The 10 Best NFL Free Agents Still Available Michael Gartman (Founder, Senior Writer)Aug 25, 2014
We’re just a week and a half away from the start of the 2014 NFL regular season, but there are still some notable players with potential and big-play ability available in free agency. As teams continue to aggressively trim down their rosters (from 90 players to 75 by Tuesday and then down to 53 by Saturday), more and more talented players are hitting the open market.10. James Harrison, LB, Pittsburgh SteelersAn honorable mention on our list of the 10 best undrafted players in NFL history, the 2002 UDFA out of Kent State has racked up a total of 647 tackles with 66.0 sacks, 29 forced fumbles and six interceptions through 146 games (105 starts) with the Pittsburgh Steelers (2002-12) and Cincinnati Bengals (2013). Harrison, 36, was released by the Bengals after one season in Cincy back in mid-March.There has been next to no buzz on the five-time Pro Bowler this offseason, though Harrison has said he has no plans to hang up his cleats and wants to play “until the wheels off.” His most likely landing spot is back with the Steelers, where he spent the first 10 years of his NFL career. The two sides have reportedly had mutual interest and Harrison should be open to a minimum salary contract and still offers nice depth as a situational run stopper.9. Dustin Keller, TE, New York JetsFour months ago, Keller’s agent said the former 2008 first round pick (No. 30 overall) out of Purdue was “good to go” after tearing three ligaments and suffering a dislocation in a gruesome injury during the 2013 preseason.Over the weekend, Keller’s agent Eugene Parker updated his status,acknowledging his client isn’t ready for action just yet. “Dustin needs a little more time,” Parker said, via the Miami Herald.Keller, 29, drew offseason interest from the New England Patriots and the Dolphins haven’t ruled out re-signing the the 6-foot-2, 255-pound tight end to a low-risk, potentially high-reward deal.8. Johnny Jolly, DL, Green Bay PackersA former 2006 sixth round pick (No. 183 overall) out of Texas A&M, Jolly appeared in 48 games (39 starts) during his first four seasons with the Green Bay Packers (2006-09), racking up 113 tackles with a pair of sacks, a forced fumble and an interception.The colossal 6-foot-3, 325-pound lineman was out of the NFL the following three seasons after getting caught with possession and intent to sell codeine. Despite an initial six-year prison sentence, Jolly was granted early release with a 10-year shock probation.Jolly, 31, was reinstated into the league last spring and recorded 21 tackles and a sack through 12 games (eight starts) with the Packers before suffering a season-ending neck injury last December. Even though he hasn’t received any known interest on the open market this offseason, Jolly should gets some looks from around the league after recently receiving clearance from his January neck surgery.7. Richie Incognito, OG, Miami DolphinsDespite the well-documented red flags that come with the 30-year-old free agent, it’s important to note that Incognito has been to the Pro Bowl, a team captain and above-average on the field the last couple of seasons.The 6-foot-3, 319-pound guard made his first visit since the bullygate scandal on Monday with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports. If he can convince the Bucs’ front office that he’s learned from his past and actually manages to stay out of trouble, he would certainly be a valuable addition in Tampa Bay.Incognito, 31, offers plenty of experience and solid, consistent play to the table, having appeared in 102 games (all starts) since entering the league as a third round pick (No. 81 overall) in 2005 and receiving positive grades from Pro Football Focus each of the last six seasons. The Bucs’ interior O-line also seems to be the team’s Achilles heel right now, and Incognito’s reinstatement to the NFL isn’t expected to be a major huddle.6. Kevin Burnett, LB, Oakland RaidersBurnett was expected to compete for the starting job at weak-side linebacker with the Oakland Raiders, but was released from the team late last month because he wasn’t medically cleared. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound linebacker signed a two-year, $5.25 million deal with the club last March and was decent in his first season with the Silver and Black, barely earning a positive grade from Pro Football Focus and racking up 105 tackles with three forced fumbles, 2.5 sacks and an interception.Burnett, 31, started just seven games in his first five NFL seasons in Dallas and San Diego, racking up a total of 212 tackles with 6.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and one interception, which he returned for a touchdown.But the former 2005 second round pick (No. 42 overall) out of Tennessee has started every game over the last four seasons (2010-13), racking up 416 tackles with 13.