The official start of free agency may be approximately 72 hours away, but the 2016 free agency class is already guaranteed to generate as much buzz as the 2015 class that saw nearly a dozen elite players including Ndamukong Suh, DeMarco Murray and Randall Cobb hit the open market. Almost all of the biggest names set to hit free agency (Von Miller, Alshon Jeffrey, Eric Berry, Josh Norman, Kirk Cousins, Muhammad Wilkerson) have been given the franchise tag that prevents them from leaving their current team. That being said, there are still a number of impact players that will be free to sign with any team when the new league starts on Wednesday March 9th at 4:00 P.M. EST. Here are my picks for the 10 best available players in the 2016 free agent class.
10.Bruce Irvin, outside linebacker (Most recent team: Seattle Seahawks)
While his brash personality and reputation as a dirty player have made one of the most polarizing players in the NFL, there's no denying that Irvin has been one of the best situational pass-rushing specialists in the NFL over the past few seasons. With his steady year-to-year improvement since entering the league in 2012 and lack of wear and tear given his age (28), he could end up being a steal for a team that needs edge-rushing help.
Possible Destinations: Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints, Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets, Carolina Panthers
9.Marvin Jones, wide receiver (Most recent team: Cincinnati Bengals)
With Alshon Jeffrey being locked up by the Bears, Jones is now by far the best wide receiver available in free agency. His youth (he turns 26 next week), consistency and ability to play both inside and outside makes him an excellent option for teams that are looking for a high-end number two receiver.
Possible Destinations: Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, San Diego Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans, New York Giants
8.Richie Incognito, guard (Most recent team: Buffalo Bills)
Incognito had one of the most surprising comebacks in recent NFL history with a career-best season at age 32 in 2015. His age is definitely a bit of a concern moving forward, but if his dominant play last season is any indicator, he should continue to be productive throughout his (likely) final contract as an NFL player.
Possible Destinations: Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets, San Fransisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints
7.Lamar Miller, running back (Most recent team: Miami Dolphins)
Miller is one of only a handful of running backs currently in the league that's good to enough shoulder the brunt of the carries himself. Miller's three-down capabilities paired with his pass-catching and elusiveness makes him one of the rare running backs that's worth giving a sizable contract to in the current pass-first climate of the NFL.
Possible Destinations: Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans
6.Sean Smith, cornerback (Most recent team: Kansas City Chiefs)
Smith
has quietly been one of the most productive corners in the league since
he signed with the Chiefs in 2013, grading out as one of Pro Football
Focus' top 15 corners in coverage each of the past two seasons. Smith's
shutdown ability makes him the clear standout in this relatively weak
group of free agent cornerback and that should allow him to secure one
of the heftiest contracts of anyone on the market in 2016.
Possible
Destinations: Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars, Oakland
Raiders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins, New
York Giants
5.Danny Trevathan, inside linebacker (Most recent team: Denver Broncos)
He may not get the fanfare of his teammate Brandon Marshall, but Trevathan is a versatile, imposing force in the middle of the defense who's equally adept at stopping the run and dropping back in coverage. Given the small amount of top-tier inside linebackers currently in the league, it would be a shock if a linebacker-needy team with deep pockets didn't give Trevathan an outrageous amount of money.
Possible Destinations: Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants, Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers
4.Malik Jackson, defensive end/tackle (Most recent team: Denver Broncos)
Jackson got hot at just the right time to get paid, putting together a phenomenal playoff run to cap off his excellent 2015 season with the Broncos. While it's unclear if being a part of the Broncos talented-loaded defense or his own natural talent was responsible for his tremendous production over the past two seasons, his ability to play anywhere on the defensive line and consistent efficiency as both a pass-rusher and run-stopper makes him too intriguing of a player to not take a chance on.
Possible Destinations: Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys, Oakland Raiders, Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers
3.Damon Harrison, defensive tackle (Most recent team: New York Jets)
He may not be a household name, but there is arguably no better run-stuffing interior defensive lineman in football right now than Harrison. Harrison is the type of player that can come in and significantly alter the identity of a defense right away. If the Jets aren't able to re-sign him (which is the current rumor), any team that runs a 3-4 defense that has trouble stopping the run needs to make an aggressive push to land him.
