NFL News & Analysis

The 100 best available NFL free agents remaining in 2021

Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman (25) reacts during Super Bowl LIV against the Kansas City Chiefs at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

NFL Free Agency is officially here and all of our questions about who will land where will finally be answered. PFF has provided you with our top free agent rankings in the weeks leading up to free agency, and we will continue to do so throughout the coming days by updating the list after every single signing is made.

With the help of our free agency database containing advanced analysis and data that you can get access to, we present to you the best players still available on the open market: 

1. CB Richard Sherman

One of the best cornerbacks of his generation, Richard Sherman is still playing the game at a high level, but his age and relative lack of scheme diversity will scare a lot of potential suitors off.

In 2019, once fully recovered from an Achilles injury, Sherman had one of the best seasons of his entire career, allowing just 227 receiving yards all season long. He surrendered a passer rating of just 46.8 before things came unglued a little in the Super Bowl loss to Kansas City. In 2020, Sherman produced a 67.2 coverage grade on just 332 snaps, the lowest grade of his career.

Sherman’s intelligence and tape study gives him a mental edge over most offenses he faces, and that more than makes up for less than stellar straight-line speed. In the kind of defense he plays in San Francisco, he can remain a valuable player even at his age and could be an attractive short-term option for a number of teams in need of a quick fix.

Contract Analysis: Sherman is at the “mercenary” stage of his career where he can sign short-term deals with contenders until he decides to hang up his cleats, much like Darrelle Revis in 2014 when he signed a one-year, $12M deal with the Patriots that included a $20M option for 2015 (the option was declined and Revis returned to the Jets). Sherman has already discussed how the 49ers have too many priority free agents, so he appears to be preparing for a change of scenery.

Prediction: Two years, $28 million ($14M APY): $18M total guaranteed, $14M fully guaranteed at signing.

2. OT Mitchell Schwartz

Coming off a back injury, which is sure to scare some teams, Schwartz has nonetheless been arguably the best right tackle in the game over the last several seasons. If he checks out medically, he could represent a steal for a team willing to be patient. Schwartz has never had a bad season, and his postseason run on the way to Kansas City’s Super Bowl victory was one of the greatest postseasons of all time, having allowed just one hurry despite his team in a near-constant state of obvious passing situations.

Contract Analysis: While Schwartz missed the majority of the 2020 season to injury and there are rumors he may retire, he'll immediately become one of the best free agents available if he does choose to play in 2021. His one-year, $11.255 million extension signed for 2021 was near the top of the market at right tackle and still probably a discount, even though injuries prevented him from playing on the new year. He’d be a great addition for any team and may come at a discount as he continues to recover. 

Prediction: Schwartz signs for one year, $6 million, $5 million total guaranteed.

3. WR Antonio Brown

Even after an extended absence from football, the 32-year-old Brown returned for the final nine games of the regular season and ranked seventh among all wide receivers over that span (min. 100 snaps) with a receiving grade of 86.0. Brown has one sub-80 receiving grade in his entire career, and it was a 79.0 in 2018.

Brown’s 9.4-yard average depth of target and 10.7 yards per reception marks are both the lowest since his rookie season in 2010, but in contrast, his 5.6 yards after the catch per reception is his highest mark since 2013. With Mike Evans and Scotty Miller taking more of the deep targets, Brown produced in a different way than he’s accustomed to but still quite efficiently. He forced eight missed tackles on 45 receptions, with that 17.8% rate the highest since his rookie season in 2010. Brown is still one of the NFL’s best wide receivers.

Prediction: One-year, $5 million. Incentives can raise the value of the deal to $7 million.

4. Edge Jadeveon Clowney

Just like any free agent signing, the key is understanding what a player is bringing to the table. Clowney has elite tools, but he’s never been an elite pass-rusher, as he has posted a pass-rushing grade in the 70s in each of the last three years and a 69.6 mark in 2020. The sack totals will fluctuate from year to year, so don’t let that change the narrative: Clowney is a good, not great, pass-rusher. He does his best work in the run game, using those elite tools and heavy hands to win at the point of attack. Since entering the league, Clowney is a 95th percentile run defender and a 77th percentile pass-rusher, so his future team should expect similar snap-to-snap production at this point.

Contract Analysis: Clowney’s offseason rollercoaster was a lot more interesting than anything he’s done during the season so far, and it looks like we may once again be in for a prolonged saga awaiting his team for 2021. There’s probably a decent chance that a wide chasm again exists between what Clowney thinks he’s worth and what NFL teams are willing to pay, but he did have at least four suitors we know of the last time around, so there’s always a market for the former No. 1 overall pick.

Prediction: One-year, $13 million, fully guaranteed at signing.

5. T Russell Okung

The former No. 6 overall pick of the Seattle Seahawks has more than lived up to the billing. Now in his 11th season and on his fourth team, Okung hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down when healthy. Over the last three years, Okung ranks as a slightly above-average pass-blocker and an above-average run-blocker, and he remains a valuable player at an important position.

Okung was traded from the Los Angeles Chargers to the Carolina Panthers before the 2020 season and has filled in seamlessly when he’s been available.

The veteran has earned a pass-blocking grade above 70.0 — with five grades above 75.0 — in five of the six games he started in 2020. Coincidentally, he’s also recorded a pass-blocking grade of 71.0 or higher — with five grades above 75.0 — over his last six seasons.

Contract Analysis: Okung is now 33 but appears to be one of the many recent stalwart pass-protecting tackles who age very well and play long into their 30s. He was one of the original players in recent years to negotiate his own contract (with help from advisors), so perhaps an unorthodox structure wouldn’t be surprising as his career winds down.

Prediction: Three years, $50 million. ($16.67M APY): $32.5M total guaranteed, $22.5M fully guaranteed at signing.

6. T Alejandro Villanueva

There’s immense value in solid, mid-tier offensive linemen, and that’s exactly what Villanueva has been throughout his career. He’s graded between 74.0 and 82.0 in each of his last five seasons; he ranks in the 54th percentile in PFF pass-blocking grade and the 46th percentile in pass-blocking grade on true pass sets during that time.

There’s a similar level of dependability to Villanueva’s game as a run-blocker. He ranks in the 74th percentile at avoiding negatively graded plays but just the 23rd percentile in positively graded plays. NFL teams must avoid having disastrous options at offensive tackle, and Villanueva’s profile makes him a valuable asset.

Contract Analysis: Villanueva has had a remarkable NFL career after serving in the U.S. military, going undrafted and then working his way to becoming one of the league’s best left tackles. Nevertheless, the Steelers will have a very tough time retaining Villanueva after pushing all their chips in on 2020. We wouldn’t be surprised if Villanueva, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Bud Dupree are all playing elsewhere in 2021, purely for salary cap reasons.

Prediction: Three years, $45 million ($15M APY): $30M total guaranteed, $20M fully guaranteed at signing.

Sep 20, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (13) runs with the ball in the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lucas Oil Stadium. Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

7. WR T.Y. Hilton

Hilton is not the same big-play threat he once was, but he’s settled in as more of an efficient chain-mover over the past two years. Forty-two of his 56 receptions went for either a first down or a touchdown in 2020, and he has just six drops on his past 101 catchable passes. Hilton had the No. 13 grade on intermediate (10-19 yard) passes last season, and that’s where he provides the most value going forward as a complementary threat. 

Contract Analysis: Hilton finished out the regular season of his contract year with a bang, scoring four touchdowns and posting five straight games with at least 60 receiving yards from Week 12 to Week 16. He had no touchdowns and only one outing with 60 receiving yards over the first 11 weeks, so generating some flashy generic stats was important for him down the stretch.

Prediction: Three years, $28.5 million ($9.5M APY): $18 million total guaranteed, $10 million fully guaranteed at signing.

8. CB Malcolm Butler

Butler is coming off his best coverage grade since 2016, a 75.8 mark that ranked 15th in the NFL last season. He’s been effective in both man and zone concepts, and while Butler may not have the desired dominance of a No. 1 corner, he’s an excellent No. 2 option. He could be a steal for a contender, especially if he can back up his 2020 performance rather than his 2018-19 work, which ranked closer to the middle-of-the-pack among the league’s corners. 

Contract Analysis: The Titans cleared over $10 million with the release of Butler. 

Prediction: Butler signs for two years, $12.5 million ($6.25M APY), $9 million total guaranteed.

9. S KAREEM JACKSON

A late-career move to safety has worked out well for Jackson who posted back-to-back 80.0-plus season grades for the Broncos. The former cornerback can line up all over the field and he has an 82.1 coverage grade in the slot over the last two years, fourth-best among safeties. Jackson also has 13 pass breakups and a strong run defense grade of 83.6 during that time, and he still has plenty to offer at 33 years of age.

10. CB Brian Poole

At 5-foot-9, Brian Poole very much fits the mold of a slot cornerback at the NFL level, and he has always been solid in that role. Since moving to the Jets, he has been better than solid, posting one of the highest PFF coverage grades from the slot over the past two seasons. He has allowed just one touchdown and a passer rating of under 70.0 when targeted over that stretch. There are more spectacular players around the NFL, but Poole has proven to be an impressively consistent and solid defender in one of the most undervalued positions in the league.

Contract Analysis: The Jets inking Poole to a one-year, $5 million contract for 2020 was one of the better value signings across the NFL, as he was playing some really good football before heading to injured reserve with shoulder and knee ailments. Following consecutive one-year flier deals from the Jets, Poole will look to cash in on a multi-year extension.

Prediction: Three years, $18 million ($6M APY): $11.5 million total guaranteed, $7 million fully guaranteed at signing.

