Fansided

NFL Free Agency: The top unrestricted free agents

By Carlos Nazario

Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (90) prior to facing the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (90) prior to facing the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /

Justin Houston, OLB
Age: 25
2014 Salary: $1.4 million

After an amazing 2014 campaign, look for Justin Houston to get paid. The Kansas City Chiefs should do everything they can to make this man happy.

Houston had a season for the ages, and it could not have come at a better time.

  • He recorded 22 sacks, just half a sack short of the NFL record.
  • Pro Football Focus ranked him as the best 3-4 outside linebacker, and by a wide margin. Houston had a rating of 51.1. The second-ranked player, the Baltimore Ravens’ Pernell McPhee had a rating of 26.0.
  • He did not commit a penalty all season.

There may be a battle on the horizon between Houston and the Chiefs. If they cannot come to a contract agreement, the Chiefs may slap him with the franchise tag. That would bring with it all sorts of problems.

Houston is in a similar place that the New Orleans Saints’ Jimmy Graham was in last offseason. Graham battled with the team over whether he was truly a tight end, or a wide receiver.

Houston is claiming that he played more times out of the defensive end position, rather than the linebacker position. Of course, if he is noted as a defensive end, his contract would be bigger.

The Chiefs want to keep Houston, but ultimately, anything short of a brand new contract will probably anger him enough to play another year and leave Kansas City.

Next: Randall Cobb

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