Cousins, Jones head star quality free agent list
Need a Pro Bowl quarterback, an All-pro defensive lineman or a future Hall of Fame wide receiver?
NFL teams could find one of these guys and plenty more star-quality players when the free agency period begins on March 13. Kirk Cousins, Chris Jones and Mike Evans are among the best players who will be available on the open market unless their teams use a franchise tag by March 5. The Bengals already used it on wideout Tee Higgins.
They’ll be joined by running backs Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs, edge rushers Josh Allen, Brian Burns and Danielle Hunter and several other talented players at various positions, including wide receiver, safety and linebacker.
Defensive line is the deepest position while offensive tackle has the fewest starting-caliber players on the list.
Here are the top seven players set to become free agents:
1. KIRK COUSINS, QUARTERBACK, MINNESOTA VIKINGS:
The four-time Pro Bowl QB was having an excellent season before he tore an Achilles tendon in October. He has said he wants to stay in Minnesota and coach Kevin O’connell reiterated the team feels the same way.
“I believe Kirk wants to be a Viking, and we’re going to work to try and make that the outcome,” O’connell said Tuesday.
2. CHRIS JONES, DEFENSIVE TACKLE, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS:
The two-time All-pro is a game-changer, as evidenced in Kansas City’s win over San Francisco in the Super Bowl. It would cost the Chiefs about $32 million to use the franchise tag on Jones again this season, a decision they haven’t yet made.
“That’s certainly a guy we want back and love,” general manager Brett Veach said. “We want to see him finish his career here in Kansas City.”
3. JOSH ALLEN, EDGE RUSHER, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS:
Allen had a career-high 17 1/2 sacks in his contract year. Allen is Jacksonville’s best defensive player. They can’t afford to let him leave but many teams will be interested.
4. CHRISTIAN WILKINS, DEFENSIVE TACKLE, MIAMI DOLPHINS:
Already one of the best run defenders in the NFL, Wilkins had a career-best nine sacks to increase his value on the open market.
5. JUSTIN MADUBUIKE, DEFENSIVE TACKLE, BALTIMORE RAVENS:
Madubuike had more sacks last season (13) than his first three seasons combined. His breakout season will land him a significant deal, and perhaps a franchise tag.
6. BRIAN BURNS, EDGE RUSHER, CAROLINA PANTHERS:
He’s been the best defensive player on a terrible team and would seem eager to get a fresh start elsewhere but the Panthers aren’t going to let him get away easily.
GM Dan Morgan already said the team would likely use the $24 million franchise tag on Burns.
“We would definitely use it if we had to use it,” Morgan said. “We love Brian.”
7. ANTOINE WINFIELD JR., SAFETY, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS:
The versatile Winfield had an All-pro season, helping the Buccaneers win a third straight division title and advance to the second round of the playoffs. The Buccaneers are aiming to sign Winfield to a long-term deal instead of giving him the franchise tag at $17.1 million.