NFL's Notable Unrestricted Free Agents

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Mar 6, 2014

NFL's Notable Unrestricted Free Agents

Michael Vick

<italics>Vikings running back Adrian Peterson tweeted, "@MikeVick would intently make the vikings a playoff team!" late Wednesday night. It's likely AP meant to say "instantly" instead of "intently," in response to an NFL Network tweet phrased that way earlier in the evening. Nevertheless, here are the notable unrestricted free agents in the NFL.</italics> Only a few months ago, Vick looked poised to rebound under new head coach Chip Kelly. But after he sustained a hamstring injury in Week 5, backup Nick Foles took hold of Philadelphia's starting quarterback job and never looked back, leading the Eagles to an NFC East title. At 33, Vick still offers potential suitors a veteran arm that has proven it can win in the league. But whether the four-time Pro Bowler can shake off the injury bug remains to be seen.

Matt Cassel

The Vikings' quarterback exercised his player option to void the last year of his two-year deal with Minnesota, meaning he'll be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. In his first year with the Vikings this past season, Cassel started six games, finishing with a 3-3 record. Overall, Cassel threw 11 touchdown passes and nine interceptions, his highest touchdown total since his Pro Bowl campaign in 2010 with the Chiefs.

Knowshon Moreno

Moreno has had an up-and-down five-year stay in Denver, capped by a career-best 1,038 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns this past season. But he increasingly shared touches in 2013 with fellow Broncos running back Montee Ball, who the team drafted in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft. With Ball emerging as a potential No. 1 running back, Moreno is likely to be playing elsewhere in 2014.

Ben Tate

In his three years in the NFL, Tate has been productive when given a chance, averaging 4.7 yards per carry for the Texans. He has languished behind Arian Foster on the depth chart, however, unable to show what he can do over a full season. In 2014, Tate will likely earn more carries with a new team. A number of teams -- including the Browns and Dolphins -- could use Tate's services next season.

Maurice Jones-Drew

Though it's possible Jones-Drew could re-sign with the Jaguars and remain in Jacksonville, the three-time Pro Bowler could easily be wearing a new helmet this autumn. After three excellent seasons from 2009-11 -- including an All-Pro year in 2011 in which Jones-Drew rushed for a league-leading 1,606 yards -- the Jaguars' running back has struggled the past two years. Amid a slew of injuries and surrounded by a weak Jaguars roster, Jones-Drew has only managed to rush for 1,217 yards the past two seasons combined.

Eric Decker

Decker has emerged as one of the league's most promising receivers, particularly in the last two seasons while catching passes from Peyton Manning. Decker caught 85 passes in 2012 and 87 passes in '13, with 13 and 11 receiving touchdowns, respectively. The former Minnesota Golden Gophers standout has stated that he wants to return to Denver, but the Broncos are already loaded with receiving targets Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker and Julius Thomas.

Hakeem Nicks

After five productive seasons with the Giants, Nicks will hit free agency this offseason. Unfortunately for him, he was unable to catch a single receiving touchdown in 2013 after catching 27 total his first four years in the league. Though he didn't reach the end zone, Nicks still managed to catch 56 passes for 896 yards.

Jimmy Graham

The Saints' tight end was named first-team All-Pro in 2013 and should receive a big payday this offseason. Graham has become an integral aspect of the New Orleans' receiving arsenal, and the Saints will prioritize signing Graham, either with a long-term deal or the franchise tag, this offseason.

Jermichael Finley

The Packers' tight end injured his spinal cord against the Browns this past October, an injury that looked to be career-threatening at the time. Finley is determined to sign with a team this offseason, however, even while recovering from his injury and subsequent spinal fusion surgery. He has said that he wants to return to Green Bay, but the Packers might not be willing to spend that kind of money for a player coming off a serious injury.

Branden Albert

Albert started 12 games for the Chiefs in 2013, helping Kansas City to over 2,000 yards on the ground. But with promising young tackles Donald Stephenson and Eric Fisher looking like Kansas City's future starting offensive tackles, Albert will likely be on his way out this offseason.

Eugene Monroe

The Ravens traded for Monroe this past year, acquiring him from Jacksonville in exchange for fourth- and fifth-round draft picks. Re-signing the 26-year-old Monroe could be an important step toward maintaining better protection for Joe Flacco in the future.

Jared Veldheer

Veldheer has said that he wants to remain a Raider, and Oakland's lackluster offense could certainly use the services of the four-year pro. After starting 16 games in 2011 and '12, Veldheer only started five contests in 2013, spending most of the year on injured reserve due to a triceps injury.