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and four interceptions (two returned for touchdowns). Despite his struggles in pass coverage, Burnett has proven to be a solid run plugger and shouldn’t have any problem finding a new home when he’s healthy.5. Josh Freeman, QB, New York GiantsFreeman was released by the Giants after a six-week stint on Friday, May 30.The former 2009 first round pick (No. 17 overall) out of Kansas State has shown flashes of brilliance during his first five seasons, and young, experienced quarterbacks with big arms aren’t easy to find.Last August, Freeman was “in the same position as Jay Cutler, a talented but flawed quarterback who could follow Joe Flacco’s primrose path to a mega contract or wash out of the gutter as a journeyman in the fashion of Carson Palmer, Jason Campbell and Kevin Kolb,” according to NFL.com’s Chris Wesseling.Palmer is obviously coming off a pretty solid 2013 campaign, but it was still a relevant point.However, it was pretty evident that Freeman wasn’t a good fit in new Giants OC Ben Adoo’s quick-hitting West Coast offense. The 6-6, 240-pound signal-caller has also been very inconsistent throughout his career and really hurt his market value in 2013. In addition to a lack of consistency, Freeman’s once-promising career has also been affected by work ethic question marks.But in an effort to try to get his career back on track, Freeman has reportedly decided to start training with former Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden and noted QBs guru Terry Shea.He should find work relatively soon where he’ll battle for No. 2 or No. 3 QB duties, but his days as a starter may be over entering the 2014 season.4. Erin Henderson, LB, Minnesota VikingsThe former 2006 undrafted product out of Maryland was released by the Vikings in early February after getting arrested for DUI twice within a six-week span. But Henderson believes he’s turned a corner after spending a month in rehab this offseason and is eager for another chance in the NFL.“When I look back on it, I realize that’s not living,” Henderson said of his alcoholic addiction, via the USA Today. “That’s not life. … Life is not meant to just be coasted through.”Henderson has racked up 262 tackles with 8.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and a pair of interceptions in 43 games (33 starts) over the last three seasons with the Vikings. The versatile linebacker is also still in his prime at the age of 27 and there are still some teams that could really use his skills set. A logical landing spot would be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, since he’s a solid scheme fit for Lovie Smith’s defense and has plenty of history with new Bucs DC Leslie Frazier.3. Kyle Orton, QB, Dallas CowboysTaken in the same round of the same draft (No. 106 overall in 2005) as our No. 1 available free agent, Orton has completed 1,326 of 2,265 passes (58.5 percent) for 15,019 yards with an 83:59 TD-to-INT ratio through 75 games (70 starts) with the Chicago Bears (2005-08), Denver Broncos (2009-11), Kansas City Chiefs (2011) and Dallas Cowboys (2012-13).There have been some conflicting reports on whether Orton will hang up his cleats before the 2014 season. He’s still only 31-years-old and played really well in his first start since 2011 in last year’s season finale, firing on 30 of 46 passes (65.2 percent) for 358 yards in a hard-fought 24-22 loss to the division rival Philadelphia Eagles.2. Jermichael Finley, TE, Green Bay PackersThe former 2008 third round selection (No. 91 overall) out of Texas recently received full medical clearance from Pittsburgh Steelers team neurosurgeon Dr. Joseph Maroon, who performed Finley’s neck surgery.The 27-year-old tight end visited with the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers in late May and has drawn interest from the Oakland Raiders, though it’s worth noting that Finley could still fail teams’ physicals.Finley got off to a strong start with 25 receptions for 300 yards and three touchdowns in the first six weeks of his 2013 campaign and looked to be headed for another big contract before going down on injured reserve in a scary season-ending collision in Week 7, which he compared to a bad car accident.“In my mind, he’s a Green Bay Packer, hopefully,” Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said on Finley’s status earlier this summer, via NFL.com. “He’s going through a tough medical situation that we all recognize is a serious injury,” McCarthy continued. “My understanding is he’s doing everything and beyond to get himself ready, and we’ll continue to watch that.”1. Kerry Rhodes, SS, Arizona CardinalsIt’s unclear why Rhodes is still available and whether he’ll ever have another a chance at success in the NFL.The 6-foot-3, 212-pound strong safety was offered a contract at the end of his impressive 2012 campaign in which he collected 67 tackles with 11 pass breakups and four picks while grading out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 4 safety.But he turned it down and then proceeded to pour his energy into a production company, acting in a comedy series “Good Cop, Bike Cop” and rolling out some children’s fitness initiatives with his foundation.The former 2005 fourth round pick (No. 123 overall) out of Louisville believes that money—as opposed to the gay rumors—have hampered his inability to find a new home in free agency.“Every option for me is open, I haven’t retired,” Rhodes said in February, via ESPN.com. “It’s about me staying ready to go, I would probably have to take a deal right now, but if an opportunity that’s good for them and also good for me I would entertain it and want to come back and play. I still love football and it’s still a part of me. That’s not closed. But I’m not going to go into a situation where it’s not beneficial to myself. Because with the things I’m doing now I feel pretty comfortable and confident. It’s just what works best. But definitely haven’t closed that door yet.”In eight NFL seasons, Rhodes, 31, has racked up a total of 608 tackles with 13.0 sacks, eight forced fumbles and 23 INTs in 118 games (116 starts) with the New York Jets (2005-09) and Arizona Cardinals (2010-12).Honorable Mentions: LB Jonathan Vilma, SS Adrian Wilson, DL Alan Branch, OT David Stewart, CB Drayton Florence, DT Ryan Pickett, WR Jacoby Ford, DT Tommy Kellylink
