[h=1]Ranking the top 25 NFL free agents in Class of 2017[/h]John ClaytonESPN Senior Writer
The addition of four players who were franchised this offseason gives the 2017 free-agent class a boost.
Kirk Cousins, Eric Berry, Alshon Jeffery and Trumaine Johnson didn't reach long-term deals with their teams, and history says at least two of them will hit free agency while one will leave. From 2012 to 2015, 19 of 38 franchise players reached long-term deals with their teams. Of the 19 who didn't get long-term deals, 11 left for other teams.
The 2017 free-agency class will be filled with several players from the 2013 draft, which wasn't considered a particularly strong one. So far, only 16 draft choices from that year have made the Pro Bowl. Still, the class is interesting. Three players who were given the franchise tag this year rank among my top 10 free agents for next year.
One thing to remember: Many of the players on the list below won't make free agency in 2017 because their teams will lock them up to extensions or give them the franchise tag.
Here's my top 25:
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1. Kawann Short, DT, Carolina Panthers: Short has emerged as one of the top interior defensive linemen in football, but you would have to think the Panthers will get him signed or will be forced to franchise him next year. He'd command a $100 million-plus contract in free agency.
2. Tyrann Mathieu, S, Arizona Cardinals: Mathieu's impasse in contract talks with the Cardinals is because he wants to be paid like a top defensive player instead of being just the highest-paid safety in the league. What can't be ignored is how good he is when healthy.
3. Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints: It would be rare to see a potential Hall of Fame quarterback hit free agency, so expect the Saints to get a contract extension done. If not, the Saints can't use the franchise tag on Brees -- it's just too expensive.
4. Kirk Cousins, QB, Washington Redskins: Cousins turned down a deal worth $16 million per year from the Redskins, gambling on himself to repeat his success from 2015. If he succeeds, he will put his price tag into the $20 million-plus range.
5. Le'Veon Bell, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers: Bell is one of the best backs in the league, and he's heading into his prime. He is as good catching passes as he is running the ball. But he's coming off a season-ending knee injury and is now facing a drug suspension for the second straight year, which will depress his value.
6. Jamie Collins, LB, New England Patriots: Collins is among the best coverage linebackers in football, but he also has upside as a pass-rusher (5.5 sacks last season).
7. Calais Campbell, DE, Arizona Cardinals: Campbell is a dominating force along the Cardinals' line. He turns 30 in September, and it's vital the Cardinals sign him to a long-term deal.
8. Eric Berry, S, Kansas City Chiefs: It was surprising that the Chiefs couldn't strike a long-term deal with the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year. The challenge now that Berry's on the franchise tag is trying to get him to re-sign and not test the open market.
9. Chandler Jones, DE, Arizona Cardinals: Jones had two double-digit-sack seasons with the Patriots, and they traded him because he was going to be too costly to keep. It's now Arizona's job to sign him to a long-term deal.
10. Alshon Jeffery, WR, Chicago Bears: The Bears didn't want to pay Jeffery like a No. 1 receiver, but if he hits the market coming off the franchise tag, some team will give him top-wideout money.
11. Darius Slay, CB, Detroit Lions: Slay is developing into one of the better coverage cornerbacks in the league, and he's only 25. The Lions might be forced to franchise him if they can't get a long-term extension done.
12. Dont'a Hightower, LB, New England Patriots: It might be hard for the Patriots to sign both Collins and Hightower. They need to get one of their talented linebackers signed, and the other could be franchised.
13. Josh Sitton, OG, Green Bay Packers: A three-time Pro Bowler, Sitton has developed into a top-tier guard. He'll expect a big raise from his expiring five-year, $33.75 million deal.
14. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals: Fitzgerald's contract voids five days after the Super Bowl, and figuring out his value is fascinating. He has been one of the best receivers in his era, but next year he will be 33 with 13 years of NFL experience.
15. Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Denver Broncos: The Broncos struck long-term deals with linebackers Von Miller and Brandon Marshall, but recent deals signed by Keenan Allen and Doug Baldwinhave made the price of receivers jump, which will play into Sanders' negotiations.
16. Tyrod Taylor, QB, Buffalo Bills: Taylor proved last season that he can be an above-average starting quarterback. With a big season in 2016, he could get a long-term deal in Buffalo or from another team on the open market.
17. Latavius Murray, RB, Oakland Raiders: Murray rushed for 1,066 yards last season, and he should put up even bigger numbers in 2016 as he works behind one of the league's top offensive lines. Will the Raiders let him test free agency?
18. Melvin Ingram, LB, San Diego Chargers: Ingram finally played his first full season as a starter and put up 10.5 sacks. The Chargers, starved for talent on both sides of the ball, can't afford to lose him.
19. Brandon Williams, DT, Baltimore Ravens: Williams might be the least known of the rising 3-4 defensive linemen. His next contract will reflect how good he is; it could be massive.
20. Jabaal Sheard, DE, New England Patriots: The Patriots were able to trade Chandler Jones because they had Sheard, but Sheard now could be in line for a big payday if he has another productive season in New England.
21. David DeCastro, OG, Pittsburgh Steelers: DeCastro earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl last season, and he probably has many more ahead.
22. Kevin Zeitler, OG,Cincinnati Bengals: In free agency, Zeitler could command more than $8 million per year. The Bengals, however, likely will try to lock him up before he hits the open market.
23. Dontari Poe, DT, Kansas City Chiefs: Poe didn't make the Pro Bowl in 2015, but the two-time Pro Bowler is a stellar nose tackle. Can the Chiefs afford to hold on to Poe and Berry?
24. Trumaine Johnson, CB, Los Angeles Rams: Johnson felt fine about playing out the franchise tag for a season. He has a good chance of hitting free agency.
25. Stephon Gilmore, CB, Buffalo Bills: Gilmore has threatened to hold out of training camp because of his contract. He's likely to get a big extension from Buffalo.
[h=2]Best of the rest[/h]Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, New York Giants; Martellus Bennett, TE, New England Patriots; Bennie Logan, DT, Philadelphia Eagles; Eddie Lacy, RB, Green Bay Packers
The addition of four players who were franchised this offseason gives the 2017 free-agent class a boost.
Kirk Cousins, Eric Berry, Alshon Jeffery and Trumaine Johnson didn't reach long-term deals with their teams, and history says at least two of them will hit free agency while one will leave. From 2012 to 2015, 19 of 38 franchise players reached long-term deals with their teams. Of the 19 who didn't get long-term deals, 11 left for other teams.
The 2017 free-agency class will be filled with several players from the 2013 draft, which wasn't considered a particularly strong one. So far, only 16 draft choices from that year have made the Pro Bowl. Still, the class is interesting. Three players who were given the franchise tag this year rank among my top 10 free agents for next year.
One thing to remember: Many of the players on the list below won't make free agency in 2017 because their teams will lock them up to extensions or give them the franchise tag.
Here's my top 25:
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6. Jamie Collins, LB, New England Patriots: Collins is among the best coverage linebackers in football, but he also has upside as a pass-rusher (5.5 sacks last season).
16. Tyrod Taylor, QB, Buffalo Bills: Taylor proved last season that he can be an above-average starting quarterback. With a big season in 2016, he could get a long-term deal in Buffalo or from another team on the open market.
21. David DeCastro, OG, Pittsburgh Steelers: DeCastro earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl last season, and he probably has many more ahead.
[h=2]Best of the rest[/h]Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, New York Giants; Martellus Bennett, TE, New England Patriots; Bennie Logan, DT, Philadelphia Eagles; Eddie Lacy, RB, Green Bay Packers
