NFL News & Analysis

PFF’s top 75 free agents of 2016

Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Free agency kicks off on Wednesday, so we are taking a look at the best players available this offseason. Our senior analysts have taken everything from past performance, age, injury history, and more into account to give you our top 75 player about to hit the free agent market. The list is not based on what players will earn in their next deals, but rather how we think they'll play going forward.

We will continue to update the list as cuts, franchise tags, and re-signings take place, so keep checking back to stay up to date.

(Editor's note: This list was updated at 11:19 a.m EDT on April 13, 2016.)

1. Olivier Vernon, DE

2015 team: Miami Dolphins

2016 team: New York Giants

Vernon is once again set to be a free agent due to Miami removing the transition tag. Vernon's performance exploded over the second half of the season after Cameron Wake went down with injury. His 57 total pressure over the final eight weeks of the season were a league-high. Was it a sign of things to come for Vernon, or was it just an impressive run?

2. Kelechi Osemele, G/OT

2015 team: Baltimore Ravens

2016 team: Oakland Raiders

Osemele is best suited as a guard, but has the versatility that teams value. He was a top-10 guard each of the last two years prior to moving to tackle.

3. Malik Jackson, DE

2015 team: Denver Broncos

2016 team: Jacksonville Jaguars

That's back-to-back great seasons for Jackson, who can play a variety of defensive line techniques. He makes his mark as a pass rusher, but also plays well against the run. He's tied for the seventh-most total pressures in the regular season among interior defenders.

4. Eric Weddle, S

2015 team: San Diego Chargers

2016 team: Baltimore Ravens

Weddle is still one of the better coverage safeties in the league, but did not have his best year in run defense. His 85.9 coverage grade ranked second among safeties in 2015.

5. Sean Smith, CB

2015 team: Kansas City

2016 team: Oakland Raiders

Smith posted three solid seasons with Kansas City to become their No. 1 corner. He allowed a reception once for every 12.7 coverage snaps in 2015, 12th-best among corners with at least 400 snaps in coverage.

6. Danny Trevathan, LB

2015 team: Denver Broncos

2016 team: Chicago Bears

Trevathan is a well-rounded, young player who ranked fifth among inside linebackers in run stop percentage and tackling efficiency in 2015.

7. Alex Mack, C

2015 team: Cleveland Browns

2016 team: Atlanta Falcons

Mack was a model of consistency prior to his injury in 2014. He had graded among the top-10 centers in each of his first five seasons, and did particularly well as a run-blocker in zone schemes. His level of play dropped in his return this past season, but at 30 years old, he’s worth offering top money, with hopes that he can get back to being one of the top centers for a few more seasons, now another year removed from the injury.

8. Damon Harrison, NT

2015 team: New York Jets

2016 team: New York Giants

Harrison is the premier run-stuffing nose tackle in the league. He’s had the highest run-stop percentage among defensive tackles each of the last three years, and his 18.1 percent last year was the highest in the PFF era among interior defenders with at least 200 snaps in run defense.

9. Evan Mathis, G

2015 team: Denver Broncos

2016 team: Arizona Cardinals

With a new team in 2015, his performance dipped a bit, but he still finished with the highest run-blocking grade among guards for the fourth time in five years.

10. Robert Ayers, DE

2015 team: New York Giants

2016 team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Ayers hasn’t managed to expand his role to more than primarily a pass-rusher, but he’s been excellent in that regard. He’s ranked in the top 12 for pass-rushing productivity among 4-3 defensive ends each of the last three years, including the top mark of 15.2 in 2014.

11. Derrick Johnson, LB

2015 team: Kansas City Chiefs

2016 team: Kansas City Chiefs

The 33-year-old has long been one of the best inside linebackers over the last several years. Outside of an injury in 2014, he hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. Johnson ranked in the top eight among all off-ball linebackers in coverage and run defense last season.

12. Nick Fairley, DT

2015 team: St. Louis Rams

2016 team: New Orleans Saints

Fairley settled for a one-year deal with the Rams last season, and had his highest-graded year, despite being limited in playing time.

13. Donald Penn, OT

2015 team: Oakland Raiders

2016 team: Oakland Raiders

The veteran left tackle is aging, but plenty of teams can use a reliable pass protector these days. Penn has also missed just 52 snaps over the past eight years.

