Chris Wesseling and I worked together on the Top 101 NFL Free Agents list for the past seven seasons. For years before that, we battled on AOL Instant Messenger over fantasy football rankings at Rotoworld. There's no one I respected more than Wess, which meant there was no one I loved arguing with more. It doesn't feel right doing the rankings without him this year. It may never feel right.
Those arguments mellowed in recent years. Maybe it was perspective after his first cancer battle or maybe we were just getting old. To argue about football is to love it, and to love it is to know it can mean everything and nothing at all. We'd wonder about a job that could be joyous yet ephemeral. His voice, however, will remain lodged in my head forever, including during this exercise. I heard him dismiss my ranking of Jameis Winston below with incredulity. Mike Hilton, long one of Wess' favorites, was given a bump.
Many of our last conversations came on Tuesday afternoons in the fall, driving him home from chemo. Football was usually part of the discussion, a dose of normality in a year that was anything but. We marveled at Aaron Rodgers playing on easy mode or ranked Justin Herbert's place in history among rookie QBs. It was nothing and everything all at once.
UPDATE: Players who did not reach NFL free agency because they received the franchise tag or already agreed to new contracts before the free agency negotiating window opened on Monday, March 15, were removed from the list and replaced by the next highest-ranked available NFL free agents. Contract details will be updated for the players below as free-agents deals are confirmed.
NOTE: Each player's listed age represents how old they will be on Sept. 9, when the 2021 NFL season kicks off.
BEST NFL FREE AGENTS AVAILABLE
Schwartz made first- or second-team All-Pro in four consecutive seasons before missing most of 2020 with a back injury that required surgery in February. He is almost impossible to rank without better medical info. He would be a top-five free agent if healthy, but the Chiefs’ release of him and retirement whispers make it difficult to guess whether he can return to previous form.
Sherman is only one year removed from a remarkable late-career second-team All-Pro season. A calf injury in 2020 limited him to 321 snaps, most of them at less than full strength.
The Chiefs have a lot of tricky decisions to make on the offensive line, including whether to bring back their starting center Reiter after two capable years protecting Patrick Mahomes.
I remain convinced Johnson can be one of the best third-down backs in football, even after landing in two straight tricky situations for running backs.
One of the better defensive tackles in football over the last decade is worth a flier after two injury-ravaged seasons.
OFF THE MARKET
A Hall of Fame-caliber player like Williams performing near his peak at a premium position will do incredibly well in the open market. (And Williams will get there because the 49ers agreed not to tag him.) Great tackles often play well into their late 30s, which is why I fully expect Williams to become the highest paid player at his position.
UPDATE: Williams has re-signed with the 49ers on a six-year, $138.06 million contract ($32.4 million in Year 1) that is broken up into two parts: three years, $60.75 million to start, with a three-year, $77.31 million option the 49ers can exercise by April 1, 2023. If exercised, Williams' 2023 pay becomes mostly guaranteed. (Tom Pelissero)
While Barrett’s sack total fell in 2020, he was a monster in the playoffs. Anyone believing he’s a one-year wonder should also check out his remarkably steady annual PFF grade, never dipping below 74.0 in six NFL seasons despite increased usage.
UPDATE: Barrett re-signed on a four-year deal with the Buccaneers worth up to $72 million that includes $36 million fully guaranteed. (Ian Rapoport)
A late-season torn ACL hurts Dupree’s value, but he’s versatile and strong enough to make a three-year contract worth it.
UPDATE: Dupree has agreed to a five-year contract with the Titans worth up to $85 million with $35 million guaranteed. (Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, Mike Garafolo)
The 2017 third-rounder always looked like a guy who could explode if given more snaps. In 2020, he was and he did. A Shaq Barrett-like career path is in play, with more production at his second stop.
UPDATE: Hendrickson has signed a four-year, $60 million deal with the Bengals that includes $32 million in the first two years. (Ian Rapoport)
Pass rush in a bottle. I'm surprised the Bengals didn't tag Lawson, who finished fourth in pressures (64) and second in QB hits (24) among edge rushers, per PFF.
