MOVING RIGHT ALONG ...
... Or staying put? That's the question for the TOP 25 FREE AGENTS this off-season. SI runs down the open market and tries to imagine a best-fit home for the most coveted players
1. LE'VEON BELL
STEELERS RB
AGE: 24
His patient running style won't revolutionize the running back position because few, if any, players have his quickness and agility when changing pace. Factor in his receiving ability, and you have the best back in football.
Match Game: PIT, WAS, NYG
2. BRANDON WILLIAMS
RAVENS DT
AGE: 27
He's built to be a nose, but he's shown the athleticism and tenacity to thrive at 3-technique. If he's not one of the five highest-paid DTs this year, it's because some team got a steal.
Match Game: BAL, IND, DET
3. ERIC BERRY
CHIEFS SS
AGE: 28
A true multipurpose safety, he can play the run as a box linebacker or cover tight ends man-to-man, and he's adept in zone coverage both shallow or downfield.
Match Game: KC, CLE, WAS
4. A.J. BOUYE
TEXANS CB
AGE: 25
This safety-corner hybrid became a lockdown perimeter mugger against receivers on the defense's right side in 2016. No corner improved more over the last 12 months.
Match Game: TEN, GB, CHI
5. KAWANN SHORT
PANTHERS DT
AGE: 28
He offers burst off the snap, the strength to shed blocks and the nimble feet to get through chaotic trench warfare. Whichever team signs him will generate consistent interior pass-rush pressure.
Match Game: CAR, DET, CLE
6. CHANDLER JONES
CARDINALS DE
AGE: 26
He's not an explosive edge bender, but he compensates for that with his high football IQ, lanky build and refined mechanics.
Match Game: CLE, ARI, TB
7. MELVIN INGRAM
CHARGERS OLB
AGE: 27
Few players have his kind of explosive lateral movement, and that presents significant value on designer pass-rush concepts like stunts and twists.
Match Game: CIN, CLE, LAC
8. CALAIS CAMPBELL
CARDINALS DT
AGE: 30
He has the wingspan of a pterodactyl and the strength of a stegosaurus. Rare is the D-lineman who is as steadily destructive.
Match Game: ARI, CLE, IND
9. DESEAN JACKSON
REDSKINS WR
AGE: 30
He has the speed to change an entire passing attack: Safeties must roll their coverage over the top to him; 'backers and corners have to respect his run-after-the-catch speed.
Match Game: LAR, PHI, BUF
10. JARED COOK
PACKERS TE
AGE: 29
Green Bay was 10--3 in games he played in '16 and 2--4 in games he didn't. His ability to align anywhere creates a valuable domino effect of versatility for an offense.
Match Game: GB, NE, SF
11. KIRK COUSINS
REDSKINS QB
AGE: 28
He's not exactly elite—he needs a well-constructed system with defined reads in order to thrive. But how often do you find a quality starting QB on the open market? Almost never.
Match Game: WAS, SF, DEN
12. ALSHON JEFFERY
BEARS WR
AGE: 26
His availability is a concern—he's missed 17 games over the last five years, four to a PED ban in '16—but when he's on the field, he's as potent a downfield weapon as you'll find.
Match Game: CLE, SF, TEN
13. T.J. LANG
PACKERS G
AGE: 29
A sturdy multidimensional run blocker, he's also rock-solid in pass protection.
Match Game: LAR, GB, ARI
14. JASON PIERRE-PAUL
GIANTS DE
AGE: 28
JPP is a powerful pass rusher, capable of getting eight to 10 sacks, and he's even better against the run. His three mutilated fingers (from a '15 fireworks accident) are a concern, but he adjusted his game in '16 to compensate.
Match Game: NYG, WAS, IND
15. TRUMAINE JOHNSON
RAMS CB
AGE: 27
He has an excellent feel for defending off-coverage, especially against big receivers, and he's capable of tightening up to play straight man-to-man.
Match Game: LAR, TEN, GB
16. STEPHON GILMORE
BILLS CB
AGE: 26
Gilmore's long arms and physicality serve him very well outside. He lacked consistency in '16, but the raw talent is there.
Match Game: TEN, BUF, SF
17. DRE KIRKPATRICK
BENGALS CB
AGE: 27
He's prone to the occasional mistake, though those have been fewer and further between over time. Not many corners have his combination of length and hip fluidity.
Match Game: CIN, TEN, TB
18. DONT'A HIGHTOWER
PATRIOTS LB
AGE: 26
He's as sturdy as they come against the run, both in space and up on the line of scrimmage. He's also one of the game's best blitzers.
Match Game: NE, IND, WAS
19. TONY JEFFERSON
CARDINALS SS
AGE 25
A hidden gem, he's one of the best blitzing safeties in football, and he was terrific in man coverage against tight ends in '16, even when he was isolated on the perimeter.
Match Game: ARI, CLE, IND
20. RICKY WAGNER
RAVENS T
AGE: 27
Right tackle is a problematic position for many teams. Some team will see Wagner as an expensive but worthy insurance policy on its quarterback.
Match Game: BAL, TB, DET
21. TERRELLE PRYOR
BROWNS WR
AGE: 27
He improved in critical areas in year one as a wideout. He's no sure thing, but he has the size and athleticism to develop into a WR1.
Match Game: CLE, SF, TEN
22. MARTELLUS BENNETT
PATRIOTS TE
AGE: 29
His goofy disposition can distract from the fact that he's been in the league for nine years. A proven veteran, he remains a versatile receiver and a very willing run blocker.
Match Game: NE, GB, DET
23. SYLVESTER WILLIAMS
BRONCOS DT
AGE: 28
He's been kept out of the Denver spotlight by the likes of Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware, but this agile gap-plugger has been a big part of that D's success, particularly on early downs.
Match Game: DEN, DET, NO
24. BENNIE LOGAN
EAGLES DT
AGE: 27
He moves laterally with tremendous aplomb for a man of his size (6'2", 309). In the right scheme, he can help make a run D elite.
Match Game: PHI, NO, HOU
25. MICAH HYDE
PACKERS DB
AGE: 26
Great at nothing but sound at everything (including punt returns)—that kind of versatility can change a D's makeup, especially when you consider he can bring it from the slot, too.
Match Game: GB, WAS, IND
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