Who’s Left in Free Agency?

It’s never too early to take a look at who’s left in free agency. Here’s a list of the top 10 players still available.

Quarterbacks

After a flurry of activity in the first week of free agency, many of the top quarterbacks have already signed with new teams. That leaves a few big names still on the market, including former MVP Cam Newton and Super Bowl-winning QBs Blake Bortles and Ryan Fitzpatrick. Who will be the next signal caller to sign a new deal?

Tom Brady

The New England Patriots dynasty crumbled Wednesday when it was reported that six-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Tom Brady will not return to the team next season.

Brady, 42, who has spent his entire 20-year career with the Patriots, will become a free agent when his contract expires March 18. He is the most decorated quarterback in NFL history, with a record of six Super Bowl wins, four Super Bowl MVPs and three league MVPs.

The news of Brady’s departure comes as a shock to many, as he has been the face of the Patriots since he took over as starting quarterback in 2001. In recent years, Brady has spoken about his desire to play until he is 45 years old, and it was assumed he would finish his career with the Patriots.

Now that Brady is a free agent, there will be no shortage of suitors for his services. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Chargers are among the teams that are expected to make a push for Brady.

Drew Brees

Drew Brees isn’t going anywhere. The New Orleans Saints and their star quarterback agreed to a two-year, $50 million extension that will keep him under contract through the 2025 season, the team announced Friday.

The 42-year-old Brees was set to hit free agency next week after completing his 20th season in the NFL. But he and the Saints have agreed to a deal that will keep him in New Orleans for at least four more years.

“Drew Brees is a legendary Saint and will continue to be one of the leaders of our team,” Saints coach Sean Payton said in a statement. “His focus, work ethic and leadership are second to none, and he’s as dedicated to winning as anyone I’ve ever been around.”

Brees has been with the Saints since 2006, leading them to a Super Bowl title in 2010 and nine playoff appearances. He ranks first in NFL history in passing yards (77,586) and completion percentage (68.3), and is second in passing touchdowns (547).

Philip Rivers

Philip Rivers is a former first-round pick of the New York Giants who spent his first season with the team as their starting quarterback. He was traded to the San Diego Chargers in 2004 and spent the next 14 seasons as their starter, becoming one of the best quarterbacks in franchise history. Rivers was released by the Chargers after the 2019 season and became a free agent.

Running Backs

Melvin Gordon

One of the best running backs in free agency, Gordon is a player who can make an immediate impact on any team. He’s coming off a season in which he rushed for 1,105 yards and eight touchdowns, and he also had 500 yards receiving and four touchdowns. Gordon is a player who can do it all, and he’s only 26 years old.

Kenyan Drake

Kenyan Drake is a name that some NFL fans should know. He was a key piece in the Miami Dolphins’ running game over the past few seasons, and he’s now a free agent.

The Arizona Cardinals were rumored to be interested in signing Drake, but those rumors have quieted down in recent days. The Cardinals have signed Chase Edmonds to a three-year extension, which likely means they’re not going to be pursuing Drake.

Drake is coming off a season where he rushed for 954 yards and eight touchdowns. He also had 39 receptions for 470 yards and five touchdowns.

Devonta Freeman

The Atlanta Falcons have informed running back Devonta Freeman that they will not bring him back for the 2021 season, making him a free agent.

Freeman, 28, was drafted by the Falcons in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL draft. He made his mark early on as a versatile and dependable player, maxing out at 1,634 yards from scrimmage and 14 touchdowns in 2015. He was named to his first Pro Bowl that season.

Freeman has since battled injuries, playing in just two games in 2018 and 10 games in 2020. He has 3,972 career rushing yards and 32 rushing touchdowns.

Wide Receivers

Amari Cooper

Amari Cooper is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. He’s a three-time Pro Bowler and was named First-Team All-Pro in 2016. He’s just 26 years old and he’s already racked up 5,386 receiving yards and 32 touchdowns in his career.

The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly interested in signing Cooper to a long-term extension, but they’ll have to compete with other teams for his services. The Oakland Raiders, where Cooper started his career, are also said to be interested in bringing him back.

Other teams that could be in the mix for Cooper include the San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, and Houston Texans. Whoever signs him will have to pay a hefty price, as Cooper is sure to command a contract worth over $100 million.

A.J. Green

A.J. Green is a wide receiver who is a free agent. He is 31 years old and was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He has played his entire career with the Bengals, but missed the entire 2019 season due to injury.

Emmanuel Sanders

Emmanuel Nzeocha Sanders (/ˈzɛkə/ ZE-kə; born March 17, 1987) is an American football wide receiver for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at SMU, and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft.

Sanders has also played for the Denver Broncos. With the Broncos, he appeared in Super Bowl 50 and caught a touchdown pass from Peyton Manning in their victory over the Carolina Panthers.

Tight Ends

There are a few tight ends left in free agency that could make an impact on teams. Eric Ebron, Jared Cook, and Austin Seferian-Jenkins are all still available. Ebron is the most talented of the group, but Cook has the most experience. Seferian-Jenkins is the youngest of the group and has the most potential.

Hunter Henry

Hunter Henry is one of the best tight ends in the NFL. He’s a versatile player who can block and catch, and he’s only 25 years old. The Chargers placed the franchise tag on him this offseason, meaning he’ll make $10.6 million in 2020.

Austin Hooper

The former Atlanta Falcons tight end is one of the most sought-after free agents on the market, and he is expected to command a hefty price tag. While there are a number of teams that could be in the mix for Hooper’s services, the Cleveland Browns are said to be one of the frontrunners.

Eric Ebron

The former first-round pick was released by the Colts after two seasons in Indy. Ebron failed to live up to the hype in Indianapolis, but he did manage to rack up 13 touchdowns over his two years with the team. He should have no trouble finding a new home, but his fantasy value will be largely dependent on his role in the offense.

Defensive Linemen

There are still some good defensive linemen left in free agency, but teams have mostly filled their needs at this position. Let’s take a look at who’s still available.

DeForest Buckner

The former first-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers has been one of the best defensive lineman in the NFL over the past few seasons. He was recently traded to the Indianapolis Colts for a first-round pick in 2020 and a fourth-round pick in 2021. Buckner is expected to play a big role on the Colts’ defense this upcoming season.

Chris Jones

The Kansas City Chiefs placed the franchise tag on Chris Jones earlier this offseason, but the two sides have yet to come to an agreement on a long-term contract. Jones is one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL, and he would be a major upgrade for any team.

The 27-year-old Jones had a career-high 15.5 sacks last season, and he has recorded at least five sacks in each of his four NFL seasons. He also has forced four fumbles and recovered two fumbles in his career.

Jones is expected to sign a long-term contract with the Chiefs before the start of the 2019 season, but if he does not, he will be one of the most sought-after free agents next offseason.

Shaq Lawson

Lawson was a first-round pick of the Bills in 2016 out of Clemson. He had his best statistical season in 2019, when he had 6.5 sacks and a career-high 59 tackles. He has 21.5 sacks in four NFL seasons.