UPDATE: Lawson has agreed to a three-year, $45 million deal with the Jets that includes $30 million guaranteed and has a max value of $47.4 million. (Ian Rapoport)
An injury-marred 2020 season won’t erase memories of Golladay skying over defenders and winning 1-on-1 matches on the outside, a difficult skill set to find.
UPDATE: Golladay is signing a four-year, $72 million deal ($40 million guaranteed) with the Giants that is worth up to $76 million. (Ian Rapoport)
His stock is at a low, but I’m still taking Clowney’s snap-to-snap ferocity upside over players like Yannick Ngakoue and Matt Judon. Still just 28, Clowney remains capable of a strong second phase to his career.
UPDATE: Clowney signed a one-year deal with the Browns that has a base value of $8 million and could be worth up to $10 million. (Ian Rapoport)
Above-average starting guards who never miss a snap get paid so much in free agency that I'm surprised Bill Belichick didn't use the franchise tag on Thuney for the second year in a row.
UPDATE: Thuney has agreed to terms to a five-year deal worth $80 million with the Chiefs that includes $32.5 million fully guaranteed at signing. (Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport)
Never lacking for effort, Judon is the product of a Ravens system known for strong outside linebacker play that doesn’t always translate to other rosters.
UPDATE: Judon has signed a four-year, $56 million deal with the Patriots that includes $32 million over the first two years. (Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport)
The Packers are probably going to disappoint Aaron Rodgers by allowing Linsley or Aaron Jones to leave. Linsley figures to cost more after seven rock-solid seasons in Green Bay.
UPDATE: Linsley is signing a five-year, $62.5 million contract with the Chargers. (Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero)
It’s clear that Ngakoue’s pure outside rush doesn’t work in every scheme after a lost season in Minnesota and Baltimore. He’s a liability against the run, and it’s a red flag that his production has fallen every season since 2017, when he played on a historically good Jags defense.
UPDATE: Ngakoue has signed a two-year contract worth $26 million with the Raiders. (Ian Rapoport)
Finally healthy and on his way to a monster season, Fuller’s 2020 campaign was cut short by a PED suspension that will also sideline him for Week 1 of next season. The NFL equivalent of a plus-minus NBA standout, Fuller’s speedy presence on the field has proven to make everyone around him better.
UPDATE: Fuller signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins worth $10.625 million fully guaranteed with another $3 million in incentives. (Tom Pelissero, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo)
It will take the right coach, but Winston could improve a handful of starting quarterback situations. Don’t be surprised if it happens in New Orleans.
UPDATE: Winston is re-signing with New Orleans on a one-year, $5.5 million deal ($4.5 million signing bonus and $1 million fully guaranteed base salary) and has a max value of $12.5 million with incentives. (Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero)
It took Panthers coach Matt Rhule to show Samuel’s full value, helping him to top 1,000 yards from scrimmage with a mix of route trees and surprisingly potent inside runs. He’s a perfect weapon for today’s wide-open offenses.
UPDATE: Curtis is signing a three-year deal with Washington worth up to $34.5 million. (Ian Rapoport)
He’s known for his social media, yet JuJu’s game is decidedly old school. A perfect No. 2 receiver who can do all the dirty work with incredible toughness over the middle.
UPDATE: Smith-Schuster re-signed with the Steelers on a one-year deal worth $8 million. The deal includes a $7 million signing bonus, $1 million base salary and four voidable years, lowering his 2021 cap number to $1.6 million. (Ian Rapoport, Taylor Bisciotti and Tom Pelissero)
Closer to a poor man’s Gronk or Delanie Walker than a Travis Kelce-type, Smith’s value goes beyond the box score. He’s an incredible red-zone weapon.
UPDATE: Smith has agreed to a four-year, $50 million deal with the Patriots that includes $31.25 million fully guaranteed. (Mike Giardi and Ian Rapoport)
It’s OK if Henry doesn’t ever develop into Tony Gonzalez. Putting up more than 600 yards annually with a knack for field-stretching plays up the seam is going to make Henry rich.
