2016 NFL free agency: the best of the best
By jonfox
Reggie Nelson, FS Cincinnati Bengals. Very underrated player, Nelson has been the field general for one of the more consistently good defenses in the league since Mike Zimmer took it over several years ago. He’s getting up there in years, but there’s still enough toothpaste in this tube.
Prediction: Cleveland Browns for 8.5 million a year on average.
George Iloka, SS Cincinnati Bengals. Iloka will be more in demand than his backfield mate Nelson. He was a project when picked by the Bengals and is still growing into his role. However, the league rarely sees strong safeties with his size and range. He should become one of the highest paid SSs in the league.
Prediction: New York Giants for 11 million a year on average.
Nick Fairley, DL Los Angeles Rams. Fairley is an enigma. At times, he can be as great as any defensive tackle in the league. And at times, he’s about as effect as wet tissue paper against a sword. This is probably why he’s going to be looking for his 3rd team in 3 seasons. The Jags have a ton of cash burning a hole in their pockets and a mandate to buy talent.
Prediction: Jacksonville Jaguars for 8 million a year on average.
Marvin Jones, WR Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals still have a lot of cap room, but other bigger holes that need to be filled. They’d love to bring Jones and his unique skill set back, but not at the cost of the deal he’s looking for. The Rams have almost no talent at wideout and need to help out whomever is playing quarterback for them.
Prediction: Los Angeles Rams for 9.75 million a year on average.
Kelvin Beachum, OL Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers will make a big push to keep Beachum. He’s been a quality starter for them for a couple seasons and if he didn’t tear his ACL, he’s probably a top 10 free agent. However, the Steelers’ offense really didn’t suffer much after Beachum went down so they’re not going to break the bank to keep him. If Okung leaves Seattle, Beachum makes so much sense for them.
Prediction: Seattle Seahawks for 8.25 million a year on average.
Mitchell Schwartz, OL Cleveland Browns. A lot of scouts love Schwartz’s development and his twitter account(where he talks about football plays and breaks down assignments and such). He’s an emerging young right tackle who get overpaid.
Prediction: New York Giants for 7.25 million a year on average.
Haloti Ngata, DL Detroit. Ngata wasn’t his usual great self in the motor city, but how much of that was age, a general decline in play or playing in a 4-3 defense that isn’t what he does best? Detroit is trying to keep him and might, but he’s going to look for a 3-4 team that needs line talent.
Prediction: Washington Redskins for 7.1 million a year on average.
Donald Penn, OL Oakland. In 2014 he took a 2 year “prove it to me” contract from the Raiders, passing on longer term deals that were being offered. He put in 2 seasons of good play and will hitting free agency in demand. If Oakland can’t keep him, then he will be the #2 left tackle in free agency considering Beachum’s ACL injury.
Prediction: Los Angeles Rams for 11 million a year on average.
Mario Williams, DL Buffalo. The question with him is if 2015 was an aberration caused but Williams and Ryan not meshing well on or off the field or is Williams in decline. Teams probably will want to give him a contract that they get out of quickly, but the money will look pretty big.
Prediction: New York Giants for 11.25 million a year on average.