5 NFL free agents in line for a huge pay raise

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady calls out an audible at the line of scrimmage. (Photo by Mark Davison/Action Plus/Icon Sportswire)

Dan Halverson

February 24th, 2020

NFL free agency is set to kick off March 18, and in many cases, the rich are about to get richer. We've examined this year's impressive crop of talent and have found the undervalued players who are in line for the biggest pay raises this offseason.

5. Jack Conklin, OT ($2,617,862)

Conklin is the best tackle available in the free-agent market. He is a young and talented player at a critical position, and that gives him plenty of leverage for a big contract.

The Titans will likely spend free-agent money on quarterback Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry, which gives Conklin the opportunity to market his services across the league. Teams with offensive-line struggles but an opportunity to win now (like the Seahawks) might be interested in committing $60-$70 million to this young player.

He graded out as the 12th best tackle in the league and 5th best in run blocking last season, and that’s surely good enough to make him a lot of money.

On the other side of things... check out this pass set from Jack Conklin going against Vinny Curry. This looks soooooo much better than what we saw from him last year. Conklin has looked good in camp and that carried over in his brief appearance last night. pic.twitter.com/htPChZth1g
— Mike Herndon (@MikeHerndonNFL) August 9, 2019

4. Chris Jones, DT ($1,199,714)

The recent Super Bowl champion has been one of the better value contracts in the NFL in recent years. He has rated as a top-eight interior defensive lineman in each of the past three seasons. With his rookie contract concluded but still in the prime of his career, Jones is set to get a massive contract as an established, consistent player.

3. Ryan Tannehill, QB ($1,750,000)

Tannehill spent most of his career as a middling quarterback until 2019, when he took an impressive next step in professional development and led the Titans to the AFC Championship Game.

Tannehill’s 117.5 passer rating in 2019 led all quarterbacks in the NFL, and the Titans would be foolish to think his prolonged performance was a flash in the pan. Tannehill has all the physical tools and demonstrated he can be an elite quarterback who deserves an elite quarterback’s salary.

Though he didn’t begin the season as the starter, Ryan Tannehill is ready to finish it with a playoff berth for the @Titans. pic.twitter.com/ixNJWNOOst
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 29, 2019

2. Dak Prescott, QB ($2,025,000)

Prescott has dealt with the most drama of any player waiting for a new contract headed into 2020, as it dominated much of the conversation, even during the regular season, around the Dallas Cowboys.

Despite the press and uncertainty, and the Cowboys’ second-half struggles, Prescott had his most successful season and statistically demonstrated he can be a top NFL quarterback. He averaged more than 306 yards per game and threw 30 touchdowns for the first time in his career. Despite the head-fakes and question marks that have existed from a negotiating perspective, Prescott likely performed well-enough in 2019 to earn a lucrative contract.

1.Tom Brady ($14,000,000)

Brady is considered by many to be the “GOAT,” and he has little left to prove. But Brady isn’t ready to hang up his cleats and is set to play in 2020 under new contract terms. While the Patriots appear the most likely team to retain his services, there’s no doubt he will command a deserved high price to be the starting quarterback wherever he ends up.

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