11. S Xavier Woods

Woods entered the league as a versatile safety with slot coverage skills and a sixth-round draft steal as he’s developed into a solid free safety. He ranks in the middle of the pack from a coverage standpoint when lined up deep, but he’s been excellent when lined up closer to the line of scrimmage, making him a good fit for teams that play with interchangeable safeties. He can still dabble in the slot at times, and the Cowboys are doing more of that in 2020, but it hasn’t been Woods’ strong suit to this point in his NFL career. His four season grades have ranged from 65.0 to 73.0.

Contract Analysis: This much talent at one position could have the effect of suppressing contracts for everyone. Or, particularly because of the salary cap situation in 2021, it could have the effect of eroding the middle-tier market. Teams may decide that unless they can land a premier free safety who is an impact player, they might as well just go to the bargain bin and sign a cheap veteran. For this reason, Woods’ next contract could truly fall within a very wide range.

Prediction: Four-year, $25 million extension ($6.25M APY).

12. CB Quinton Dunbar

Following a trade from the Washington Football Team this past offseason, Dunbar was hoping to repeat a dominant 2019 on a more competitive team and cash in big time in 2021. The former wide receiver turned cornerback has gotten off to a tough start in Seattle, though he had been dealing with nagging injuries all season until he was finally placed on IR in Week 11.

His 397 snaps are the second-most in a season in his career. Any team looking to sign Dunbar is banking on a relatively young player at the position getting back to his excellent 2019 form.

Prediction: Two years, $12 million ($6M APY): $9.5M total guaranteed, $7.5M fully guaranteed at signing.

13. Edge Melvin Ingram III

Ingram’s second contract went a lot better than his first in terms of his level of play. Once seen as a first-round disappointment, Ingram blossomed into an extremely effective NFL pass-rusher only enhanced by the arrival of Joey Bosa to the Chargers‘ defensive front.

Ingram racked up three straight seasons with 70 or more total pressures before injury broke that streak, and 2020 featured the best PFF pass-rushing grade he has posted since 2017, even if the sacks never materialized.

Ingram is a productive pass-rusher, but he was limited to just 361 snaps this season. And at this point in his career, he isn’t going to be the primary source of pass rush for anything other than a bad pass-rushing football team. Teams that already have that primary stud up front could dramatically improve their rush with the addition of Ingram as a second threat, however.

Contract Analysis: Ingram briefly held out of training camp before the season, presumably looking for an extension of some kind. But after making Bosa the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history, the Chargers were only willing to guarantee Ingram’s 2020 salary and not add any years onto his deal. Injuries kept him out of the Chargers’ final six games, and he appeared in just seven games total in 2020.

Prediction: Two years, $20M ($10M APY): $16M total guaranteed, $14M fully guaranteed at signing.

14. OT Rick Wagner

Wagner proved to be one of the better signings last offseason as he finished 2020 with a 78.2 overall grade, good for 24th among offensive tackles. He’s been consistently effective since entering the league in 2013, grading above 70.0 in five of his seven full seasons. Since 2017, Wagner ranks above the 60th percentile in pass block grade on true pass sets as well as avoiding negatively graded plays in the run game and he profiles as a viable starter at right tackle for his next team. 

Contract Analysis: The Packers let former RT Bryan Bulaga head to the Los Angeles Chargers, are slated to earn a fifth-round compensatory pick as a result, and Wagner graded a good bit better in every facet in 2020. That’s how the smart franchises like Green Bay stay good for so long. Nevertheless, Wagner struggled a bit against speed, and his $6 million price point was a bit too much with Green Bay needing to cut costs to get under the cap. There should be a decent market for Wagner’s services. 

Prediction: Two years, $9 million ($4.5M APY), $5 million total guaranteed.

Dec 15, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Sammy Watkins (14) celebrates with wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) after converting a two-point conversion against Denver Broncos linebacker A.J. JohnsonÊ(45) during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

15. WR Sammy Watkins

Once looking like a future star, Watkins has leveled off as a complementary receiver over the past few years. He’s never gotten back to his career-high 89.8 grade in 2015, though he posted solid grades between 69.0 and 74.0 from 2016 to 2019 across three different teams. Watkins’ 64.4 overall grade in 2020 is the lowest of his career, though he always seems good for a couple of dominant games per season, and last year it showed up at the right time during the Chiefs’ Super Bowl run. 

Contract Analysis: Watkins agreed to an incentive-laden pay cut before the 2020 season to run it back with the Chiefs for another shot at a Super Bowl. Otherwise, Kansas City would have moved on from the receiver it originally signed to a three-year, $48 million deal back in 2018. 

Watkins was the top wide receiver on the market that year, with Allen Robinson II coming off a torn ACL being the next best available. 

Watkins won’t have that same luck this time, as he’s way down the list of top free-agent wide receivers. Nevertheless, the former No. 4 overall pick is still a serviceable player when healthy and will be only 28 years old. 

Prediction: Three years, $30 million ($10M APY): $21 million total guaranteed, $16.5 million fully guaranteed at signing

16. LB K.J. Wright

Wright has been one of the league's most consistent linebackers over his NFL career, and as he gets toward the end of it, he still provides a lot of value as a solid all-around player at the position. He finished the regular season with the eighth-best overall grade among linebackers at 75.3.

The Seahawks had their annual shock pick in the first round of the NFL draft when they took Texas Tech linebacker Jordyn Brooks at 27th overall. And while he’s slowly coming along in a Will linebacker role — which has been Wright’s spot in Seattle for nearly a decade — his presence may not necessarily mean Wright is on the way out.

Contract Analysis: Wright has been solid after transitioning into the strongside linebacker role following Bruce Irvin’s season-ending injury, and it suits him as he gets a bit older. His 59.9 coverage grade in 2019 was his worst since his rookie season in 2011, so playing closer to the line and setting the edge in run defense works for him at this stage of his career. Irvin is also a free agent after the season but is two years older and will be coming off a torn ACL, so perhaps Wright carves out a role in Seattle because he can contribute at either spot going forward.

Prediction: Two years, $12 million ($6M APY): $6 million total guaranteed, $5 million fully guaranteed at signing.

17. S Malik Hooker

Hooker has dealt with significant injury after significant injury, and this concern existed even before the 2020 season, which was lost to a torn Achilles. He’s never really provided the intended playmaking ability in the middle of the field, but he’s also played in a Colts scheme that has been heavy on two-high safety coverages. 

Hooker still may be a better fit in a true single-high safety role where he takes good angles on downfield throws. He’s looked out of place when forced into one-on-ones with receivers or when needing to react quickly from two-high alignments. His best season saw him grade at 81.6 in coverage in 2018, though the other 1200 or so snaps have him graded in the mid-60s. He's worth a look in a new system that could get the most out of his downfield playmaking skill set.

Contract Analysis: The Indianapolis Colts were the last team in the NFL to make a decision on their 2017 first-round pick’s fifth-year option, waiting until the very last day to ultimately decline Hooker’s $6.7 million for 2021, which looks smart in hindsight. Hooker will likely need to take a near-minimum “prove-it” deal to get his career back on track. 

Prediction: One year, $2 million.

18. OT Bobby Massie

Starting-caliber tackles are difficult to come by, and Massie has been a mid-tier starter for the majority of his career. Since 2017, he has a solid 73.4 pass-blocking grade, including a 57th percentile rank on true pass sets, showing that he will at least provide adequate play at a position group that needs to avoid glaring holes. Massie has been less effective in the run game, grading above 60.0 just once in his five years with the Bears, so his best fit may be in a pass-heavy attack.

Contract Analysis: Massie’s four-year, $32 million extension signed in 2019 had a team option for 2021 which Chicago chose to decline, making him a free agent ahead of the 2021 offseason. Massie has been a solid if unspectacular right tackle in Chicago the last two years but has missed 14 games over the last two seasons.

Prediction: Massie signs for two years, $10 million, $8 million total guaranteed.

19. C Austin Reiter

Austin Reiter flashed ability in limited playing time early in his career before getting a chance to start in Kansas City, where he has become a quality starter for a championship-caliber team.

Reiter is a better pass blocker than he is in the run game, with PFF grades of at least 78.0 in every season of significant playing time in that facet. In 2020, he allowed just seven total pressures and wasn’t flagged for a penalty all season.

Contract Analysis: Reiter’s market will likely be determined by how much teams value the run game, but he is certainly a steady hand at a spot that can be a problem position for some teams.

Prediction: Two years, $9.5 million ($4.75M APY): $4 million total guaranteed, $3 million fully guaranteed at signing.

20. QB Alex Smith

Smith completed one of the greatest comebacks in sports history to get back on the field in 2020, and though he made a clear difference to the Washington Football Team when he started, his play was short of where it was before his devastating injury. Between age, declined play and a recurring calf problem likely linked to his recovery, Smith is likely a backup at best going forward, but he could be an invaluable resource for a team looking to rely on a young quarterback as its starter.

Contract Analysis: This may have been a tough decision emotionally, but it certainly wasn’t from a business standpoint. Smith’s return to the field was nothing short of a miracle, but he showed the effects of a brutal leg injury that almost ended his career. Washington took out a $12 million insurance policy on Smith’s contract that followed his trade from Kansas City and was able to recoup some of that cap space following the gruesome injury that knocked him out of the 2019 campaign. He’ll clear $14.7 million off of Washington’s books as they look for their franchise quarterback of the future.

Projection: Smith signs for one year, $3 million fully guaranteed.

21. EDGE Aldon Smith

Smith’s return to the NFL is a miraculous comeback story after a four-year absence from 2016-19. While he hasn’t quite been the superstar he was with the 49ers, he’s still generated a 70.0 pass-rush grade while playing at least 40 snaps in every game so far in 2020 — a testament to his conditioning. He’s been moved all over the defensive front, and his 50 pressures tell a better story than his four sacks, as he was a solid pass-rusher in his return to the NFL.

