Rodgers is looking for a stronger commitment from the Packers following their first-round selection of Jordan Love. Currently, he’s slated to make $22.35MM, $25.5MM, and $25.5MM in each of the next three seasons.

At the time of signing in 2018, Rodgers’ four-year, $134MM extension positioned him as the NFL’s highest-paid player of all-time. Today, that’s good for just fifth among quarterbacks. At the age of 37, the likely MVP recipient wants a deal to reflect his status and solidify his relationship with the Packers.

The Packers should be incentivized to rework his deal too. Currently, Rodgers is slated to carry a $37MM cap figure for 2021 — a new deal could smooth out the hit while giving Rodgers a pay bump.

Since taking over as the starter for the Packers in 2008, Rodgers has thrown for 312 touchdowns (the second most in the league) and led the Packers to the playoffs in eight seasons out of ten.

As such, there is often a “mini-surge” of free agents signed after June 1, as teams are attaching more and more value to their compensatory picks. However, the important thing to keep in mind is that signing players whose contracts did not expire naturally–in other words, players who were released–does not impact the compensatory pick formula anyway. Those players, then, will not necessarily be impacted by the June 1 date.

As the offseason progresses and as players get injured and coaches reevaluate their rosters, released players like Santonio Holmes, Asante Samuel, James Harrison, Richie Incognito, and Michael Bush may find an opportunity. But teams are not going to pay any more attention to them simply because June 1 has arrived. With that said, here are a few of the top free agents whose contracts expired naturally and who will therefore receive more interest simply because of today’s date:

1. Jermichael Finley: Finley recently received full medical clearance to play and had a free agent visit lined up with a “mystery team” on Friday. Given his athletic abilities and the fact that he is in the prime of his career, Finley may find work sooner rather than later despite his injury history. The Patriots make a good deal of sense, considering how thin they are at tight end behind Rob Gronkowski, who of course has major health concerns of his own. Some have speculated that New England is, in fact, the aforementioned “mystery team.”
2. Kevin Williams: the long-time Viking still offers value as a run-stopper in the interior of a defensive line, and he visited the Giants and Seahawks this offseason, but he has stated he will consider retirement if he does not get an offer he likes.
3. Eric Winston: Winston played very well for the Texans for a number of years, but he was released by the team in 2012, and he was cut by the Chiefs in 2013 after just one season in Kansas City. He did not impress after signing a one-year deal with the Cardinals last season, but he may still find a team that will give him a chance to start. The Ravens have been mentioned as a natural fit because of their lack of experience at right tackle and Winston’s familiarity with Baltimore’s new offensive coordinator, Gary Kubiak.
4. Terrell Thomas: Thomas played fairly well in 2013 after back-to-back torn ACLs, and he recently visited with the Lions and Patriots. Teams looking for a third corner could do much worse. Other veteran cornerbacks who teams might also look to include Drayton Florence and Quentin Jammer.
5. Brett Keisel: Kesiel’s age (he will turn 36 in September) and recent struggles with injuries limit his market, but he did post four sacks and fair PFF grades last season. He could certainly offer veteran leadership and some pass rush capabilities to someone’s defensive line. Although Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin did not rule out a reunion with Keisel, it is unclear if other members of the Steelers brass are interested in Keisel’s return.

On the offensive side of the ball, Jermichael Finley is certainly the most intriguing player available. The 6-5 tight end caught 55 passes for 767 yards and eight touchdowns in 2011, following by a solid 2012 campaign. He appeared in only six games this past season after suffering a spinal cord injury.

Teams may also be interested in former Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes. He has only appeared in 15 games over the past two seasons, but he was certainly a productive wideout prior to that. On the line, two-time Pro Bowler Davin Joseph seemed to have recovered nicely from a 2012 knee injury, appearing in all 16 games this past season.

