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10 best 2016 NFL free agents

By Rucker Haringey

Dec 20, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) gets thrown to ground by Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O
Dec 20, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) gets thrown to ground by Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O /
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Nov 8, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (90) runs out of the tunnel prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (90) runs out of the tunnel prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Jason Pierre-Paul-New York Giants

If not for his off-season fireworks accident it’s likely that you’d see JPP at the top of this list. As it is, he’s something of a question mark heading into free agency. His recent play for the Giants has shown that he hasn’t lost any of his trademark explosive athleticism, but there are serious questions about how his “club” will change his level of effectiveness long-term.

Put me squarely in the camp that believes he will only get better as he adjusts to playing with his heavily wrapped hand. In his last game out against the Panthers he was a handful for their offensive line and pressured Cam Newton relentlessly. He struggled to bring Newton down though, as many of his peers have. Part of his struggle was definitely a result of his wrapped hand though.

I think as time goes on he’s going to figure out how to really adjust to it; he’s already shown glimpses of that. He used the hand to bat down a Newton pass and I think its size will help him expand this part of his game. He might not lead the NFL in sacks moving forward, but he’ll thoroughly torment opposing quarterbacks in a number of ways. Look for him to get a big deal from someone, perhaps not the Giants, that’ll give him a rich, incentive-laden contract in the open market.

Next: Russell Okung

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