Contract Analysis: Arguably the most impressive aspect of Smith’s return was that he did not sign a veteran minimum contract, negotiating a deal with a maximum value of $2 million in Dallas. At 31 years old, Smith has proven to just be a different type of human, and one final payday as a veteran will be a great end to his story.

Prediction: Two years, $15 million ($7.5M APY): $10 million total guaranteed, $8 million fully guaranteed at signing.

22. Edge Carlos Dunlap

Dunlap is 32 years old but only a year removed from the best season of his career in 2019 with the Bengals. That season, Dunlap’s overall PFF grade was 89.7 and he had 51 total pressures and 36 defensive stops. He ended the 2020 season playing well for Seattle, notching 13 total pressures in the last three weeks of the season as the team’s best pass rusher.

Contract Analysis: Seattle acquired Dunlap in a deadline trade from the Bengals for a 2020 playoff push, with the Seahawks desperate for help at edge rusher. The move was certainly viewed as a rental, but Dunlap went on to make a handful of game-altering plays, including a fourth-down sack on Kyler Murray in Week 11 that clinched a win for the Seahawks. His $14,037,500 salary was too large to carry into 2021, but he should have a decent market among contenders looking for pass-rush help. 

Prediction: Dunlap signs for one year, $9 million, $7.5 million total guaranteed.

23. CB Nickell Robey-Coleman

Now infamous for the non-call on a blatant defensive pass interference in the 2018-19 NFC Championship game against the New Orleans Saints, Robey-Coleman hasn’t been quite as fortunate recently. An important piece of a stingy secondary in Los Angeles became expendable and ended up signing a one-year, $1.35 million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles for 2020. Robey-Coleman’s defensive grade and coverage grade through Week 12 are both five-year lows, and those marks will raise some questions about how much of his grade in Los Angeles was down to the system rather than the player. 

He has shown flashes this year that he can still be an aggressive and feisty slot corner, but he has given up a 116.0 passer rating when targeted while allowing 11.7 yards per reception — a high figure for an inside defender. 

Contract Analysis: Robey-Coleman will land somewhere as a tried-and-true veteran at slot cornerback, but another one-year deal near the minimum is probably in order.

Prediction: One year, $2 million fully guaranteed at signing.

24. CB Mackensie Alexander

Alexander’s career started slow, but he’s now posted three straight solid coverage grades, including a career-high 72.5 mark back in 2018. He signed a one-year deal with the Bengals and provided average play, grading at 60.4 overall to go with a 67.2 coverage grade. Alexander has played primarily in the slot throughout his career, and he’s in the group of available slot corners who are worth a look.

Contract Analysis: Alexander joined Trae Waynes last offseason in departing Minnesota’s secondary for Cincinnati, but unlike Waynes — who suffered an injury before the season — Alexander was able to get on the field in 2020. He continued to provide average to above-average play in the slot and will likely be facing a similar market.

Prediction: Two years, $6 million ($3M APY): $3 million total guaranteed/fully guaranteed at signing.

25. RB James Conner

Conner is a productive player with an incredible story, and after defeating cancer and graduating from Pittsburgh, he was able to continue his career in the Steel City. However, with the Steelers drafting Anthony McFarland Jr. and Benny Snell Jr. in the fourth round in back-to-back years, they may have already jump-started the process of moving on.

Contract Analysis: Conner’s production has stalled after an impressive start to his Steelers career, but the lack of dominance also coincides with the team’s run blocking getting worse. Conner has solid PFF grades in all four seasons of his career.

Prediction: Three years, $20 million ($6.66M APY): $10 million total guaranteed, $8 million fully guaranteed at signing. 

26. WR Adam Humphries 

When healthy, Humphries is an effective short-area threat, highlighted by the second-lowest average depth of target in the league since 2017 (7.1). Humphries is a sure-handed option who knows how to get open against single coverage and he has a good feel against zone, making him a solid possession option in the middle of the field. His best season came in 2019 when he tied for 19th with 48 first downs plus touchdowns, but he’ll need to go to a high-volume attack to approach those numbers once again. 

Contract Analysis: Humphries signed a four-year, $36 million contract with Tennessee in the 2019 offseason, and ended up earning about $325,000 per reception for the Titans. Humphries is a slot specialist who manages to create consistent separation and produce when healthy, but he’s played just 603 snaps over the last two seasons combined. Humphries will be just 28-years-old in 2021, and if a team isn’t overly concerned about his concussion history, could be a nice addition as a secondary or tertiary receiving option for any team.

Prediction: One year, $4.25 million, $3.5 million total guaranteed.

27. RB Duke Johnson Jr. 

Johnson epitomizes what the modern running back should look like as he’s an excellent receiver who can create mismatches in the pass game. Since entering the league, Johnson has a 91.0 receiving grade, ranking in the 90th percentile during that time. He’s also 11th in yards per route at 1.55 and eighth in missed tackles forced per attempt at 0.21. Johnson can create on his own as a runner and add value to the pass game, so teams in need of a pass-catching complementary option should take note.

Contract Analysis: Johnson’s three-year, $15.61 million ($5.203M APY) extension signed with the Cleveland Browns in 2018 was a market-setter for a player primarily considered a third-down back. Running backs like Dion Lewis, James White and Giovani Bernard have all since signed for just beneath Johnson, who was then traded a year later to the Houston Texans for a conditional fourth-round pick that became a third-rounder. Johnson isn’t just a scat back though, in fact he’s the all-time leading rusher at the University of Miami – topping a list with names like Edgerrin James, Clinton Portis and Willis McGahee. Now set to play for his third NFL team, Johnson is only 27-years-old, and questions remain as to whether he’s ever truly been used effectively. 

Prediction: Two-years, $6.5 million ($3.25M APY), $4.25 million total guaranteed.

28. WR Danny Amendola

Despite approaching the age of time itself (35 years old), Danny Amendola has quietly been as productive as ever over the past few seasons. He hasn’t been as big a part of the offense as he once was, with his last 100-target season coming in New England, but for a team that needs a safe pair of hands or someone who runs a lot of routes from the slot, Amendola can still be a useful member of an offense. He has had six straight seasons with a 65.0-plus PFF receiving grade.

Contract Analysis: While Amendola’s usage has naturally declined, he managed to post his best season grade (74.9) since 2015. He signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the Lions this past offseason, and he’ll most likely keep signing similar contracts until he retires.

Prediction: One year, $5.5 million: $5 million total guaranteed/fully guaranteed at signing.

Sep 13, 2020; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots running back James White (28) rushes against Miami Dolphins cornerback Byron Jones (24) during the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

29. RB James White

White is a specialist — he’s far better at catching the ball out of the backfield than he is carrying it as a traditional runner. He’s an excellent route-runner with good hands and shiftiness after the catch, all adding up to a perfect option in a pass-heavy attack. As a runner, White generally gets what is blocked, as he’s averaged just 2.0 yards after contact during his career. However, he can still be an effective pass-game weapon in the right offense. 

Contract Analysis: While Tom Brady had a phenomenal season, the Buccaneers seemingly used a different running back in the third-down role every single week. Brady missed his checkdown security blanket in White, and a lot of teams could benefit from the running back’s skill set. 

Prediction: Two years, $10 million ($5M APY): $5 million total guaranteed/fully guaranteed at signing.

30. RB Le’Veon Bell

The great Le’Veon Bell that was once arguably the best back in the NFL is long gone, but he is still a capable player in the backfield with a well-rounded skill set. His trademark “patient” rushing style that was so successful in Pittsburgh seems to have morphed into a general lack of explosion over time, and he hasn’t had a carry longer than 20 yards since he was playing for the Steelers.

This season, Bell ended with a 73.9 overall PFF grade and averaged more than three yards per carry after contact in addition to dropping just one pass. He won’t break the bank anymore and could be a useful addition to a backfield lacking in talent.

Contract Analysis: Le’Veon Bell’s tenure with the New York Jets ended with an unceremonious breakup after never really getting off the ground, as he was more or less phased out of the offense in favor of 37-year-old Frank Gore. Bell will certainly benefit from performing on the biggest stage in the playoffs with the Kansas City Chiefs, and perhaps a few big performances can entice a team to take another chance on him.

Prediction: Two years, $10 million ($5M APY): $5M total guaranteed/fully guaranteed at signing.

31. CB K’Waun Williams

In a league where covering the slot has never been more important, K’Waun Williams is one of the NFL’s better slot defenders and has been consistently good at a position where it is hard to maintain a high standard. In six seasons, Williams doesn’t have an overall PFF grade below 66.2, and his best play has been genuinely elite.

Over the past two seasons, Williams has allowed just one touchdown on 99 targets. He would represent a significant upgrade for a lot of teams if he’s healthy.

Contract Analysis: Williams is one of four 49ers cornerbacks set to hit free agency, but as a pure slot corner, he may have the best chance of returning. Williams missed eight out of a possible sixteen games this season yet finished on a positive note with his highest-graded performance of the season in a lockdown effort at Arizona, earning him a 90.5 defensive grade and an 80.5 coverage grade.

Prediction: Two years, $8 million ($4M APY): $4 million total guaranteed, $3 million fully guaranteed at signing.

32. CB Gareon Conley

A former first-round pick, Conley has had his ups and downs, grading out at 64.5 and 64.0 in his two full seasons. He missed all of the 2020 season. Conley is better in man coverage, as he’s graded in the 69th percentile in single coverage compared to just the 37th percentile in zone since entering the league. He’s also forced incompletions on 22.2% of his targets, the second-best rate in the NFL since 2017. Conley is worth a look in a man-heavy system. 

