PFT’s Hot 100 Free Agents

[Prime Time]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/02/23/the-free-agent-hot-100-5/

The Free Agent Hot 100
Posted by Zac Jackson on February 23, 2016

The following are PFT’s top 100 free agents for the 2016 league year. The rankings include prospective unrestricted free agents, as well as released players. The list will be updated as events warrant, with signings and re-signings denoted when announced and/or reported. Players expected to opt out of their current contracts or expected to be released won’t be added until the transaction is official.

1. Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller

2. Jets defensive tackle Muhammad Wilkerson

3. Panthers cornerback Josh Norman

4. Broncos defensive tackle Malik Jackson

5. Bills left tackle Cordy Glenn

6. Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon

7. Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery

8. Chiefs safety Eric Berry

9. Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins

10. Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford

11. Seahawks outside linebacker Bruce Irvin

12. Jets defensive tackle Damon Harrison

13. Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson

14. Chiefs cornerback Sean Smith

15. Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler

16. Chargers safety Eric Weddle

17. Bengals right tackle Andre Smith

18. Browns right tackle Mitchell Schwartz

19. Chiefs defensive tackle Jaye Howard

20. Giants defensive end Jason-Pierre Paul

21. Broncos linebacker Danny Trevathan

22. Buccaneers running back Doug Martin

23. Ravens guard Kelechi Osemele

24. Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick

25. Bengals safety George Iloka

26. Dolphins running back Lamar Miller

27. 49ers nose tackle Ian Williams

28. Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins

29. 49ers guard Alex Boone

30. Chiefs outside linebacker Tamba Hali

31. Bengals safety Reggie Nelson

32. Ravens outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw

33. Steelers left tackle Kelvin Beachum

34. Browns wide receiver Travis Benjamin

35. Giants defensive end Robert Ayers

36. Bengals wide receiver Mohamed Sanu

37. Bengals wide receiver Marvin Jones

38. Lions defensive tackle Tyrunn Walker

39. Texans guard Brandon Brooks

40. Ex-Bears running back Matt Forte

41. Bills guard Richie Incognito

42. Seahawks left tackle Russell Okung

43. Rams defensive tackle Nick Fairley

44. Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara

45. Packers cornerback Casey Hayward

46. Rams linebacker/safety Mark Barron

47. Chargers cornerback Patrick Robinson

48. Chiefs quarterback Chase Daniel

49. Ravens kicker Justin Tucker

50. Texans offensive lineman Ben Jones

51. Chiefs guard Jeff Allen

52. Lions defensive tackle Haloti Ngata

53. Broncos guard Evan Mathis

54. Raiders left tackle Donald Penn

55. Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson

56. Dolphins wide receiver Rishard Matthews

57. Redskins running back Alfred Morris

58. Jets running back Chris Ivory

59. Bengals cornerback Adam Jones

60. Colts tight end Coby Fleener

61. Lions linebacker Tahir Whitehead

62. Browns safety Tashaun Gipson

63. Packers linebacker Mike Neal

64. Redskins defensive tackle Terrence Knighton

65. Ex-Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis

66. Cardinals offensive tackle Bobby Massie

67. Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy

68. Rams defensive tackle Eugene Sims

69. Seahawks wide receiver Jermaine Kearse

70. Cardinals running back Chris Johnson

71. Eagles safety Walter Thurmond

72. Packers linebacker Nick Perry

73. Raiders outside linebacker Aldon Smith

74. Seahawks guard J.R. Sweezy

75. Cardinals cornerback Jerraud Powers

76. Lions safety Isa Abdul-Quddus

77. Ex-Rams defensive end Chris Long

78. Seahawks defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin

79. Cardinals safety Rashad Johnson

80. Chargers tight end Ladarius Green

81. Eagles defensive tackle Cedric Thornton

82. Vikings defensive tackle Kenrick Ellis

83. Bengals defensive end Wallace Gilberry

84. Colts tight end Dwayne Allen

85. Redskins linebacker Keenan Robinson

86. Cowboys linebacker Rolando McClain

87. Chiefs offensive tackle Donald Stephenson

88. Steelers linebacker Sean Spence

89. Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton

90. Bears linebacker Shea McClellin

91. Cardinals pass rusher Dwight Freeney

92. Packers nose tackle B.J. Raji

93. Ex-Rams tight end Jared Cook

94. Colts cornerback Greg Toler

95. Ex-Lions running back Joique Bell

96. 49ers wide receiver Anquan Boldin

97. Buccaneers defensive tackle Henry Melton

98. Broncos cornerback Omar Bolden

99. Giants wide receiver Rueben Randle

100. Seahawks defensive tackle Brandon Mebane

 

[Rams43]

Only 3 TE's on that list, not counting Jared Cook.

And Coby Fleener was the highest rated at #60.

 

[Akrasian]

How is Sims on the list but not Hayes?

 

[Ballhawk]

I thought that JL was supposed to be the second worst LB in the NFL? He's pretty high on this list for that to be true!

