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NFL Free Agency: Who are the 25 best players on the market?

By Brad Berreman

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 04: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots runs out onto the field before the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 04: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots runs out onto the field before the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit: Rob Leiter/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Rob Leiter/Getty Images /

2. DE Jadeveon Clowney

Clowney only had three sacks in 13 regular-season games for the Seahawks last year, as he played through a core muscle injury. But he was disruptive (h/t to Chris Simms’ proposed “f-up the play” stat), with four forced fumbles, seven tackles for loss and 13 quarterback hits on his way to being Pro Football Focus’ 10th-ranked edge defender.

A thin group of free agent edge rushers is further thinned by reports of franchise tags being doled out. The Seahawks can’t tag Clowney though, which lines him up to get a multi-year deal on the open market without restriction. Teams with interest, and cap space to burn, should include the Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets, New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders and Buffalo Bills.

Residual expectations from being a former No. 1 overall pick will trail Clowney for his entire career, and leave some people always wanting more no matter what he does. But he has absolutely taken a place as a dominant all-around edge guy in the league. The premium placed on those who can get after the quarterback, and more broadly mess up game plans up front, puts Clowney in line for an elite payday early in the free agency window.

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