Revis poised to headline a free-agency market in flux
The NFL’s free agent market officially opened for business Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET and promises to add to the tectonic shifts that have already occurred this offseason. The latest aftershock comes out of New England with all-pro Darrelle Revis set to pursue another generous payday once the Patriots officially decline to bring him back after failing to accommodate his $25 million cap hit for next season. Widely viewed as the league’s most deft businessman, Revis has pulled down $28 million while playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Patriots over the past two seasons. Could he be headed back to the New York Jets now that his original employers are flush with cap space and in dire need of a cornerback? Revis’ next move is only the NFL’s latest plot twist with the pending blockbuster trades of stars like LeSean McCoy and Brandon Marshall on the verge of being consummated. Ndamukong Suh, the other crown jewel of free agency, will officially become the league’s best-paid defender once he signs his new contract with the Miami Dolphins. Five players were given the franchise tag – Cowboys WR Dez Bryant, Patriots K Stephen Gostkowski, Chiefs OLB Justin Houston, Giants DE Jason Pierre-Paul and Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas – meaning they’ll probably be in limbo waiting for a new contract but won’t be going anywhere. And many more moves seem inevitable before the new league year begins as some teams furiously try to re-sign their players, while others are just as feverishly trying to comply with the $143 million salary cap. This list could remain fluid, but here are the 10 best players teams were fighting over Tuesday evening:
1. CB Darrelle Revis: He’ll be negotiating a lucrative contract for the third consecutive offseason. Fresh off a championship run with the Pats and more than two years removed from knee reconstruction, Revis again gets to peddle his services with several teams poised to make use of their salary cap windfalls. Best fit: Jets
2. RB De Marco Murray: The league rushing champion could still go back to the Dallas Cowboys, who probably provide the best environment for him to excel on the field. But with Marshawn Lynch and McCoy helping to reset the bottom line for tailbacks in a league that had previously fallen out of love with bellcows, there’s no reason for Murray to make a quick decision when he could incite a bidding war among cap-endowed clubs. Best fit: Colts
3. TE Julius Thomas: Doesn’t look like the Denver Broncos have room to retain one of Peyton Manning’s top weapons. But Thomas is sure to get recruited given the threat he provides in the seam and, more importantly, in the red zone. Suitors will be weighing his pure talent against his injury history and the benefits he reaped from playing with Manning and alongside a pair of excellent receivers. Still, he’ll get a hefty raise from his $645,000 salary in 2014. Best fit: Jaguars
4.T Bryan Bulaga: MVP Aaron Rodgers would surely like Bulaga to continue protecting him on the edge of the Green Bay Packers’ line. But Bulaga is easily the most accomplished tackle available, and that could lead to a bidding war for his services. Best fit: Titans
5. DT Nick Fairley: He’s not going to get paid like former Detroit Lions linemate Suh, but Fairley’s ability to disrupt the pocket will also command millions upon millions. Best fit: Buccaneers 6.OLB Derrick Morgan: He took a nice step forward last year, tying his career-high of 6 ½ sacks while making a smooth transition from defensive end to linebacker. Best fit: Chargers 7.OLB Jason Worilds: He’s a solid pass rusher if not elite, posting 15 ½ sacks over the past two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. But new Titans defensive guru Dick LeBeau could surely use his former pupil’s help in Nashville as the team tries to enhance its 3-4 personnel. Best fit: Titans
8. NT Dan Williams: He was an unheralded piece of the Arizona Cardinals’ defensive success but does a very nice job plugging run lanes. And athletic men who are 6-2 and 327 pounds simply are not easy to find. Best fit: Browns
9.DE Greg Hardy: Based purely on talent, he’s as desirable as anyone on this list after compiling 15 sacks in 2013. But the vagaries of his status with the league in the wake of his domestic violence case and the public relations considerations that come with it render him a major roll of the dice. Best fit: Raiders 10.CB Chris Culliver: If he can stay out of trouble off the field, the 26-year-old could be on the verge of taking a star turn on it. He’s certainly a far more cost-effective option than Revis. Best fit: Raiders Best of the rest by position Running Back: Jackie Battle, Ahmad Bradshaw, Ronnie Brown, Reggie Bush, DuJuan Harris, Roy Helu, Peyton Hillis, Steven Jackson, Chris Johnson, Ryan Mathews, Darren McFadden, Joe McKnight, Knowshon Moreno, Chris Ogbonnaya, Bilal Powell, Ray Rice, Stevan Ridley, Jacquizz Rodgers, Antone Smith, C.J. Spiller, Ben Tate, Daniel Thomas, Shane Vereen Full Back: Tyler Clutts, Jed Collins, John Conner, Jerome Felton, Henry Hynoski, John Kuhn, Montell Owens, Will Tukuafu Guard/Center: G Joe Berger, G Justin Blalock, G Clint Boling, G Eben Britton, G Gabe Carimi, G James Carpenter, G Daryn Colledge, G Willie Colon, G Dan Connolly, C Brian De La Puente, G Vladimir Ducasse, G Paul Fanaika, G Orlando Franklin, C Jonathan Goodwin, G John Jerry, G Charlie Johnson, G Davin Joseph, C Lemuel Jeanpierre, C Doug Legursky, G Jeff Linkenbach, G Mike McGlynn, G Paul McQuistan, C Will Montgomery, C Chris Myers, C Rich Ohrnberger, G Erik Pears, G Mike Pollak, C Dominic Raiola, G Joe Reitz, C Samson Satele, C A.Q. Shipley, G Rob Sims, G Adam Snyder, C Chris Spencer, C Fernando Velasco, C J.D. Walton, C Scott Wells, C Stefen Wisniewski Linebacker: John Abraham, Sam Acho, Akeem Ayers, Lance Briggs, Bruce Carter, Trent Cole, Jermaine Cunningham, Justin Durant, Quentin Groves, James Harrison, Geno Hayes, Brian Orakpo, Ashlee Palmer, Spencer Paysinger, Shaun Phillips, Brooks Reed, Jabaal Sheard, Malcolm Smith, D.J. Williams, Jacquian Williams (USA Today/TNS)