While big names like Ndamukong Suh and DeMarco Murray dominate any talk of free agency, if you want to build a championship team, you do it through the draft and by stealing young, talented players from other teams’ rosters. They know that too and that’s why these guys, maybe even more than players like Julius Thomas and Michael Crabtree, become some of the most coveted guys in the offseason.
The Quarterback
Ryan Mallett, 26, Houston Texans
2014: 54.7 completion percentage, 400 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions
Mallet is the only free agent quarterback worth looking at as a potential starter and the fact that the New England Patriots sent him packing to Houston isn’t an endorsement. The Texans did like what they saw in the one-and-a-half games he was healthy so any team that wants him will likely have to beat them in the open market.
Where he’ll probably end up: Houston Texans
I don’t see the Texans letting Mallett walk, especially since they’ll be drafting out of reach of the big two, Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota. Mallett, coming off an injury, won’t break the bank and they can likely sign him to a deal that makes him an easy cut if he doesn’t pan out.
The Running Back
Justin Forsett, 29, Batlimore Ravens
2014: 235 carries, 1,266 yards, eight touchdowns, 44 receptions, 263 yards
If Forsett was hitting the market 15 years ago he would be one of the hottest, and eventually highest-paid, players in this free agency period. As it is, he’ll still end up a rich man, just not as rich if the running back position wasn’t under-valued.
Where he’ll probably end up: Oakland Raiders
The Jaguars would be a logical place for Forsett to end up, but the literally already had their chance at him, signing him to a two-year deal in 2013 then cutting him last year because of injuries. They might have to bite the bullet and make a run at him again, but the Raiders are in the same position. A young quarterback needs a running game to take the pressure off and Forsett will plug right in as a starter in Oakland, becoming Derek Carr’s new best friend.
The Wide Receiver
Jeremy Maclin, 26, Philadelphia Eagles
2014: 85 catches, 1,318 yards, 10 touchdowns
Even though Maclin had a career year in 2014 and made the Pro Bowl, he’s still not on a lot of people’s radar. Maclin’s last two seasons were hampered by injuries, but he’s always produced when on the field and had a 10-touchdown season back 2010 too.
Where he’ll probably end up: Philadelphia Eagles
After showing DeSean Jackson the door and drafting Jordan Matthews out of Vanderbilt to replace him, the last thing the Eagles need to do is break up a potent receiving duo that’s just now breaking out.
The Offensive Linemen
Joe Barksdale, OT, 27, St. Louis Rams
After beginning his career in Oakland, Barksdale joined the Rams as a second-year back-up tackle in 2012 and has done nothing but improve since his plane landed in St. Louis. There aren’t a ton of talented tackles in this free agent class, but the draft is full of them so a team will have to feel that they have that need and the college tackles will be out of reach to beat the Rams out for Barksdale.
Where he’ll probably end up: St. Louis Rams
The Rams will draft one of those big tackles, almost assuredly, in the 2015 draft, but Barksdale is too young and too good to let out of town. The Rams have put the work in developing him from the street free agent they signed in 2012 and won’t easily let another team reap that reward.
Rodney Hudson, C, 25, Kansas City Chiefs
Hudson is the best young center on the market and has learned the position under a legitimate, consistent coaching staff for the last few years in Kansas City. He’s blocked for one of the best running backs in the league and one of the more efficient quarterbacks. Hudson is ready to cash in and Kansas City doesn’t have the money to keep him.
Where he’ll probably end up: St. Louis Rams
Rams center Scott Wells is already cut, even if he doesn’t know it yet and Hudson plugs right in, just moving a few miles across the same state.
Stefan Wisniewski, C, 25, Oakland Raiders
Wisniewski has started all but three games in his four-year career since being drafted out of Penn State in 2011. At 6-foot-3, 315-pounds Wisnieski is the prototype NFL center you would build in your Terminator Cloning lab and any team needing a guy to run the offensive line for the next decade can see it.
Where he’ll probably end up: Oakland Raiders
Wisneiwski has never known what it’s like to play for a winning team and that might be enough to get him out of Oakland, but the Raiders have tons of cap space and the last thing Jack Del Rio will want to do is let the good players already on his team go.