14. Casey Hayward, CB

2015 team: Green Bay Packers

2016 team: San Diego Chargers

Hayward hasn’t quite replicated his excellent rookie year, but he has earned a positive coverage grade in each of his four seasons. If he can stay healthy again going forward, he’s free agency's best option for a slot cornerback.

15. Kelvin Beachum, OT 

2015 team: Pittsburgh Steelers

2016 team: Jacksonville Jaguars

If not for his ACL injury last season, the former Steeler may have been higher on this list. Beachum was one of the best pass protectors in 2014, allowing just 19 total pressures during the regular season.

16. Reggie Nelson, S

2015 team: Cincinnati Bengals

2016 team: Oakland Raiders

Best as a deep safety, Nelson has earned positive coverage grades each of the past five seasons, with last year’s +8.1 cumulative grade being the second-highest of his nine-year career.

17. Brandon Brooks, G

2015 team: Houston Texans

2016 team: Philadelphia Eagles

Brooks was a top-10 guard in 2013 and 2014 before experiencing a dip in run-blocking performance last season. On the plus side, he did have his best year in pass protection, and there is good reason to believe he can bounce back going forward for a team with a zone-heavy offense.

18. Marvin Jones, WR

2015 team: Cincinnati Bengals

2016 team: Detroit Lions

Jones probably isn't suited for a No. 1 receiver role, but he’s definitely proven to be an effective starter, particularly with his work after the catch.

19. Rodney McLeod, S

2015 team: St. Louis Rams

2016 team: Philadelphia Eagles

A three-year starter that has seen his grades versus the run and pass improve every single year. Finished 2015 as our 10th-highest-graded safety.

20. Jerrell Freeman, LB

2015 team: Indianapolis Colts

2016 team: Chicago Bears

Freeman drastically improved his run defense and tackling efficiency in 2015, after having his worst season against the run in 2014. He's good in coverage, but which player will we see in run defense going forward?

21. Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB

2015 team: New York Jets

2016 team: 

He’s had his ups and downs over the years, but has also shown that he can be an effective starter in the league, and should be a consideration for a few teams.

22. Mitchell Schwartz, OT

2015 team: Cleveland Browns

2016 team: Kansas City Chiefs

Schwartz has been good in pass protection, but the sheer number of dropbacks have made his pressure totals look worse than his overall efficiency. He's a reliable player who has not missed a snap in his four-year career.

23. Lamar Miller, RB

2015 team: Miami Dolphins

2016 team: Houston Texans

For the second-straight year, Miller was effective in the ground game despite running behind one of the worst run-blocking offensive lines in the league. At 24-years-old and having averaged fewer than 200 rush attempts over the last three seasons, Miller should have several good years ahead of him.

24. Bruce Irvin, LB

2015 team: Seattle Seahawks

2016 team: Oakland Raiders

Irvin’s athleticism has allowed his role to evolve over the years with the Seahawks, and his run defense has improved at the same time. However, his per-snap pass-rushing productivity has dipped as he’s asked to do more in coverage; he still might be best suited as solely a pass rusher.

25. Adam Jones, CB

2015 team: Cincinnati Bengals

2016 team: Cincinnati Bengals

When it comes to strictly on-field performance, Jones has always fared well in coverage. He plays almost exclusively on the outside, and is coming off his second-highest coverage grade since 2007.

26. Tashaun Gipson, S

2015 team: Cleveland Browns

2016 team: Jacksonville Jaguars

In every free agent market, there are players who have fantastic highs, but dreadful lows. Gipson might be the best example of that this offseason. He was a top-10 coverage safety two years ago, but dropped all the way into the bottom 10 in 2015.

27. Jaye Howard, DE

2015 team: Kansas City Chiefs

2016 team: Kansas City Chiefs

Howard had some great run defense performances early on in 2015, and even though he didn’t sustain it for the full season, it was still impressive to see as his first full year as a starter.

28. Janoris Jenkins, CB 

2015 team: St. Louis Rams

2016 team: New York Giants

It's tough to know what you are getting with Jenkins week-to-week, but he has shown the ability to create big plays. He has 13+ combined pass defenses and interceptions in three of his four years as a pro, but has also allowed at least five touchdowns in every season (22 total).

