By Justin Porreca
Staff Writer
In one of the deepest free agent classes in recent memory, teams will look to throw millions of dollars at top-tier players who will, in turn, upgrade the team and provide necessary productivity.
The countdown has commenced for the day when consistent productivity leads to a big pay day. On March 10 at 4 p.m., all 2014 player contracts expire, the 2015 league year begins, and the hectic free agency period starts. Teams have seventeen days to financially prepare themselves to partake in the bidding war that is the first several days of free agency.
The 2015 free agency class is not top-heavy like previous classes, but the several players who headline this class may not be available come March 10. Teams have until March 2 at 4 p.m. to issue the franchise tag to one of their top-flight free agent players. If the player receives the tag, they are locked up for one season, but there is a hefty price to pay for the team. The franchise will have to pay the player the average of the top five salaries for his position. Players who do not receive the tag will become free agents, unless their organization can formulate a contract for them to accept before the start of free agency.
There are several players who will receive the franchise tag in the coming days. Players like Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant, Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, and Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston are sure-fire locks for getting tagged.
Bryant has voiced his frustrations about being tagged by the Cowboys organization, and that situation, if he is tagged, could become tumultuous. As for the other three players, they have been in constant contact with their organizations about getting a long-term, mega-contract finalized.
As for the rest of free agency, here are the top ten players likely entering free agency and the best landing spots for them.
*This list will not include players such as Suh, Bryant, Thomas, Houston, New England Patriots free safety Devin McCourty, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin and New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, due to the unlikelihood of them reaching free agency.
Honorable Mention: C.J. Spiller, running back; Torrey Smith, wide receiver; Charles Clay, tight end; Rodney Hudson, center.
10. Brian Orakpo, 3-4 outside linebacker
The three-time Pro Bowler has struggled with staying on the field in his six years in the league, but when healthy, Orakpo is productive and an X-factor off the edge. Last offseason, Orakpo was franchise tagged by the Washington Redskins, which prevented him from cashing in on the open market.
Orakpo is coming off of his third pectoral tear, and in the seven games he was healthy and on the field he only registered a half-sack. He will not command a huge salary number due to his injuries, so he could end up being a cheap edge-rusher for a team in desperate need of pass rushers.
Ideal Destinations: Cincinnati Bengals, Oakland Raiders, Atlanta Falcons
9. Jerry Hughes, defensive end
The former 2010 first-round draft choice of the Indianapolis Colts has struggled in his first three seasons with the organization. He was under-utilized and under-developed by an organization that had established pass-rushers, like Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. However, after being traded to the Buffalo Bills in 2013, Hughes started to see the field more and produce quality numbers.
In his two seasons with the Bills, Hughes registered 20 sacks and five forced fumbles. His numbers and productivity over the last two seasons make him worthy of a pay day, but is he worth the $10 million annually he is looking for? That’s the tough question franchises have to analyze come March 10.
Ideal Destinations: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills
8. Bryan Bulaga, offensive tackle
The Green Bay Packers have a quandary on their hands this offseason: do they keep their dominant right tackle, or their Pro Bowl, play-making wide receiver, Randall Cobb? Despite being on the injured reserve list for the previous two seasons, Bulaga had a dominant showing in 2014. Bulaga, who missed just one game this season (week two versus the Jets), only gave up three sacks this season and two of them came against the Miami Dolphins in week six. Bulaga, when healthy, is an excellent pass and run blocker, with very good footwork and technique. If the Packers choose to let him walk, there will be plenty of teams lining up for his services.
Ideal Destinations: Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers
7. Mike Iupati, guard
The former three-time Pro Bowler and one-time first team All-Pro is likely on his way out of San Francisco. The team has made it clear that they are not making any effort to bring back their All-Pro guard, making him a coveted free agent.
Iupati is an outstanding run-blocker, with excellent footwork. He is looking to cash in on a big-money contract in March, so cap-strapped organizations with holes at the guard position will have trouble obtaining his services.
Ideal Destinations: Miami Dolphins, Washington Redskins, Oakland Raiders, Indianapolis Colts
6. Frank Gore, running back
The soon-to-be 32-year-old running back with 11,000 career rushing yards will be looking for a new home in March. Despite being over the hill, Gore can still be a productive, down-hill power-back. The five-time Pro Bowler still has enough juice in his legs to be in a two-back system or the lead back.
His role was diminished in San Francisco, but an organization with a struggling running game will pick him up and let him run. Gore is commanding upwards of $4 million a year.
Ideal Destinations: Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals
5. Greg Hardy, defensive end
Despite the likelihood of Hardy being suspended upwards of six games in 2015, he’s still a hot commodity on the market. Teams with dismal sack numbers in 2014 will take a leap of faith on Hardy and will likely eat the criticism for it. The one-time Pro Bowler registered 11 and 15 sacks the previous two seasons, before being put on the commissioner’s exempt list in 2014. It’s unknown what type of money Hardy will be looking for on the market, but there’s a likelihood he will be low-balled by teams because of his domestic abuse case and probable suspension.
Ideal Destinations: Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers
4. Julius Thomas, tight end
After being a relative unknown from Portland State before the 2013 season, Thomas has emerged as one of the top receiving tight ends in the NFL. The two-time Pro Bowler had an ankle injury in 2014 that limited him, but he still had 489 yards and 12 touchdowns in 13 games.
The knock on Thomas is that he is still raw and unproven. He’s no Rob Gronkowski, Jimmy Graham, or Vernon Davis, the top tight ends in the NFL. Thomas is an inept blocker and an average route-runner, which limits him. However, Thomas will still be paid big money regardless, because he’s a big tight end who can catch passes.
Ideal Destinations: Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers
3. Byron Maxwell, cornerback
The big, rangy cornerback is likely on his way out of Seattle and will be the top secondary free agent this offseason. Maxwell, who gets caught napping at times, is a lockdown cornerback for the most part.
Though it would be wise of the Seahawks to resign Maxwell, given the arm and now knee injury Jeremy Lane has, the cost will be too detrimental to their future signings. Maxwell is commanding upwards of $10 million annually.
Ideal Destinations: Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears
2. Randall Cobb, wide receiver
The other major Packer to be a free agent this offseason may be franchise tagged or let go. General Manager Ted Thompson is weary of dumping upwards of $9 million annually on Cobb when the Packers have other needs and players, like Bulaga, to sign.
They also have young wide receiver Davante Adams, who can easily fill the hole Cobb would leave if he departed. Coming off his first Pro Bowl, Cobb’s stock is high, plus he is only 24 and full of potential.
Ideal Destinations: Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, Oakland Raiders, Indianapolis Colts
1. DeMarco Murray, running back
It was either Murray or Bryant, and it looks like the Dallas Cowboys are leaning toward satisfying Bryant. The Cowboys have not ruled out tagging Murray, but it looks like Bryant is getting that. The 2014 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year and two-time Pro Bowler may be looking for a new home in March, which would be detrimental to the Cowboys organization, but they are too cap-strapped to keep both star players. Murray, who was the team’s MVP last season, may take a hometown discount to stay with the franchise, but it’s unlikely.
Ideal Destinations: San Diego Chargers, New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts
