Who are the best 2020 NFL free agents?
By Ryan Brown
2020 NFL free agency begins on March 18th. Here is our list of the top 10 players who will be free agents.
The 2020 free agency is full of stars in different stages of their career, so making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Ultimately, how do you compare two of the greatest quarterbacks of all time at the ends of their careers in Drew Brees and Tom Brady to a young defensive star in Chris Jones?
Here are some of the most interesting names scheduled to hit the market, along with other major players to know afterwards.
1. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
Like a few other free agents on this list, it’s highly-unlikely Prescott suits up for a team other than the Cowboys next season. Prescott finished 2019 with over 4900 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, 8.2 yards per attempt (all three career bests), and only 11 interceptions. Although the Cowboys finished this season at a disappointing 8-8, Prescott had a great year overall and owner Jerry Jones isn’t likely to let him hit free agency.
2. Tom Brady, New England Patriots quarterback
Brady is second on our list for completely different reasons than Dak being in the top spot. While Prescott still has a lot of football ahead of him, Brady is coming on the end of his career. But what Brady can bring to a team is hard to pass up on. Brady didn’t have an awful season despite captaining one of the worst offenses in the NFL. Don’t be surprised if you see Brady in a new uniform next year.
3. Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs
Jones is going to get paid in free agency, whether he stays with the Chiefs or moves on. He had a great game in the Super Bowl, including three passes defended, which is as many as he had all season. He could be the AFC’s best defensive lineman and maybe the best in the league not named Aaron Donald.
4. Jadeveon Clowney, Seattle Seahawks
When the Seahawks acquired Clowney in a trade with the Houston Texans last year, they agreed not to franchise tag him. After another great year, Clowney can look to cash in and become one of the highest-paid defensive players in the league.
5. Amari Cooper, Dallas Cowboys
Cooper is another Cowboys player due for a big payday. Should Prescott end up getting the franchise tag, does Dallas put the transition tag on Cooper? Possible. The offensive trio of Cooper, Prescott, and Ezekiel Elliott can lead this team on a deep playoff run under new head coach Mike McCarthy.
6. Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans
Tannehill cemented his starting role with incredible play after taking over for the lackluster Marcus Mariota. After winning the 2019 NFL Comeback Player of the Year award after years of mediocre play for the Miami Dolphins, Tannehill should be able to get a nice payday in Tennessee, whether it be on a tag or multi-year deal.
7. Byron Jones, Dallas Cowboys
Jones is the third Cowboy on this list and very well could be a casualty of huge contracts given to Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper. Jones is a solid young corner and brings plenty to any defense. He had a great season to follow up his excellent 2018 campaign even though he missed most of last offseason with a hip surgery.
8. Arik Armstead, San Francisco 49ers
Armstead had one of the best seasons for anybody interior defensive lineman, notching 10 sacks. With the Niners up against the camp, it could be tough to retain the 26-year-old star. He’ll have a major market.
9. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
Brees has said multiple times that if he doesn’t retire before the 2020 season, he will play for the Saints. He still earns a spot on this list because if he ever were to actually hit free agency, he would be a valuable commodity just like Brady for any quarterback-needy team.
10. Yannick Ngakoue, Jacksonville Jaguars
Ngakoue might have a tough time getting to free agency, but should he hit the market, look out. The 24-year-old already has 37.5 sacks and is younger than many rookies. He’s going to be seen as one of the best pass-rushers out there, and if he’s tagged, might be worth trying to steal.
Honorable Mentions: Derrick Henry, Brandon Scherff, Philip Rivers, Shaq Barrett, A.J. Green, Melvin Gordon, Jameis Winston, Robby Anderson, Kendal Fuller, Chris Harris Jr., Shelby Harris, Austin Hooper, Jordan Phillips, Jamie Collins, Kyle Van Noy, Devin McCourty, Joe Thuney, Matthew Judon, Taysom Hill, Teddy Bridgewater, Breshad Perriman, Justin Simmons