Contract Analysis: The former 2017 first-round pick of the then-Oakland Raiders was traded to the Houston Texans for a third-round pick after just two seasons. Conley is a perfect candidate to be 2021’s Ronald Darby, as he profiles very similarly — and that’s what he should be selling to potential suitors.

Prediction: One year, $2.5 million: $1 million fully guaranteed at signing.

33. CB Bashaud Breeland

Breeland’s play at cornerback is something of a roller-coaster ride. In the right game, he can play well and hold his own on the outside against even decent receivers, but when the wheels come off, they tend to do so spectacularly.

The veteran cornerback had three games with a PFF coverage grade above 80.0 this past season, but he also one of 32.2 and another of 43.1 as well as two games in the 50s. Overall, he was beaten for a passer rating of 90.3 and earned a solid coverage grade, but it wasn’t always smooth sailing.

Breeland will be 29 by the time free agency hits, and though he can certainly play and start in this league, he represents the kind of starter that teams will always have an eye out to upgrade upon.

Contract Analysis: Breeland began the season with a four-game suspension following an arrest in April of 2020, but he made his presence felt immediately in Week 5 against the Las Vegas Raiders with an interception. Breeland has excelled as the right cornerback in defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s system, and with a strong playoff run could be looking for his first multi-year veteran contract.

Prediction: Chiefs sign Breeland for two years, $10 million ($5M APY): $5.5 million total guaranteed, $2.5 million fully guaranteed at signing.

34. DI Geno Atkins

At his peak, Geno Atkins was one of the best pass-rushing interior linemen in the game, but we have seen a decline from him in recent years and injury limited him badly last season. If he can get healthy and recapture some of his better play, he can still do a job for a team short on disruption inside, but his best play may be a long way in the rearview mirror.

Atkins played just 127 snaps in 2020 and graded out at 54.0, both marks by far the lowest of his career. The career Bengal had played at least 775 snaps and graded at 76.2 or better in five straight seasons before his first-ever bad year, but it’s fair to wonder if age is perhaps catching up to the soon-to-be 33-year-old.

He'll now be released later into free agency as many teams have already spent up a decent portion of cash reserves, much like the Chicago Bears Akiem Hicks. Atkins was a dominant force for the better part of a decade and could have some spark left in a better situation.

35. DI Jurrell Casey

Limited to just 156 snaps in 2020, Casey kept his streak alive of never grading below 70.0 overall on the PFF grading scale, highlighting how he’s been consistently good since entering the league in 2011. Casey had five straight years with 50-plus pressures from 2013 to 2019, but his pass-rushing has slowed a bit in recent years. He’s still a plus run defender and he should get a look in a weak free agent class of interior defensive linemen. 

Contract Analysis: The Broncos acquired Casey for a seventh-round pick before the 2020 season, but he missed the majority of the year to injury. Casey’s 2021 salary was slated to be $11,874,750, with $0 dead money on a release. There’s no reason to think Casey can’t be a productive player going forward, this move was more about the financial implications. He should have a handful of suitors and can provide good value as a run-stuffing 3-technique that can generate the occasional pressure on the quarterback. 

Prediction: One-year, $5 million fully guaranteed.

36. DI NDAMUKONG SUH

Suh certainly isn’t the force he once was, but he is still able to maintain an absurd workload for as many snaps as he’s logged over his NFL career.

The 788 snaps he played this season was the lowest total of his career, yet it was still the 11th-most among all interior defenders. Suh racked up 50 total pressures and 25 defensive stops and can still be a very solid member of a defensive line. At this point, he is a mercenary for hire on a short-term contract. If a team has a problem spot up front, Suh can fix it.

Contract Analysis: Suh is no longer resetting the market like he did with his massive six-year, $114 million contract with the Miami Dolphins back in 2015, but he’s still a highly productive interior defender. Now at 34 years old, Suh rarely comes off the field. While he’s still capable of handling a full-time role, perhaps he could also sell himself on becoming a lower-volume, higher-efficiency player like Tyson Alualu in Pittsburgh.

Prediction: One year, $6.75 million fully guaranteed at signing.

37. CB CASEY HAYWARD JR.

One of the best cornerbacks of the past decade, Hayward is coming off the worst season of his NFL career and going into a season in which he will be 32 years old. Hayward’s overall PFF grade was just 59.5 last year and he surrendered five touchdowns. It was the first season of his career that has been anything very good, but expecting a bounceback year is a risk at his age.

Contract Analysis: Even with some risk associated with this move, Hayward has a better resume than most cornerbacks hitting the market this offseason. The position is known for volatility, so teams have to hope he’ll return to his elite form after a down season.

Prediction: Hayward signs for two years, $16 million ($8M APY), $12 million total guaranteed.

38. CB AJ BOUYE

Bouye is a few years removed from his best seasons as he ranked as one of the league’s best corners in 2016 and 2017 before posting a solid 75.7 grade in 2018. He’s graded in the 50s in each of the last two seasons, making him a reclamation project at this point in his career. Bouye has man coverage skills on the outside, and he’s a high upside play if a team can get him back to his previous level of play.

Contract Analysis: A.J. Bouye was traded from the Jacksonville Jaguars to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a fourth-round pick during the 2020 offseason as Jacksonville unloaded all of their veteran talent, setting themselves up to win the Trevor Lawrence sweepstakes. Bouye appeared in just seven games with the Broncos as a result of a six-game suspension for PEDs, and became one of the first cuts of the 2021 offseason. He still has two games remaining on his suspension that he’ll have to serve elsewhere, delaying his debut with a new team to Week 3 at the earliest. Bouye had a $13 million 2021 base salary with $0 in guarantees and will be 30 next season, making this move unsurprising. In a weak free agent class for cornerbacks though, he could still land somewhere and provide value to a team desperate for help in the secondary.

Prediction: One-year, $5 million, $3 million total guaranteed.

39. DI KAWANN SHORT

Short has multiple elite years on his resume, but he’s played just 199 snaps over the last two years and last year graded at just 45.4 overall in his limited time. When healthy, he’s been an excellent run defender, peaking with a 91.7 grade in 2017, as well as an effective pass-rusher as he’s graded above 80.0 in both 2015 and 2017. The question is what he has left at this point in his career, but he’s worth a flier to see if he can regain form as part of a defensive line rotation.

Contract Analysis: Short has been one of the best interior defenders in the NFL since he was drafted in 2013, playing a large role in the Panthers’ 2015 Super Bowl run, which culminated in a massive five-year, $80.5 million contract extension signed in 2017. He got off to a great start on his new deal, with the fourth-highest grade among interior defenders over the 2017-18 seasons at 91.3 – trailing only Aaron Donald, Fletcher Cox and Damon Harrison Sr. Unfortunately, injuries in 2019 and 2020 limited him to a total of 199 snaps. Short was set to make a $12.5 million 2021 base salary. Now at 32, his football future is something of a mystery.

Prediction: One-year, $5 million, $2.075 million total guaranteed

40. S TASHAUN GIPSON

Gipson has several good seasons under his belt as a starting safety and he’s played over 1,000 snaps in four of the last five years. Last year, he graded at 72.0 overall, tied for 18th among safeties. Since 2017, Gipson has graded at average or slightly above average when lined up at free safety, in the box, or over the slot, giving him the kind of safety versatility that many schemes covet.

Contract Analysis: HaHa Clinton-Dix was in the same position last offseason as Gipson finds himself in now, signing a prove-it deal in Chicago to get his career back on track and performing admirably on a stacked Bears defense. Clinton-Dix earned a more substantial deal from the Cowboys as a result, but was promptly cut before the season began even with Dallas having one of the worst secondaries in the league.

Prediction: Gipson signs for one-year, $2.75 million, $1.25 million total guaranteed.

41. EDGE JUSTIN HOUSTON

The big question for Houston is what he has left at this point after 10 years in the league. He doesn’t have the same burst and power that made him the fifth-best pass-rushing edge defender in the NFL during the last decade, and he finished 2020 with the lowest pass-rush grade of his career.

Houston still flashes his ability, as he can get offensive tackles off-balanced with his length and good technique, but the days of accumulating 50-plus pressures in a season appear to be in the past. Even in the run game, Houston took a step back in 2020. On the other hand, Houston is just one year removed from an 87.1 overall grade while playing just over 40 plays per game, and he may have something to offer in a rotational role.

Contract Analysis: Houston could have an underwhelming 2021 free agency. The market for older players at expensive positions like edge rusher could disappear given the salary cap constraints ahead, and guys that fit this bill for 2020 — Everson Griffen and Vic Beasley, for example — didn’t exactly do Houston any favors.

Prediction: Two years, $18M ($9M APY). $10M total guaranteed, $7M fully guaranteed at signing.

42. S DURON HARMON

Harmon earned consistently strong PFF grades in coverage as a designated free safety during his time in New England. But after being acquired by the Lions, Harmon was just one of a number of things that didn’t function as well in Motown as it had in Foxborough. He played 1,102 snaps for the Lions as a full-time player, but that playing time yielded career lows in overall PFF overall grade (65.3) and PFF coverage grade (64.4). Harmon has coverage skills but now needs to show he wasn’t just a product of the Patriots' system.

Contract Analysis: Harmon was traded from one Belichick defense to another, landing in Detroit with Matt Patricia for the final year of his contract signed in 2017. He’s been one of the best players on an otherwise poor defense in Detroit, and with a strong finish to the 2020 season, he could earn himself one last significant multi-year contract.

Prediction: Two years, $12 million ($6M APY). $5 million total guaranteed/fully guaranteed.

43. CB RASUL DOUGLAS

Douglas has the size and length that a lot of NFL teams covet at the cornerback position, but he lacks change-of-direction or coverage chops. In his past two seasons — with two different teams — he has been beaten for a 100.0-plus passer rating when targeted, giving up eight total touchdowns without an interception going the other way. Douglas is likely a backup at best at this point despite age being on his side.

Contract Analysis: Douglas had a solid bounceback year in Carolina after he was cut before the conclusion of his rookie contract. The former third-round pick of the Eagles in 2017 earned a better deal than the minimum contract he signed for 2020, but another one-year flier to boost his value may be in order.

Prediction: One year, $2.25 million, $1.25 million total guaranteed.

44. CB JASON MCCOURTY

After an incredible start to his time in New England, Jason McCourty has seen his role reduced, but he still technically started 11 games in 2020 and played a versatile part within the New England defense, lining up at safety or in the slot on occasion in addition to his usual spot out wide. He is now 33 years old and coming off his lowest PFF coverage grade (51.8) since 2015. This season, he allowed a 135.0 passer rating when targeted. His versatility is useful, but McCourty isn’t transforming anybody’s secondary.

Contract Analysis: One of the first extensions of the 2021 “offseason” (signed in December) was 33-year-old Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith signing a one-year, $2.5 million extension worth up to $5 million with incentives. McCourty and Smith have both started to play less wide corner and more at safety and in the slot, relying on their advanced football knowledge and instincts to make up for a loss in athleticism. Smith’s contract provides a perfect blueprint.

Prediction: One year, $2.5 million with incentives to push it to $5 million.

45. S TRE BOSTON

An annual staple on the free agent market, Boston has been one of the better free safeties in the league in his seven years. Last season, he produced a career-low 53.8 grade that included a career-high 16 missed tackles. After playing almost exclusively at free safety in previous seasons, Boston played about half of his time in the box last season and his coverage grade of 50.6 ranked just 55th out of 64 qualifiers. He does his best work on the back end in both one and two-high safety looks, so a return to more of a true free safety role should get Boston back on track.

Contract Analysis: Boston finally landed the multi-year contract he deserved after several seasons of quality play on one-year deals, but unfortunately his three-year, $18 million contract with the Panthers just ended up becoming his latest one-year deal. Though Boston is a good player, no position market is more flooded with talent this offseason than free safety, so another one-year deal may be in store for him.

Prediction: Boston signs for one-year, $2.25 million, $1.25 million total guaranteed.

46. WR LARRY FITZGERALD

One of the greatest to ever do it, Larry Fitzgerald is currently an extremely reliable set of hands who understands defenses and can settle in soft spots but offers little in terms of athleticism or ability to beat defenders. He didn’t drop a pass this season, but neither did he break any tackles. Fitzgerald also produced a career-low 59.6 PFF grade. If he wants to keep playing, there is a role for him — albeit minor — in the NFL.

Contract Analysis: Fitzgerald has signed a contract with an $11 million salary for every season since 2016, presumably a reference to the number he wears (11) and also a solid value deal for both parties as the Cardinals watch the career of the best player in franchise history come to a close. It may be difficult to keep that tradition alive this offseason, with Fitzgerald showing more signs of decline in his remarkable 17th season and with the salary cap situation ahead.

Prediction: Fitzgerald retires. If not, he signs a one-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals for $5.5 million fully guaranteed.

47. EDGE ADRIAN CLAYBORN

A first-round pick back in 2011, Clayborn has been a surprisingly productive pass-rusher for hire over the past several years but is coming to free agency off his worst season in a long time. Clayborn had just 27 total pressures and a PFF run-defense grade of 46.4 and will be 33 years old by the time the season rolls around.

Contract Analysis: Clayborn will be looking for his fourth team in as many seasons, even though he’s a pretty solid rotational player on the edge. While he’ll be 33 this upcoming season, he played more snaps in 2020 than he had since 2017. However, he also earned his lowest grade (57.8) since 2016.

Prediction: Clayborn signs for one year, $2.25 million, $1.75 million total guaranteed.

48. TE TREY BURTON

Trey Burton was an impressive player in small sample sizes with limited opportunities as an Eagle early in his career before failing to make the same kind of impact when handed a bigger role in Chicago. He then fell completely out of favor and dealt with injuries. Burton remains an intriguing tight end, but at this point, he will be little more than a backup or relief option in an offense until he proves otherwise.

Contract Analysis: The infamous “Philly Special” play in Super Bowl 52 where Burton threw it to Nick Foles in the end zone will forever be his legacy, and that playoff run had a large role in him securing a substantial second contract from the Bears. Now facing his age 30 season and having dealt with various ailments, which is significant at the tight end position, Burton will likely sign a one-year deal again in 2021.

Prediction: Burton signs for one year, $3 million, $2 million total guaranteed.

49. CB DARQUEZE DENNARD

Once a first-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals, Darqueze Dennard never really showed solid enough play at the NFL level to justify his draft stock, and he hits free agency after an average season in Atlanta. Primarily a slot corner, Dennard can play outside in a pinch but has allowed a 96.4 passer rating for his entire career and rarely makes plays on the football, with 18 pass breakups and four picks in seven seasons.

Contract Analysis: Dennard agreed in principle with the Jacksonville Jaguars on a three-year, $13.5 million contract ($4.5M APY) with $6 million guaranteed in March of this past offseason, but the two sides were unable to hammer out the details. Dennard eventually signed a one-year, $1.01 million deal with the Falcons, appearing in eight games. The former 2014 first-rounder is a solid slot corner against both the pass and run but has had nagging injuries limit him in three straight seasons. He will be 30 years old in 2021.

Prediction: Dennard signs for two years, $8 million ($4M APY), $5 million total guaranteed.

50. EDGE OLIVIER VERNON

While we’re a few years removed from Vernon’s best play, he’s been one of the better pass rushers in the league over the past few seasons. Unfortunately, a Week 17 Achilles injury has his 2021 status in doubt, but a healthy Vernon graded at 74.6 last season to go with 51 pressures, so he is still a capable No. 2 rusher assuming a return to health.

Contract Analysis: The timing could not have been worse for Vernon, suffering his Achilles injury on January 4 — just two and a half months out from free agency. The 2021 season is a recovery year for the proven veteran edge rusher. It could work out all right for him if he can get back on the field toward the end of the year, show he has no lingering issues from the injury and then hit free agency in a potentially better market.

Prediction: Vernon signs for one year, $2.075 million, $1.075 million total guaranteed.

51. OT ERIC FISHER

Fisher was putting together the best season of his NFL career in 2020, and his loss in the AFC Championship game proved to be a real body blow for a Chiefs offensive line that was overwhelmed in the Super Bowl. Fisher allowed just three sacks across almost 800 pass-blocking snaps, but a ruptured Achilles so late in the season will make for a difficult decision for any prospective new team.

Contract Analysis: The No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, Fisher earned the best regular season grade of his career in 2020 with an 80.0. He suffered an extremely unfortunate Achilles tear injury in the AFC Championship game, missing a second straight Super Bowl trip and putting his availability for Week 1, 2021 in doubt. Nevertheless, Fisher is just 30 years old and could have more good football ahead of him once healthy.

Prediction: Fisher signs for two years, $20M ($10M APY), $15 million total guaranteed.

52. RB REX BURKHEAD

Rex Burkhead has spent his career as a bit-part player in a backfield committee, whether it was in Cincinnati or New England. He is primarily known as a receiving back, and his PFF grades back that up, with three seasons above an 80.0 PFF receiving grade and no below-average years in his career. He can be a threat carrying the ball, as well, and he would be a useful backup for a number of teams.

Contract Analysis: Burkhead suffered a significant knee injury in Week 11, believed to be a torn ACL, and will do his best to be ready for the 2021 season. Up to that point, he led the Patriots' running backs in snaps and was second in carries. A healthy Burkhead can be a productive player in the running and passing games anywhere he goes.

Prediction: Burkhead signs for one year, $1.5 million.

53. WR Kenny Stills

Still under 30 years old, Stills has been a productive deep threat everywhere he has played, though his PFF grade has rarely matched up with the production. He has just one season with a receiving grade higher than 71.0 despite five years where he generated a passer rating north of 100.0. He is inconsistent and largely one-dimensional, but that dimension is valuable.

Contract Analysis: Stills came along to Houston as a part of the Laremy Tunsil blockbuster and has since gotten lost in the shuffle in a deep wide receiver room. He can still be a productive deep threat when healthy, and you can’t teach speed. He ended the season on the Bills' practice squad after getting waived by the Texans late in the year, and he’ll look to bounce back in 2021. 

Prediction: Stills signs for one year, $2.5 million, $1.075 million total guaranteed.

54. WR Damiere Byrd

Byrd does one thing really well — he brings his 4.27 speed to work the vertical route tree. He obviously has the speed to get behind the defense, but that also opens up curls and hitches on the outside. Even with the speed, Byrd has averaged just 12.0 yards per catch in his career, and he must cut back on last year’s five drops on only 52 catchable passes.

Contract Analysis: With opportunities somewhat scarce in the New England Patriots‘ run-first offense, Byrd still managed a few big outings when the Patriots did choose to air it out. He's a willing blocker, even though he didn’t exactly excel as one, and Bill Belichick trusted him enough to keep trotting him out there, something he’s not always going to do if he feels a guy is a weak link.

Prediction: Byrd signs for two years, $4.5 million ($2.25M APY), $2.5 million total guaranteed.

55. QB C.J. Beathard

Another backup quarterback, Beathard has earned a 62.7 passing grade since entering the league, good for 40th out of 49 quarterbacks with at least 50 dropbacks since 2017. He’s done his best work at the intermediate (10-19 yard) level, where he’s graded at 80.3. He posted the best grade of his career in 2020, a 69.2 mark on 114 dropbacks.