29. Derrick Shelby, DE

2015 team: Miami Dolphins

2016 team: Atlanta Falcons

Shelby made quite an impact in his increased role, with 41 pressures and 25 run stops as he helped replace the injured Cameron Wake.

30. Prince Amukamara, CB

2015 team: New York Giants

2016 team: Jacksonville Jaguars

Amukamara is a capable starter when he’s healthy and may have been higher on the list, but he’s missed multiple games in four of his five seasons. Still, he’s graded above average in coverage over the last four years.

31. Chris Ivory, RB

2015 team: New York Jets

2016 team: Jacksonville Jaguars

Ivory is an underrated player who doesn’t have the highest ceiling, but has been very consistent with positive rushing grades in each of his six seasons in the league. He’s forced 99 missed tackles on rush attempts over the last two years.

32. Patrick Robinson, CB

2015 team: San Diego Chargers

2016 team: Indianapolis Colts

Robinson allowed more than 30 receiving yards just once all season in his first year with the Chargers. The inconsistency he displayed with the Saints is still a concern, though.

33. Stefen Wisniewski, C

2015 team: Jacksonville Jaguars

2016 team: Philadelphia Eagles

Wisniewski had the third-highest pass-blocking efficiency among centers in 2015, as he allowed just 13 total pressures during his first season with Jacksonville. He's a young, durable player who has missed 19 snaps over five seasons in the league.

34. Akiem Hicks, DT

2015 team: New England Patriots

2016 team: Chicago Bears

The move to New England really seemed to bring out the best of Hicks once he got settled in. He earned the highest overall grade of his career despite playing a part-time role, and had above-average grades in both run defense and pass-rushing for the first time of his career.

35. Husain Abdullah, S

2015 team: Kansas City Chiefs

2016 team: Retired

Regardless of whether he’s been a starter or a part-time player, Abdullah has played all over the field, and performed well in doing so. He's earned a chance to be a full-time starter once again.

36. Walter Thurmond, S

2015 team: Philadelphia Eagles

2016 team: 

Thurmond handled the transition from cornerback to safety better than could have been expected, while he also provides the flexibility to cover the slot. His +7.2 overall cumulative grade ranked 12th out of 88 qualifying safeties last season.

37. Leon Hall, CB

2015 team: Cincinnati Bengals

2016 team: 

Hall isn't quite the player he used to be, but he's still one of the better options for slot cornerbacks in the league. He has earned positive overall grades and coverage grades in each of his nine NFL seasons.

38. Brandon Mebane, DT

2015 team: Seattle Seahawks

2016 team: San Diego Chargers

Mebane hasn’t been the same player since the Seahawks’ Super Bowl championship season, but he can surely still make some impact for a defensive front.

39. Alex Boone, G

2015 team: San Francisco 49ers

2016 team: Minnesota Vikings

Boone has historically been good in the run game, but his first negative run-blocking grade came in 2015 with a switch to the other side of the line.

40. Greg Hardy, DE

2015 team: Dallas Cowboys

2016 team: 

Hardy played well in Dallas, just not to the level we saw prior to his suspension. He could still be that great defender, but his off-field baggage may cause issues when trying to get a big contract.

41. Brandon Boykin, CB

2015 team: Pittsburgh Steelers

2016 team: Carolina Panthers

Boykin wasn’t given much playing time early on in Pittsburgh, but once he was more involved, he continued to have success like he did in Philadelphia. Over the final five weeks of the regular season, he allowed a passer rating of 65.0 when targeted, and had the eighth-highest grade in coverage among cornerbacks.

42. Russell Okung, OT

2015 team: Seattle Seahawks

2016 team: Denver Broncos

A few years removed from his best, Okung has shown his potential. Maybe a change of scenery can help him regain that form. If not, at worst he’s been an average tackle over the last three seasons.

43. Matt Forte, RB

2015 team: Chicago Bears

2016 team: New York Jets

Forte has hit the dreaded age 30 for running backs, but if his play over the second half of the season is any indication, he still has something left in the tank. Forte was the highest-graded rusher over the final six weeks of 2015, and could continue to be effective in a lessened role to keep him healthy.

44. Haloti Ngata, DT

2015 team: Detroit Lions

2016 team: Detroit Lions

Like Mebane, Ngata isn’t the run defender he once was—his -1.2 cumulative run defense grade in 2015 was the worst of his career. Still, he had one of his better pass-rushing years, as he generated 33 total pressures.