UPDATE: Henry has signed a three-year, $37.5 million contract with the Patriots that includes $25 million fully guaranteed. (Ian Rapoport)
After four admittedly streaky years in Seattle, Griffin is undeniably an above-average starting cornerback. The thin market at the position could bump up his price tag.
UPDATE: Griffin is signing a three-year, $44.5 million deal, including $29 million guaranteed, with the Jaguars. (Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport)
You could argue Fitz’s peak started around age 37. Why stop now?
UPDATE: Fitzpatrick signed a one-year, $10 million deal with Washington that has a max value of $12 million. (Tom Pelissero)
His pass-rush production spiked in 2020 with 61 pressures, tying him for the fifth-most among edge rushers, according to PFF.
UPDATE: Okwara has re-signed with the Lions on a three-year deal worth $39 million. (Ian Rapoport)
Consider it a red flag the Titans thought so little of Davis a year ago that they didn’t exercise his fifth-year option. After he recorded 984 yards in 14 games, they may regret that decision like they regret letting Jack Conklin walk a year ago.
UPDATE: Davis is signing a three-year, $37.5 million contract with the Jets. (Ian Rapoport)
If you need a consistent big body to anchor the middle of your defensive line, Tomlinson is a fine choice. Guys with his size and strength inevitably get huge dollars.
UPDATE: Tomlinson has agreed to a two-year, $22 million deal with the Vikings that includes $16 million fully guaranteed. (Ian Rapoport)
The secret back-end weapon in the Rams' defense last year could possibly join his old coach Brandon Staley without changing stadiums.
UPDATE: Johnson has signed a three-year, $33.75 million contract with the Browns that includes $24 million guaranteed. (Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport)
Playing on the same line as Aaron Donald gave Floyd a bump like it did to Dante Fowler a year ago. Floyd’s longer track record as a workmanlike starter makes him a relatively safe pickup.
UPDATE: Floyd re-signed with the Rams on a four-year, $64 million deal. (Ian Rapoport)
Youngish cornerbacks with some terrific highs in their careers are few and far between in this market. Jackson is a prime candidate to get more money than expected.
UPDATE: Jackson is signing a three-year, $40.5 million contract with Washington that includes $26 million guaranteed. (Ian Rapoport)
If you know, you know. A master shot blocker in the paint, Harris’ game has exceeded his brand name for a while.
UPDATE: Harris has re-signed a three-year, $27 million contract with the Broncos that includes $15 million guaranteed. (Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport)
Professionalism ages well. One of the most productive pass rushers of the last decade can still get it done, albeit in a reduced role.
UPDATE: Houston is signing a one-year deal worth up to $4 million with the Ravens. (Tom Pelissero)
In one year, Reddick went from a potential roster cut to a contract-year revelation. I’d be wary of expecting 2020 production from Reddick again, but his first-round pedigree will help him get paid.
UPDATE: Reddick is signing with the Panthers on a one-year, $6 million deal worth up to $8 million. (Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo)
Brown just makes plays. After four seasons with Mike Vrabel, the inside linebacker could stay within the extended Bill Belichick coaching tree and land in New England or Miami.
UPDATE: Brown is re-signing with the Titans on a one-year deal worth $5.25 million. (Tom Pelissero)
This is the part of the free agent list where I’m willing to take a chance. Verrett is the type of boom-or-bust signing who is worth a shot on a one-year deal for a contending team.
UPDATE: Verrett re-signed with the 49ers on a one-year deal worth $5.5 million, which could become $6.5 million if he makes the Pro Bowl. (Ian Rapoport)
It feels like Darby is available in free agency every season. I usually rate him higher than the market does and finally felt justified after he ranked 12th out of 79 qualifiers in PFF’s 2020 cornerback grades.
UPDATE: Darby signed a three-year, $30 million deal with the Broncos that includes $19.5 million fully guaranteed. (Ian Rapoport)
Smaller receivers don’t always age well, but Hilton’s tape last year was a lot more impressive than his final numbers.
