Top Free Agents: Berry, Weddle lead list of available safeties

With free agency just around the corner, theScore takes a look at the top available players at each position. Unrestricted free agents can officially sign at 4 p.m. ET on March 9.

Top Free Agents By Position

Safeties

Eric Weddle

Height: 5'11"
Weight: 200 lbs.
Age: 31

2015 stats: 78 tackles, 6 passes defensed, 0.5 sacks

Things ended on a sour note between Weddle and the Chargers last season after he was fined $10,000 by the team for watching his daughter dance during a halftime show and placed on IR - a move he later suggested had less to do with injury than removing him from the team. He's one of the older safeties available, but his playmaking abilities should entice a number of teams.

Potential landing spots: Oakland Raiders, Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, Washington Redskins, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars

George Iloka

Height: 6'4"
Weight: 225 lbs.
Age: 25

2015 stats: 47 tackles, 1 INT, 4 passes defensed

The Bengals' top two safeties are both set to hit free agency this year, leaving the team with some tough decisions to make. Iloka is the younger of the two, and is due for his first big contract after making $1.58 million in the final year of his rookie deal. He was sidelined for four games last season due to groin and ankle injuries, but still received high coverage grades from Pro Football Focus.

Potential landing spots: Cincinnati Bengals, Minnesota Vikings, Oakland Raiders, Carolina Panthers, Washington Redskins, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, Detroit Lions

Reggie Nelson

Height: 5'11"
Weight: 210 lbs.
Age: 32

2015 stats: 77 tackles, 8 INTs, 14 passes defensed

Nelson is coming off a productive 2015 campaign in which he tied for the NFL lead in interceptions and was named to his first Pro Bowl. The biggest concern surrounding Nelson will likely be his age and how much he has left in the tank, though he's shown no signs of slowing down yet.

Potential landing spots: Cincinnati Bengals, Oakland Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, San Diego Chargers, Tennessee Titans, Detroit Lions

Tashaun Gipson

Height: 5'11"
Weight: 205 lbs.
Age: 25

2015 stats: 60 tackles, 2 INTs, 2 passes defensed

Gipson is due for a new contract after reluctantly signing a $2.356-million second-round tender with the Browns last June. He experienced a down year in 2015 after his impressive 2014 campaign, but that could be more indicative of Cleveland's defense as a whole. With his age and accomplishments, there will be teams out there willing to take a gamble on Gipson.

Potential landing spots: Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit Lions

Walter Thurmond

Height: 5'11"
Weight: 190 lbs.
Age: 28

2015 stats: 52 tackles, 3 INTs, 7 passes defensed

Last season was Thurmond's first at safety (and with the Eagles) after spending the previous five years of his career at cornerback. He quickly established himself as a starter at his new position and was one of the few bright spots for the Eagles in an otherwise disappointing season. While his long injury history may deter some teams, his versatility makes him one of the more intriguing defensive backs available.

Potential landing spots: Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars

Rodney McLeod

Height: 5'10"
Weight: 195 lbs.
Age: 25

2015 stats: 82 tackles, 1 INTs, 5 passes defensed

McLeod has developed into a dependable starter since signing with the Rams as an undrafted free agent out of Virginia in 2012. Although he still makes some costly mistakes, his age and durability (he's appeared in all 68 games over the past four seasons) make him an appealing target.

Potential landing spots: Los Angeles Rams, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, San Diego Chargers

Husain Abdullah

Height: 6'0"
Weight: 204 lbs.
Age: 30

2015 stats: 29 tackles, 1 pass defensed

Abdullah had been out of the NFL for a year when he signed with the Chiefs in 2013. He took over as a full-time starter in 2014 before returning to a rotational role last season, but has continually graded as one of the league's top safeties in coverage by Pro Football Focus. With the Chiefs prioritizing Berry, Abdullah could become expendable.

Potential landing spots: Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, Tennessee Titans

Other notable free-agent safeties

Isa Abdul-Quddus
Rashad Johnson
Tyvon Branch
Chris Conte
Roman Harper
Louis Delmas
Tony Jefferson
Quintin Demps
Will Allen