Best Team Fits For The Top 25 NFL Free Agents [1-5]
If you missed the start of the countdown, head on over here for an explanation of how we put this list together and what rankings we're using. If you've already read the previous posts let's continue the countdown to the number one free agent available and where I think he should go.
5) Greg Hardy DE Carolina Pathers- Hardy is a tough case because he remains on the Commissioner's Exempt list for the time being until the league figures out whether or not they are going to punish him further. The NFL has said that he's free to sign with whatever team he'd like during the offseason. He's certainly got a ton of talent, with 34 sacks in his career and 26 over a two season span prior to last year. He's an elite pass rusher and would bring a lot to any team that signs him. The best fit would be a team that can survive without his services but would offer him plenty of opportunities to get after the passer. In this case I think the Bengals would be a perfect fit. They've made a habit out of revitalizing careers of players who have had off field issues.
4) Randall Cobb WR Green Bay Packers- Cobb is one of the best slot receivers in the league and he's only 26 years old, so it's a bit surprising to see him actually on the market as a free agent. He's coming off a 12 TD season with 91 catches and 1,287 yards in 2014. The market for him should be pretty big and he'll most likely have his choice of teams to go to. I think a team like the Chargers (who are rumored to be interested) would be a great fit. Slotting Cobb in alongside Keenan Allen and Malcolm Floyd would make for a dangerous combination for Phillip Rivers to throw to.
3) DeMarco Murray RB Dallas Cowboys- Murray had a phenomenal season in 2014 and were this any other era of football he'd be cashing in big on that. In today's game though running backs have been massively devalued. Murray will still have his share of suitors but the money won't be as big as it may have been in year's past. The biggest concern with Murray is his durability, up until last season he had never played in all 16 games. He's also coming off a season in which he toted the ball 392 times during the regular season and another 44 times in the playoffs. I think the Colts would be the perfect fit for Murray because they have the money to be able to lure him there and also have been looking for a running back to pair with Andrew Luck since they drafted him.
2) Darrelle Revis CB New England Patriots- Revis at this point doesn't need to chase the money. He got paid well to go to Tampa and got paid well again last season in New England. If winning is his top priority then he has to look no further than the team that he played for last season as the Patriots won the Super Bowl and would have a good chance at doing so again next season with much of the team still intact. If he's looking to return to New York where he started his career, the Jets certainly have the money to be able to bring him back.
1) Ndamukong Suh DT Detroit Lions- Suh is the second most dominant defensive lineman in the league behind JJ Watt. He's going to command Watt type of money in the free agent market. One thing that seems clear is that he wants to build his "brand" and be in a city that gives him a big enough platform to be able to do so. One place he's been linked to that would make a ton of sense is Miami. Warm weather, plenty of money coming his way and a large market would seem to check off every item on Suh's list. He would also be playing for a team that could easily make the playoffs next season.
Wherever these free agents end up, one thing is for sure. There will be a ton of movement. With a rising salary cap and multiple teams with a lot of room under the cap, it's going to be a spending spree. Let the NFL off-season begin.
Ryan Mayer is an Associate Producer for CBS Local Sports. Ryan lives in NY but comes from Philly and life as a Philly sports fan has made him cynical. Anywhere sports are being discussed, that's where you'll find him.