 

[-X-]

I thought that JL was supposed to be the second worst LB in the NFL? He's pretty high on this list for that to be true!

He's still got all the attributes that NFL scouts like. Intelligence, durability, high motor, high character.
He really was that bad last year though. I think we all saw that.

 

[Mikey Ram]

How is Sims on the list but not Hayes?

Because it's a completely subjective list...I happen to agree with TJ being ahead of Jenkins, but I'm sure a lot of people wouldn't...

 

[BonifayRam]

I thought that JL was supposed to be the second worst LB in the NFL? He's pretty high on this list for that to be true!

In truth JL is the highest MLB on a 43 in this list. The other Lbers are 34 ILB'ers & OSLB'ers. Interesting though I would disagree with this list & place JL further down some.

 

[RAMpage28]

Everyone sleeping on Rodney. That's fine. Keep ignoring him. Makes it easier to retain him if no one knows who he is.

 

[woofwoofmo]

He's still got all the attributes that NFL scouts like. Intelligence, durability, high motor, high character.
He really was that bad last year though. I think we all saw that.

I think we tend to forget how banged up JL was last year. For a good chunk of the season he was basically playing with one arm. Could barely move that injured arm at times after a game. If he was a pitcher he'd have been on the shelf for Tommy John surgery. I'd take JL on my team any time. This is the one cut I think the Rams will regret down the road.

 

[-X-]

I think we tend to forget how banged up JL was last year. For a good chunk of the season he was basically playing with one arm. Could barely move that injured arm at times after a game. If he was a pitcher he'd have been on the shelf for Tommy John surgery. I'd take JL on my team any time. This is the one cut I think the Rams will regret down the road.

I realize that, but last year also wasn't an isolated incident. I'm not trying to bang on the guy, because he was one of my favorites - and a fan favorite. But I witnessed a ton of plays over the years where he was easily washed out of the play. And he was constantly ranked very low by PFF (if you put any stock into their analytics). That said, his on-field leadership and ability to get people into position is going to be difficult to replace. Excellent ability to diagnose plays, but not very stout at the POA.

 

[ramfan46]

I wouldn't mind giving Mebane a look at the 3rd DT role if and when Fairley leaves. He'd give you a bigger body to rotate with Brockers.

 

[Mojo Ram]

Only 3 TE's on that list, not counting Jared Cook.

And Coby Fleener was the highest rated at #60.

I'd rather have Dwayne Allen.

 

[8to12]

I thought that JL was supposed to be the second worst LB in the NFL? He's pretty high on this list for that to be true!

Obviously, the people at PFT didn't watch many Ram games last season or they're poor talent evaluators.

 

[Merlin]

Fleener had a down year due to all manner of reasons with that Colts offense not the least of which was Luck's struggles. Good time to buy low on him in FA. Or go with Green, who isn't great but he's young and on the rise having played well when called upon.

 

[Angry Ram]

FA is overrated.

 

[-X-]

View: https://twitter.com/SiriusXMNFL/status/703301058131533825

 

[Prime Time]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/02/26/report-kirk-cousins-will-get-tagged/

Report: Kirk Cousins will get tagged
Posted by Josh Alper on February 26, 2016

Getty Images

Quarterback Kirk Cousins picked a good time to have a good season.

With his contract expiring at the end of the year, Cousins started every game for the Redskins, closed the regular season with a strong second half and helped lead them to an NFC East title that boosted his value heading into free agency. The Redskins made it clear that they wanted to keep Cousins from hitting the open market, either with a long-term deal or by tagging him.

It looks like it is going to be the latter option. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the team has decided that they will use a tag on Cousins, although they haven’t decided whether it will be the franchise or transition tag. The difference between the two tags is around $2 million in salary, but the differences in how things would play out from there would seem to make the more expensive franchise tag a better option.

While the transition tag, expected to be around $17.5 million, would cost less money if Cousins winds up playing out the year under its terms, it also opens the door for another team to make a run at signing him that could leave the Redskins either unable to match or matching a deal that isn’t on good terms for them. A team could try to sign Cousins under the non-exclusive franchise tag as well, although it would cost them two first-round picks if the Redskins didn’t match the offer.

Either tag would be a major raise for Cousins, who played for $660,000 last season, and Mike Jones of the Washington Post reports that receiving the franchise tag wouldn’t come as a disappointment to Cousins. While that isn’t always the case, Cousins would be paid very well while getting another year to show he’s worth a long-term deal that would come with a higher floor thanks to the increase in salary that comes with using the franchise tag on the same player two years in a row.

 

[jrry32]

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/14852299/chicago-bears-place-franchise-tag-receiver-alshon-jeffery
Well, it happened.

 

[RAMpage28]

As expected. They would have been stupid to let him hit the market.

 

[A55VA6]

Maybe a good sign on Tru staying... or I'm just looking too far into it.

From his snapchat today: