The month of March represents excitement in the NFL every year, even when there isn't a game on the calendar. Finally, it is the start of the free agent market next Monday, March 11th, when the legal window for negotiations opens. Taking all positions together, I offer you my personal list of the 50 best positions available.
1. Chris Jones, tackle
Kansas City Chiefs
30 years
Photo Getty Images via AFP
There's no doubt that Chris Jones is the best player on the market, but the Chiefs will do everything they can to avoid letting him slip away. The tackle himself told the Parade of Champions that he would stay in Kansas City. Unless the channel comes in last minute…
2. Kirk Cousins, quarterback
Minnesota Vikings
36 years
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Cousins has often been unfairly ridiculed, but he remains a productive quarterback who enjoyed his best moments before suffering a torn Achilles tendon. At 36 years old and coming off this serious injury, we'll have to see if the Vikings want to pay the heavy price.
3. Josh Allen, defensive end
Jacksonville Jaguars
27 years old
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Josh Allen of the Jaguars may not be as well-known as Josh of the Bills, but he is coming off his best season with 17.5 sacks and 90 pressures. After a modest start to his career, he appears to be seriously on his way.
4. Brian Burns, defensive end
Carolina Panthers
26 years
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Like almost every player on the poor Panthers, Brian Burns regressed last season. At 26 years old, his potential to terrorize quarterbacks is still immense. The team has already turned down two first-round picks in exchange for his services. It would be the height it leaves against the wind.
5. Antoine Winfield Jr., looter
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
26 years
Photo Getty Images via AFP
The safety position isn't valued these days, but Winfield is in a class of his own. He can make big plays both in deep coverage and near the line of scrimmage and can be used in all situations, as evidenced by his 15 sacks and seven interceptions in four years.
6. Christian Wilkins, tackle
Miami Dolphins
28 years
Photo Getty Images via AFP
Wilkins was already considered a dominant tackle against the run, but he also excelled against the air game this season with nine sacks and 61 pressures. These are not common statistics for tackles and he will land the moon.
7. Danielle Hunter, defensive end
Minnesota Vikings
29 years
Photo AFP
Despite a strikeout and a change in defensive scheme last season, Danielle Hunter responded with a season-high 16.5 sacks. He has proven to be an elite quarterback no matter what scheme he is used in.
8. Jaylon Johnson, cornerback
Chicago Bears
25 years
Photo Getty Images via AFP
Since last year, negotiations have been difficult between Johnson and the Bears, who even attempted to trade him. Great cornerbacks in their mid-20s are not uncommon, and whether he stays or goes, the end of the month after his next contract will never scare him.
9. Saquon Barkley, running back
New York Giants
27 years old
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This is another case where I could be criticized for positioning a player too high because he is a ball carrier, a devalued position. However, Barkley is a special player who can do anything on the field. If he's not too greedy, he can be a huge help to any team with a young quarterback.
10. Michael Pittman Jr., receiver
Indianapolis Colts
26 years
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The Colts really don't have the luxury of letting go of a 26-year-old receiver who caught 109 passes last season, especially with a young quarterback in Anthony Richardson who has little experience and needs to be solidly surrounded. Pittman is in charge at the negotiating table.
11. Tyron Smith, blocker
Dallas Cowboys
33 years
Photo AFP
The only question mark surrounding Tyron Smith is that he has missed at least three games per season (sometimes much more) for the last four years. When he plays, however, he remains a fortress. He's not getting any younger, but he can still have two or three great seasons.
12. Baker Mayfield, quarterback
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
29 years
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The ideal scenario would be Baker Mayfield returning to Tampa to continue what he started. He surprised everyone last season with 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns. The worst thing that could happen to him would be a fifth team in three years.
13. Calvin Ridley, receiver
Jacksonville Jaguars
29 years
Photo Getty Images via AFP
After a year off and a change of scenery in Jacksonville, Ridley performed well as a receiver. He passed for more than 1,000 yards and scored eight touchdowns. But is he the true number one the Jaguars are looking for?
14. Mike Onwenu, blocker
New England Patriots
26 years
Photo AFP
The Patriots have used Onwenu at various positions and last season he particularly stood out as a right tackle. He is only 26 years old and has proven that he can help solidify the line no matter what the needs are. It will be worth a lot.
15. Jonathan Greenard, defensive end
Houston Texans
27 years old
Photo Getty Images via AFP
Here's one who exploded with 12.5 sacks last season. Is it because of the teachings of DeMeco Ryan? Did the presence of Will Anderson Jr. help? Still, the marriage with the Texans appears to be successful and they have the resources to bring him back.
16. Kendall Fuller, cornerback
Washington commanders
29 years
Photo Getty Images via AFP
What will serve Fuller well on the market despite being nearly 30 years old is that he can play both inside and outside as a cornerback. He even has experience as a looter. Is he a real top? No, but it is very versatile.
