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http://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/story/_/id/21884249/2018-nfl-free-agents-get-paid-more-think
The major storyline entering free agency this year will center on the potential quarterback carousel, which could include Drew Brees, Kirk Cousins, Case Keenum, Jimmy Garoppolo, Sam Bradford, Josh McCown and more.
Best fits for top projected 2018 NFL free agents
Le'Veon Bell could be primed to ink an unprecedented deal, but it might not be in Pittsburgh. Here's where he and 19 other top free agents could land next season.
But it's not always the household names who draw significant interest in free agency and result in significant financial investments. One case that exemplifies this was when the Bills lured defensive back Micah Hyde from the Packers on a five-year deal worth up to $30 million. Getting Hyde was a coup for the Bills, even if it wasn't a move that generated the same number of headlines.
So who could be this year's version of Hyde? Last December, I detailed a few under-the-radar guys who could get bigger deals in 2017 than most think, and I hit on a few, including Mike Glennon, Tony Jefferson and Ronald Leary.
Here is the 2018 version of unrestricted free agents to keep an eye on:
Trey Burton, TE, Philadelphia Eagles
Age: 26
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Jimmy Graham headlines the 2018 class of free-agent tight ends, but it's not a particularly strong group overall. After Graham, in fact, Burton might be the only tight end worthy of a multiyear deal, and that includes the Bengals' injury-prone-but-talented Tyler Eifert. Burton hasn't put up huge numbers playing with Zach Ertz -- he has 59 catches and six touchdowns over the past two seasons -- but he can do a bit of everything: Burton is a strong route runner and has some separation speed, and he is athletic enough to chew up yards after the catch. He has also been an impact special-teams player. He could be a starter in the NFL.
Rating every head coach's job security »
• Everything to know about potential openings »
Lamarcus Joyner, DB, Los Angeles Rams
Age: 27
Joyner, who is in the prime of his career, checks off many of the traits team covet in free agency. He's versatile, having absorbed a safety role this season after mostly playing cornerback previously, and he has terrific instincts and ball skills -- he has three interceptions in 2017. The 2014 second-round pick is undersized at 5-foot-8, but he is a willing and capable tackler, and he plays in a position group that is especially desired in free agency. Teams can use him to cover the deep middle of the field and can bring him closer to the line of scrimmage to match up against tight ends. I expect a substantial market for Joyner, and the Rams also have decisions to make about three other defensive backs who will be unrestricted free agents: Trumaine Johnson, who played on the franchise tag in 2017, Cody Davis and Nickell Robey-Coleman.
Paul Richardson, WR, Seattle Seahawks
Age: 25
I don't usually like player-to-player comparisons, but Richardson compares favorably to the Dolphins' Kenny Stills, who got a big deal this past offseason. Stills is known for his speed, but he has shown in a more prominent role this season that his game includes much more than that. Richardson has blazing speed, too, though there's much more to his game, as well. He has a penchant for some remarkable catches and has overcome two ACL tears. He has 44 catches and six touchdowns this season, and there could be multiple suitors for a potential No. 2 receiver such as Richardson.
Andrew Norwell, OG, Carolina Panthers
Age: 26
One recent free-agency trend that isn't going away in 2018: top-tier offensive linemen cashing in. With the ever-present difficulty of grooming college linemen into ready-made starters as rookies, a few high-end veteran linemen have seen robust markets. Norwell could be next, as the Panthers might not be able to afford him with large cap commitments already set for linemen Matt Kalil, Ryan Kalil and Trai Turner. It wouldn't surprise me to see Norwell, who played on a restricted free-agent deal in 2017 and made $2.75 million, get $10 million per season on his next contract. The massive former undrafted free agent is due for a big raise.
E.J. Gaines, CB, Buffalo Bills[/paste:font]
Age: 25
When the Bills traded wide receiver Sammy Watkins to Los Angeles in the preseason, the centerpiece of the package they received was a 2018 second-round pick. 2014 sixth-round pick Gaines, however, was also acquired, and he has exceeded expectations. He has been a reliable part of Buffalo's secondary and is now set to hit the open market. Quarterbacks, offensive linemen and defensive backs are usually the highest-paid spots in free agency, which should set up the productive Gaines for a bigger deal.
Patrick Robinson, CB, Philadelphia Eagles
Age: 30
The 2010 first-round pick has emerged as one of the league's best slot corners after signing a cheap, one-year deal in the offseason. He has played almost 70 percent of the Eagles' defensive snaps and has contributed on special teams. The reality of today's NFL is that almost any successful defense is going to rely upon at least three cornerbacks who can provide starting-level ability. Robinson has shown a nose for the football this season with 15 passes defensed and four interceptions, which could lead to another payday despite him turning 31 as the 2018 season begins.
Ryan Jensen, C, Baltimore Ravens
Age: 26
The center position should be viewed as invaluable, as a reliable center can do an immense amount for an offense before the snap in terms of communication and setting the protection in addition to his contributions after the snap. 2013 sixth-round pick Jensen brings a ton of nasty to the offensive line, playing with tone-setting toughness that teammates respond to and gravitate toward. He's unafraid to mix it up with massive interior defensive forces. Jensen, who is making $1.8 million in 2017, has played 99.8 percent of the Ravens' offensive snaps this season, his first as a full-time starter. He's a stud.
