Fansided

Ranking the Top 10 NFL free agents in 2015

By Brad Rowland

Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (90) against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Lions defeated the Bears 20-14. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (90) against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Lions defeated the Bears 20-14. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 11
Next
Denver Broncos tight end Julius Thomas (80) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 37-28. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Denver Broncos tight end Julius Thomas (80) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 37-28. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

10) Julius Thomas, TE Denver Broncos

Unlike the majority of this list, Julius Thomas needs a pay day. The Broncos tight end was selected as a high-upside “project” in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Portland State, and that pick has paid major dividends for Denver.

Thomas is unlikely to actually reach full-fledged free agency, with the Broncos expressing interest in bringing him back, but if he does, there should be an all-out frenzy for his services. The 26-year-old has battled major durability concerns, including a three-game absence this season, but Thomas has 24 touchdown passes in the past two campaigns combined, and that is elite-level production.

At 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, Julius Thomas can run like a receiver with a massive frame to support in-line blocking when called upon, and outside of likes of Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham, he is the best option at the tight end position in the NFL.

Next: Mike Iupati

Home/NFL