UPDATE: Hilton re-signed with the Colts on a one-year deal worth $10 million with $8 million guaranteed. (Ian Rapoport)
After a sneaky great 2019 campaign, Dunlap juiced the Seahawks’ playoff push last year following a midseason trade from Cincinnati. He was released because he wasn’t worth $14 million in this market, but he is worth a look for teams needing a pass rusher.
UPDATE: Dunlap is re-signing with the Seahawks on a two-year deal worth $16.6 million with $8.5 million guaranteed. (Ian Rapoport)
While Jackson was too streaky and too injured to live up to his draft status, he has had stretches where he's performed like a top-10 cornerback. He's a welcome addition to a thin cornerback market.
UPDATE: Signing a three-year, $39 million deal with the Giants that includes $16 million in Year 1. The deal has a max value of $44.5 million. (Ian Rapoport)
Great backup quarterbacks were weirdly undervalued in last year’s market, receiving less money than mediocre situational pass rushers. Dalton is settling into the phase of his career where he’s one of the best backups in football.
UPDATE: Dalton signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Bears with a max value of $13 million with incentives. (Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero)
After missing the 2019 season due to career-threatening blood clots, Andrews came back to anchor the Patriots' line in 2020. He’s a quick fix for any team with a center problem.
UPDATE: Andrews re-signed with the Patriots on a four-year, $19 million deal that includes $6.5 million fully guaranteed. (Kim Jones, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero)
His play dipped in 2020 after a torrid season and a half in the starting lineup. The depth in the free agent safety class could hurt Harris’ bottom line.
UPDATE: Harris is signing a one-year deal worth $5 million with the Eagles. (Ian Rapoport)
With flair for days, the Steelers slot corner would bring energy and versatility to any team that knows how to use him.
UPDATE: Hilton signed a four-year deal with the Bengals worth $24 million with $8.5 million in the first year. (Ian Rapoport)
There is some concern that Ingram’s ferocious playing style could be compromised by injury (missed 12 games since 2019), but he’s been a force every time he’s stepped on the field and could give any defense a nasty attitude upgrade.
UPDATE: Ingram is signing a one-year deal with the Steelers. (Ian Rapoport)
It’s not cool to value tackle-breaking running backs like Chris Carson, but it is exceedingly cool to watch Chris Carson play football.
UPDATE: Carson is re-signing with the Seahawks on a two-year, $14.625 million deal. (Ian Rapoport)
The Chiefs needed to save cap space, and Fisher blew out his Achilles tendon in January. The injury came toward the end of one of Fisher’s better seasons, so some team may sign him to a multi-year deal with 2022 and '23 in mind.
UPDATE: Fisher is signing a one-year, $9.4 million deal with the Colts. (Tom Pelissero)
A surprise late addition to the list after the Broncos withdrew their restricted free agent tender, Lindsay has more than 3,000 yards from scrimmage in three seasons. He always gains more than what’s blocked and would help any backfield.
UPDATE: Lindsay signed a one-year deal with the Texans worth $3.25 million with $500,000 in incentives. (James Palmer and Ian Rapoport)
Wright bounced back from an injured 2018 and down 2019 season to show off his incredible instincts in 2020, but the market for an off-ball linebacker who turns 32 in July still may not be to Wright’s liking.
UPDATE: Wright is signing a one-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders. (Ian Rapoport)
I wanted to rank Gronk lower before realizing he finished in the top 10 among tight ends in yards (623) and touchdowns (7), all while blocking well and rarely leaving the field. He will live forever.
UPDATE: Gronkowski is re-signing with the Buccaneers on a one-year deal worth up to $10 million. (Ian Rapoport)
It’s hilarious to think of Agholor's five seasons in Philadelphia, where he was used as a chain-moving slot receiver. He doubled his yards per catch in Las Vegas (18.7 in 2020; 9.3 in 2019) and probably doubled his salary.
UPDATE: Agholor signed a two-year, $26 million contract with the Patriots. His deal has an annual base salary of $11 million with $2 million in incentives per year. (Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo)
Released after his best season with the Titans because of his big salary, Butler is an asset as a highly competitive, if streaky, starting cornerback. A nice buy-low candidate.
