NFL's top 25 free agents of 2021
The NFL's free-agent negotiating window opens March 15, and there will be plenty of intriguing targets. Though some impending unrestricted free agents will agree to extensions and others will receive franchise tags before then, here's an early look at the 25 best players currently slated to hit the market:
1. Dak Prescott
🔖 Franchise tag candidate
Prescott is the top free agent for the second straight year. But like last offseason, it's highly unlikely the Dallas Cowboys allow the quarterback to hit the market. If Prescott and the Cowboys keep struggling to reach a deal, another franchise tag is reportedly coming. This time it will cost Dallas $37.7 million, which isn't an unworkable figure, but it's one that Jerry Jones knows gives the signal-caller leverage in extension talks. At least half the league will be chasing Prescott's signature if he somehow reaches free agency. He was on pace to break Peyton Manning's single-season passing record before suffering an ankle injury in Week 5
2. Allen Robinson
🔖 Franchise tag candidate
Robinson tops an insanely loaded receiver class, and the veteran looks intent on leaving the Chicago Bears after extension talks didn't progress throughout the season. The franchise tag is possible, but Chicago is already facing a tight cap situation. Despite dealing with erratic quarterback play, Robinson - who'll turn 28 in August - has racked up 200 catches for 2,397 yards and 13 touchdowns over the last two seasons. His ceiling with a better supporting cast is mouth-watering.
3. Chris Godwin
🔖 Franchise tag candidate
Godwin sacrificed a lot in 2020. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver's stats went way down after his 1,333-yard season in 2019. With additional playmakers surrounding him, Godwin's targets were cut by 30%, and his receptions dropped by 25%. The wideout's drops also increased after breaking his finger in December, and he recorded just nine yards in the Super Bowl. Nonetheless, he'll be a marquee free agent, and one the Bucs hope to ink to a long-term deal, but they're prepared to utilize the franchise tag to keep him.
4. Trent Williams
After sitting out the 2019 season, Williams didn't miss a beat in his return with the San Francisco 49ers, re-establishing himself among the league's best left tackles. The eight-time Pro Bowler ended the year as PFF's top-rated offensive tackle, and he was particularly dominant as a run-blocker. The 49ers will prioritize re-signing the 32-year-old, knowing a host of teams will jump at the chance to add an elite blindside protector.
5. Shaq Barrett
🔖 Franchise tag candidate
The two-time Super Bowl champion tops the list of available pass-rushers. Barrett's price tag likely went up after he harassed Patrick Mahomes relentlessly during the championship game. He led the league in sacks in 2019 with 19.5, and although that total dropped to eight in 2020, the veteran was still very disruptive despite getting much more attention from opposing offensive linemen. Barrett's hope is to re-up with the Buccaneers, and head coach Bruce Arians said post-Super Bowl the team shares that goal.
6. Kenny Golladay
🔖 Franchise tag candidate
Golladay is hitting the market after an injury-plagued season when he was limited to just five appearances. But the Detroit Lions wideout is one of the league's most imposing deep threats when healthy, averaging 16.8 yards per reception during his career. The Lions will likely consider using the franchise tag on Golladay to avoid robbing new quarterback Jared Goff of his top weapon.
7. Aaron Jones
Running backs often find disappointment on the free-agent market, but there's a strong case for Jones to land a top-tier deal. His 5.5 yards-per-carry average was third among running backs in 2020, while the ball carrier's 3,017 scrimmage yards over the last two years ranks him fifth at his position. Jones would be a major loss for Green Bay, but the NFC North club will probably struggle to match his best offers.
8. Leonard Williams
🔖 Franchise tag candidate
Williams put together his long-awaited breakout season in 2020 while playing on the franchise tag, racking up a career-high 11.5 sacks. The New York Giants won't want to lose the defensive tackle after trading two draft picks to the New York Jets to acquire him in 2019, so tagging Williams again for around $19 million is an option. Williams could break the bank amid a weak defensive tackle free-agent class.
9. Lavonte David
David is the third Buccaneer on this list. He's been perennially underrated, with just one Pro Bowl and All-Pro nod over his first eight losing seasons in Tampa Bay. He recorded 100-plus tackles for the eighth time in his career in 2020, and David hasn't shown any signs of slowing at the age of 31. The Buccaneers likely won't let him out of the building. If they do, David would fill both a defensive and leadership void for any prospective team.
10. Justin Simmons
Simmons is also coming off a strong season while playing on the franchise tag. The Denver Broncos safety was named to his first Pro Bowl a year after making his first All-Pro team, and he'll surely want to top Budda Baker's position-leading $14.75-million per year. Simmons, who only just turned 27 years old, racked up five interceptions and 96 tackles in 2020.
11. Yannick Ngakoue
🔖 Franchise tag candidate
Ngakoue changed addresses twice in 2020, and he still finished with eight sacks. Only 25 years old, he's the best of the available pass-rushers and should command top dollar, even after not exactly dominating with the Ravens. Ngakoue posted three sacks and 13 pressures over 11 games in Baltimore, and he was on the field for less than half of the team's defensive snaps over two playoff games.
