The future of Dez Bryant will be interesting to watch. (Steve Flynn-USA TODAY Sports)
Cautionary tales of nosedived investments in NFL free agency are easier to find than triumphant tales.
There are players perceived as quick solutions to glaring weaknesses at most every position in the 2015 free-agent class before franchise designations became an option Monday.
Skill-position talent is supreme this spring.
NFL rushing leader and Offensive Player of the Year DeMarco Murray and Pro Bowl pass catchers Dez Bryant (Cowboys), Demaryius Thomas (Broncos), Randall Cobb (Packers) and Julius Thomas (Broncos) headline many shopping lists. Their current team can restrict the open-market options for each player with the transition or franchise tag.
At other positions, the talent is not as decorated. Consider the top quarterbacks on the market were not full-time starters in 2014 — Mark Sanchez (Eagles), Josh McCown (Buccaneers, released), Brian Hoyer (Browns), Ryan Mallett (Texans), Michael Vick (Jets) — and none would make the must-have classification.
Here is a position-by-position peek at the prime unrestricted free agents in 2015:
Quarterbacks
Brian Hoyer, Browns
Jake Locker, Titans
Ryan Mallett, Texans
Mark Sanchez, Eagles
Michael Vick, Jets
Top option: Sanchez. His experience as a starter gives him value. A penchant for turnovers and baffling inconsistency serve as notice to teams to his future is in a backup role.
Second tier: Jason Campbell, Browns; Matt Flynn, Packers; Blaine Gabbert, 49ers; Matt Hasselbeck, Colts; Tarvaris Jackson, Seahawks; Colt McCoy, Redskins; Christian Ponder, Vikings
Running backs
Ahmad Bradshaw, Colts
Justin Forsett, Ravens
Frank Gore, 49ers
Mark Ingram, Saints
DeMarco Murray, Cowboys
Top option: Murray. The NFL’s rushing leader might have hurt his own value with a nearly 500-touch season, playing in 18 games including the postseason. Because the draft class is rich at the position and Murray’s durability is no given, he will not break the bank.
Second tier: John Kuhn (FB), Packers; Ryan Mathews, Chargers; Darren McFadden, Raiders; Knowshon Moreno, Broncos; Stevan Ridley, Patriots; Jacquizz Rodgers, Falcons; Ben Tate, Steelers
Wide receivers
Dez Bryant, Cowboys
Randall Cobb, Packers
Jeremy Maclin, Eagles
Torrey Smith, Ravens
Demaryius Thomas, Broncos
Top option: Thomas. His age (27) and production — three consecutive seasons with 90-plus catches, 1,400-plus yards and 10-plus touchdowns — are near guarantees he won’t get out of Denver. Bryant and Cobb aren’t going anywhere, either.
Second tier: Kenny Britt, Rams; Michael Crabtree, 49ers; Santana Moss, Redskins; Eddie Royal, Chargers; Cecil Shorts, Jaguars; Reggie Wayne, Colts; Wes Welker, Broncos
Tight ends
Jermaine Gresham, Bengals
Rob Housler, Cardinals
Lance Kendricks, Rams
Julius Thomas, Broncos
Top option: Thomas. He’s a specialized tight end with speed and athletic ability to be a threat as a receiver and dominate in the red zone. Denver wants to keep him, but cash isn’t there.
Offensive linemen
Joe Barksdale (tackle), Rams
Bryan Bulaga (tackle), Packers
James Carpenter (guard), Seahawks
Doug Free (tackle), Cowboys
Rodney Hudson (center), Chiefs
Mike Iupati (guard), 49ers
Top option: Iupati. Mauling left guard is just 27 and could realistically play out a four- or five-year deal should he find his way to the open market. By far the 49ers’ top free agent.
Second tier: King Dunlap (OT), Chargers; Dominic Raola (C), Lions; Stefen Wisniewski (C/G), Raiders
Kickers
Matt Bryant, Falcons
Jay Feely, Bears
Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots
Mike Nugent, Jets
Matt Prater, Lions
Ryan Succop, Titans
Top option: Gostkowski. Reliable in a stadium not all that easy on kickers. RFA Justin Tucker (Ravens) could attract more attention.
Defensive end
Greg Hardy, Panthers
Jerry Hughes, Bills
Jason Pierre-Paul, Giants
George Selvie, Cowboys
Anthony Spencer, Cowboys
Top option: Pierre-Paul. A late-season push saved Pierre-Paul from a production standpoint. He’s a very good athlete who could strike it rich if teams are convinced the 26-year-old’s best years are in front of him.
Second tier: Kroy Biermann, Falcons; Osi Umenyiora; Falcons
Defensive tackle
Nick Fairley, Lions
Terrance Knighton, Broncos
Stephen Paea, Bears
Ndamukong Suh, Lions
Dan Williams, Cardinals
Top option: Suh. A wrecking ball who plays with tenacity, Suh will break the $100 million barrier if he chooses the highest bidder. Instantly upgrades any defense significantly.
Second tier: Jared Odrick, Dolphins; Kevin Vickerson, Chiefs
Linebackers
Bruce Carter (OLB), Cowboys
David Harris (ILB), Jets
Justin Houston (OLB), Chiefs
Rey Maualuga (ILB), Bengals
Pernell McPhee (OLB), Ravens
Jason Worilds (OLB), Steelers
Top option: Houston. With 22 sacks last season, Houston is not getting out of Kansas City unless a team dangles multiple draft picks in a trade. With that in mind, the top free agent is likely Worilds, who could be a difference-maker as a No. 2 rusher.
Second tier: Lance Briggs (O), Chiefs; Larry Foote (I), Cardinals; Mason Foster (I), Buccaneers; Dwight Freeney (O), Chargers; Brandon Graham (O), Eagles; Ronaldo McClain (I), Cowboys, Jabaal Sheard (O), Browns; Sean Weatherspoon (O), Falcons
Cornerbacks
Antonio Cromartie, Cardinals
Brandon Flowers, Chiefs
Byron Maxwell, Seahawks
Walter Thurmond, Giants
Tramon Williams, Packers
Top option: Maxwell. Dallas and Detroit are two teams expected to knock on Maxwell’s door early in free agency. They won’t be alone. With bigger fish to fry — namely new deals for Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch — he’s done in Seattle.
Second tier: Bradley Fletcher, Eagles; Ike Taylor, Steelers
Safety
Ryan Clark, Redskins
Louis Delmas, Dolphins
Devin McCourty, Patriots
Rahim Moore, Broncos
Antrel Rolle, Giants
Top option: McCourty. As a one-year option, 32-year-old Rolle makes good sense. For teams in need of a younger playmaker to lead the secondary — looking at you, Falcons, Bears and Bills — McCourty is a no-brainer. For the same reason, don’t bet on him getting out of the Patriots’ grasp.
Second tier: Marcus Gilchrist, Chargers; Charles Godfrey, Panthers; Brandon Meriweather, Redskins