UPDATE: Butler is signing a one-year deal worth up to $6 million with the Cardinals. (Ian Rapoport)
Brown missed most of two of the last four seasons, which is why the Bills didn't keep him. He is a rare vertical difference-maker, however, every time he steps on the field.
UPDATE: Brown signed with the Raiders on a one-year, $3.75 million deal worth up to $5.5 million. (Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport)
Still flush with mid-air ball skills, Jones pulled off one of the toughest feats in the NFL: He made it to the very end of a five-year free agent contract! (And his 978-yard 2020 campaign could earn him one more nice payday.)
UPDATE: Jones signed with the Jaguars on a short-term deal worth $7 million per season. (Ian Rapoport)
I defy you to watch Autry for a few games and not come away thinking, “Nice ballplayer!”
UPDATE: Autry is signing a three-year deal worth $21.5 million with the Titans that includes $9 million guaranteed. He'll earn $14.25 million over the first two years. (Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero)
Rhodes showed in Indianapolis he still has quality snaps to give in the right scheme.
UPDATE: Rhodes is re-signing with the Colts on a one-year deal worth $6.5 million. (Ian Rapoport)
Playoff heroics aside, Watkins hasn’t topped 700 yards in a season since 2015. In related news, he has missed at least six games three of the last five years.
UPDATE: Watkins signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Ravens that includes $5 million fully guaranteed. (Ian Rapoport)
Undrafted free agents with forgettable names and prominent mustaches tend to get ignored, which is a shame for this solid starting cornerback.
UPDATE: Davis is re-signing with the Chargers on a three-year deal. (Mike Garafolo)
See my note on Andy Dalton for the relative value of backup quarterbacks. The last time Brissett played with a healthy shoulder, in the first half of the 2019 season, he played quite well.
UPDATE: Brissett signed a one-year, $5 million deal ($2.5 million signing bonus and $2.5 million fully guaranteed base) with the Dolphins that has a max value of $7.5 million. (Tom Pelissero)
A.B. was more productive than you might remember (483 yards in eight regular-season games) but still wasn’t the old Antonio Brown. The risk-reward ratio now looks out of whack unless your team employs Tom Brady at quarterback.
UPDATE: Brown is re-signing with the Buccaneers on a one-year deal worth up to $6.25 million ($3.1 million fully guaranteed). (Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero)
Jenkins still competes; he ranked 28th in PFF’s grading among 80 cornerbacks who played half of their team’s snaps last year. A return to New Orleans remains possible.
UPDATE: Jenkins has agreed to terms on a multi-year contract with the Titans. (Team)
The Titans’ scheme asked Jones to do a lot that doesn’t show up in the box score, and he did it all well.
UPDATE: Jones has agreed to terms on a one-year deal worth $4.05 million fully guaranteed with the Panthers. (Ian Rapoport)
I like medium-risk/high-reward free agent signings like Tartt. He’s a devastating tone-setter with explosive skills and significant injury risk.
UPDATE: Tartt re-signed with the 49ers on a one-year deal. (Peter Schrager)
See above. Williams may have some injury risk like Tartt, but he’s been one of the best slot cornerbacks in the NFL during stretches of his career.
UPDATE: Williams re-signed with the 49ers on a one-year, $2.378 million deal. (Ian Rapoport)
He had to work harder in 2020, but Drake topped 1,000 yards from scrimmage for the third straight season. His best role would be as a dangerous tag-team partner, rather than as a lead back.
UPDATE: Drake is signing with the Raiders on a two-year, $11 million deal that has a max value of $14.5 million. (Tom Pelissero)
The Cardinals asked a lot of Peterson the last two years, and it did not pay off for the future Hall of Fame candidate. The right coach should still be able to find a role for him.
UPDATE: Peterson signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Vikings. (Ian Rapoport)
A nice third-round pick by the Browns, Ogunjobi’s play seemed to decline as his rookie contract wore on.
UPDATE: Ogunjobi signed a one-year deal with the Bengals. (Ian Rapoport)
Teams will eventually see diminishing returns on these one-year deals for Suh, but it hasn’t happened yet.