Possible Destinations: New York Jets, San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns, San Fransisco 49ers, Chicago Bears, Washington Redskins
2.Doug Martin, running back (Most recent team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Doug Martin's unexpected return to form in 2015 has elevated him back to the premiere running back status he held after his stellar rookie campaign in 2012. The injuries and inconsistent play that derailed his 2013 and 2014 seasons make him a less-than-ideal candidate for a long-term deal, but the complete utter and dominance he showed in 2015 and status as one of the few running backs that can run, catch and pass-protect with equal proficiency makes him a gamble worth taking for any run-first team that's in the market for a true workhorse back.
Possible Destinations: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts, San Fransisco 49ers, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, Detroit Lions
1.Kelechi Osemele, guard (Most recent team: Baltimore Ravens)
Osemele has been a force of nature over the past four seasons with the Ravens and is without question the best offensive lineman to hit the open market since Jason Peters in 2009. Osemele's current standing as one of the most well-rounded and ferocious guards in the league makes him a top priority for any team that's looking to fortify the interior of their offensive line for the 2016 season.
Possible Destinations: Baltimore Ravens, Jacksonville Jaguars, San Fransisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Washington Redskins, Minnesota Vikings, San Diego Chargers
Other Notable Free Agents:
Dwayne Allen, tight end (Most recent team: Indianapolis Colts)
Prince Amukamara, cornerback (Most recent team: New York Giants)
Robert Ayers, defensive end (Most recent team: New York Giants)
Joe Barksdale, tackle (Most recent team: San Diego Chargers)
Mark Barron, safety (Most recent team: Los Angeles Rams)
Zane Beadles, guard (Most recent team: Jacksonville Jaguars)
Kelvin Beachum, tackle (Most recent team: Pittsburgh Steelers)
Travis Benjamin, wide receiver (Most recent team: Cleveland Browns)
LeGarrette Blount, running back (Most recent team: New England Patriots)
Anquan Boldin, wide receiver (Most recent team: San Fransisco 49ers)
Alex Boone, guard (Most recent team: San Fransisco 49ers)
Nigel Bradham, outside linebacker (Most recent team: Buffalo Bills)
Brandon Brooks, guard (Most recent team: Houston Texans)
David Bruton, safety (Most recent team: Denver Broncos)
Donald Butler, inside linebacker (Most recent team: San Diego Chargers)
Marques Colston, wide receiver (Most recent team: New Orleans Saints)
Jared Cook, tight end (Most recent team: Los Angeles Rams)
Antonio Cromartie, cornerback (Most recent team: New York Jets)
Chase Daniel, quarterback (Most recent team: Kansas City Chiefs)
Jahri Evans, guard (Most recent team: New Orleans Saints)
Nick Fairley, defensive tackle (Most recent team: Los Angeles Rams)
Ryan Fitzpatrick, quarterback (Most recent team: New York Jets)
Coby Fleener, tight end (Most recent team: Indianapolis Colts)
Matt Forte, running back (Most recent team: Chicago Bears)
Arian Foster, running back (Most recent team: Houston Texans)
Ramon Foster, guard (Most recent team: Pittsburgh Steelers)
Jerrell Freeman, inside linebacker (Most recent team: Indianapolis Colts)
Dwight Freeney, outside linebacker (Most recent team: Arizona Cardinals)
Junior Gallette, outside linebacker (Most recent team: Washington Redskins)
Antonio Gates, tight end (Most recent team: San Diego Chargers)
William Gay, cornerback (Most recent team: Pittsburgh Steelers)
Tashaun Gibson, safety (Most recent team: Cleveland Browns)
Ladarius Green, tight end (Most recent team: San Diego Chargers)
Michael Griffin, safety (Most recent team: Tennessee Titans)
