The best remaining NFL free agents

Antonio Brown had seemingly run out of chances in the NFL, after last year’s debacle of a season. Now the seven-time Pro Bowler is back in the free-agency spotlight.

Brown recently posted a video of a workout with Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. Brown has not only been linked with Wilson’s team in the offseason, but the Baltimore Ravens and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have allegedly considered signing Brown, as well.

While the wideout may be more liability than asset, he is one of the few high-profile players left to pick up in free agency.

With the 2020 season scheduled to begin in just two months, let’s look at the best free agents remaining on the market.

Jadeveon Clowney, DE

At the start of free agency, former No. 1 overall draft pick Jadeveon Clowney sought a contract worth $21 million per year, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The Cleveland Browns reportedly offered Clowney a deal around $17 million early on, but Clowney didn’t bite. Then, the Pro Bowl defensive end dropped his asking price, and the Browns came back with a $12 million offer.

The longer Clowney has sat on the market, the more money it has cost him. The Las Vegas Raiders, Tennessee Titans, and Seahawks are all interested in the 27-year-old, but they want a discount.

Clowney recorded a career-high 9 1/2 sacks in 2017 with Houston, then posted another nine in 2018. The Texans traded Clowney to Seattle in 2019, where he played 13 games and registered 31 tackles, three sacks, four forced fumbles, and one interception.

Logan Ryan, CB

When Logan Ryan hit the free agency market in March, the 29-year-old was coming off his best season since he entered the league in 2013. The former Titan tallied a career-best 113 tackles, 4 1/2 sacks, four forced fumbles, and four interceptions in 2019.

Ryan’s asking price is $10 million a year, but many teams see him as a nickel defensive back, and don’t want to pay that kind of money at that position.

The Lions’ Justin Coleman currently makes $9 million a year, the most by a nickel cornerback in the league.

Ryan has been linked to the Giants, Jets, Eagles, Dolphins, and Cowboys. He may not get the contract he is looking for, but he is expected to find a landing spot sometime soon, before the start of training camp.  

Everson Griffen, DE

Everson Griffen opted out of his contract with the Minnesota Vikings on Feb. 20 and is chasing after a larger salary with whichever team is willing to pay.

The four-time Pro Bowler has played his entire career in Minnesota and posted 41 tackles, eight sacks, and one interception in 2019, his 10th year in the league.

It’s possible Griffen could end up back on the Vikings’ roster, or he could sign with a team like Seattle, if the Seahawks don’t want to fork up the money for Clowney.

Larry Warford, OL

Since Warford joined the New Orleans Saints in 2017 (his fourth year in the NFL), he has earned a Pro Bowl nomination in each of the past three seasons.

In 2019, Warford allowed just two sacks and committed six penalties from 970 snaps. On May 8, the Saints released Warford, after the team used a first-round pick on Michigan lineman Cesar Ruiz.

There are several teams in need of help on the offensive line, such as Chicago, Washington, and Cleveland.

Philadelphia could also come calling to find a replacement for guard Brandon Brooks, who tore his ACL in June and will miss the 2020 season.

Jason Peters, OL

Jason Peters, 38, is a much-older option than the 29-year-old Warford, but with age comes experience.

Peters is a nine-time Pro Bowler who has dealt with injuries recently, though he’d still offer an upgrade for many teams struggling on the offensive line.

Last season, Peters played 13 games for Philadelphia. Through 872 offensive snaps, he surrendered three sacks and had 10 penalties called on him.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported multiple teams have their eye on Peters. He is a short-term signing who could supply instant relief to a Super Bowl contender, or a young team looking to rebuild.   

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