Contract Analysis: Beathard is another benefactor of the greatness that is Kyle Shanahan, and he’s a solid backup option that now presumably has a wealth of knowledge about ways to attack opposing defenses efficiently. The former third-round pick finished the season on a high note, earning a 78.5 passing grade with two big-time-throws and zero turnover-worthy-plays in Week 17 against the Seahawks. 

Prediction: Beathard signs for two years, $6 million ($3M APY), $4.5 million total guaranteed.

Baltimore Ravens WR Willie Snead
Sep 23, 2018; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Willie Snead (83) reacts after making a first down during the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium. Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

56. WR Willie Snead IV

There’s a good chance that Snead will be looked at harshly, as symbolic of the lack of impact receivers in Baltimore and part of the issue of their passing game. Snead is a capable player in the right role, though. His best seasons came in New Orleans, but he has generated a passer rating of over 100.0 in three of his NFL seasons and caught upwards of 70% of passes thrown his way. Any team in need of an upgrade in the slot should be calling.

Contract Analysis: Snead’s production could be viewed in a negative light because the Ravens didn’t get much out of their wide receiver group in 2020, but Snead had a larger role than perhaps he should have and was dependable out of the slot. He’s also now played well in one of the pass-happiest offenses in the NFL with the Saints, and then again with the run-heavy Ravens attack.

Prediction: Snead signs for two years, $13.5 million ($6.75M APY), $6.75 million total guaranteed.

57. CB DJ Hayden

A former first-round pick, D.J.Hayden had the only two solid years of his NFL career in his first two seasons with the Jaguars before the wheels fell off this season and he returned to being a liability in coverage. At the point he went down injured he had a PFF coverage grade of just 32.6 – his second season in the 30s – and was beaten for a passer rating of 128.8.

Contract Analysis: The 2013 first-round pick of the Oakland Raiders got his career back on track with two quality seasons in Jacksonville from 2018-19 after fully committing to playing in the slot. A hamstring injury has kept him out since Week 4 this season, and with the Jaguars’ youth movement all over the roster, the 30-year-old Hayden may not be in their long-term plans.

Prediction: One-year, $3M ($3M APY). $3M total guaranteed/fully guaranteed at signing.

58. T Cameron Fleming

Though he started for the Giants last season, Fleming is a backup swing tackle barring disaster. He earned an overall PFF grade of 58.4 this season, surrendering 35 total pressures on 572 pass-blocking snaps. He will struggle against capable pass-rushers, and his best single-game performances came against teams with no pass-rush threat. Fleming is a solid backup but was in over his head as a starter.

Contract Analysis: There’s always a need for swing tackles in this league, and while Fleming wasn’t spectacular in a larger role, he also wasn’t such an issue as to prove completely unplayable in a pinch. 

Prediction: Fleming signs for one year, $4 million, $2.5 million total guaranteed.

59. DI Lawrence Guy

Guy has been one of the better interior run defenders in the league over the last few years, highlighted by an outstanding 90.4 run-defense grade on the 2018 Patriots Super Bowl team. He can disrupt and finish, as his run-stop percentage of 9.8% ranks 12th out of 152 players at his position over the last three years. Guy has not provided much as a pass-rusher throughout his career, as he’s never tallied more than 28 pressures in a season, but his presence in the run game is valuable as part of a defensive line rotation.

Contract Analysis: Guy profiles as the classic run-stuffing defensive tackle that teams can plug and play and then scheme pressures around him. He’d still bring value to a lot of teams, and it wouldn’t be surprising at all to see an uptick in snap-to-snap efficiency with a slightly reduced role after being asked to do a lot in New England the last few years.

Prediction: Guy signs for one year, $7 million, $5 million total guaranteed.

60. EDGE KERRY HYDER

Playing on his third team in three seasons, Hyder turned in a career-high 68.6 overall grade while tying a career-high with 55 pressures in 2020. Hyder knows how to win as a pass-rusher up front, ranking near the middle of the pack in pass-rush win percentage since 2018, but he must do a better job of finishing plays as he’s missed an incredible 21 tackles on just 114 career attempts.

Contract Analysis: Former 49ers DC Robert Saleh – now the head coach of the New York Jets – showed this past season why he was one of the hottest candidates this cycle, because he was getting production out of everyone on the roster after San Francisco faced a barrage of injuries. Hyder played the most snaps of his career and had at least two pressures in every outing but one, and now he’ll look to cash in free agency, potentially playing for his fourth team in four straight seasons.

Projection: Hyder signs for two-years, $9 million ($4.5M APY), $5 million total guaranteed.

61. CB KEVIN KING

King has disappointed during his four years in Green Bay — the former second-rounder's highest-graded season was a 62.7 mark in 2019. He blew up the NFL scouting combine, running a 4.43 40 and posting 98th-percentile agility drills at 6-foot-3, but that agility has not shown up on the field, as King is often knocked off balance by good route runners. King has struggled mightily in zone coverage, ranking dead last in coverage grade since entering the league, and he’s been one of the worst tacklers in the league over the last two years. King has the size and athleticism to be effective on the vertical route tree, but he’s a reclamation project who likely needs a specific, limited role on his new team.

Contract Analysis: King’s elite measurables and draft status (33rd overall pick in 2017) will certainly work in his favor this offseason, and that could be the best way for King and his representation to pitch him as an option to interested teams. He has yet to put everything together in the NFL, but a change of scenery could go a long way.

Prediction: One year, $3.5 million. $1.5 million fully guaranteed at signing.

62. S EARL THOMAS

For years the single-high free safety prototype, Earl Thomas showed in Baltimore he could be more than that and disrupt a game from all safety alignments before getting himself cut from the team and then further off-field issues keeping him out of the entire 2020 season. Thomas may not be signed at all, but the league is always willing to overlook a lot for talent, and Thomas can likely still make a big impact should he be signed.

Contract Analysis: Thomas is still engaged in an ongoing grievance process with the Baltimore Ravens over money from 2020 after he was released for conduct detrimental. Going unsigned the rest of the season even while plenty of teams could have used the help in the secondary, the legendary player may have to prove he’s worth the investment before any team shells out a big-money contract again.

Prediction: Thomas signs for one-year, $3.5 million, $1.125 million total guaranteed.

63. LB B.J. GOODSON

Goodson played a career-high 937 snaps in 2020, and his 66.0 overall grade ranked 24th among NFL linebackers. Goodson was best suited for an early-down run-stopping role in his first few years, but he rounded out his game with a career-high 66.1 coverage grade to go with four pass breakups last season. The rest of Goodson’s career suggests that a limited role is still the best bet for his production, but he’s a sure tackler and solid overall player who will get a look from linebacker-needy teams.

Contract Analysis: The Browns were missing many of their defensive players, particularly on the back end, for much of the season, but Goodson was ever-present and relatively solid throughout the Browns’ march to the playoffs. A strong performance against the Steelers in the wild-card round was followed by a tough outing against the speedy Chiefs, but Goodson proved he can handle a larger workload and not be a liability if it becomes necessary.

Prediction: Goodson signs for two years, $6.5 million ($3.75M APY), $4 million total guaranteed.

64. CB CORN ELDER

Elder was a pleasant surprise for the Panthers in 2020, grading at 68.5 overall to go with a 68.2 coverage grade. He projected well as a slot corner coming out of Miami and he showed well in that role last season.

Contract Analysis: A 2017 fifth-round pick of the Panthers, Elder made his way back onto Carolina’s active roster after a stint on the Giants practice squad. Playing more snaps in 2020 than he had in his full career prior, Elder is a capable slot defender

Prediction: Elder signs for one-year, $1.25 million.

65. S BRADLEY MCDOUGALD

McDougald has two season grades above 70.0 in his seven-year career, though last year saw him bottom out with a 41.0 overall grade on just 432 snaps. He does his best work in the box where he has a 66th percentile coverage grade since 2018 to go with a mid-level grade against the run. When lined up at free safety, his coverage grade of 45.7 ranks just 75th out of 81 qualifiers, so McDougald’s usage is crucial for his next team.

Contract Analysis: McDougald was sent to the New York Jets as part of the Seahawks’ package for S Jamal Adams, where he played out the final year of his three-year, $13.5 million contract signed in 2018. He’ll likely have to look to bounce back in 2021 playing on a one-year flier and potentially hit the market again.

Prediction: McDougald signs for one-year, $1.5 million, $500,000 total guaranteed

66. OG JAMES CARPENTER

The last two years for Carpenter looked a lot like his first two in the league when he was on his way to being viewed as a first-round draft bust. He has overall PFF grades of just 45 and 56 over those two years and hasn’t had an above-average year in pass protection since 2018.

Contract Analysis: Carpenter was one of several higher-priced guards cut before the 2021 season as teams look for ways to free up cap space. Atlanta cleared a little over $4 million with his release as they look to get under the cap and get younger along the interior of the offensive line.

Prediction: Carpenter signs for one year, $2 million, $850,000 total guaranteed.

67. RB TEVIN COLEMAN

In many ways, Tevin Coleman was the perfect back for the San Francisco 49ers backfield, but so many of the players they targeted for that role have been injured, and Coleman is no different. He played just 502 snaps over two seasons with the 49ers, but when healthy is a dangerous speedster who can exploit gaps in the blocking for big gains quickly. That kind of style leads to inconsistency, and he has just one overall PFF grade above 72 in his career, but Coleman has a skill set teams will want to take a look at as a cheap roll of the dice.

Contract Analysis: Coleman has battled with injuries here and there for much of his career, and at this point is purely a committee back that can ideally offer around 100 total touches on the season.

Projection: Coleman signs for one-year, $1.75 million, $1.25 million total guaranteed.