Alex Mack

The two-time Pro Bowler has been a fixture on Cleveland's offensive line since he was drafted in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft. Mack said toward the end of the 2013 season that he was interested in remaining a member of the Browns. Cleveland has only won 23 games since the center joined the team.

Michael Johnson

Since Johnson received the franchise tag during the 2013 offseason, it is unlikely that the Bengals will slap him with the tag once again this year. Given Cincinnati's other pass rushers, including Carlos Dunlap and Margus Hunt, Johnson will likely be suiting up elsewhere come training camp.

Lamarr Houston

A burly defensive end, Houston notched a career-high six sacks in 2013. He is one of the most important Raiders players scheduled to hit free agency, and if the Raiders let him get away, he'll receive offers from a number of teams looking to shore up their defensive line.

Michael Bennett

Fresh off a Super Bowl victory, Bennett will cash in this offseason. With the help of 2013 offseason addition Cliff Avril, he racked up 8.5 sacks in 2013 and emerged at Seattle's best defensive lineman.

Jared Allen

Allen is now 31 and his performance faded a bit last season, but he will still draw interest in free agency from teams looking for a consistent pass rusher. He's finished each of the last seven seasons with double digit sacks, including a 22-sack effort in 2011.

Justin Tuck

Tuck intends to test the waters in free agency this offseason after posting his best numbers (11 sacks) since 2010. Tuck hasn't ruled out returning to New York, where he has spent his entire career.

Linval Joseph

A starter for the Giants in each of the past three seasons, Joseph has emerged into a promising young defensive tackle. Keeping Joseph in the center of the New York defensive line will likely be a priority for the Giants this offseason, but it will be pricey.

Jason Hatcher

The 31-year-old Cowboys defensive tackle was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2013 after having the best season of his career, but Dallas is dealing with a difficult salary cap situation, meaning that the team won't have room to spend money on an aging defensive tackle like Hatcher. The longtime Cowboy will likely be playing elsewhere in 2014.

B.J. Raji

Green Bay is reportedly intent on spending money in free agency this year, but Raji still might be on his way out of Wisconsin. Raji started 16 games last season, failing to record a single sack. Green Bay finished 25th in the NFL in 2013 in terms of total yards allowed, so the Packers are looking to revamp their defense (again) this offseason.

Brian Orakpo

It's possible that Orakpo will receive the franchise tag from the Redskins, but if not, the former first-round draft pick will be one of the best pass rushers available. A three-time Pro Bowler who finished 2013 with 10 sacks, Orakpo has reportedly been in contract discussions with Washington.

Shaun Phillips

The former Charger is one of several key Broncos scheduled to hit free agency this offseason. Phillips started 12 games for Denver and led the team with 10 sacks. However, Phillips will turn 33 this May, so age will be a concern to potential suitors.

Alterraun Verner

Verner, coming off a breakout season in which he was named to his first Pro Bowl and intercepted five passes, is not expected to be slapped with the franchise tag, according to reports. Whether or not the Titans re-sign the young cornerback remains to be seen, but either way Verner will command a big payday.

Vontae Davis

Davis is Indianapolis' best cornerback, a pure cover corner that helped Indianapolis finish the season in the top half of NFL defenses in terms of passing yards allowed. Davis started his career in Miami before he was traded to Indianapolis prior to the 2012 season.

Aqib Talib

Scheduled to hit free agency this offseason, Talib chose a good time to have the best season of his seven-year NFL career. He proved himself a lockdown cornerback for New England in 2013, intercepting four passes and helping the Patriots reach the AFC Championship Game along the way.

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

Another key unrestricted free agent for Denver, Rodgers-Cromartie could be a priority for the Broncos this offseason, particularly because Champ Bailey is nearing the end of his career. In his first year in Denver, Rodgers-Cromartie intercepted three passes.

Jairus Byrd

Only 27 years old, the three-time Pro Bowler still has plenty left in the tank. He has been a fixture of Buffalo's defense since he debuted in the league in 2009, and he managed to intercept four passes despite only starting in 10 games in 2013 due to injury.

T.J. Ward

Along with Alex Mack, T.J. Ward is another key Brown that will receive a new contract this offseason. Ward was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2013, his fourth NFL season, after starting all 16 games and racking up 75 tackles. A former second-round pick, Ward also had two interceptions last season.

NFL's Notable Unrestricted Free Agents