Here are some of the top free agents that will be available on March 9, when free agency begins. The legal “tampering” period in which teams can negotiate with agents begins on March 7. Please note that a lower ranking does not denote a bad player; most of these players on this list can make a big impact for a team and the rankings can surely be debated and changed. ***UPDATE: 3/7: added D.J. Fluker, recently released by the Chargers, before the legal tampering period begins at noon Eastern.
1. Dont’a Hightower, linebacker (New England Patriots)
Hightower is right in the prime of his career, as he will turn just 27 on March 12. He is a very good run stopper and blitzer that will make the entire defense better.
2. A.J. Bouye, cornerback (Houston Texans)
Almost out of nowhere, Bouye became one of the most integral parts of the Texans’ number one defense (in terms of yardage). The former undrafted free agent is going to get paid big time.
3. Adrian Peterson, running back (Minnesota Vikings)
“All Day” is not someone to bet against. Despite him missing large parts of two of the last three seasons (not by his choosing in 2014) and going on age 32, Peterson will be fresh and he will be motivated—as always.
4. Jamaal Charles, running back (Kansas City Chiefs)
Keep in mind, this is without full knowledge of Charles’ situation with his knees; we do not have his physical to look at. However, if he checks out, this is a guy that does not average under 5.0 yard per carry—that is insane. He’s also among the best receiving backs in the NFL.
5. Stephon Gilmore, cornerback (Buffalo Bills)
There seemed to be some kind of miscommunication—or something—with his fellow defensive backs on quite a few occasions last season. He gave up some big plays, but Gilmore did have a career-high five interceptions. 6’0” with long arms, Gilmore is a great fit for any team looking for press corners.
6. Alshon Jeffery, wide receiver (Chicago Bears)
The clear number one receiver available in free agency stands at 6’3” with 33” arms—defensive backs do not want to be in a jump ball situation with Jeffery. The PED suspension has to be slightly concerning, but when Jeffery is on the field he produces. Is he worth as much as someone like Julio Jones ($15 million/year), though?
7. Calais Campbell, defensive end (Arizona Cardinals)
At 6’8” and 300 pounds, Campbell can do almost anything you ask him. He’s had at least five sacks in every season of his career besides his rookie season, and he is also a good run stopper and can deflect passes with his huge frame.
8. Brandon Williams, defensive tackle (Baltimore Ravens)
If teams are looking for someone to stuff the run, they will be looking at Brandon Williams. He will instantly improve a team’s run defense.
9. Terrelle Pryor, wide receiver (Cleveland Browns)
Despite only playing one full season as a wide receiver, Terrelle Pryor looks the part. He put up 77 receptions for 1,007 yards an four touchdowns with the Browns. Despite some inconsistency (which is to be expected), Pryor always looks like an alien-like receiver—like a Brandon Marshall type—that looks almost unfair next to some cornerbacks.
10. Dontari Poe, defensive tackle (Kansas City Chiefs)
Going on his sixth season in the league, Poe is still only going to be 27-years-old in August. Like Brandon Williams, Poe will instantly improve a team’s run defense.
11. T.J. Lang, guard (Green Bay Packers) postseason injury might complicate things, but Lang is among the best guards in the NFL
12. Kevin Zeitler, guard (Cincinnati Bengals): probably better as a run blocker than pass blocker, but would be a nice get for any team
13. Bennie Logan, defensive tackle (Philadelphia Eagles): very versatile, can play multiple positions; can both stuff the run and rush the passer
14. Andrew Whitworth, offensive tackle (Cincinnati Bengals): would be higher if he wasn't 35-years-old
15. Darrelle Revis, cornerback (New York Jets): reportedly has shed 15+ pounds and is down to around 200 pounds already; was clearly not 100% last season and could be a steal for a team
16. Latavius Murray, running back (Oakland Raiders): despite 4.0 ypc, Murray is a big back with great athleticism
17. Brandon Marshall, wide receiver (New York Jets): Marshall is just one season removed from a huge 109 catch, 1,500-yard, 14 touchdown season
18. Eddie Lacy, running back (Green Bay Packers): Lacy was having a nice contract year until he got hurt; will likely return to Packers
19. Pierre Garcon, wide receiver (Washington Redskins): a very reliable target that can run every route
20. Tony Jefferson, safety (Arizona Cardinals): despite the Cardinals dissapointing season, Jefferson performed
21. Logan Ryan, cornerback (New England Patriots): a great postseason as he enters free agency; can play inside and outside
22. Prince Amukamara, cornerback (Jacksonville Jaguars): underrated – perhaps because of his size; also a good, smart guy
23. Martellus Bennett, tight end (New England Patriots): big-bodied tight end that is not afraid to block in the run game
24. Jonathan Hankins, defensive tackle (New York Giants): formed a nice combo with "Snacks" Harrison last season with NY
25. Michael Floyd, wide receiver (New England Patriots): Floyd did not take advantage of his contract year, but he has the size and skill to make a big impact for a team
26. Morris Claiborne, cornerback (Dallas Cowboys): battled injuries throughout his career, but he was very good last season
27. Micah Hyde, defensive back (Green Bay Packers): one of the most versatile DBs in the NFL
28. Larry Warford, guard (Detroit Lions): would help solidify an offensive line
