NFL free agency is almost here. Who are the best free agents on the offensive side of the ball? Here are my top 10 players, minus Kirk Cousins, Cordy Glenn and Alshon Jeffery, who are expected to get the franchise tag.
10. Russell Okung, Tackle
Five of the 10 players listed here are linemen, so it feels right that we start with one. Early in Okung’s career, he looked like he could be one of the next great left tackles. However, the 28-year-old has been held back by a slew of injuries. He spent six years in Seattle and never played a full 16-game season. He averages four missed regular games per season. When he was on the field, he showed he was Seattle’s best offensive lineman and a key to their success. The inability to stay on the field keeps Okung at No. 10. One interesting thing to note about his free agency is that he will be his own agent.
9. Marvin Jones, Wide Receiver
With Jeffery staying in Chicago, Jones, 25, becomes the best wide receiver on the market. He finally became a full-time starter this year and he took full advantage of it, catching 65 passes for 816 yards and four touchdowns. He missed all of 2014 with an injury, but he definitely put that behind him last year. In 2013, he caught 51 passes for 712 yards and 10 touchdowns. His statistics have improved every season. Jones isn’t a No. 1 receiver, but he is exactly what teams will look for as a No. 2 receiver.
8. Alex Boone, Guard
One of the few bright spots for the 49ers in 2015 was Boone. Even then, the 28-year-old missed the final three games of the season with a MCL injury. He started at right guard in San Francisco from 2012-2014, and moved to left guard last season. He also has the ability to play tackle if the offensive line needs to be shuffled around because of injury. Due to his consistent play the past four seasons, Boone should be in high demand.
7. Donald Penn, Tackle
Having started all 16 games in eight straight seasons, Penn, 32, is the definition of a proven commodity. He joined Oakland on a two-year contract before the 2014 season and rewarded them with two excellent seasons, protecting Derek Carr’s blindside. If Penn was younger, he would rank much higher on this list. However, teams won’t be willing to invest as much money in a player in his thirties compared to a player still in his twenties. Still, Penn will be a good pickup for a team that isn’t necessarily looking for a long-term answer at left tackle.
6. Brock Osweiler, Quarterback
Perhaps the hardest free agent to rank is Osweiler, 25. The young quarterback sat behind Peyton Manning for three and a half seasons before starting seven games this season. In these games, he completed 61.8 percent of his passes and threw for 1,967 yards, 10 touchdowns, six interceptions and had a quarterback rating of 86.4. The 6-foot-7 quarterback played well in relief of Manning, but sat on the bench in the postseason and watched the Broncos win the Super Bowl. No team knows his skill set better than Gary Kubiak and the Broncos. It seems likely that he will return to Denver, but if he hits the open market, a team could come in and throw a lot of money at him. It is tough to rate a player off just seven career starts, especially a quarterback.
5. Lamar Miller, Running Back
Criminally underutilized in Miami, Miller, 24, is one of the most talented running backs in the NFL. He only has one career 1,000-yard season, but that is because he has only topped 200 carries once (2014). For his career, he averages 4.6 yards per carry. Adding to his value, he is a quality receiver out of the backfield with 85 receptions for 672 yards and three touchdowns the past two seasons. Not only does Miller possess the traits of a top running back, but he is still young and doesn’t have much wear for a NFL running back four seasons into his career. Expect him to find a team that will make him a feature back.
4. Mitchell Schwartz, Tackle
Right tackles don’t receive the same love of their counterparts on the left side, but when you consider that players like J.J. Watt, Von Miller and Justin Houston rush against right tackles, the position is basically just as important. Schwartz, 26, is one of the best right tackles in the NFL. He has started all 64 games since the Browns drafted him in 2012. Most importantly, he is above-average as a pass blocker and a run blocker. This well-rounded game is what makes him so good. It will be interesting to compare the contract of the top left tackles signed to ones signed by right tackles.
3. Doug Martin, Running Back
Martin, 27, picked the right time to reemerge as a quality running back. After two seasons with under 500 rushing yards (he was limited to 17 combined games due to injury), he gained 1,402 yards in 2015, which ranked second in the league. As a rookie, he rushed for 1,454 yards. While Tampa Bay utilized Charles Sims as a receiving back, Martin possesses receiving skills too, with 82 receptions in his two best seasons. Martin potentially is a risky signing due to his lack of production in 2013 and 2014 combined with the natural volatility of committing big money to running backs. When he is on his game though, he has shown he can be one of the best, with two Pro Bowls and one All-Pro nomination to his name.
2. Sam Bradford, Quarterback
This may be too high for some people, but, remember, quarterback is the most important position in football, and Bradford isn’t nearly as bad as some people have made him out to be. After missing all of 2013 and 2014 with two torn ACLs, the former No. 1 overall pick played in Philadelphia last season and had a passer rating of 86.4. He threw for 3,725 yards, 19 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, while completing 65 percent of his passes. It can take a while for a quarterback to adjust to a new scheme and this showed with Bradford. He was a much better quarterback after the team’s week eight bye (he missed weeks 11 and 12 due to injury). Whether it is Philadelphia or another team, someone is going to pay Bradford a lot of money to be a starting quarterback next season.
1. Kelechi Osemele, Guard
Guard may be the most thankless position in football, but Osemele is one of the best. Throw in his age (26) and position versatility (he has started games at both tackle spots in addition to guard), he will be one of the most in demand free agents on the market. He is one of the best run blocking guards in the game and having allowed only three sacks the past three seasons, he is no slouch in pass protection. One cause for concern is durability. He has played a full slate of games only once in his career and that was as a rookie. Almost every team in the NFL could stand to improve their offensive line, which will make a player like Osemele a hot commodity.
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