68. WR Dede Westbrook

Despite an ugly quarterback situation in Jacksonville, Dede Westbrook has flashed ability and the talent to be a useful receiver at this level. He played just 16 snaps in 2020 before injury shut him down, but the season he saw the most playing time (805 snaps in 2018) he earned a PFF grade of 71.3. Primarily a slot receiver, Westbrook could benefit from a change in scenery and could upgrade a team’s receiving corps inside.

Contract Analysis: Westbrook for the most part could only get on the field this season on special teams, and after fumbling a kick return earlier in the game, he suffered a gruesome leg injury on the next. 2021 will be about recovering.

Prediction: Westbrook signs for one-year, $1.5 million. 

69. CB T.J. Carrie

Over the last three seasons, Carrie has the No. 114 coverage grade out of 155 qualifying cornerbacks and his best work came in 2017 with a 75.0 coverage grade with the Raiders. If trying to maximize Carrie’s value, he has done good work when playing in the slot, grading at 72.8 on 878 coverage snaps since 2017. He’s struggled in a similar sample size on the outside.

Contract Analysis: Carrie played for the veteran minimum in 2020 and outperformed that contract in a reserve role, but the soon-to-be 31 year old slot corner will likely be looking at offers in the same range.

Prediction: Carrie signs for one-year, $1.25 million, $500,000 total guaranteed.

70. Edge Trent Murphy

Murphy played a career-low 369 snaps in 2020, but he’s graded above 70.0 in three of his six years in the NFL. Unfortunately, he’s only reached that mark in two of the last three seasons, and he’s been inconsistent against the run through the years. Overall, Murphy projects as a rotational edge defender who has ranked in the 50th percentile as a pass-rusher over the last three years and in the 51st percentile as a run defender. 

Contract Analysis: Murphy projected as a potential cap casualty coming into the 2020 season, but managed to stick in Buffalo along a defensive front that was sorely lacking in playmakers. Buffalo likely looks to get younger at edge rusher in 2021. 

Prediction: Murphy signs for two-years, $15 million ($7.5M APY), $10 million total guaranteed

71. WR Alshon Jeffrey

Jeffery’s Eagles career will always be remembered for a great playoff run in 2017, capped by a spectacular touchdown grab on a jump ball in the back of the end zone over the out-stretched hand of Patriots defensive back Eric Rowe. His tenure in Philadelphia ended in a far less exciting fashion; marred by injury, he missed 20 total games over the 2019-20 campaigns. Now at 31 years old, Jeffery may not be much more than a big-bodied red-zone target.

Prediction: Jeffery signs for one year, $3 million fully guaranteed

72. DI Steve McLendon

McLendon has 11 years under his belt, but he remains one of the most dependable run stoppers in the league. His 71.1 run defense grade is the lowest we’ve seen from him since 2016, showing just how good he’s been in that department. He’s certainly a specialist, however, as McLendon has never produced more than 19 pressures in a season and he has just 103 pressures on 1,937 career rushes. 

Contract Analysis: McLendon was traded from a win-less New York Jets squad to the eventual Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers following an injury to DI Vita Vea, and it doesn’t get much better than that for a player in their 12th season. McLendon can still be a valuable early down run-stuffer that gives you 25-30 quality snaps a game, but perhaps now turning 35 and with a Lombardi Trophy he retires on the mountaintop. 

Prediction: McLendon signs for one-year, $2.5 million, $2.25 million fully guaranteed.

73. LB Eric Wilson

Wilson has a solid 2020 in coverage, grading at 65.5, good for 27th among linebackers. His issues have been in the run game where his 38.3 grade ranked just 85th out of 99 qualifiers. Wilson brings well above average athleticism to the position and that shows up in flashes, but he must get better as a run defender if he’s going to play over 1,000 snaps once again as he did last season. 

Contract Analysis: A series of injuries hit the Vikings linebacker group, and Wilson got a lot of run in 2020 as a result. He may be able to capitalize on a relatively weak free agent group at off-ball linebacker with a big drop off after the top few guys. Wilson played in 2020 on the second-round restricted free agent tender worth $3.259 million. 

Prediction: Wilson signs for two-years, $6 million ($3M APY), $2.5 million total guaranteed.

74. G John Miller

Miller has two years grading above 65.0 as a starter, the most recent of which came in 2018 with the Bills. He graded at 61.1 overall last season, good for 52nd among 93 qualifiers and that highlights Miller’s position as a low-end starting option. 

Contract Analysis: Miller has now started three years in a row for three different teams – the Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals and Carolina Panthers. He’s a reliable, high-floor option at right guard, which a handful of teams can always use. 

Prediction: Miller signs for two-years, $9 million ($4.5M APY), $4 million total guaranteed.

75. DI Corey Peters

A run-stopping specialist, Peters has graded at 70.0 or better in the run game in five of the last seven years. Last season’s 62.6 grade is his worst since 2012, so this may be the start of a decline for Peters after 10 years in the league. He’s still worth a look in a run-stopping role, but little should be expected in the pass game as he has just 162 career pressures on 3,359 rushes.

Contract Analysis: Peters will be 33-years-old heading into his twelfth NFL season, but he did play at least 700 snaps in consecutive seasons in 2018-19 before a knee injury shortened his 2020 campaign. A torn patellar tendon can be a tough injury to come back from, so Peters may have to sign a one-year prove-it deal to show he’s regained his form. 

Prediction: Peters signs for one-year, $3 million, $500,000 total guaranteed.

76. S Ricardo Allen

Once a promising young free safety, Allen’s play has tapered off over the last two seasons as he graded at just 58.6 in 2019 and 62.4 in 2020. Despite spending most of his time playing free safety, Allen has graded better when lined up either in the box or over the slot in Atlanta’s zone-heavy scheme. He could get a look in that role for a new team, especially given his 47.6 coverage grade at free safety over the last two years.

Contract Analysis: Allen was one of the first cuts of the offseason, so he’s had some time for a market to develop ahead of free agency. Unfortunately, he joined an extremely long list of free safeties looking for new teams in 2021. It does help that Justin Simmons, Marcus Maye and Marcus Williams were franchise-tagged.

Prediction: Allen signs for one year, $3 million, $2.5 million total guaranteed.

77. DI Brent Urban

A plus run defender who has been remarkably consistent as a below-average pass-rusher along the defensive line, Brent Urban has a role as an early-down rotational body for some team in the NFL. He has just 55 total pressures from over 800 pass-rushing snaps over his career.

Contract Analysis: Urban signed a veteran minimum contract to stay with the Chicago Bears in 2020 after they signed him following a release from the Tennessee Titans during the 2019 season. While he may be a bit one-dimensional, he was excellent against the run in 2020, and a reunion with former Titans DC Dean Pees in Atlanta could help provide a solid interior presence for a team that needs it.

Prediction: One-year, $1.5 million, $750,000 total guaranteed.

78. T Elijah Wilkinson

A former undrafted free agent, Elijah Wilkinson has had significant opportunity over the last three seasons to show he can be a viable starter in the league but has come up short. He has yet to post a PFF pass-blocking grade above 62, and that’s just not enough to hold up at this level.

Contract Analysis: Wilkinson has gotten a lot of run with the Broncos the last two seasons, as Denver’s big-ticket free agent T Ja’Wuan James missed the majority of the 2019 season with injury and then opted out of the 2020 campaign. Wilkinson received the second-round restricted free agent tender for the 2020 season, which was worth $3.259 million. He probably shouldn’t be expected to become a starter wherever he signs but has proven to be a reliable depth option.

Prediction: Wilkinson signs for two-years, $7.5 million ($3.75M APY), $3.5 million total guaranteed.

79. G D.J. Fluker

Searching for his fifth team in six years, D.J. Fluker’s mammoth frame has seen him given several chances after the Chargers elected to move on following his rookie contract. His last couple of years have been average at best, and he surrendered 30 total pressures in 293 pass-blocking snaps this past year in Baltimore.

Contract Analysis: Fluker kicked outside to right tackle following the injury to Ravens LT Ronnie Stanley, which led to Orlando Brown Jr. moving across the line to replace him on the blindside. Fluker hadn’t consistently started at tackle since his first two seasons in the league, and while he wasn’t stellar, he showed he can play right guard and fill in at right tackle in a pinch wherever he ends up next. 

Prediction: Fluker signs for one-year, $1.75 million, $750,000 guaranteed.

80. S Kenny Vaccarro

Vaccaro has a distinct skill set as a box safety who is good in the run game but below average in coverage. Since entering the league in 2013, Vaccaro has the 29th-best run-stop percentage to go with an 83rd percentile run defense grade, both indicators that his best role is closer to the line of scrimmage. He’s done his best coverage work over the slot, and his future team would be wise to limit his free safety snaps, as he’s graded at just 47.1 in coverage over the last three years.

Contract Analysis: Vaccaro was two years into a four-year, $24 million deal with the Tennessee Titans, and his release cleared $3.9 million. The 2013 first-round pick of the New Orleans Saints is a classic box safety who excels against the run but struggles in coverage. 

Prediction: Vaccaro signs for one year, $2.25 million, $1 million total guaranteed.

81. T Jermaine Eluemunor

Four years into his NFL career, Jermaine Eluemunor more than doubled his career snap count with eight starts and 419 snaps in total. He allowed 11 total pressures across 201 pass-blocking snaps. His season started very well before tailing off, but he should have earned himself a look somewhere else.

Contract Analysis: Eluemunor was handed the starting role after longtime Patriots RT Marcus Cannon opted out of the 2020 season. He ended up playing at left tackle for a stretch as well after Isaiah Wynn went down for the season. He’s worthy of a role as a swing tackle in the league. 

Prediction: Eluemunor signs for two-years, $4.25 million ($2.125M APY), $2.25 million total guaranteed.

