10 best O and D players about to hit free agency

1. Alshon Jeffery, WR, Bears (94.4)

He missed some time earlier in the year, but the Bears’ Jeffery has been nearly unstoppable since returning, earning the third-highest grade of all wideouts. Given Jeffery is averaging the most yards per route run (3) of any receiver in the league, it’s not hard to see why.

2. Cordy Glenn, LT, Bills (88.7)

Forever under the radar, the former second-round pick is destined to cash in with a big deal next year after a season that has only served to highlight how talented he is. Allowing just one sack and 16 quarterback disruptions, Glenn has never been the best of run blockers, but he’s what you’d love to have in a left tackle.

3. Kelechi Osemele, LG, Ravens (89.0)

The long-time Raven is entering the prime of his career—and playing as well as ever after a slow start to 2015. Osemele has already proved to be one of the best run blockers in the entire league, with his ability to win at the point of attack setting him apart from other NFL guards.

4. Doug Martin, RB, Buccaneers (91.5)

What do we make of Martin? Two years in the relative wilderness mean he’s a free agent-to-be, but his rookie season and his fantastic efforts this year are that of a back who has few peers. Our second-highest graded runner, Martin has been the spark behind the Buccaneers’ surprisingly impressive season.

5. Kelvin Beachum, LT, Steelers (79.4)

The Steeler would be higher up on this list, but tearing your ACL in a contract year is never advantageous for the bank balance. It might make a short-term contract in his best interest, as he builds upon his excellent start to life in the NFL. The 26-year-old finished 2015 as a top five left tackle, and his career was only pointing one way before the injury.

6. Donald Penn, LT, Raiders (87.1)

Discarded by Tampa Bay, Penn has used the last two years to show the Buccaneers just how wrong they were, playing some of the best football of his career. Our seventh-ranked left tackle this season, Penn has allowed just 21 quarterback disruptions in 2015. He might not be the youngest guy on this list, but he’s a sure thing in the short term.

7. Evan Mathis, G, Broncos (88.2)

Mathis might be the oldest guard in the league, but age is but a number, especially for a player who spent his earlier years on the bench instead of on the field. Injuries the past two season are a reason for concern, but he’s provided the kind of injection of immediate talent the Broncos desperately needed on their offensive line, and his ability to do the same elsewhere can’t be overlooked.

8. Lamar Miller, RB, Dolphins (82.4)

It’s hard to get positive press in Miami when you’ve got so many distractions stealing media attention. Perhaps that’s why Miller is so underrated, with his ability to maximize what a sub-standard line gives him impressive, to say the least.

9. Richie Incognito, G, Bills (91.6)

One of the comeback stories of the year, none of us are qualified to examine the incidents that led to Incognito taking an enforced year sabbatical, or whether he can stay out of off-field controversies. But we are qualified to say that Incognito, at 31 years of age, is playing the best football of his career, and has plenty of good moments on the field ahead of him.

10. Michael Crabtree, WR, Raiders (80.7)

We’ve seen something of a career renaissance for Crabtree, who has found himself rejuvenated in Oakland with seven touchdowns and a healthy 760 yards. Always one of the best receivers after the catch, he’s fifth in the league with 14 forced missed tackles after the reception. It’s not the deepest group of receivers, which should only help to vindicate Crabtree’s decision to take a short term contract.

1. Von Miller, OLB, Broncos (92.2)

Miller has taken the NFL by storm since entering the league, so much that it’s hard to imagine the Broncos letting him hit the open market. But with so much money in so much talent, it’s possible that our fourth-ranked edge rusher on the year does just that. This league demands pass rush, and in that regard, Miller, who has a better grade than all other edge defenders doing so, is explosive.

2. Josh Norman, CB, Panthers (91.3)

A year ago, Norman was something of an afterthought, despite finishing the 2014 season strong. Now he’s widely revered, with his play on the field as good as any other cornerback. Quarterbacks have a 39.9 rating throwing at him (worst for them, best for him) and he stands atop our coverage grades with his consistently excellent performances. No player has improved their stock as much as Norman in 2015.

