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NFL free agency 2017: Five players whose value could skyrocket

By Matt Verderame

Oct 25, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones (95) points during the first half of a game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones (95) points during the first half of a game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 22, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs nose tackle Dontari Poe (92) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the first half of the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Kansas City won 33-3. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs nose tackle Dontari Poe (92) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the first half of the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Kansas City won 33-3. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

The Kansas City Chiefs re-signed a bevy of their own players this offseason, retaining Jaye Howard, Tamba Hali and Derrick Johnson while slapping the franchise tag on safety Eric Berry. General manager John Dorsey has been showing a priority toward signing his own players and has spoken about keeping key players in the trenches.

However, Dontari Poe will be tough for the Chiefs to keep. Poe was a first-round pick back in 2011 and is playing out his option year in the prime of his career. At 25 years old, Poe has developed into one of the best nose tackles in the game, weighing in at a preposterous 346 pounds.

Poe was playing through back pain throughout the 2015 campaign after getting operated on in July, but managed to play in all 16 regular-season games. The year before, Poe was an All-Pro, totaling six sacks and 46 tackles. Last year, those numbers dipped to 39 tackles and one sack.

Should Poe play more like his 2014 self, he is going to get well in excess of $10 million per season. Look for the Chiefs to consider applying the franchise tag, although it might be too costly for Dorsey. If he gets into the free-agent market, Poe is going to be one of the most aggressively pursued players in the game.

Next: 2. Chandler Jones

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