45. Manuel Ramirez, G/C

2015 team: Detroit Lions

2016 team: Chicago Bears

Ramirez has been solid over his career and could still be a viable short-term option at age 33. He has the versatility to play either center or guard, which also helps his stock.

46. Nick Perry, OLB

2015 team: Green Bay Packers

2016 team: Green Bay Packers

Perry definitely hasn’t made the impact you want from a first-round pick, but he’s been far from poor. He has shown good pass-rushing games, even though it has been largely inconsistent week-to-week.

47. Terrance Knighton, NT

2015 team: Washington Redskins

2016 team: New England Patriots

Knighton didn’t make much of an impact during his lone year in Washington, but he’s only 30, and might be able to regain his previous form that shined when he was with the Broncos.

48. Rishard Matthews, WR

2015 team: Miami Dolphins

2016 team: Tennessee Titans

Matthews managed to earn a starting spot despite three new receivers being brought in during last offseason. His season was shortened due to injury, but he ranked among the top 20 wide receivers in receiving yards per route run.

49. Jeff Allen, G

2015 team: Kansas City Chiefs

2016 team: Houston Texans

Allen turned his play around in 2015 to earn the first positive run- and pass-blocking grades of his career. However, which player is he going to be going forward: the one who graded negatively in his first three seasons, or the one who graded well in limited time in 2015?

50. Andre Smith, OT

2015 team: Cincinnati Bengals

2016 team: Minnesota Vikings

Smith is coming off the worst season of his career, but injuries and concussions may have played a part. Still, he’s just a few years removed from being our highest-graded right tackle in the league,

51. Jason Jones, DE

2015 team: Detroit Lions

2016 team: 

Jones has consistently generated pressure over the last two years, and would primarily be a rotational pass-rusher going forward.

52. Mike DeVito, DE

2015 team: Kansas City Chiefs

2016 team: Retired

DeVito has consistently played well versus the run during his career, and should still be able to make an impact as a part-time role player.

53. Brock Osweiler, QB

2015 team: Denver Broncos

2016 team: Houston Texans

Osweiler struggled some with consistency during his small sample size last year, but did show enough with positive grades in five of his eight games to earn his shot at a starting gig next year.

54. Jeremy Mincey, DE

2015 team: Dallas Cowboys

2016 team: 

Mincey’s playing time was cut down in 2015, and he had one of his least productive seasons with the arrival of Hardy. Prior to this past season, Mincey had earned above-average grades in five-straight seasons.

55. Ben Jones, C

2015 team: Houston Texans

2016 team: Tennessee Titans

Jones didn’t have as much success last year after moving from guard to center, but he proved capable of playing the position and should do better if he can cut down on the penalties.

56. Junior Galette, DE

2015 team: Washington Redskins

2016 team: Washington Redskins

Galette has red flags with both injury and off-field concerns. Still, when it comes to strictly on-field play, he’s a proven pass-rusher.

57. Jeremy Lane, CB

2015 team: Seattle Seahawks

2016 team: Seattle Seahawks

Lane's playing time was limited in 2015 as he recovered from multiple injuries. He's fared well in coverage as a role player over the last few seasons, though, in addition to being among the best special teams players in the league.

58. Travis Benjamin, WR

2015 team: Cleveland Browns

2016 team: San Diego Chargers

Benjamin isn’t an ideal No. 2 wide receiver, but he showed capable enough in Cleveland while dealing with an unfavorable situation at quarterback throughout the year. He can also contribute on special teams as a solid punt returner.

59. Ladarius Green, TE

2015 team: San Diego Chargers

2016 team: Pittsburgh Steelers

Green hasn’t lived up to the hype that his 2013 season created, and instead has taken a step back the last two seasons. Still, he’s a good athlete that can be a difference-maker if he regains his form from early in his career.

60. Arian Foster, RB

2015 team: Houston Texans

2016 team: 

Foster turns 30 this August, and given his injury history over the last few years, he’s probably not someone you want as a lead back. If he has no ill-effects from his Achilles tendon injury, though, he makes sense on a short-term deal in a zone-heavy offensive scheme.

61. Steve McLendon, NT

2015 team: Pittsburgh Steelers

2016 team: New York Jets

McLendon has graded well against the run in each of the last five seasons with the Steelers. He doesn’t offer much as a pass rusher, so he is best suited as an early-down nose tackle to stop the run.