82. G Lane Taylor

A week 1 starter for the Packers, Taylor didn’t make it beyond that game, suffering a season-ending knee injury. He has been a serviceable pass-blocker when starting throughout his career but hasn’t been a plus player in the run game, which is a balance some teams would covet given what they have in place.

Prediction: Taylor signs for one-year, $1.5 million, $500,000 total guaranteed.

83. WR Tajae Sharpe

Tajae Sharpe effectively wasted a year in 2020 with the Minnesota Vikings who got outstanding play from rookie Justin Jefferson. The Vikings cut Sharpe in December after he played in just 28 snaps across four games, catching none of the three targets sent his way.

Contract Analysis: Sharpe has bounced around the league working to make a 53-man roster the last few years, with his 2020 season concluding as a member of the Chiefs practice squad. He’ll look to stick once more, with a solid first few seasons in Tennessee illustrating he can produce when given the opportunity. 

Prediction: Sharpe signs for one-year, $1 million

84. TE Marcedes Lewis

Effectively an auxiliary offensive lineman at this point, Marcedes Lewis is a quality blocking tight end who can show up every now and then with a key reception when teams forget about him.

Contract Analysis: The only first-round pick Aaron Rodgers has ever thrown a touchdown pass to, Lewis is beloved in Green Bay as a stout run and pass blocker. 

Prediction: One-year, $2.075 million, $1 million total guaranteed

85. G Austin Blythe

Austin Blythe’s play has been all over the map over the last three seasons for the Rams, performing well in 2018 before struggling badly the following year and then bouncing back in 2020, at least in terms of his run blocking. He may have played his way to the bench, but teams in real need of an answer at guard may give him a shot to compete for a starting job.

Contract Analysis: Blythe is a solid pass-blocker and can play right guard or kick inside to center, making him a worthy addition for most teams at a reasonable price. 

Prediction: Blythe signs for two-years, $5.5 million ($2.75M APY), $3 million total guaranteed.

86. G Ben Garland

A consistent run blocker at any position along the interior of the offensive line, Ben Garland has been a good backup lineman, able to come in and start games when needed without causing a dropoff in production. His ceiling may be capped, but he’s a valuable player as a backup.

Contract Analysis: Garland’s NFL debut was delayed for two years as he completed his military commitment with the Air Force, so he’s a young 33 heading into 2021. Kyle Shanahan loves having him fill in along the interior of the offensive line, as he’s a perfect fit in his zone running scheme, with the two now working together every year since 2015 when Shanahan became the offensive coordinator in Atlanta. 

Prediction: Garland signs for one-year, $2.25 million, $1.25 million total guaranteed.

87. TE James O'Shaughnessy

O’Shaughnessy has good speed and he’s averaged 5.1 yards after the catch per reception in his six-year career. With only three drops on 93 attempts in his career, O’Shaughnessy provides a dependable underneath option who has shown flashes as a run blocker, peaking in 2018 with a 78.0 grade in that department, though he’s graded in the 40s in each of the last two seasons.

Contract Analysis: O’Shaughnessy is an unremarkable, but consistent player at a position with little depth in this year’s Free Agent class. 

Prediction: O’Shaughnessy signs for two-years, $3 million ($1.5M APY), $1 million total guaranteed.

88. LB ALEX ANZALONE

Alex Anzalone has dealt with some injury issues in the NFL just as he did in college, but he has shown the ability to make some plays in coverage, even if he hasn’t got the interception numbers to back that up. He hasn’t been beaten for a pass longer than 22 yards in any of the last three years but has struggled far more against the run.

Contract Analysis: Anzalone lost his starting role in New Orleans when the Saints traded for Kwon Alexander, but an injury knocked Alexander out a few weeks later and led to an uptick in play once more. The 2017 third-rounder will look to win a starting role once more.

Prediction: Anzalone signs for one-year, $2 million, $1million total guaranteed.

89. OG TRAI TURNER

Turner looked like one of the best guards in football early in his career, but that play is getting further in the rear-view mirror and what we have seen lately has been far less impressive. His final season in Carolina saw his PFF grade slump into the 60s before a disastrous mark of 34.8 last year that ranked 90th out of 92 qualifying guards.

Contract Analysis: Turner was traded to the Los Angeles Chargers straight up for T Russell Okung before the 2020 season and had by far the worst season of his career on his new team. He’s on a long list of recently cut guards, but there wasn’t a lot of free agent talent to speak of at the position before roster cut-downs, so perhaps he’ll have a few teams interested in his services.

Prediction: Turner signs for one year, $5 million, $3.5 million total guaranteed.

90. LB NEVILLE HEWITT

After four seasons with fewer than 400 snaps on defense, Neville Hewitt started the last two years for the Jets, but his below average PFF grades didn’t improve much with an expanded role and greater opportunities. His overall grade of 59.3 this season was his best year considering playing time but was still a long way from elite play at the position.

Prediction: Hewitt signs for two-years, $4 million ($2M APY), $1.5 million total guaranteed.

91. C/G NICK EASTON 

Easton has yet to post an overall grade above 60.0 in his four years in the league and last year saw him produce a 44.7 pass-blocking grade, good for 82nd among guards. He’s best utilized in a backup role where he can start in a pinch at either guard spot or at center.

Contract Analysis: Easton was one of the first cuts of the young offseason, saving the Saints almost $6 million with his release. He provides a solid depth option at either guard or center, but likely won’t be relied upon to start going forward.

Prediction: Easton signs for one-year, $2.25 million, $750,000 total guaranteed.

92. TE RICHARD RODGERS

He only played 274 snaps this past season, but Richard Rodgers was unexpectedly outstanding for the Eagles. A former starter with the Packers, Rodgers caught 24 of 28 passes thrown his way on his way to an overall PFF grade of 88.6. Rodgers should have earned himself another look in the league in an offseason that isn’t overflowing with tight end talent.

Contract Analysis: Rodgers signed with the Washington Football Team last offseason and was cut just before the season began. He found his way onto the division rival Eagles roster and made the absolute most of his opportunity with Zach Ertz missing time.

Prediction: Rodgers signs for two years, $3.5 million ($1.75M APY), $1.25 million total guaranteed.

93. DI ALLEN BAILEY

A solid rotational defensive lineman since 2011, Bailey is coming off the lowest grade of his career at 50.9 overall. He did his best work in 2015 and has since graded above 60.0 twice. At this point in his career, Bailey is a depth piece along the defensive interior.

94. IOL Brian Winters

After starting at right guard for the Jets, Winters was released prior to the 2020 season and picked up by the Bills, with whom he graded out at 54.6 on 617 snaps. Winters has just two seasons grading above 68.0 — 2015 and 2016 — so he has generally ranked as an average to below-average guard throughout his career. He profiles as an experienced backup at this point. 

Contract Analysis: Winters was cut heading into the final year of his four-year, $29 million extension signed in 2017, and he landed in Buffalo on a one-year, $3 million pact. He’ll likely continue to sign shorter contracts and provide depth at right guard.

Prediction: Winters signs for one year, $2 million, $1.575 million total guaranteed.

95. LB Kwon Alexander

When healthy, Alexander flies around the field mixing high-end plays with one of the league’s highest percentages of negatives among linebackers. Since entering the NFL, Alexander has forced an incompletion on 7.3% of his targets, 14th-best among linebackers, but he’s also missed 18.5% of his tackle attempts during that time, 107th out of 108 qualifiers. Those two numbers sum up Alexander’s boom or bust game, but a late-season injury adds yet another question mark to Alexander’s future.

96. Edge Ryan Kerrigan

A phenomenally productive player over his career, Kerrigan hits free agency at almost 33 years old after coming off the worst season of his career despite a reduced role that should have encouraged better production. Kerrigan generated 16 total pressures on 252 pass-rushing snaps in 2020, but he produced a mere 45.6 run-defense grade. He has been such a productive rusher for so long that some team might want to see if he can put together one last successful pass-rushing season in 2021, but it would be a gamble.

Contract Analysis: Some reports indicated Kerrigan was interested in getting moved at the trade deadline to make a playoff push with a contender, something he hasn’t gotten to do over the course of his 10-year career in Washington. With back-to-back first round picks in Montez Sweat and Chase Young now running the show at edge rusher, Kerrigan played the fewest snaps of his career by far in 2020. While he didn’t see a bump in per-snap productivity with a decrease in snaps, he could still have a year or two left in him.

Prediction: Kerrigan signs for one year, $5 million fully guaranteed.

97. DI Tyrone Crawford

Crawford has played poorly on just 535 snaps over the past two years, but he could be a worthwhile reclamation project. His two best years came in 2017, when he posted an 81.5 grade, and 2018, when he graded at 70.5. He was an effective pass rusher and an adequate run defender in both seasons. If Crawford can return to that form, he’s a solid No. 3 defensive tackle.

98. LB De'Vondre Campbell

Campbell joined Arizona last season but struggled within the Cardinals’ defense, both in coverage and against the run. He posted his lowest PFF-season grade since entering the NFL. Campbell was beaten for a 97.7 passer rating and was consistently unable to hold up in the run game. He is an athletic linebacker, but one whose best attribute is being a solid tackler.

99. QB COLT MCCOY

McCoy hasn’t thrown more than 100 passes since 2014. He’s a serviceable backup at this point in his career. Recent play has seen him post a high percentage of turnover-worthy plays, a number he must cut down on the next time he sees game action.

100. OG FORREST LAMP

After being drafted in the second round in 2017, Lamp played just 174 snaps in his first three NFL seasons. Last year, he finally had a chance to start, but he struggled to a 49.4 overall grade. He makes the list solely on the principle that he showed promise in college and offensive linemen tend to take a step forward after three or four years in the league. Given Lamp’s lack of on-field experience, he could still figure it out either this year or in 2022.

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