Some destinations for Shutdown Corner’s top 25 NFL free agents
While some of the best potential free agents were practically taken off the market when they were given the franchise tag, many good players will be available when free agency starts Wednesday.
[NFL free agency starts Wednesday. Here are Shutdown Corner’s free-agency rankings for offensive players and for defensive players and specialists.]
While some positions are stronger than others (good luck if you need a No. 1 receiver), there’s a little something for everyone. Here’s our list of the top 25 free agents overall, with news updates on their destinations:
He’s good against the run, has 25.5 sacks the last three years and is just 25. He’s a big-time impact free agent. Vernon’s transition tag was reportedly removed Wednesday, which allows him to dive into free agency.
AGREED WITH JAGUARS: Jackson is a big, interior presence who can destroy a run game by himself. And he can also rush the quarterback. Jackson reportedly got a six-year, $90 million with Jacksonville.
AGREED WITH GIANTS: Harrison isn’t just a space-filler; he has averaged almost 65 tackles a year the last three seasons. At 350 pounds, he instantly upgrades any run defense. Landed a five-year, $46 million deal with the Giants, according to NFL.com.
AGREED WITH RAIDERS: Big, tough and athletic, Osemele looks like a special lineman, a key reason why he reportedly has a five-year, $60 million deal with Oakland.
AGREED WITH GIANTS: Jenkins is a top-flight cornerback and only 27 years old, so he’ll be worth premium money for New York. The Rams took his teammate, Trumaine Johnson, off the market by giving him the franchise tag. That helped Jenkins too, making him the best cornerback on the market.
AGREED TO RE-SIGN: The production can’t be argued. He had 1,402 rushing yards, a 4.9-yard average and is capable in the passing game as well. The Bucs are keeping him in the fold with a five-year, $35 million deal, according to ESPN.
A do-it-all safety who is excellent in coverage and has been really good against the run through the years. Age (31) is a factor, but he can still play.
Hayward is a smart, athletic playmaking cornerback. He’s versatile too, and his ability to cover the slot is a plus.
Ranking him high is a leap of faith that he can stay healthy. All the physical tools are there. If he can avoid injuries he could be a top NFL corner.
Injuries have been an issue. But when healthy he is a gifted left tackle, and players like Okung are always in demand.
And here is the rest of the top 25:
11. Seattle Seahawks OLB Bruce Irvin (AGREED WITH RAIDERS): A wild card, because he’s likely to be signed to rush the quarterback, but he didn’t rush much in Seattle. But he’s incredibly athletic and could take off with the Raiders, who have a four-year, $37 million deal with him, according to USA Today.
12. Kansas City Chiefs OLB Tamba Hali (RE-SIGNED): Hali is 32. But he’s consistent and durable, and has 86 career sacks. He might not be a long-term answer, for the Chiefs, but is rock solid in the short term, getting a three-year deal.
13. Kansas City Chiefs CB Sean Smith: A big, consistent cornerback who will be just 29 next season can be an asset to any team, and he’ll be in demand.
14. Miami Dolphins RB Lamar Miller (AGREED WITH TEXANS): Miller has a 4.6-yard average but was underused. He had one game of more than 20 carries in four years. Can he be as productive with more work? The Texans will find out, according to an NFL.com report. Miller got a reported deal for four years and $26 million.
15. Denver Broncos QB Brock Osweiler (AGREED WITH TEXANS): Osweiler isn’t simply a flash in the pan. He’s a former second-round pick who hadn’t played because he was behind a future Hall of Famer. There’s a good reason to see untapped potential here in Houston, according to several media reports. He was the most attractive quarterback on the market after Sam Bradford re-signed with Philadelphia.
16. Buffalo Bills DE Mario Williams (AGREED WITH DOLPHINS): Williams’ production fell off last year, and he’s 31 now. Perhaps the Miami Dolphins talked themselves into that poor showing being a result of a bad fit in a new scheme. He had double-digit sacks in each of the three previous seasons. Williams got a reported two-year deal.
17. San Francisco 49ers DT Ian Williams: Maybe a little high, but he had a strong season in the middle of the 49ers defense in 2015. He seems to be on the rise.
18. Kansas City Chiefs LB Derrick Johnson: If you want a long-term solution, 33-year-old Johnson isn’t your guy. But he showed last year he’s as good as ever and can still contribute at a high level.
19. Cincinnati Bengals OT Andre Smith: Smith is a former top-10 pick, and he’s still just 29 with seven years of experience.
20. Denver Broncos LB Danny Trevathan: Trevathan is a tackling machine who is also capable in coverage. He was great find for the Denver Broncos and a big part of their No. 1 ranked defense.
21. Indianapolis Colts LB Jerrell Freeman: You can pencil Freeman in for 100 tackles every season. He’s a good, rock-solid three-down linebacker.
22. Cincinnati Bengals S George Iloka (RE-SIGNED): Iloka is a good, young, versatile safety who has improved during his time with the Bengals. He’ll be just 26 next season, so Cincinnati gets him in his prime years after extending him to a five-year, $30 million deal, according to an ESPN report.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers OT Kelvin Beachum: Beachum is coming off a knee injury, but linemen often return at full strength from ACL surgery. He’s a solid, young left tackle, and he’ll get a nice deal.
24. Indianapolis Colts TE Coby Fleener: Fleener hasn’t turned into a superstar. But he’s still a top athlete and has played well in spurts before. He can be a good piece for a team that needs a receiving tight end.
25. San Francisco 49ers G Alex Boone: Boone has started at guard for the 49ers each of the last four years, and he can help a team with his pass or run blocking.
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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @YahooSchwab