3. Muhammad Wilkerson, DE, Jets (89.1)

Drafted a couple of hours after J.J. Watt, you wonder how much more praise Wilkerson would get if the Texan wasn’t around. The Jets’ defensive end has established himself as one of the premier lineman in the league, grading positively in every game in the 2015 season. A true every-down player, he brings with him the ability to wreak havoc against the run and put a hurting on the quarterback.

4. Eric Berry, S, Chiefs (93.6)

Our highest-graded safety on the year, it’s remarkable that Berry has come back from illness, and not just returned to his previous level of play, but surpassed it. One of a new breed of safeties, Berry is a true defensive weapon, one whom you can line up anywhere and ask anything of him. He’s a fantastic cover man who can match tight ends, and a force in the run game who has an instinct for ball carriers. It’s been tremendous to have him back in the league, and he’s earned his upcoming big pay day.

5. Mike Daniels, DE, Packers (92.7)

If you watch a Packers game, there’s one name you tend to hear quite a lot, and that’s Daniels. With the fourth-highest grade of all defensive interior lineman against the run (he’s eighth against the pass), he’s a wrecking ball at the line of scrimmage who makes a fool of offensive coordinators that think he can be single-teamed. He doesn’t get a lot of love when you’re talking about the best linemen in the league, but he’s been making a ton of plays since his breakout sophomore season.

6. Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, Giants (82.5)

What to make of JPP? By all accounts, his injury should have seriously derailed his career, but the upshot has seen Pierre-Paul return from injury seemingly determined on proving all the doubters wrong. In just four games, he’s scored a better pass rushing grade than he managed in 2014, with his return really adding a dimension to the Giants’ pass rush. His run defense hasn’t reached the pre-injury levels, but there’s been enough to show so far that he can still expect some big offers come his way in March.

7. Tamba Hali, OLB, Chiefs (88.1)

The emergence of Justin Houston has put the fantastic Hali into the shadow, somewhat. That, coupled with his age (32), might have people looking past him. Those people need to put on the tape of how well he’s playing right now. Hali has the sixth-highest pass rushing grade of any edge defender, rebounding very nicely from a slightly below par 2014.

8. Eric Weddle, S, Chargers (74.5)

Playing hurt and playing on a bad San Diego team hasn’t inflated Weddle’s stock in a contract year. But there are signs that Weddle is getting back to his best, with a strong performance against Denver; if he can finish the season strong, then the versatile safety is one player who will interest a lot of teams. Between 2010 and 2014, Weddle ranked in the top five of our safeties each season, including twice having the highest grade.

9. Adam Jones, CB, Bengals (86.7)

Would Jones leave Cincinnati? He’s not only found his best form there, but also the kind of structure that has kept his behavior off the field from becoming a headline. A match made in heaven, nobody could have seen him being quite so productive for so long in Bengals’ colors. But he has, and he’s a cornerback you can depend on, who brings the added bonus of being a major weapon in the return game.

10. Bruce Irvin, LB, Seahawks (80.6)

Playing the strong-side linebacker role in Seattle’s defense isn’t an easy one; and with the athleticism of Irvin, it’s no surprise that the team asks so much out of him when he’s on the field. It’s what makes him a slightly enigmatic player, with the question being how he might fare in a more pass-rush focused role (he spends a third of his passing snaps in coverage).

JMP wrote:I love the idea of adding a young veteran LG.  Kelechi Osemele would be a major addition.

mercury22nathan wrote:

JMP wrote:I love the idea of adding a young veteran LG.  Kelechi Osemele would be a major addition.

i would've loved having Osemele (my 3rd highest rated OL prospects when he was came out of college) if the Phins had drafted and developed him.  but i am not thrilled with the idea of overpaying even more money for yet another FA o-lineman.  and given the market and his age, Osemele is going to get a very nice, large pay raise.  as much as i would love to have Osemele on the Phins (assuming they change to a power blocking scheme - otherwise there is no point in even thinking about him), i would very much rather draft the next Osemele in the 2nd or 3rd round.


btw, Osemele was selected 60th overall in 2012.  in that same draft, the Phins selected Jonathan Martin (who i had rated as undraftable) 18 spots higher at 42.  palm-slap to the forehead!