Top 10 2014 NFL Free Agents

The chaotic NFL free agency period officially opens this Tuesday March 11th at 4 p.m. Eastern Time. While many big names such as Greg Hardy, Jimmy Graham and Anquan Boldin have already re-signed with their respective teams, there are still plenty of big impact players set to hit the open market. Here are my picks for the 10 best unrestricted free agents that are available in 2014.

10.Jared Veldheer, tackle (Most recent team: Oakland Raiders)
Jared Veldheer has been one of the most consistently productive tackles in the entire league for years despite being buried in the barren wasteland of Oakland for his entire career. The Raiders have a lot of cap space and can likely make a run at re-signing him, but if Veldheer chooses to leave Oakland, there a lot of franchises with a lot more upside that could use his services.
Possible Destinations: Oakland Raiders, Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars, St. Louis Rams

9.Jared Allen, defensive end (Most recent team: Minnesota Vikings)
Jared Allen may not quite be the superstar defensive end he used to be at age 31 going on 32, but he's still got something left in the tank. He quietly had an 11.5 sack season last year and has had double-digit sacks every year he's been in the league except for his rookie season. You may not want to lock Allen down long-term because of his age, but he could make for a really great situational pass-rusher for a playoff-contending team.
Possible Destinations: Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks (if Michael Bennett doesn't return), Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants
 
8.Eugene Monroe, tackle (Most recent team: Baltimore Ravens)
Eugene Monroe was not quite in top form last year as he struggled a bit after being traded by the Jaguars to the Ravens mid-season. Even with his disappointing 2013, Monroe remains the best available offensive lineman in this year's free agent class and should be able to get a pretty big contract because of it.
Possible Destinations: Baltimore Ravens, Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders   

7.Eric Decker, wide receiver (Most recent team: Denver Broncos)
Eric Decker is arguably the most polarizing and intriguing player in the 2014 free agent class. Is his success only because of Peyton Manning or is he truly one of the league's best options as a number two wide receiver? No matter if Decker returns to Denver or goes elsewhere, he is the biggest boom-or-bust player on the open market by a long shot.
Possible Destinations: Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets, New York Giants, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns 
 
6.Karlos Dansby, inside linebacker (Most recent team: Arizona Cardinals)
Karlos Dansby had a major resurgence with the Cardinals last season and got the first All-Pro honors of his nine-year career. This incredible season should see the 32 year-old Dansby get a nice paycheck for 2014 despite his relatively old age for the position. If his two-way linebacker skill set can remain as sharp this upcoming season, Dansby should be one of the top pickups of this free agency class.
Possible Destinations: Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, New York Giants, Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, New England Patriots

5.Michael Bennett, defensive end (Most recent team: Seattle Seahawks)
Michael Bennett signed a one-year "prove it" contract last year with the Seahawks and went onto prove just exactly how much is he worth with an excellent 2013 campaign that included 8.5 sacks and his first career defensive touchdown. Bennett is a defensive end that not only rush the passer, but can stop the run, open up holes for his fellow lineman to get to the quarterback and lineup anywhere he is asked to on the line. A player with Bennett's two-way abilities and versatility is bound to get paid big time regardless of whether or not he stays with the defending Super Bowl champs in Seattle.
Possible Destinations: Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Oakland Raiders, Indianapolis Colts   

4.Aqib Talib, cornerback (Most recent team: New England Patriots)
 Aqib Talib was absolutely elite for the Patriots last year prior to injuring his hip in the middle of the season. Regardless of the injury, Talib is going to command a lot of money in free agency with his physical play and great hands in the secondary.
Possible Destinations: New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders, Washington Redskins, Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets

3.Alterraun Verner, cornerback (Most recent team: Tennessee Titans)
Alterraun Verner has a similar skill set and accolades as Aqib Talib except three years younger and lacking the injury history or off-the-field problems Verner continues to improve each year he is in the league and has the potential to be a top 3 corner in this league if he keeps it up. I wouldn't be at all surprised if Verner ended up being the most productive player of this free agent class within the next few seasons.
Possible Destinations: Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders, Washington Redskins, Denver Broncos, St. Louis Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets  

2.T.J. Ward, safety (Most recent team: Cleveland Browns)
T.J. Ward is the most underrated safety in the league in my eyes, but if he is able to get out of Cleveland this offseason, people should start to take notice. Ward is the best run-stopping safety in the league and his hard-hitting style will instantly make any defense more physical and productive.
Possible Destinations: Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, St. Louis Rams, New York Jets, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans

1.Jarius Byrd, safety (Most recent team: Buffalo Bills)
Jarius Byrd was on this list last year and here he is again after failing to reach a long-term deal with the Bills prior to the start of this year's free agency period. Byrd wants big money and deservedly so; he's consistently been one of the best safeties in the league since he was drafted in 2009. Byrd has the ball skills and tackling ability to make a huge difference wherever ends up. Any team with a decent amount of cap space and a safety need is going to make a run at Byrd- who is pretty easily the top of the heap amongst this free agent class.
Possible Destinations: Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (unlikely given that they have Mark Barron and Dashon Goldson, but Byrd's father just got hired as defensive backs coach)  

Other notable unrestricted free agents:

Adam Vinateri, kicker (Most recent team: Indianapolis Colts)

Ahmad Bradshaw, running back (Most recent team: Indianapolis Colts)

Andre Brown, running back (Most recent team: New York Giants)

Andre Roberts, wide receiver (Most recent team: Arizona Cardinals)

