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New York Post (for what it's worth), predicts top Free Agent landing spots

Scott Dierking

By Scott Dierking
in NY Jets Forum

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Scott Dierking

Scott Dierking

Posted
Posted

http://nypost.com/2015/02/09/the-top-25-nfl-free-agents-and-where-theyll-land/

 

NFL free agency opens just one month from now, and it could be one of the most hectic yet.

With the salary cap projected by some to jump as much as 10 percent and penny-pinching teams such as the Jets required by the labor agreement to start spending, veterans could be poised to cash in this spring.

Whether the most prominent names eligible for free agency even reach the open market without getting the franchise tag remains to be seen, but plenty of talent — everywhere but quarterback — is expected to be there for the taking.

And the list of attractive pieces could grow depending on what their current teams decide to do with Darrelle Revis, Percy Harvin and Jay Cutler.

Here’s a ranking of the top 25 free agents — regardless of their chances of being tagged — as of Monday.

1. Justin Houston

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Justin HoustonPhoto: AP

OLB
Age: 26
Chiefs

Houston was a Pro Bowl pick and a solid player his first three seasons before putting it all together in incredible fashion in 2014 by leading the NFL with 22 sacks. It was perfectly timed, too, as he was in the final year of his contract. Look for him to get the franchise tag, though, because it would be shocking if the Chiefs let a top-notch pass rusher reach the open market.

Destination: Chiefs

2. Ndamukong Suh

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Ndamukong SuhPhoto: Getty Images

DT
Age: 28
Lions

He’s the best defensive tackle in football and worth the headaches that come with his occasional, uh, anger-management issues. Suh reportedly told friends during the season he wants to sign with one of the New York teams, but the Lions have indicated recently they will use the franchise tag — smartly, at least from here — to keep a lineman with 36 sacks in five seasons under contract.

Destination: Lions

3. Dez Bryant

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Dez BryantPhoto: Getty Images

WR
Age: 26
Cowboys

Bryant just keeps getting better and better on the field, and his maturity problems off the field seem to have abated. There’s no way Jerry Jones lets his talented wideout walk after all the Dallas owner has invested in him, even if keeping Bryant with the franchise tag costs Jones the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year in running back DeMarco Murray.

Destination: Cowboys

4. Demaryius Thomas

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Demaryius ThomasPhoto: Getty Images

WR
Age: 27
Broncos

Thomas probably wouldn’t want to return to Denver if Peyton Manning retires, but the Broncos likely won’t give him the choice. Thomas is an ideal candidate for the franchise tag after recording three consecutive seasons with at least 1,400 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.

Destination: Broncos

5. Devin McCourty

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Devin McCourtyPhoto: Getty Images

FS
Age: 27
Patriots

The Rutgers product took a backseat to Darrelle Revis last season for the reigning Super Bowl champs when it came to the secondary, but McCourty is considered a big part of the Patriots’ defensive foundation and could end up getting the franchise tag. It seems more likely he walks, though, if New England — as expected — decides to make a big push to keep Revis.

Destination: Jaguars

6. Greg Hardy

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Greg HardyPhoto: AP

DE
Age: 26
Panthers

Hardy’s situation is a perplexing one. He’s young and one of the best pass rushers in the game, but Hardy also sat out the 2014 season because of a domestic-violence case that was dismissed Monday. He has yet to be reinstated by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Carolina won’t be swimming in salary-cap space but will make as good of a push as it can to keep him.

Destination: Panthers

7. Jason Pierre-Paul

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Jason Pierre-PaulPhoto: Paul J. Bereswill

DE
Age: 25
Giants

Pierre-Paul made a strong late push and finished with 12.5 sacks, but the Giants have to wonder if it was truly a return to form considering the bulk of his production came against bad teams when they already were out of contention. Is JPP worth the franchise tag based on basically one good month of rushing the passer?

