Top Free Agents: Berry, Johnson headline talented group of DBs

With free agents able to officially sign at 4 p.m. ET on March 9, theScore takes a look at the top available players at each position.

Top free agents by position

• Quarterbacks
• Running Backs
• Wide Receivers
• Tight Ends
• Offensive Linemen
• Edge Rushers
• Defensive Linemen
• Linebackers
• Cornerbacks/Safeties

Cornerbacks

Trumaine Johnson

Age: 27 Height: 6'2" Weight: 208 lbs.

2016 stats: 1 INT, 11 passes defensed, 57 tackles

Barring a second consecutive use of the franchise tag, which seems unlikely given the required 120 percent raise, Johnson will finally have the opportunity to test the market. A 27-year-old with prototypical size and athleticism to go with his history of production should like what he finds. There's no shortage of cornerback-needy teams around the league, and many of them just so happen to be among the league leaders in available salary-cap space. Teams should be willing to look past Johnson's slight drop-off in 2016 and pay him in line with the seven-interception season he posted the year prior.

Potential landing spots: Rams, Bears, 49ers, Titans

Stephon Gilmore

Age: 26 Height: 6'1" Weight: 190 lbs.

2016 stats: 5 INTs, 12 passes defensed, 48 tackles

Gilmore did not disappoint in the fifth and final year of his rookie contract. After bringing in a career-best five interceptions, the veteran corner hits free agency as one of the most highly coveted defensive backs. Gilmore should be the top target for any cap-rich team in need of cornerback help, particularly those who like to have their defensive backs press receivers at the line of scrimmage. The Bills will do what they can to retain him, but the former first-round pick may end up being out of their price range.

Potential landing spots: Bills, Colts, Panthers, Dolphins

A.J. Bouye

Age: 25 Height: 6'0" Weight: 191 lbs.

2016 stats: 1 INT, 16 passes defensed, 63 tackles

Bouye conveniently hits free agency on the heels of a 2016 campaign in which he emerged as one of the league's brightest young stars at cornerback. The small sample size will concern some, but this position is far too valuable for teams to pass on a chance to land a top talent who won't turn 26 until August. A bidding war could conceivably push his value into the range of more established talents like Johnson and Gilmore.

Potential landing spots: Texans, 49ers, Jaguars, Browns

Prince Amukamara

Age: 27 Height: 6'0" Weight: 202 lbs.

2016 stats: 6 passes defensed, 49 tackles

Amukamara re-emerged as a starting-caliber player after settling for a one-year deal in Jacksonville last offseason. His solid production opposite standout rookie Jalen Ramsey, combined with the fact that he mostly managed to stay healthy, should have him poised for a multi-year deal in his second chance at free agency. Though Tom Coughlin's arrival likely puts Jacksonville in even better position to strike a deal, there will be no shortage of suitors.

Potential landing spots: Jaguars, Saints, Eagles, Redskins

Brandon Carr

Age: 30 Height: 6'0" Weight: 210 lbs.

2016 stats: 1 INT, 9 passes defensed, 61 tackles

Carr has quietly remained a solid cover man now 10 seasons into his pro career, starting every possible game across his time with both the Chiefs and Cowboys. The veteran hinted at considering retirement following Dallas' disappointing playoff exit, and it remains to be seen when he'll make an official decision on that front. But all indications are that he still has plenty left in the tank. The market should be there if he wants it.

Potential landing spots: Cowboys, Texans, Lions, Seahawks

Logan Ryan

Age: 26 Height: 5'11" Weight: 195 lbs.

2016 stats: 2 INTs, 11 passes defensed, 92 tackles

Ryan hasn't received enough credit for his steady play with Malcolm Butler getting all the attention in the New England defensive backfield. The former third-round pick put together his best season yet in helping the Patriots limit opponents to just 6.8 yards per pass attempt. Whether he re-signs with the Super Bowl champions or cashes in elsewhere, Ryan won't fly under the radar much longer.

Potential landing spots: Patriots, Colts, Buccaneers, Jets

Other notable free-agent cornerbacks

• Dre Kirkpatrick
• Terence Newman
• Morris Claiborne
• Captain Munnerlyn
• Marcus Cooper
• Sam Shields
• Darius Butler
• Leon Hall
• DJ Hayden
• Nolan Carroll
• Leodis McKelvin
• Tramon Williams

Safeties

Eric Berry

Age: 28 Height: 6'0" Weight: 212 lbs.

2016 stats: 77 tackles, 4 INTs, 9 passes defensed

Kansas City has another difficult decision to make with its star safety. While the team would presumably like Berry to lead the defense for the foreseeable future, there's no indication the two sides are close to a long-term deal. That brings the franchise tag into play, but using the tender for a second straight year would bump Berry's salary to $12.96 million. A Chiefs team already up against the cap may not be able to justify such a steep cost. Berry could end up testing free agency and becoming this year's most sought-after player as a result.

Potential landing spots: Chiefs, Titans, Buccaneers, Jaguars

Tony Jefferson

Age: 25 Height: 5'11" Weight: 212 lbs.

2016 stats: 96 tackles, 2 sacks, 5 passes defensed

Jefferson was looking for a long-term contract last offseason when the Cardinals gave him an original-round free-agent tender that carried nothing more than the right of first refusal. The lack of required draft-pick compensation wasn't enough for a deal to take shape, but it all appears to have worked out in Jefferson's favor. The young ballhawk becomes an unrestricted free agent after a breakout season, and the contract he lands should blow away any offers he would have gotten this time last year.

Potential landing spots: Cardinals, Browns, Bears, Colts

Johnathan Cyprien

Age: 26 Height: 6'0" Weight: 217 lbs.

2016 stats: 127 tackles, 1 sack, 4 passes defensed

Cyprien enjoyed a significant boost in production after making the transition to a full-time strong safety role in Jacksonville's new-look secondary. That's undoubtedly the best fit for his skill set, and he can likely be considered the top in-the-box safety outside of Berry among the impending free agents. Jacksonville will have the money to compete with any offers from elsewhere, so an extension is entirely possible.

Potential landing spots: Jaguars, 49ers, Panthers, Buccaneers

Micah Hyde

Age: 26 Height: 6'0" Weight: 197 lbs.

2016 stats: 59 tackles, 1 sack, 3 INTs, 9 passes defensed

Hyde was one of few consistent contributors in an otherwise disastrous Packers secondary this past season. While other teams might offer a more extensive role, Green Bay has long been successful in taking care of its own. Hyde will be an important piece regardless of where he signs, as his versatility allows him to line up at a number of different positions in the secondary.

Potential landing spots: Packers, Chiefs, Raiders, Patriots

Other notable free-agent safeties

• Barry Church
• T.J. McDonald
• Mike Adams
• D.J. Swearinger
• Quintin Demps
• Bradley McDougald
• Rashad Johnson
• Jahleel Addae
• Donte Whitner
• Chris Conte

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)