Anthony Spencer, defensive end (Most recent team: Dallas Cowboys)

Antoine Bethea, safety (Most recent team: Indianapolis Colts)
Antonio Cromartie, cornerback (Most recent team: New York Jets)

Antonio Smith, defensive end (Most recent team: Houston Texans)

Arthur Jones, defensive end/tackle (Most recent team: Baltimore Ravens)

Asante Samuel, cornerback (Most recent team: Atlanta Falcons)

Ben Tate, running back (Most recent team: Houston Texans)

Branden Albert, tackle (Most recent team: Kansas City Chiefs)

Brandon Browner, cornerback (Most recent team: Seattle Seahawks)

Brandon LaFell, wide receiver (Most recent team: Carolina Panthers)

Brandon Myers, tight end (Most recent team: New York Giants)

Brandon Pettigrew, tight end (Most recent team: Detroit Lions)

Brandon Spikes, inside linebacker (Most recent team: New England Patriots)

Brian De La Puente, center (Most recent team: New Orleans Saints)

Calvin Pace, outside linebacker/defensive end (Most recent team: New York Jets)

Captain Munnerlyn, cornerback (Most recent team: Carolina Panthers)

Champ Bailey, cornerback (Most recent team: Denver Broncos)

Charles Tillman, cornerback (Most recent team: Chicago Bears)

Charles Woodson, safety (Most recent team: Oakland Raiders)

Corey Graham, cornerback (Most recent team: Baltimore Ravens)

Danario Alexander, wide receiver (Most recent team: San Diego Chargers)

Darren McFadden, running back (Most recent team: Oakland Raiders)

Darren Sproles, running back (Most recent team: New Orleans Saints)

Daryl Smith, inside linebacker (Most recent team: Baltimore Ravens)
Davin Joesph, guard (Most recent team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers) 

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, cornerback (Most recent team: Denver Broncos)

Donald Brown, running back (Most recent team: Indianapolis Colts)

Donnie Jones, punter (Most recent team: Philadelphia Eagles)

Donte Whitner, safety (Most recent team: San Francisco 49ers)

Emmanuel Sanders, wide receiver (Most recent team: Pittsburgh Steelers)

Garrett Graham, tight end (Most recent team: Houston Texans)

Geoff Schwartz, guard (Most recent team: Kansas City Chiefs)

Golden Tate, wide receiver (Most recent team: Seattle Seahawks)

Hakeem Nicks, wide receiver (Most recent team: New York Giants)

Henry Melton, defensive tackle (Most recent team: Chicago Bears)

Jacoby Jones, wide receiver (Most recent team: Baltimore Ravens)

James Jones, wide receiver (Most recent team: Green Bay Packers)
Jason Hatcher, defensive tackle (Most recent team: Dallas Cowboys)

Jay Feely, kicker (Most recent team: Arizona Cardinals)

Jermichael Finley, tight end (Most recent team: Green Bay Packers)

Jon Beason, inside linebacker (Most recent team: New York Giants)

Josh Brown, kicker (Most recent team: New York Giants)

Josh McCown, quarterback (Most recent team: Chicago Bears)

Julian Edelman, wide receiver (Most recent team: New England Patriots)

Justin Tuck, defensive end (Most recent team: New York Giants)

Kevin Williams, defensive tackle (Most recent team: Minnesota Vikings)

Knowshon Moreno, running back (Most recent team: Denver Broncos)

Lamarr Houston, defensive end (Most recent team: Oakland Raiders)

Lance Moore, wide receiver (Most recent team: New Orleans Saints)

LeGarrette Blount, running back (Most recent team: New England Patriots)

Linval Joesph, defensive tackle (Most recent team: New York Giants)

Louis Delmas, safety (Most recent team: Detroit Lions)

Maurice Jones-Drew, running back (Most recent team: Jacksonville Jaguars)
Michael Johnson, defensive end (Most recent team: Cincinnati Bengals) 

Michael Oher, guard/tackle (Most recent team: Baltimore Ravens)

Michael Vick, quarterback (Most recent team: Philadelphia Eagles)

Paul Soliai, defensive tackle (Most recent team: Miami Dolphins)

Perry Riley, inside linebacker (Most recent team: Washington Redskins)

Phil Dawson, kicker (Most recent team: San Francisco 49ers)

Randy Starks, defensive tackle (Most recent team: Miami Dolphins)

Rashad Jennings, running back (Most recent team: Oakland Raiders)

Rashard Mendenhall, running back (Most recent team: Arizona Cardinals)

Richie Incognito, guard (Most recent team: Miami Dolphins)

Shaun Phillips, outside linebacker/defensive end (Most recent team: Denver Broncos)

Sidney Rice, wide receiver (Most recent team: Seattle Seahawks)

Steven Hauschka, kicker (Most recent team: Seattle Seahawks)

Tarrel Brown, cornerback (Most recent team: San Francisco 49ers)

Ted Ginn, wide receiver (Most recent team: Carolina Panthers)

Terrell Thomas, cornerback (Most recent team: New York Giants)

Travelle Wharton, guard (Most recent team: Carolina Panthers)

Vontae Davis, cornerback (Most recent team: Indianapolis Colts)

Walter Thurmond III, cornerback (Most recent team: Seattle Seahawks)

Wesley Woodyard, inside linebacker (Most recent team: Denver Broncos)

Will Smith, defensive end/outside linebacker (Most recent team: New Orleans Saints)

Zane Beadles, guard (Most recent team: Denver Broncos)