Linebacker James Anderson led the 2013 Bears in tackles, but has yet to sign with a team. The 30-year-old had compiled more than 100 tackles in three of the last four seasons. Six-time Pro Bowler Kevin Williams is also on the market. The big defensive tackle is certainly slowing down, but he still appeared in 15 games for the Vikings last season. In the secondary, Terrell Thomas could be a good option for teams lacking depth. Thomas returned from ACL tears in 2011 and 2012 and ultimately played 16 games for the Giants.

Who do you think is the best remaining free agent? Did I forget anybody? Let us know in the comments.

In some cases, teams have added one or two extra rookie free agents to their group after announcing their initial class, so we’ve tried to keep those moves contained to the same post in which we initially passed along the team’s UDFA class, wherever possible.

Check out the list below to find your favorite team’s undrafted free agent signings:

AFC East

• Buffalo Bills
• Miami Dolphins
• New England Patriots
• New York Jets

AFC North

• Baltimore Ravens
• Cincinnati Bengals
• Cleveland Browns
• Pittsburgh Steelers

AFC South

• Houston Texans
• Indianapolis Colts
• Jacksonville Jaguars
• Tennessee Titans

AFC West

• Denver Broncos
• Kansas City Chiefs
• Oakland Raiders
• San Diego Chargers

NFC East

• Dallas Cowboys
• New York Giants
• Philadelphia Eagles
• Washington Redskins

NFC North

• Chicago Bears
• Detroit Lions
• Green Bay Packers
• Minnesota Vikings

NFC South

• Atlanta Falcons
• Carolina Panthers
• New Orleans Saints
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NFC West

• Arizona Cardinals
• San Francisco 49ers
• Seattle Seahawks
• St. Louis Rams

Restricted free agency applies to players who have exactly three accrued seasons, meaning they’ve been on a full pay scale for at least six regular-season games in three years in the NFL. Players with fewer than three accrued seasons and no contract are exclusive rights free agents, while players with four or more accrued seasons are eligible for unrestricted free agency. For draftees, the default rookie contract runs for four years, meaning those players will generally be unrestricted free agents when their original deals expire.

As such, restricted free agents are generally players who aren’t coming off traditional rookie contracts. Baldwin, Bell, Broncos cornerback Tony Carter, and Lions running back Joique Bell are among the notable players who were restricted free agents this offseason, and all four guys went undrafted out of college.

As the name suggests, restricted free agency limits players from negotiating freely with all potential suitors. Unsigned players don’t become restricted free agents by default after their third accrued season — the player’s previous club must extend the player a qualifying offer, also known as a restricted free agent tender, to ensure that the player doesn’t become unrestricted. The amount of that offer varies depending on how much the team is willing to pay for one year of the player’s service, and how much the player made in the previous season. For instance, in 2014, the RFA tender amounts were the following amounts, or 110% of the player’s previous salary, whichever is greater:

• $3.113MM – First round tender
• $2.187MM – Second round tender
• $1.431MM – Original round tender
• $1.2MM – Right of first refusal only

All four tender amounts give the player’s previous club the right to match any offers for the player, so the difference in the offers – besides the salary – is related to the compensation the team would receive if the player signed with another team. For example, Baldwin received a second-round tender worth $2.187MM from the Seahawks. That means that if the veteran receiver signed an offer sheet with another team, Seattle would receive a second-round pick from that club.

Given the compensatory picks tied to those top two tenders, we typically see teams pursue RFAs who received the lower tenders. For example, Andrew Hawkins reportedly received a $1.431MM tender from the Bengals prior to free agency. Had Hawkins been, for instance, a fifth-round pick, the Browns would have had to give up a fifth-rounder of their own when they poached the wideout from their division rival. Because Hawkins was an undrafted free agent though, the Bengals maintained the right of first refusal, but didn’t receive a compensatory pick when they decided not to match the offer.

After a player signs an offer sheet, his previous team has five days to decide whether or not to match that offer, which is why leave sheets must be signed at least five days before the draft to ensure that draft pick compensation gets resolved in time. If Baldwin or Bell were to sign an offer sheet today, the Seahawks or Panthers could pick up an extra second-round pick next week by declining to match that offer. Typically, that draft-pick cost is too steep for potential suitors, so it’s more likely we’ll see Baldwin and Bell simply accept their one-year tenders, earn $2.187MM salaries in 2014, and be eligible to hit the unrestricted market in 2015.