12. J.J. Watt
The three-time Defensive Player of the Year will surely attract plenty of suitors despite his age after asking the Houston Texans for his release. The sack numbers weren't there in 2020 - he managed five in 16 starts - but the 31-year-old Watt can still pressure opposing quarterbacks with the best of them while playing elite run defense. The five-time All-Pro selection is a versatile lineman who could be the final piece of the puzzle for a contender.
13. JuJu Smith-Schuster
Smith-Schuster's antics might annoy some opponents, but the Pittsburgh Steelers receiver is still highly talented, and an array of suitors will likely pursue him. After a blistering start to his career in which he caught 169 passes for 2,343 yards and 14 touchdowns over the wideout's first two seasons, Smith-Schuster's production has dropped off in recent years. He recorded 552 yards over 12 games in 2019, and then averaged just 8.6 yards per catch this season. But teams should see a player who was limited while playing in Pittsburgh's offense, and one who has yet to hit his ceiling.
14. Will Fuller
Fuller is the top deep-ball threat on the open market. He was enjoying the best season of his career (53 grabs, 879 yards, eight TDs) before being handed a six-game suspension for using a banned substance. He'll miss the first game of the 2021 season, but interest should be strong for a big-play receiver who drew plenty of attention at the trade deadline.
15. Brandon Scherff
Scherff, the top interior offensive lineman available, made the Pro Bowl in four of the last five seasons, and he was named first-team All-Pro in 2020 while playing on the franchise tag. He was called for just two penalties and allowed three sacks and 21 quarterback pressures all season. Scherff also earned PFF's third-highest pass-blocking grade, and he graded sixth among guards in run blocking.
16. Hunter Henry
🔖 Franchise tag candidate
Henry was on pace to play a full 16-game campaign for the first time in his five-year career before hitting the COVID-19 list to end the season. Nonetheless, the Los Angeles Chargers tight end posted career highs in targets and receptions while playing in a pass-happy offense. The 26-year-old is one of few sure-handed tight ends set to be available, but he may come with a steep price tag. The pass-catcher is expected to make between the $14.3 million per season that Travis Kelce earns and the $10.5 million Austin Hooper averages.
17. Corey Linsley
Linsley was named a first-team All-Pro for the first time this past campaign. The center kept Aaron Rodgers well-protected, allowing just four pressures on 437 pass-blocking attempts, according to PFF. Linsley, who's started 99 games over seven years in Green Bay, should be a top target for teams seeking interior offensive line help.
18. Anthony Harris
The Vikings used the franchise tag on Harris last offseason with the safety coming off a six-interception campaign. Harris didn't pick off any passes in 2020 as Minnesota's defense dropped off a cliff, and he'll turn 30 in October. His market will likely be less competitive than it would've been last year, but as a top-tier free safety in a pass-dominated league, the veteran should still command a deal near the top of his position.
19. Bud Dupree
Dupree was on pace for his second straight double-digit sack season before tearing his ACL in early December. The Steelers linebacker would be higher on this list if not for the knee injury, which should keep him sidelined for much of the offseason and potentially limit him early next fall. Still, 27-year-old pass-rushers like Dupree don't hit the market often, so he should be in line for a major deal.
20. Joe Thuney
Thuney is one of the league's more well-rounded guards. He should become a free agent after the New England Patriots tagged him last year. The Patriots would surely like to keep him, but they're likely to be outbid for his services. The 29-year-old has never missed a start (80 games) since New England drafted him in 2016.
21. Marcus Maye
🔖 Franchise tag candidate
Maye stacked up stats while playing on the woeful New York Jets in 2020. He recorded career highs in tackles (88), sacks (two), interceptions (two), and forced fumbles (two) from his free safety position, putting himself into the conversation to be one of the best defensive backs available.
22. Matt Milano
🔖 Franchise tag candidate
Milano's tackle numbers aren't anything to write home about (45 in 2020), but he emerged as an indispensable cover linebacker for the 13-3 Buffalo Bills. While he may be a candidate for the franchise tag, Bills GM Brandon Beane said Milano has earned the right to test the market.
23. John Johnson
Johnson is a burgeoning star, one the Los Angeles Rams may be reluctant to part with but unable to afford. The young safety just completed his rookie contract and could strike it rich. He's everywhere on defense, with 100-plus tackles in two of the last three seasons, and Johnson also thrives in coverage.
24. Marvin Jones
Jones turns 31 next month, but he's still an ideal weapon as a second- or third-option at receiver. He's scored nine touchdowns in three of the past four seasons, and Jones is still producing a solid catch rate (66.1% in 2020) and a steady yards-per-game average (61.1 in 2020).
25. Richard Sherman
Sherman has descended from his prime, but the veteran can still be a difference-maker at age 33. The San Francisco 49ers cornerback only played five games in 2020, but he was a second-team All-Pro the year prior. Sherman likely won't return to the 49ers, so he's aiming to spend the last two seasons of his career with a contender before retiring.
Honorable mentions: Trey Hendrickson, Taylor Moton, Haason Reddick, Kenyan Drake, K.J. Wright, Shaquill Griffin, Patrick Peterson, Marcus Williams, Matt Judon, Jameis Winston, William Jackson, Leonard Floyd, Jonnu Smith