Destination: Raiders

 

8. DeMarco Murray

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DeMarco MurrayPhoto: Getty Images

RB
Age: 26
Cowboys

You don’t usually see the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year hit the open market, but that could be the case here with Dallas likely having to choose between keeping Murray or Dez Bryant. Running back is a position that has lost its luster in free agency, but the demand for someone coming off an 1,845-yard rushing season — especially with four years left before turning 30 — probably will be strong.

Destination: Titans

9. Julius Thomas

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Julius ThomasPhoto: AP

TE
Age: 26
Broncos

Denver has 20 free agents, many prominent, and is expected to use the franchise tag on wide receiver Demaryius Thomas. That means Julius Thomas probably will be there for the taking. He’s a bit of an injury concern (limited to just 13 games last season), but still caught 12 TDs in 2014 and is a big, attractive target.

Destination: Browns

10. Randall Cobb

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Randall CobbPhoto: Getty Images

WR
Age: 24
Packers

Cobb has really developed into a quality receiver and made a terrific contract run with 91 catches for 1,287 yards and 12 TDs in his walk year. The Packers have a lot of cap space, but there are a lot of teams that will be interested in a speedy, 24-year-old playmaker.

Destination: Seahawks

11. Jeremy Maclin

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Jeremy MaclinPhoto: Getty Images

WR
Age: 26
Eagles

He’s a perfect fit for Chip Kelly’s offense, as well as a perfect fit for the franchise tag.

Destination: Eagles

12. Pernell McPhee

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Pernell McPheePho

to: AP

OLB
Age: 26
Ravens

McPhee is coming off a career-best 7.5-sack season, but interest probably will be limited to teams that run a 3-4 defensive scheme.

Destination: Titans

13. Nick Fairley

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Nick FairleyPhoto: AP

DT
Age: 27
Lions

Extremely talented head case probably will get to hit the market with Detroit preoccupied with keeping Suh.

Destination: Raiders

14. Mike Iupati

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Mike IupatiPhoto: AP

G
Age: 27
49ers

Iupati is a perennial Pro Bowl pick and the best interior lineman available, while San Francisco is mired in cap problems that probably will keep the Niners from franchising him.

Destination: Jets

15. Jerry Hughes

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Jerry HughesPhoto: AP

DE
Age: 26
Bills

Hughes is young, aggressive and coming off back-to-back seasons of 10 or more sacks. Sounds like the kind of player Rex Ryan will work hard to keep.

Destination: Bills

16. Jason Worilds

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Jason WorildsPhoto: Paul J. Bereswill

OLB
Age: 26
Steelers

He’s a young, on-the-rise playmaker who is probably going to be too rich for a Steelers team beset by cap woes.

Destination: Jets

17. Byron Maxwell

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Byron MaxwellPhoto: Getty Images

CB
Age: 26
Seahawks

Seattle has more pressing priorities, so Maxwell looks likely to hit the open market. But is he any good or just a product of playing opposite Richard Sherman?

Destination: Falcons

18. Bryan Bulaga

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Bryan BulagaPhoto: Getty Images

OT
Age: 25
Packers

Quality tackles are obviously hard to come by, which means Green Bay is the favorite to keep Bulaga despite his injury problems.

Destination: Packers

19. Rodney Hudson

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Rodney HudsonPhoto: Getty Images

C
Age: 25
Chiefs

A potential anchor who’s still in the prime of his career, Hudson also is a prime candidate to change teams with the Chiefs in dire cap straits.

Destination: Chargers

20. Brandon Flowers

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Brandon FlowersPhoto: Getty Images

CB
Age: 28
Chargers

Flowers was very good in his lone season with San Diego in 2014, recording three interceptions, and the Chargers are in decent cap shape.

Destination: Chargers

21. Terrance Knighton

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Terrance KnightonPhoto: AP

DT
Age: 28
Broncos

He’s a tremendously disruptive interior lineman who will probably be too expensive for Denver to keep. Don’t be surprised if he reunites with Jack Del Rio in Oakland.

Destination: Raiders

22. Jordan Cameron

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Jordan CameronPhoto: ZumaPress

TE
Age: 26
Browns

If he can show he is healthy after an injury-riddled 2014, Cameron would be a quality addition for any offense.

