Top 25 NFL free agents for 2016

Swipe left or right to navigate.

The NFL free-agent frenzy begins March 9. Although history keeps proving that the draft is the best way to build a Super Bowl champion, a few calculated moves in the open market — whether it's keeping an indispensable player, letting an overrated player walk or signing an underrated player — can make a big difference.

Looking at the pool of unrestricted free agents for 2016, the list is dominated by defensive standouts and offensive line options. Not surprisingly, the Broncos are well-represented, including the easy No. 1.

MORE: Top franchise tag candidates | Each team's worst contract

Use arrow keys to navigate

of 25

UPDATE: Denver placed its franchise tag on Miller. He'll be paid $14.129 million in 2016 unless he and the team agree on a long-term deal by July 15.

Age: 26

Pro Bowls: 4

There’s no way Denver is letting the Super Bowl MVP get away. Beyond being a transcendent edge rusher, he has also proved himself as a run stopper and athletic cover man when needed. He deserves to be paid like an elite all-around NFL defender.

of 25

UPDATE: The Panthers placed the franchise tag on Norman. His salary for 2016 is set at $13.952 million, unless he and the team agree on a long-term deal.

Age: 28

Pro Bowls: 1

Norman broke out in his first season starting every game for Carolina, showcasing both his shutdown and game-breaking skills. His price tag is now worthy of recent big-time corner contracts such as those of Richard Sherman and Patrick Peterson.

of 25

UPDATE: The Bears retained Jeffery with a non-exclusive franchise tag. They'll continue to negotiate a long-term deal with the wide receiver.

Age: 26

Pro Bowls: 1

Jeffery had a tough 2015 season adjusting to being Chicago’s No. 1 with Brandon Marshall gone, all while dealing with calf and hamstring injuries. He still dominated when he played, and the Bears should be prepared to shell out the kind of long-term deal that Demaryius Thomas and Dez Bryant got last offseason.

of 25

UPDATE: The Jets reportedly slapped a non-exclusive franchise tag on Wilkerson.

Age: 26

Pro Bowls: 1

Wilkerson was a sturdy 3-4 end under Rex Ryan, but as expected, he became a Calais Campbell-like edge force immediately under former Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles. He had a career-high 12 sacks and was a lot more disruptive overall against the pass in 2015.

of 25

UPDATE: The Bills used the franchise tag on Glenn, and he and the team can negotiate a long-term deal through July 15.

Age: 26

Pro Bowls: 0

Stout, pass-protecting left tackles don’t get into the market often anymore. Glenn, however, has slowly developed into a smooth athlete to mesh with the power of his guard-like body (6-5, 345). He is reminiscent of Jason Peters emerging as a Bill and then cashing in with the Eagles.

of 25

Age: 27

Pro Bowls: 4

Berry returned to All-Pro form in 2015, coming back better than ever after winning his battle with cancer. He delivered as a playmaker against the pass and remained a supporting force against the run. He should have a good chance of being the game’s highest-paid safety.

of 25

UPDATE: The Dolphins reportedly used the transition tag on Vernon.

Age: 25

Pro Bowls: 0

Vernon has been a strong complementary pass rusher to Cameron Wake, but this high ranking is more tied to the major upside he has at a young age. He is a luxury Miami may want to keep on its high-priced defensive line, and another team is bound to pay a premium for his impact play.

of 25

Age: 27

Pro Bowls: 2

Ideally, Tampa Bay would retain Martin as its feature back to keep Jameis Winston settled in the offense. But given Martin’s age, durability concerns and the fact the Buccaneers don’t use him much as a receiver, what he wants ($8 million) may not mesh with their spending plans.

of 25

Age: 26

Pro Bowls: 0

He’s another big-bodied talent (6-5, 293) whose size and pass-rush potential was maximized in Wade Phillips’ 3-4 defense. He was very disruptive against the pass on top of his 5.5 sacks. It’s hard to see him living up to his inflated value in a different scheme for another team.

of 25

Age: 26

Pro Bowls: 0

Osemele started his career in Baltimore as a full-time right tackle and ended it as a fill-in left tackle. In between, he handled himself well, starting as a strong, run-blocking left guard. The potential to have him kick back outside and settle in on the blind side should pique the interest of potential suitors.

of 25

Age: 27

Pro Bowls: 2

Even with one bad hand, Pierre-Paul made his usual presence felt as an edge rusher in the half-season he was able to play. That minimizes the risk for the Giants (who tagged him last year) or another team signing him at market value.

