Free company obtained underway final week within the NFL as groups obtained busy executing their offseason plans. The NFL world will wait to see the place Lamar Jackson finally ends up on the non-exclusive franchise tag tender, whereas groups that do not want quarterbacks will interact in bidding wars for the highest free brokers.
Here’s a take a look at the highest 10 free brokers accessible primarily based on Pete Prisco’s prime 100 free agent rankings. The insanity has begun.
1. Lamar Jackson
Jackson does have the non-exclusive franchise tag, that means the Ravens can match any provide that comes his approach from one other staff. Baltimore could have 5 days to match and if the Ravens decline, they are going to obtain two first-round picks in return.
The Ravens are 45-16 in Jackson’s 61 begins since he entered the league in 2018. They common 28.0 factors per recreation when Jackson is on the sphere in comparison with 20.0 when Jackson misses video games. Jackson is one in all six gamers in NFL historical past to succeed in 100-plus passing touchdowns and 4,000-plus dashing yards in a profession, and the quickest to succeed in the mark by 31 video games. The Ravens are averaging 184.8 dashing yards per recreation with Jackson as a starter in his profession — essentially the most by any beginning quarterback for the reason that 1970 merger.
Basically Jackson is the highest free agent on the board. There must be a frenzy to signal him for quarterback-needy groups. Former MVPs at 26 years previous do not hit free company on a regular basis.
2. Jadeveon Clowney
Clowney had simply 29 pressures and two sacks final season in 12 video games, definitely not the season he needed heading into free company. The strain price of 10.2% was his lowest since 2018, whereas Clowney’s 4 quarterback hits are the bottom since his rookie season — when he performed simply 4 video games.
Outside of Clowney’s 2021 season when he had 53 pressures and 9 sacks with 19 quarterback hits, Clowney has been held to 3 or fewer sacks in three of the final 4 years. He hasn’t completed with 20 quarterback hits in a season since 2018 and has been held to below 30 pressures in a season two of the previous three years.
3. Rock Ya-Sin
One of the great man-cover corners within the recreation, Ya-Sin allowed a 63.2 passer ranking when opposing quarterbacks focused him final season. He allowed simply 51.7% of passes thrown his technique to be caught with no touchdowns allowed.
For groups searching for a dependable nook, Ya-Sin gives wonderful worth.
4. Yannick Ngakoue
Ngakoue is a pure move rusher, which can make him engaging to groups in want of an edge participant. He is not nice towards the run, which may harm his worth.
5. Dalton Risner
Risner has been a starter since his rookie season in 2020. He has been higher in move safety than within the run recreation, however that may very well be as a result of he is a transformed sort out. He turns 28 in July.
6. D.J. Chark
Playing on a one-year deal in Detroit, Chark missed eight video games final season. But he flashed down the stretch for the Lions’ offense, and at 26 he nonetheless has loads of soccer left.
7. Chris Wormley
Wormley is not flashy, however he is a superb regular veteran who can maintain up towards the run. He performs down finish of their scheme, however could be an inside participant in others.
8. Odell Beckham Jr.
Odell Beckham Jr. is now over a yr faraway from tearing his ACL in Super Bowl LVII. Prior to the damage and upon his arrival to Los Angeles halfway via the 2021 season, the 30-year-old move catcher was enjoying at an elite degree, notably within the postseason throughout the membership’s Super Bowl run. While the Cowboys have been one of many extra public groups pursuing Beckham, their newest commerce for Brandin Cooks could have taken them out of this sweepstakes. Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers reportedly would love the New York Jets to signal Beckham as we await the looming commerce the sends the Packers legend to MetLife Stadium.
9. Taylor Rapp
Rapp is a sure-tackling, bodily security who can line up in loads of totally different spots. Rapp, who entered the league with the Rams in 2019, tallied 92 tackles final season, with a fumble restoration and two interceptions.
10. Mecole Hardman
Hardman has had his share of accidents with the Chiefs, however he can add pace and big-play means to an offense in want of a playmaker.