Destination: Giants

23. Justin Forsett

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Justin ForsettPhoto: Getty Images

RB
Age: 29
Ravens

This former backup came out of nowhere to rush for 1,266 yards in place of Ray Rice, and the Ravens’ cap problems mean they will be hard-pressed to keep him.

Destination: Jaguars

24. Doug Free

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Doug FreePhoto: AP

OT
Age: 31
Cowboys

Free’s age is a concern, but he is a reliable and quality right tackle who will be in demand.

Destination: Jaguars

25. Torrey Smith

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Torrey SmithPhoto: AP

WR
Age: 26
Ravens

Smith only caught 49 passes last season but emerged as one of the NFL’s best deep threats and hauled in 11 TDs.

Destination: Ravens

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Ghost

Ghost

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I can't picture Cobb going to Seattle. Green Bay should not let him hit free agency, I think Cobb and Harvin are very similar.

I also think Greg Hardy is done in Carolina. The owner of the Panthers does not tolerate domestic abuse at all. I cannot picture them throwing money at Hardy even though he is a helluva pass rusher.

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patman

patman

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Posted

I like Iupati and Worilds but we have some $$ to spend and even with signing Wilk we should be able to pull a couple more from that list I would think.

you have to understand that there are 16 teams with 23 mill or more in cap room and 5 teams with more than 40mill. There is a lot of competition for FA getting two of the top guys is not bad. Sign Wilk long term and get 3-4 guys making 3 or 4 mill a year and the holes on the team are a lot smaller.

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patman

patman

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Chiefs simply don't have the cap for Houston.

Yes they do, guy have to be cut but you don't let a 26YO guy walk to keep a 31YO Hali or Dwayne Bowe. Throw in the fact That Berry will be on the non-football injury list so that won't hit the cap this year. Figure he gets 5 years and 70 mill with a 25 SB, year one salary of 2 mill the cap hit will only be 7mill.

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patman

patman

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Iupati and Worilds would be a really nice step in the right direction. Add Cromartie, Skrine, Spiller, and Maclin to that the Jets list and you have yourself one hell of a free agent haul.

The article has Maclin staying with the eagles. And Maclin is going to be a 8-9 mill guy too, 

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Sperm Edwards

Sperm Edwards

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Posted

Fitz, Andre, Bowe, Jackson, Wallace and Jennings.  Julio Jones and AJ Green basically make the same amount.  I think that they and guys like Marshall, DeSean Jackson, Garcon and Antonio Brown cost more when you factor in their bonuses.

 

 

Outside of Megatron, who makes more salary as a WR than harvin?

 

what she said

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SouthernJet

SouthernJet

Posted
Posted

Bart Hubbuch wrote that article. I tweeted Hubb later in day and asked where he thought Spiller would go:

 

  1.  

    1. STORY: The bosses demanded fearless NFL free-agency predictions, so here are my fearless NFL free-agency predictions. http://nyp.st/1zSs5en 

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    2. @BartHubbuch where u have spiller going?

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    3. @SouthernJetNC I wouldn't be surprised to see him end up reuniting with Gailey.

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    4. @BartHubbuch w/Jets QB situation, the're in dire need of legit safety valve for QB. Spiller/Amaro filling those roles will help WRs/rungame

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    @SouthernJetNC Agreed. Rex might want to keep him, though. He likes "slash" guys.

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    12:10 PM - 10 Feb 2015
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Raideraholic

Raideraholic

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Posted

So basically everyone's staying put and Titans and Raiders get everyone else

I say these players will be Raiders if they want them, Terrance Knighton has followed Jack Delrio to every team he was coaching. Te Julius Thomas - family Raider season ticket holder . Raiders might elect to sign cheaper complete Te Virgil Green than pay for Thomas. Raiders will make a big play for center Rodney Hudson . I seeS Wisniewski being the Chargers center.

good chance R Cobb or Percy Harvin( if jets cut him) sign with the Raiders. The Raiders have to come away with one of the free agent Wr.

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