.
19. Paul Kruger, OLB
2012 team: Baltimore Ravens
2013 team:
Kruger can’t be trusted in the run game but when it comes to being a pass-rush linebacker, few did it better than he did in 2012. The Ravens would love to have him back but salary issues will likely force them to allow Kruger to walk — likely to an AFC North rival.
20. Andre Smith, T
2012 team: Cincinnati Bengals
2013 team:
Smith has had some off-field issues that will be of concern for some teams but when you look at his body of work on the field — particularly in the run game– Smith is worth a shot. He’s another guy who in any other year would be a top target but the watered down tackle pool sinks his overall value a bit.
21. Branden Albert, T
2012 team: Kansas City Chiefs
2013 team:
A lot of people have the Chiefs going tackle in the NFL Draft but if they really wanted one they could just give the franchise tag to Albert. If he hits the market he’ll likely be one of the first tackles signed and wherever he goes he’s going to make an impact.
22. Danny Amendola, WR
2012 team: St. Louis Rams
2013 team:
When healthy, Danny Amendola has been called a poor man’s Wes Welker. But the key phrase in there is when healthy, as Amendola has suffered brutal injuries that have significantly altered his career up to this point. He’s waiting to flourish but his health is a concern and will effect his final value, if only slightly.
23. Cliff Avril, DE
2012 team: Detroit Lions
2013 team:
Avril has gone 0-for-2 when it comes to living up to his breakout 2012 season, posting bad statistics in 2011 and even worse ones in 2012. Teams looking to sign him are hoping that was because of the Lions predictable defense but Avril has something to prove and he could end up being a huge bargain.
24. Sam Shields, CB
2012 team: Green Bay Packers
2013 team:
The Packers would be crazy to allow Shields to hit the open market, especially considering he’s an exclusive rights free agent. Shields is Green Bay’s top cornerback and with Charles Woodson gone, he’s officially a leader on defense.
25. William Moore, S
2012 team: Atlanta Falcons
2013 team:
Moore can’t help but make plays on defense and that’s a big reason why the Falcons seemed so dominant in certain games in 2012. Atlanta would love to work out a new deal with him, but good safeties are a premium in the NFL and when one hits the open market, everyone becomes interested.
26. Phil Loadholt, T
2012 team: Minnesota Vikings
2013 team:
The biggest knock on Loadholt is that he gets beat a lot in pass protection and when he gets beat it’s usually pretty ugly. That being said, Loadholt is credited as a big reason Adrian Peterson had such a great season and his knowledge and skill in run defense is going to be where he makes his money.
27. Reggie Bush, RB
2012 team: Miami Dolphins
2013 team:
Bush may never be the running back we all hoped he would be when he came out of USC, but he’s still one of the more deadly options in the NFL right now. He showed insane flashes with the Dolphins in 2012 and will likely get a sizable deal as a No. 1-B running back somewhere else.
28. Richard Seymour, DT
2012 team: Oakland Raiders
2013 team:
Age isn’t on Seymour’s side but his talent should convince anyone questioning where he’s at in his career. Seymour has the talent to be able to play in either a 3-4 or 4-3 defense which means more than a few teams will be calling him up once free agency starts.
29. Dennis Pitta, TE
2012 team: Baltimore Ravens
2013 team:
Pitta has really come into his own in Baltimore which has made him an attractive target for just about anyone looking for a prototypical tight end. He’s not a run-blocker but he’s a viable downfield threat who will be a top target for anyone. As a restricted free agent, he’s unlikely to be leaving Baltimore but Joe Flacco’s contract might effect that.
30. Adam Jones, CB
2012 team: Cincinnati Bengals
2013 team:
Since dropping ‘Pacman’ from his name, Adam Jones has really come around as a solid NFL cornerback. He’s not going to be confused for Darrelle Revis or Richard Sherman, but he gave up only 16 first downs and two touchdowns on 414 snaps in coverage in 2012; which was the seventh-lowest percentage of all cornerbacks.