29. DeSean Jackson, wide receiver (Washington Redskins): certainly still has the speed to beat almost any defensive back
30. Alan Branch, defensive tackle (New England Patriots): 32, but made an impact on a Super Bowl team last season
31. Riley Reiff, offensive tackle (Detroit Lions): can play both right and left tackle for a team
32. Nick Perry, linebacker (Green Bay Packers): will give a team a boost off the edge
33. Ricky Wagner, offensive tackle (Baltimore Ravens): would be an upgrade at the right side of many offensive lines
34. Duron Harmon, safety (New England Patriots): extremely solid player for the Patriots; might be better suited to stay with NE
35. Erik Walden, outside linebacker (Indianapolis Colts): performed last season – 11.0 sacks
36. Kevin Minter, linebacker (Arizona Cardinals): had over 80 tackles each of the last two seasons; liked him out of LSU
37. Dre Kirkpatrick, cornerback (Cincinnati Bengals): only 27 with a lot of playing experience on good defenses
38. Jonathan Cyprien, safety (Jacksonville Jaguars): sure tackler on the back end
39. Ronald Leary, guard (Dallas Cowboys): very good run blocker
40. Lawrence Timmons, linebacker (Pittsburgh Steelers): getting up there in age which may hurt his speed, but he will still get the job done
41. Cordarrelle Patterson, wide receiver (Minnesota Vikings): extremely talented player that proved he can contribute as a receiver with the Vikings last season
42. LeGarrette Blount, running back (New England Patriots): led the league in rushing touchdowns last season, can be a workhorse
43. Jared Cook, tight end (Green Bay Packers): was a great target for Aaron Rodgers once they got some chemistry
44. Kenny Britt, wide receiver (Los Angeles Rams): went over 1,000 yards for the first time last season; seems to be a mature player now
45. Nick Fairley, defensive tackle (New Orleans Saints): big guy that is almost uniquely quick for his size
46. Jabaal Sheard, defensive end (New England Patriots): can stop the run and rush the passer well
47. T.J. McDonald, safety (Los Angeles Rams): big safety that can deliver big hits
48. Bradley McDougald, safety (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): McDougald performs – 87+ tackles and 2+ INT last two seasons
49. DeMarcus Ware, pass rusher (Denver Broncos): for teams looking for a pass rusher
50. Mario Williams, defensive end (Miami Dolphins): former number one pick is still not easy to block for offensive linemen
51. Julius Peppers, pass rusher (Green Bay Packers): 37, but hasn't had less than 7.0 sacks in a decade
52. Nick Foles, quarterback (Kansas City Chiefs): did well in limited action last season; has a lot of potential
53. Kendall Wright, wide receiver (Tennesse Titans): Wright is proabably looking for a bigger role with a team
54. Kelvin Beachum, offensive tackle (Jacksonville Jaguars)
55. Jared Odrick, defensive end (Jacksonville Jaguars)
56. Chance Warmack, guard (Tennessee Titans)
57. Captain Munnerlyn, cornerback (Minnesota Vikings)
58. Chris Baker, defensive end (Washington Redskins
59. Christine Michael, running back (Green Bay Packers)
60. Barry Church, safety (Dallas Cowboys)
61. Vernon Davis, tight end (Washington Redskins)
62. Brandon Lafell, wide receiver (Cincinnati Bengals): underrated receiver with good size and speed
63. D.J. Swearinger, safety (Arizona Cardinals)
64. J.C. Tretter, center (Green Bay Packers)
65. Torrey Smith, wide receiver (San Francisco 49ers): released and seems determined to bounce back with a new team
66. Jack Doyle, tight end (Indianapolis Colts)
67. Brandon Carr, cornerback (Dallas Cowboys)
68. Malcolm Smith, linebacker (Oakland Raiders)
69. Jairus Byrd, safety (New Orleans Saints): former big-time free agent acquisition will look to get back to his old ways
70. Kenny Stills, wide receiver (Miami Dolphins)
71. Zach Brown, linebacker (Buffalo Bills)
72. Gerald Hodges, linebacker (San Francisco 49ers)
73. Terence Newman, cornerback (Minnesota Vikings): despite getting up there in age, Newman showed last season that he can stick with these young receivers
74. Ryan Clady, offensive tackle (New York Jets)
75. D.J. Fluker, offensive tackle (Los Angeles Chargers
76. Alterraun Verner, cornerback (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
77. Charles Johnson, defensive end (Carolina Panthers)
78. Datone Jones, outside linebacker (Green Bay Packers)
79. Chris Long, defensive end (New England Patriots)
80. Matt Khalil, offensive tackle (Minnesota Vikings)
81. Dwight Freeney, pass rusher (Atlanta Falcons)
82. John Simon, linebacker (Houston Texans)
83. Nick Mangold, center (New York Jets)
84. Robert Woods, wide receiver (Buffalo Bills)
85. Danny Woodhead, running back (Los Angeles Chargers)
86. Rex Burkhead, running back (Cincinnati Bengals)
87. Lorenzo Alexander, linebacker (Buffalo Bills)
88. Nolan Carroll, cornerback (Philadelphia Eagles)
89. Ted Ginn Jr., wide receiver (Carolina Panthers)
90. Delvin Taylor, defensive end (Detroit Lions)
91. Karl Klug, defensive end (Tennessee Titans)
92. DeAngelo Williams, running back (Pittsburgh Steelers)
93. Geno Smith, quarterback (New York Jets): has the potential to turn into a good starting quarterback
94. Mike Glennon, quarterback (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
95. Jarvis Jones, outside linebacker (Pittsburgh Steelers)
96. Darius Butler, defensive back (Indianapolis Colts)
97. Margus Hunt, defensive end (Cincinnati Bengals)
98. Sylvester Williams, defensive tackle (Denver Broncos)
99. Jahleel Addae, safety (Los Angeles Chargers)
100. Mike Remmers, offensive tackle (Carolina Panthers)
101. Brian Hoyer, quarterback (Chicago Bears): a great option if you're looking for a stop-gap for a young franchise quarterback