With only 8 teams still active in the 2013 NFL season, plenty of franchises have focused their efforts into the offseason. Who should stay? Who should go? And notably here, who might become available? We’ll take a look at players who stand out on the 2014 NFL free agent list (right now):
Quarterbacks
| Player | Team | Pos | 2013 Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Vick | PHI | 33 | $12,200,000 |
| Chad Henne | JAC | 28 | $4,150,000 |
| Matt Cassel | MIN | 31 | $3,700,000 |
Josh Freeman made north of $11 million in 2013 per his buyout in Tampa Bay and odd signing with the Vikings. Kellen Clemens kept a battered Rams team competitive and winning the second half of the 2013 season. Much the same can be said for Josh McCown, who nearly led the Bears into the postseason with a few incredible pinch-hit performances in Chicago.
Related: View all 2014 NFL Free Agent Quarterbacks
Running Backs
| Player | Team | Pos | 2013 Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maurice Jones-Drew | JAC | 28 | $6,800,000 |
| Darren McFadden | OAK | 26 | $9,685,084 |
| Knowshon Moreno | DEN | 26 | $3,287,000 |
Jones-Drew has been a great back on a poor team for much of his career in Jacksonville. We reported previously how much value still exists in his production, and it’s likely that at least one franchise throws a good chunk of money his way this offseason. Increased production from the Colts’ Donald Brown’s late in the 2013 season, and now into the postseason should keep teams interested this offseason. Career backups like Ben Tate may find new homes in 2014 as well.
Related: View all 2014 NFL Free Agent Running Backs
Wide Receivers
| Player | Team | Pos | 2013 Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anquan Boldin | SF | 33 | $6,000,000 |
| Josh Morgan | WAS | 28 | $5,100,000 |
| Jacoby Jones | BAL | 29 | $4,900,000 |
You’ll have to scroll awful far down this list to find what may be the best available option in Broncos’ WR Eric Decker. His $1.5M cap figure in 2013 ranks 16th on the list of available free agents. A forecast from March projected Decker at nearly $8.5M per year, a figure that has most likely grown through the 2013 season.
This is a list riddled with “1B” to “2” tier wide receivers, many who have battled injuries in their young careers. Jeremy Maclin (PHI), Hakeem Nicks (NYG), and Mario Manningham (SF) are all legitimate WR2s on most teams – but hold question marks over their durability and true value.
Packers wide receiver James Jones is an intriguing free agent. The 29 year old doesn’t have statistics across the board to stand out, but his ability to find the endzone and his ability to sync with an elite quarterback in Aaron Rodgers makes him a viable option should Green Bay decide to move on.
Related: View all 2014 NFL Free Agent Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
| Player | Team | Pos | 2013 Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jermichael Finley | GB | 26 | $8,750,000 |
| Dennis Pitta | BAL | 28 | $2,023,000 |
| Jimmy Graham | NO | 27 | $1,489,285 |
It’s hard to imagine it happening, but if Jimmy Graham hits the open market, he soars to the top of ALL free agent boards. Our recent projection for his new deal exceeds plenty of wide receivers in the NFL. Other notable tight ends on this list are coming off of injury-laden seasons. Dennis Pitta in Baltimore, Dustin Keller in Miami, and Jermichael Finley in Green Bay can all impact lineups if they can stay healthy.
Related: View all 2014 NFL Free Agent Tight Ends
Offensive Tackles
| Player | Team | Pos | 2013 Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Gross | CAR | 33 | $4,900,000 |
| Zach Strief | NO | 30 | $2,575,000 |
| Branden Albert | KC | 29 | $9,828,000 |
Gross has been a major factor in the improved year for Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers. Pro Football Focus has him rated the best availlable free agent lineman for 2014. Michael Oher also finds himself on this list. A down 2013 probably means the Ravens move on from him and resign Eugene Monroe (another notable free agent tackle).
Related: View all 2014 NFL Free Agent Offensive Tackles
Offensive Guards
| Player | Team | Pos | 2013 Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richie Incognito | MIA | 30 | $4,975,746 |
| Jon Asamoah | KC | 25 | $1,551,000 |
| Brian Waters | DAL | 36 | $1,500,000 |
While Incognito tops the list of 2013 cap figures among available guards, he by no means should be looked at as the top available option here. The Chiefs find both of their guards (Asamoah and Geoff Schwartz) near the top of this list, and will need to restructure cap space in order to bring them both back (not likely). 32 year old Travelle Wharton had an exceptional year in Carolina this season, and should draw top-dollar interest this offseason should the Panthers look elsewhere.
Related: View all 2014 NFL Free Agent Offensive Guards
Offensive Centers
| Player | Team | Pos | 2013 Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Mack | CLE | 28 | $5,032,000 |
| Roberto Garza | CHI | 34 | $2,125,000 |
| Evan Dietrich-Smith | GB | 36 | $1,500,000 |
Alex Mack had a secretly great year in a downward spiraling season for the Browns. At just 28 years old, it’s possible a maximum contract ($25M+) could be offered this offseason. It seems unlikely that Jay Cutler would lose his center (Garza) after being signed through the remainder of his career in Chicago.
Detroit Lions center Dominic Raiola is another notable name on this list. At 35 years old, he’ll be in the market for a 2-3 year deal to finish his career off with.
Related: View all 2014 NFL Free Agent Offensive Centers