The rules of restricted free agency apply to players as long as that qualifying offer remains in play, but teams can withdraw the QO at any time, making the player an unrestricted free agent. Additionally, restricted free agents are eligible for the franchise tag, which creates a sort of heightened version of restricted free agency — salaries are larger for franchise players, and the price tag for rival clubs to sign away a franchise player is two first-round draft picks, which is why we haven’t seen any action on Jimmy Graham this offseason.

As for exclusive rights free agency, which I mentioned earlier, it’s a more strict form of restricted free agency as well, one that essentially removes any “free agency” from a player’s decision. It applies to players with less than three accrued seasons. If a player receives an exclusive rights free agent tender from his club – which is almost always worth the minimum salary – he must either accept the offer or not play in the NFL. He’s not eligible to negotiate with any other teams.

Note: This is a PFR Glossary entry. Our glossary posts will explain specific rules relating to free agency, trades, or other aspects of the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. Information from OverTheCap.com was used in the creation of this post.

Given how players at a handful of key positions dominated those lists from the weekend, it’s worth breaking things down a little differently, and checking in on how players at other spots did in free agency. In the list below, you’ll find the top 2014 free agent contracts by overall value, per-year value, and fully guaranteed money, sorted by position.

The players below are listed under the position they played most last season, even if their new teams don’t necessarily plan to play them at that specific spot — this can often be the case with linebackers, as well as offensive and defensive linemen. Additionally, a player’s total contract amount is considered to be the deal’s base value, not including incentives. Players who re-signed with their previous teams before free agency opened also weren’t considered.

With the help of OverTheCap.com’s free agent tracker, here are the largest 2014 free agent contracts by position:

Quarterback:

• Overall: $10.5MM, Matt Cassel (Vikings)
• Per year: $5.25MM, Cassel
• Guarantee: $5.65MM, Cassel

Running back:

• Overall: $10.5MM, Donald Brown (Chargers), Toby Gerhart (Jaguars)
• Per year: $4MM, Chris Johnson (Jets)
• Guarantee: $4.5MM, Gerhart

Wide receiver:

• Overall: $36.25MM, Eric Decker (Jets)
• Per year: $8MM, DeSean Jackson (Redskins)
• Guarantee: $16MM, Jackson

Tight end:

• Overall: $16MM, Brandon Pettigrew (Lions)
• Per year: $4MM, Pettigrew
• Guarantee: $5.2MM, Pettigrew

Offensive tackle:

• Overall: $47MM, Branden Albert (Dolphins)
• Per year: $9.4MM, Albert
• Guarantee: $20MM, Albert

Offensive guard:

• Overall: $31,347,233, Rodger Saffold (Rams)
• Per year: $6,269,447, Saffold
• Guarantee: $11MM, Saffold

Center:

• Overall: $42MM, Alex Mack (Browns)
• Per year: $8.4MM, Mack
• Guarantee: $18MM, Mack

Defensive tackle:

• Overall: $32MM, Paul Soliai (Falcons)
• Per year: $6,875,250, Henry Melton (Cowboys)
• Guarantee: $12.5MM, Linval Joseph (Vikings)

3-4 defensive end:

• Overall: $33MM, Arthur Jones (Colts)
• Per year: $6.6MM, Jones
• Guarantee: $10MM, Jones

4-3 defensive end:

• Overall: $43.75MM, Michael Johnson (Buccaneers)
• Per year: $10MM, DeMarcus Ware (Broncos)
• Guarantee: $19.8MM, Everson Griffen (Vikings)

3-4 outside linebacker:

• Overall: $11.455MM, Brian Orakpo (Redskins)*
• Per year: $11.455MM, Orakpo
• Guarantee: $11.455MM, Orakpo

