Top 30 NFL free agents for 2019

21. Sheldon Richardson

Richardson bet on himself by taking a one-year deal with the Vikings last offseason, and then he delivered in-kind. He got after it as a pass rusher once again (top-15 among defensive tackles in quarterback pressures this year) and he fit greatly as a three-technique alongside Linval Joseph in the run game as well. Perhaps most importantly, the issues that took the early part of his career off the rails with the New York Jets are another year behind him.

Coming off a productive season, Richardson is in position to get some nice multi-year offers this offseason. Even with some likely tilt toward contending teams if he had his way, no one would blame him for choosing the highest bidder this time around. He can also fit in a 4-3 or a 3-4 base defensive scheme, as a nose or a three-technique, which expands the list of possible suitors who may be ready to pay up.

Going back to the Vikings is a possibility for Richardson. But it seems more likely he lands elsewhere, with something like the kind of big multi-year deal that was probably out there for him last offseason too.