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Field YatesESPN Insider
The major storyline entering free agency this year will center on the potential quarterback carousel, which could include Drew Brees, Kirk Cousins, Case Keenum, Jimmy Garoppolo, Sam Bradford, Josh McCown and more.
Best fits for top projected 2018 NFL free agents
Le'Veon Bell could be primed to ink an unprecedented deal, but it might not be in Pittsburgh. Here's where he and 19 other top free agents could land next season.
Destination Cousins: 14 places Kirk could play in 2018
The Redskins quarterback could become the NFL's highest-paid player if he reaches the free-agent market in 2018. You like that?! Here are all the places he could land.
But it's not always the household names who draw significant interest in free agency and result in significant financial investments. One case that exemplifies this was when the Bills lured defensive back Micah Hyde from the Packers on a five-year deal worth up to $30 million. Getting Hyde was a coup for the Bills, even if it wasn't a move that generated the same number of headlines.
So who could be this year's version of Hyde? Last December, I detailed a few under-the-radar guys who could get bigger deals in 2017 than most think, and I hit on a few, including Mike Glennon, Tony Jefferson and Ronald Leary.
Here is the 2018 version of unrestricted free agents to keep an eye on:
Trey Burton, TE, Philadelphia Eagles
Age: 26
ADVERTISEMENT
Jimmy Graham headlines the 2018 class of free-agent tight ends, but it's not a particularly strong group overall. After Graham, in fact, Burton might be the only tight end worthy of a multiyear deal, and that includes the Bengals' injury-prone-but-talented Tyler Eifert. Burton hasn't put up huge numbers playing with Zach Ertz -- he has 59 catches and six touchdowns over the past two seasons -- but he can do a bit of everything: Burton is a strong route runner and has some separation speed, and he is athletic enough to chew up yards after the catch. He has also been an impact special-teams player. He could be a starter in the NFL.
Rating every head coach's job security »
• Everything to know about potential openings »
Lamarcus Joyner, DB, Los Angeles Rams
Age: 27
Joyner, who is in the prime of his career, checks off many of the traits team covet in free agency. He's versatile, having absorbed a safety role this season after mostly playing cornerback previously, and he has terrific instincts and ball skills -- he has three interceptions in 2017. The 2014 second-round pick is undersized at 5-foot-8, but he is a willing and capable tackler, and he plays in a position group that is especially desired in free agency. Teams can use him to cover the deep middle of the field and can bring him closer to the line of scrimmage to match up against tight ends. I expect a substantial market for Joyner, and the Rams also have decisions to make about three other defensive backs who will be unrestricted free agents: Trumaine Johnson, who played on the franchise tag in 2017, Cody Davis and Nickell Robey-Coleman.
Paul Richardson, WR, Seattle Seahawks
Age: 25
I don't usually like player-to-player comparisons, but Richardson compares favorably to the Dolphins' Kenny Stills, who got a big deal this past offseason. Stills is known for his speed, but he has shown in a more prominent role this season that his game includes much more than that. Richardson has blazing speed, too, though there's much more to his game, as well. He has a penchant for some remarkable catches and has overcome two ACL tears. He has 44 catches and six touchdowns this season, and there could be multiple suitors for a potential No. 2 receiver such as Richardson.
Andrew Norwell, OG, Carolina Panthers
Age: 26
One recent free-agency trend that isn't going away in 2018: top-tier offensive linemen cashing in. With the ever-present difficulty of grooming college linemen into ready-made starters as rookies, a few high-end veteran linemen have seen robust markets. Norwell could be next, as the Panthers might not be able to afford him with large cap commitments already set for linemen Matt Kalil, Ryan Kalil and Trai Turner. It wouldn't surprise me to see Norwell, who played on a restricted free-agent deal in 2017 and made $2.75 million, get $10 million per season on his next contract. The massive former undrafted free agent is due for a big raise.
E.J. Gaines, CB, Buffalo Bills[/paste:font]
Age: 25
When the Bills traded wide receiver Sammy Watkins to Los Angeles in the preseason, the centerpiece of the package they received was a 2018 second-round pick. 2014 sixth-round pick Gaines, however, was also acquired, and he has exceeded expectations. He has been a reliable part of Buffalo's secondary and is now set to hit the open market. Quarterbacks, offensive linemen and defensive backs are usually the highest-paid spots in free agency, which should set up the productive Gaines for a bigger deal.
Patrick Robinson, CB, Philadelphia Eagles
Age: 30
The 2010 first-round pick has emerged as one of the league's best slot corners after signing a cheap, one-year deal in the offseason. He has played almost 70 percent of the Eagles' defensive snaps and has contributed on special teams. The reality of today's NFL is that almost any successful defense is going to rely upon at least three cornerbacks who can provide starting-level ability. Robinson has shown a nose for the football this season with 15 passes defensed and four interceptions, which could lead to another payday despite him turning 31 as the 2018 season begins.
Ryan Jensen, C, Baltimore Ravens
Age: 26
The center position should be viewed as invaluable, as a reliable center can do an immense amount for an offense before the snap in terms of communication and setting the protection in addition to his contributions after the snap. 2013 sixth-round pick Jensen brings a ton of nasty to the offensive line, playing with tone-setting toughness that teammates respond to and gravitate toward. He's unafraid to mix it up with massive interior defensive forces. Jensen, who is making $1.8 million in 2017, has played 99.8 percent of the Ravens' offensive snaps this season, his first as a full-time starter. He's a stud.