UPDATE: Suh is finalizing a deal to re-sign with the Buccaneers on a one-year, fully guaranteed pact worth $9 million plus incentives. (Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport)
One of the most surprising cuts of the offseason, Van Noy can handle a variety of roles well. The Patriots would probably love to have him back at the right price.
UPDATE: Van Noy signed a two-year contract worth up to $13.2 million with the Patriots. (Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo)
Any Cowboys defender associated with last season’s meltdown figures to come at a discount. Woods was quietly an effective player before defensive coordinator Mike Nolan arrived.
UPDATE: Woods is signing a one-year deal worth up to $2.25 million with the Vikings. (Ian Rapoport)
Patterson is ranked this high because he’s one of the best special teams players in NFL history, not because of his efficiency as an offensive weapon (no matter how hard coaches still try).
UPDATE: Patterson signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Falcons. (Mike Garafolo)
The upside here -- his boffo 2018 season -- is significant. Will Rankins be better another year removed from Achilles surgery, or is he just settling in as a useful rotation piece?
UPDATE: Rankins signed a two-year deal worth up to $17 million with the Jets. (Mike Garafolo)
Injuries have taken a toll, but Neal started to show flashes of his physical form down the stretch last year. Would Dan Quinn bring him to Dallas?
UPDATE: Neal is signing a one-year, $5 million contract with the Cowboys. (Tom Pelissero)
The Vikings were seemingly always looking to upgrade from Reiff, but he’s started 119 of a possible 128 games over the last eight seasons (including 58 of 64 in Minnesota), mostly at left tackle. He’ll find a starting job.
UPDATE: Reiff signed a one-year, $7.5 million contract with the Bengals that includes a $5.5 million signing bonus. (Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero)
Sean McVay could never fully unlock Everett, but the tight end has the size and speed to carve out a long NFL career.
UPDATE: Everett is signing a one-year deal worth $6 million with the Seahawks. (Ian Rapoport)
It looks like the Steelers are ready to move on from Villanueva, which is a red flag because the Steelers are nothing if not loyal.
UPDATE: Villanueva signed a two-year, $14 million deal that includes $8 million fully guaranteed. (Ian Rapoport)
After falling out of favor with the Chargers, King helped the Titans' secondary down the stretch last season. He has special teams value, too.
UPDATE: King signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Texans. (Ian Rapoport)
While Smith’s comeback faded as the season wore on in Dallas, he showed enough to get another contract as a third pass rusher for some team.
UPDATE: Smith signed a one-year deal with the Seahawks. (Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport)
It’s a shame that the Chargers' medical staff mishap cost Taylor a chance at being a Week 1 starter in 2021. He can still help a team as a backup.
UPDATE: Taylor signed a one-year, $5.5 million deal ($2.5 million guaranteed) with the Texans that could be worth up to $12.5 million. (Tom Pelissero)
Cornerback is a weird position: You can have a name brand and make huge dollars, or you can be a guy like Breeland, going year-to-year while always giving his team creditable starts.
UPDATE: Breeland is signing a one-year deal worth up to $4 million with the Vikings. (Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo)
One of the league’s most underrated running backs would be worth a flier, even coming off a torn Achilles.
UPDATE: Mack re-signed with the Colts on a one-year deal worth $2 million. (Tom Pelissero)
Cheap, serviceable snaps from a tackle are hard to find in free agency. Beachum got the job done for the Cardinals last year.
UPDATE: Beachum is re-signing with the Cardinals on a two-year deal worth $4 million with $2.075 million fully guaranteed. (Tom Pelissero)
It was no surprise that Wolfe helped the Ravens as a rotational player last season and should provide a similar boost for some team in 2021.
UPDATE: Re-signing on a three-year, $12 million deal that will pay him $6.5 million in 2021. (Mike Garafolo)
It’s pretty rare for a former first-round nose tackle to have his best season at 33 years old, but Alualu made himself some money with the Steelers.