4-3 outside linebacker:

• Overall: $6.25MM, Dekoda Watson (Jaguars)
• Per year: $2.1MM, Vincent Rey (Bengals)
• Guarantee: $1.5MM, Watson

Inside linebacker:

• Overall: $24MM, Karlos Dansby (Browns)
• Per year: $6MM, Dansby
• Guarantee: $12MM, Dansby

Safety:

• Overall: $54MM, Jairus Byrd (Saints)
• Per year: $9MM, Byrd
• Guarantee: $18.3MM, Byrd

Cornerback:

• Overall: $57MM, Aqib Talib (Broncos)
• Per year: $16MM, Darrelle Revis (Patriots)
• Guarantee: $15MM, Vontae Davis (Colts)

Kicker:

• Overall: $12MM, Nick Folk (Jets)
• Per year: $3.067MM, Phil Dawson (49ers)
• Guarantee: $3.35MM, Steven Hauschka (Seahawks)

Punter:

• Overall: $5.5MM, Donnie Jones (Eagles)
• Per year: $1,833,333, Jones
• Guarantee: $1MM, Jones

* Orakpo accepted and signed a one-year franchise tender from the Redskins, though the two sides may still work out a longer-term deal that reduces the 2014 amount.

The first player on Klis’s list is Vikings‘ defensive end Everson Griffen, who will earn $13MM in 2014 despite only getting 5.5 sacks last season. The Falcons‘ Paul Soliai (5 year/$32 MM, $11MM in ’14) and Tyson Jackson (5 years/$25MM, $9.5MM), the Bears‘ Lamarr Houston (5 years/$35MM, $9MM) and the Jaguars‘ Toby Gerhart (3 years/$10.5MM, $4MM) round out his top-five.

Of course, this list doesn’t include some of the more high-profile contracts dished out this offseason, and those are often the contracts that are the most scrutinized. Eric Decker inked a five-year, $36.25MM deal including $15MM guaranteed with the Jets. The 27-year old has certainly had a handful of good seasons with the Broncos, but it’s unknown if he can lead a receiving core.

On defense, DeMarcus Ware got $20MM guaranteed from the Broncos even though the player will soon be 32. Darrelle Revis struggled in 2013 but still got $16MM to play with the Patriots for a season. We also can’t forget about Aqib Talib, who signed the largest contract based on overall base value at $57MM over six years.

Finally, there’s offensive tackle Branden Albert, who got $20MM guaranteed from the Dolphins. It wouldn’t be a list unless I added in the player who’ll be guaranteed to take home the most money.

Combining Klis’s top-five with my list of notable free agents signed to large contracts, who do you think was the most overpaid this offseason? Did I forget somebody? Are you offended by one of my suggestions? Sound off in the comment section.

As Talib’s case exhibits, total overall value isn’t necessarily the best way to evaluate which free agent contracts were the most lucrative signed in a given offseason. But if we combine it with other factors and variables, it can help provide a more complete picture.

So rather than just looking at the 2014 free agent contracts with the largest overall value, let’s break down the deals with the most fully guaranteed money and the highest per-year value as well. With the help of OverTheCap.com’s free agent tracker, here are the top 10 contracts in each category signed by the members of the 2014 free agent class (not including deals signed prior to free agency):

Largest contracts by overall base value:

1. Aqib Talib (CB, Broncos): $57MM, six years
2. Jairus Byrd (S, Saints): $54MM, six years
3. Branden Albert (OT, Dolphins): $47MM, five years
4. Michael Johnson (DE, Buccaneers): $43.75MM, five years
5. Everson Griffen (DE, Vikings): $42.5MM, five years
6. Alex Mack (C, Browns): $42MM, five years
7. Eugene Monroe (OT, Ravens): $37.5MM, five years
8. Eric Decker (WR, Jets): $36.25MM, five years
9. Vontae Davis (CB, Colts): $36MM, four years
10. (tie) Jared Veldheer (OT, Cardinals), Lamarr Houston (DE, Bears), Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (CB, Giants): $35MM, five years

