NFL teams doled out a lot of cash in the first official week of free agency, making several players very rich men in signing with new teams. But even after the spectacular start to free agency and many players switching teams, there is still plenty of talent still out there.
Who are the top players still available on the first full week of the NFL’s 2017 free agent season? Here is a breakdown of the best names on the market.
1. DT Dontari Poe: The two-time Pro Bowler can be a force, but he’s coming off his worst season since his rookie campaign in 2012. Still, he’s only 26.
2. QB Jay Cutler: Remember, he was actually pretty good in 2015 and we don’t have a lot to go off of from 2016. At 33, Cutler is still one of the top 32 quarterbacks in a 32-team league.
3. S Bradley McDougald: The 26-year-old had two picks and 79 tackles in 16 starts with the Bucs last season.
4. S T.J. McDonald: The 26-year-old had two picks and 49 tackles in 16 starts with the Rams last season.
5. LB Zach Brown: The 27-year-old also broke out in Buffalo with a 97-tackle, Pro Bowl season in 2016. He’s doesn’t rush the passer like Alexander, but he’s a lot younger.
6. TE Jared Cook: The big, talented veteran might have made himself a lot of money down the stretch with the Packers in 2016.
7. DT Johnathan Hankins: A high-end 24-year-old starter with a seven-sack season from the inside under his belt. I’m shocked he hasn’t been wrapped up, but he might have to wait for Poe.
8. LB Gerald Hodges: The 26-year-old had three sacks, two picks and 52 tackles in a breakout season with the 49ers in 2016.
9. CB Morris Claiborne: He hasn’t remained healthy or consistent enough at the NFL level, but we know the former No. 6 overall pick has the talent. And he’s only 27.
10. LB DeAndre Levy: Still on the right side of 30, Levy was one of the best all-around linebackers in the game in 2013 and 2014, but he hasn’t been able to stay healthy since. Might a new setting get him back to Pro Bowl form?
11. RB Latavius Murray: Coming off a 12-touchdown season, the experienced 27-year-old would be an ideal platoon back in 2017.
12. LB Kevin Minter: He’s coming off a breakout season, he hasn’t missed a start the last two years and he’s only 26 years old.
13. WR Anquan Boldin: I know he’s, like, really old or whatever, but the always reliable 36-year-old caught 70.5 percent of the passes thrown his way as a regular starter in 2016
14. RB LeGarrette Blount: Blount might be on the wrong side of 30 now, but he’s coming off an 1,161-yard, 18-touchdown season with the Super Bowl champs.
15. RB Adrian Peterson: Including him mainly so that I can communicate why he shouldn’t be signed, and I suppose because he’s defied the odds a few times before. But the key is that in Peterson’s last nine starts, he’s averaging only 2.9 yards per carry. He’s old and there are injury and character concerns. Forget this guy.
Honorable mentions: WR Michael Floyd, OT Ryan Clady, OL Austin Pasztor, C Nick Mangold, DE Connor Barwin, DE Jared Odrick, CB Nickell Robey-Coleman
