Top 25 NFL free agents for 2018

14. Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Minnesota Vikings

After his devastating left knee injury late in the 2016 preseason , the Vikings declined their fifth-year option on Bridgewater for next season. He was activated in October though, has been practicing without apparent issue since and made a brief appearance in Week 15 (0-for-2 with an interception).

It’s safe to say Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer favors keeping Bridgewater, and having him as his starter come Week 1 next season. But Case Keenum’s level of play this year, apart from the playoffs, will make that a tough bargain beyond any lingering concern over Bridgewater’s long-term outlook.

Bridgewater was a winning quarterback when we last saw him at full strength in 2015, with metrics that show potential in the right offensive scheme and the ability to perform in the clutch.

I don’t buy into the perception of Bridgewater’s great upside at 100 percent health, as many Vikings’ fans and not-so objective Minnesota-based analysts seem to without question. His fairly lofty place on this list is all about intrigue, as the Vikings weigh committing to Bridgewater long-term and other teams potentially enter the mix in March.