17. Xavier McKinney, looter
New York Giants
25 years
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McKinney has it all. He has accounted for 11 turnovers in four seasons and had his best moments last fall with a 116-tackle season. He doesn't shy away from physical play. The only problem is that two of his four NFL seasons were sabotaged by injuries.
18. Leonard Williams, tackle
Seattle Seahawks
30 years
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The Seahawks traded away a second and fifth pick for half a season at the last trade deadline. He always excelled against the ground game and in Seattle he applied pressure in passing situations. Was he just a rental player at that price?
19. Patrick Queen, linebacker
Baltimore Ravens
25 years
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Queen has gained ground in pass coverage and applying pressure in recent seasons. However, after the lucrative contract with Roquan Smith, he became a luxury item in Baltimore. First round pick and at just 25 years old, he won't be long in coming.
20. Josh Jacobs, running back
Las Vegas Raiders
26 years
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Jacobs was a champion carrier with 1,653 rushing yards in 2022 and fell sharply last season with just 805 yards and a 3.5 per carry average. However, he is only 25 years old and is an excellent receiver.
21. DJ Reader, tackle it
Cincinnati Bengals
30 years
Photo AFP
DJ Reader is one of the league's good players to counter the ground game. He's doing great work for the Bengals, but the quadriceps tear he suffered in December is causing uncertainty in his case. This is anything but ideal when looking for a contract.
22. Stephon Gilmore, cornerback
Dallas Cowboys
33 years
Photo Getty Images via AFP
Before you get upset with Stephon Gilmore because of his age, 33, realize that he can still hold his own and that his physical style still allows him to battle against several big name receivers. It's about taking it easy with a fixed-term contract and a modest salary.
23. Chase Young, defensive end
San Francisco 49ers
25 years
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Chase Young was plagued by injuries in 2021 and 2022. When he moved to San Francisco last fall, he didn't shine. Some say he doesn't always have the heart to work, but he still has all the tools to wreak havoc.
24. Za'Darius Smith, winger/linebacker
Cleveland Browns
31 years
Photo Getty Images via AFP
The veteran looked pretty good alongside Myles Garrett in Cleveland last season, even if his sack percentage (5.5) doesn't reflect that. However, you shouldn't overpay a 31-year-old player who will be playing for his fourth team in four years.
25. Robert Hunt, guard
Miami Dolphins
28 Years
Photo AFP
Robert Hunt is another one of those offensive linemen who shows experience as both a guard and a blocker. He has been playing as a central defender for three years and this will be his nest for the future, being particularly effective on the ground.
26. CJ Gardner-Johnson, Marauder
Detroit Lions
26 Years
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Gardner-Johnson is difficult to evaluate because he joined the Lions in 2022 after a strong season in Philadelphia but missed almost the entire season due to injury. He is a master of provocation, a real pest and knows how to inspire the young people around him.
27. Bryce Huff, tight end/linebacker
New York Jets
26 Years
Photo Getty Images via AFP
The Bryce Huff case is very fascinating. There are few players like him who get 10 sacks in a reserve role. Is this a case of him being abused by the Jets and his full potential will blossom elsewhere, or did the Jets have their reasons for using him sparingly?
28. Marquise Brown, receiver
Arizona Cardinals
27 Years
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“Hollywood” Brown had his most disappointing season last fall with 51 receptions for 574 yards, but he remains a speed merchant and didn't have a steady season at quarterback last year in Arizona. He can still create sparks.
29. Derrick Henry, running back
Tennessee Titans
30 years
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King Henry has just celebrated his 30th birthday. Everything indicates that he has played his last game in Tennessee and will get a short-term contract. With 1,167 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns last season, he showed he still has miles to go despite engine wear.
30. Dalton Schultz, tight end
Houston Texans
28 years
Without being extremely dominant, Schultz is one of the good tight ends on the circuit. With four straight 500-plus yard seasons in various offensive systems, he is a quality weapon without necessarily being a first or second option at quarterback. He is a reliable addition to any attack.
AND THE OTHERS…
31. Kamren Curl, Marauder (Commanders)
32. Geno Stone, safety (Ravens)
33. Kyle Dugger, Marauder (Patriots)
34. Jadeveon Clowney, winger/linebacker (Ravens)
35. Chidobe Awuzie, cornerback (Bengals)
36. Frankie Luvu, linebacker (Panthers)
37. Steven Nelson, cornerback (Texans)
38. Lavonte David, linebacker (Buccaneers)
39. Lloyd Cushenberry, center (Broncos)
40. Josh Uche, winger/linebacker (Patriots)
41. Gabe Davis, receiver (Bills)
42. Bobby Wagner, linebacker (Seahawks)
43. Connor Williams, center (Dolphins)
44. Andre James, center (Raiders)
45. Leonard Floyd, winger/linebacker (Bills)
46. Jonah Williams, blocker (Bengals)
47. Tony Pollard, Running Back (Cowboys)
48. Mekhi Becton, blocker (Jets)
49. Kenny Moore II, cornerback (Colts)
50. Jordyn Brooks, linebacker (Seahawks)