Robert Griffin III, quarterback (Most recent team: Washington Redskins)
Tamba Hali, outside linebacker (Most recent team: Kansas City Chiefs)
Leon Hall, cornerback (Most recent team: Cincinnati Bengals)
Greg Hardy, defensive end (Most recent team: Dallas Cowboys)
Percy Harvin, wide receiver (Most recent team: Buffalo Bills)
William Hayes, defensive end (Most recent: Los Angeles Rams)
Casey Hayward, cornerback (Most recent team: Green Bay Packers)
Jaye Howard, defensive tackle (Most recent team: Kansas City Chiefs)
George Iloka, safety (Most recent team: Cincinnati Bengals)
Chris Ivory, running back (Most recent team: New York Jets)
Janoris Jenkins, cornerback (Most recent team: Los Angeles Rams)
Charles Johnson, defensive end (Most recent team: Carolina Panthers)
Chris Johnson, running back (Most recent team: Arizona Cardinals)
Derrick Johnson, inside linebacker (Most recent team: Kansas City Chiefs)
Rashad Johnson, safety (Most recent team: Arizona Cardinals)
Adam Jones, cornerback (Most recent team: Cincinnati Bengals)
Jermaine Kearse, wide receiver (Most recent team: Seattle Seahawks)
Terrence Knighton, defensive tackle (Most recent team: Washington Redskins)
James Laurinaitis, inside linebacker (Most recent team: Los Angeles Rams)
Ricardo Lockette, wide receiver (Most recent team: Seattle Seahawks)
Chris Long, defensive end (Most recent team: Los Angeles Rams)
Alex Mack, center (Most recent team: Cleveland Browns)
Evan Mathis, guard (Most recent team: Denver Broncos)
Rishard Matthews, wide receiver (Most recent team: Miami Dolphins)
Rolando McClain, inside linebacker (Most recent team: Dallas Cowboys)
Rodney McLeod, safety (Most recent team: Los Angeles Rams)
Leodis McKelvin, cornerback (Most recent team: Buffalo Bills)
Brandon Mebane, defensive tackle (Most recent team: Seattle Seahawks)
Zach Miller, tight end (Most recent team: Chicago Bears)
Alfred Morris, running back (Most recent team: Washington Redskins)
Mike Neal, defensive end/tackle (Most recent team: Green Bay Packers)
Reggie Nelson, safety (Most recent team: Cincinnati Bengals)
Haloti Ngata, defensive tackle (Most recent team: Detroit Lions)
Russell Okung, tackle (Most recent team: Seattle Seahawks)
Brock Osweiler, quarterback (Most recent team: Denver Broncos)
Donald Penn, tackle (Most recent team: Oakland Raiders)
Jason Pierre-Paul, defensive end (Most recent team: New York Giants)
Bilal Powell, running back (Most recent team: New York Jets)
Jerraud Powers, cornerback (Most recent team: Arizona Cardinals)
Brian Quick, wide receiver (Most recent team: Los Angeles Rams)
Manny Ramirez, center/guard (Most recent team: Detroit Lions)
Ruben Randle, wide receiver (Most recent team: New York Giants)
B.J. Raji, defensive tackle (Most recent team: Green Bay Packers)
Mohamed Sanu, wide receiver (Most recent team: Cincinnati Bengals)
Mitchell Schwartz, tackle (Most recent team: Cleveland Browns)
Derrick Shelby, defensive end (Most recent team: Miami Dolphins)
Aldon Smith, outside linebacker (Most recent team: Oakland Raiders)
Andre Smith, tackle (Most recent team: Cincinnati Bengals)
Daryl Smith, inside linebacker (Most recent team: Baltimore Ravens)
Walter Thurmond, safety (Most recent team: Philadelphia Eagles)
Stephen Tulloch, inside linebacker (Most recent team: Detroit Lions)
Courtney Upshaw, outside linebacker (Most recent team: Baltimore Ravens)
Benjamin Watson, tight end (Most recent team: New Orleans Saints)
Eric Weddle, safety (Most recent team: San Diego Chargers)
Roddy White, wide receiver (Most recent team: Atlanta Falcons)
Ian Williams, defensive tackle (Most recent team: San Fransisco 49ers)
Mario Williams, defensive end (Most recent team: Buffalo Bills)
Stefen Wisnewski, center (Most recent team: Jacksonville Jaguars)
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