UPDATE: After initially agreeing to terms with the Jaguars, Alualu decided instead to re-sign with the Steelers on a two-year deal. (Tom Pelissero)
Inconsistent play will hurt Dunbar’s market, but there is plenty of upside here.
UPDATE: Dunbar is signing a one-year deal with the Lions. (Agent)
Perhaps the most underrated cornerback of his generation, Hayward's struggles in 2020 came out of nowhere. He's not far removed from high-level play.
UPDATE: Hayward signed a free-agent contract with the Raiders. (Team)
Long was only healthy enough to start 12 games combined in 2018 and '19 before injuries and self-evaluation led to him retiring before the 2020 season. Intending to make a comeback, the veteran is still worth a flier in case his body has healed enough to recover his Pro Bowl form.
UPDATE: Long signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal that could be worth up to $5 million with incentives. (Tom Pelissero)
I’d love to see the right organization turn McKinley’s career around, because the juice he showed in his first three seasons as a pass rusher was not a fluke.
UPDATE: McKinley signed a one-year contract worth up to $4 million with the Browns. (Ian Rapoport)
Players coming off major injuries like Hooker’s torn Achilles can often be underpaid in free agency.
UPDATE: Hooker signed a free-agent deal with the Cowboys. (Team)
There’s a reason Hill kept getting snaps in Los Angeles over the last five years (usually making the most of them): He’s competitive as hell.
UPDATE: Hill signed a four-year, $24 million contract with the Browns. (Ian Rapoport)
It’s not a great sign that the Saints moved on from Sanders after one up-and-down season, but he should still be able to help a team out as a savvy No. 3 wideout.
UPDATE: Sanders signed a one-year deal with the Bills. (Tom Pelissero)
Being named to the Patriots’ All-Decade team of the 2010s -- a decade that included five Super Bowl appearances -- should be worth something!
UPDATE: Guy is re-signing with the Patriots on a four-year, $11.5 million deal. (Ian Rapoport)
Arnold's listed at 220 pounds, helping to explain why he's one of the most purely athletic pass-catching tight ends in football.
UPDATE: Arnold signed a two-year, $6 million deal with the Panthers. (Peter Schrager)
A late addition to the list after the Broncos didn't pick up an option in Jackson's contract, the ageless elder statesmen was ranked fifth(!) among safeties who played at least 50 percent of his team's snaps last season by PFF.
UPDATE: Jackson signed with the Broncos on a one-year, $5 million deal. (Ian Rapoport)
The Pittsburgh offensive line didn’t help Conner’s decisiveness over the last two seasons.
UPDATE: Conner and the Cardinals have agreed to terms on a one-year deal. (Team)
A reunion with Tom Brady would make a lot of sense after both players appeared to miss one another in 2020.
UPDATE: White is re-signing with the Patriots on a one-year, $2,462,500 contract that is fully guaranteed. (Mike Giardi and Tom Pelissero)
If you need cheap, capable speed on the outside, Perriman is your guy.
UPDATE: Perriman signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Lions. (Ian Rapoport)
No one has recorded more sacks on more teams over the last few years without anyone noticing.
UPDATE: Hyder is signing a three-year, $16.5 million deal with the Seahawks that has a max value of $17.5 million. (Ian Rapoport)
I remain surprised that Awuzie hasn’t had a better career thus far, because he can look so good when he’s right.
UPDATE: Awuzie signed a three-year, $21.75 million deal with the Bengals that includes $9.25 million in Year 1. (Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero)
Muhammad can play multiple positions well and still has some upside.
UPDATE: Muhammad and the Colts agreed to terms on a one-year, $3.4 million contract. (Ian Rapoport)
It took long enough, but Griffen finally started to show his age in his stops with the Cowboys and Lions last year.
UPDATE: Griffen signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings, the team announced.
Remember that week when everyone wondered if the Bears would have to re-sign Trubisky to a big contract? That was weird.
UPDATE: Trubisky signed a one-year deal, $2.5 million deal ($1.5 million fully guaranteed) with the Bills that has a max value of $4.5 million. (Mike Garafolo, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero)