62. Robert Griffin III, QB

2015 team: Washington Redskins

2016 team: Cleveland Browns

RGIII has high upside if a team can get him back to they type of performance from his rookie year. However, that is a big “if” and will require a significant amount of work and investment of time. No team should sign Griffin with expectations of him walking in the door and being the starter in 2016.

63. Michael Harris, RG

2015 team: Minnesota Vikings

2016 team: Minnesota Vikings

Harris proved last year that he can be a full-time starter in the right system, and is a solid backup at the worst. He also has the versatility to play either guard or tackle, though he has been much better at guard.

64. Bobbie Massie, RT

2015 team: Arizona Cardinals

2016 team: Chicago Bears

The issue with signing Massie is the uncertainty on which player you are going to get. He struggled early on last season, but did perform better over the last few weeks and into the playoffs. Massie has been a much better run-blocker than pass-blocker during his career.

65. Aldon Smith, OLB

2015 team: Oakland Raiders

2016 team: Oakland Raiders

When on the field, Smith is a good edge defender who has graded positively as both a pass-rusher and run-defender in each of his five seasons, though he has been less effective the last two seasons. The primary issue with Smith is that he’s already going to miss at least half the season due to suspension, and has had a plethora of off-field issues throughout his career that make it difficult to consider signing him.

66. LeGarrette Blount, RB

2015 team: New England Patriots

2016 team: New England Patriots

Blount, who turns age 30 this season, is a physical runner and an above-average power back. He doesn’t offer much in the passing game but could do well in a running back committee.

67. David Bruton, S

2015 team: Denver Broncos

2016 team: Washington Redskins

Bruton has mainly been a backup for the Broncos throughout his career, averaging just over 200 snaps per season. He lined up just about everywhere for Denver last year with about half of his snaps coming as a box or strong safety.

68. Bilal Powell, RB

2015 team: New York Jets

2016 team: New York Jets

Powell is coming off his first season in which he graded above-average. Definitely not a lead back, but he can contribute in a reserve role.

69 . Matt Moore, QB

2015 team: Miami Dolphins

2016 team: Miami Dolphins

It has been four seasons since Moore had a significant amount of playing time, but the nine-year veteran is among the better backup options in the league, and has experience in multiple offensive systems.

70. Jermaine Kearse, WR

2015 team: Seattle Seahawks

2016 team: Seattle Seahawks

Kearse’s role was diminished a bit due to rookie Tyler Lockett’s emergence last season, but he was still very effective when given opportunities. The Seahawks had a 126.1 passer rating when targeting Kearse, fourth-highest in the league among wide receivers.

71. Tyvon Branch, S

2015 team: Kansas City Chiefs

2016 team: Arizona Cardinals

Branch has generally been a good safety when on the field, with just one slightly below-average season in 2010. However, he just couldn’t stay healthy during the 2013 and 2014 seasons, where he played in just five total games. He graded above-average for the Chiefs as their third safety and—maybe more importantly—was active for all 18 games last season.

72. Dwight Lowery, S

2015 team: Indianapolis Colts

2016 team: San Diego Chargers

The 30-year-old veteran has not performed as well as early in his career, but he’s still been an average player that could be an upgrade at safety for a number of teams. He allowed a 57.0 passer rating into his coverage last season, as he intercepted four passes and did not allow a touchdown.

73. Alfred Morris, RB

2015 team: Washington Redskins

2016 team: Dallas Cowboys

Morris has never been able to replicate his impressive rookie year. Nearly every one of his stats and grades have decreased each year since then. Still, he continues to grade slightly above average, and a change of scenery might help him turn the regression around.

74. Henry Melton, DT

2015 team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2016 team: 

Melton had the worst grade of his career on a Tampa Bay defense that was arguably the worst in the league last season. He’s never been much of a run defender, but he’s just a year removed from his best year as a pass-rusher when with Dallas, and should still be able to contribute as a sub-package player at the very least.

75. Dwight Freeney, OLB

2015 team: Arizona Cardinals

2016 team: 

At age 36, Dwight Freeney is still an effective pas-rusher, and can be a situational-rusher for someone. In 2015, he finished sixth among 3-4 OLBs in pass-rushing productivity.

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