of 25

Age: 31

Pro Bowls: 3

The fact Weddle is entering his ninth year is the reason he’s a little low on this list despite his consistent production as a well-rounded free safety. Even without the stats, he played well through a painful groin injury in 2015. He’s done with the Chargers, but he has a few good years left for another team.

of 25

Age: 25

Pro Bowls: 0

He’s a speedy, rangy linebacker who racks up tackles and plays the pass well on early downs. But he’s a much lesser priority for Denver at the position behind Von Miller and fellow inside linebacker Brandon Marshall, a restricted free agent. Trevathan should want to take the bigger payday and a chance to play every down elsewhere.

of 25

UPDATE: The Redskins reportedly used the franchise tag on Cousins, which means he'll be paid $19.953 million in 2016 unless he and Washington reach a long-term deal.

Age: 27

Pro Bowls: 0

Washington wants to keep Cousins after he helped lead the team to the playoffs, a run that timed with his prolific and efficient breakout season. Getting $14 million to $15 million annually seems like a lot for what he has done, but the reality is that's the market for above-average young starters. The Redskins would owe him $19.7 guaranteed for 2016 if they go the franchise-tag route.

of 25

Age: 28

Pro Bowls: 0

Smith went through this once, and Kansas City should be happy about what it got signing him away from Miami three years ago. He rebounded from a three-game suspension to restore his status as a solid, big (6-2, 215) cover man, playing well off flashy Defensive Rookie of the Year Marcus Peters.

of 25

Age: 27

Pro Bowls: 0

He’s the best 3-4 nose tackle on the market, and maybe in the league. “Big Snacks” has feasted against the run as the linchpin between ends Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson and Leonard Williams. The Jets see him as a priority.

of 25

Age: 27

Pro Bowls: 0

Los Angeles also has its other underrated starting corner (Trumaine Johnson) to worry about, and Jenkins would be wise to test his worth on the open market. Although inconsistent overall, Jenkins has flashed shutdown ability to go with his big-play flair.

of 25

Age: 30

Pro Bowls: 2

Forte has lot of mileage with his carries and catches through seven years with the Bears, and the wear and tear showed up in the running game. But for what will be a $3 million-$4 million deal for his next team, likely a Super Bowl contender, he still has much to offer.

of 25

Age: 26

Pro Bowls: 0

Hayward should be leaving Green Bay, a la Tramon Williams and other young corners the Packers have developed from slot aces to reliable outside starters. They now have younger guys ready to help replace Hayward. His size (5-11, 192) and versatility should be welcomed by another team. He’s another part of a strong free-agent class at the position.

of 25

Age: 33

Pro Bowls: 4

Johnson has been around for a long time as the anchor of Kansas City’s 3-4 defense. He somehow found a second gear in 2015, impressive considering he was coming off a 2014 season mostly lost to a torn Achilles. He does everything asked of the position and would be a good leader for a young team. For about $6 million per for a few seasons, the price matches what the player has left.

of 25

Age: 24

Pro Bowls: 0

Miami has been too reluctant to look at Miller as more than a 250-touch back, even though he has averaged 4.5 yards per carry and been impressive in the passing game. Given how young he is and his potential to do more as a feature back, it would be silly for him not to explore other options. He has a good chance to set the market at his position.

of 25

Age: 32

Pro Bowls: 2

Incognito put aside all that ugliness from the end of his Dolphins tenure to reestablish himself as one of the NFL’s nastiest and most effective interior linemen for their division rivals. Buffalo should want to make him a priority. After making $1.1 million on a one-year deal, he should be able to earn $6 million annually on what might be his last NFL contract.

of 25

Age: 28

Pro Bowls: 1

Okung has never been able to shake injuries since being drafted No. 6 overall in 2010, and shoulder surgery is the current culprit. Still, there should be a team out there that thinks he could get back to his 2012 form and take a chance on him as a starting left tackle who won’t come with the usual market value.

of 25

Age: 34

Pro Bowls: 2

Mathis got himself out of Philadelphia, and although it took a few games, he found his stride again as a superior run blocker in Denver. He can be another relatively cheap, shorter-term fix for another team.

of 25

UPDATE: The Eagles signed Bradford to a two-year contract.

Age: 28

Pro Bowls: 0

The one-year experiment featuring Bradford and Chip Kelly in Philadelphia was a bust, but Bradford came out of it not being completely damaged goods. Now he should have appeal as a cheaper “hedging bets” option for a team like the Broncos.

More nfl Lists