Largest contracts by per-year average:

1. Darrelle Revis (CB, Patriots): $16MM
2. DeMarcus Ware (DE, Broncos): $10MM
3. Aqib Talib (CB, Broncos): $9.5MM
4. Branden Albert (OT, Dolphins): $9.4MM
5. (tie) Jairus Byrd (S, Saints), Vontae Davis (CB, Colts): $9MM
6. Michael Johnson (DE, Buccaneers): $8.75MM
7. Julius Peppers (DE, Packers): $8.667MM
8. Everson Griffen (DE, Vikings): $8.5MM
9. Alex Mack (C, Browns): $8.4MM
10. (tie) DeSean Jackson (WR, Redskins), Jared Allen (DE, Bears): $8MM

Largest contracts by fully guaranteed money:

1. Branden Albert (OT, Dolphins): $20MM
2. Everson Griffen (DE, Vikings): $19.8MM
3. Eugene Monroe (OT, Ravens): $19MM
4. Jairus Byrd (S, Saints): $18.3MM
5. Alex Mack (C, Browns): $18MM
6. DeMarcus Ware (DE, Broncos): $16.5MM
7. (tie) Michael Johnson (DE, Buccaneers), DeSean Jackson (WR, Redskins): $16MM
8. Jared Allen (DE, Bears): $15.5MM
9. (tie) Vontae Davis (CB, Colts), Eric Decker (WR, Jets): $15MM
10. Linval Joseph (DT, Vikings): $12.5MM

Since we published that piece, a pair of veteran safeties – Danieal Manning and Patrick Chung – have agreed to deals, while another (Rafael Bush) signed an offer sheet. Still, plenty of free agent defenders remain on the market. Let’s highlight a few of them….

Defensive Ends:

There are a handful of 2013 starters among the group of available defensive ends, but not all those starters are created equal. Jason Hunter and Daniel Te’o-Nesheim, for instance, logged 600+ defensive snaps for their respective clubs last season, but both ranked in the bottom five qualified 4-3 defensive ends, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Meanwhile, longtime starters Will Smith and Anthony Spencer are recovering from an ACL tear and microfracture surgery, respectively, so betting on the two former Pro Bowlers to return to peak form in 2014 seems unwise.

Perhaps the most interesting name in this group is Brett Keisel, another former Pro Bowler who logged four sacks and modest PFF grades for the Steelers in 2013. He’ll turn 36 in September, which helps explain why he hasn’t found a new home yet, but he could still help fortify a defensive line, particularly in a part-time role.

Defensive Tackles:

After 11 seasons in Minnesota, which included five All-Pro nods, Kevin Williams doesn’t appear likely to continue his career with the Vikings, but he’s still an above-average run-stopper and could be a nice piece for a team in need of interior line help.

Among the other notable names at this position: A pair of ex-Packers in Johnny Jolly and Ryan Pickett, longtime Niner Isaac Sopoaga, and Colin Cole and Aubrayo Franklin, neither of whom were difference-makers last season in 300+ defensive snaps. Kyle Love is also worth keeping an eye on — after a couple solid seasons with the Patriots in 2011 and 2012, he was diagnosed with Type-2 diabetes and cut by the team before the 2013 regular season. Love is a bounce-back candidate if he’s healthy.

Outside Linebackers:

Teams willing to roll the dice on a veteran who is past his prime but could still contribute have a couple solid options here in James Harrison and Will Witherspoon — neither player should be a full-time starter in 2014. Ernie Sims, Rocky McIntosh, and Michael Boley fall into a similar boat. They aren’t as old as Harrison or Witherspoon, but their resumés also aren’t as impressive, and their starting days are probably behind them.

Marvin Mitchell, James Anderson, and Stephen Nicholas are a few of the other players to watch here.

Inside Linebackers:

London Fletcher hasn’t 100% committed to retirement yet and considering he hasn’t missed a start since 2000, it’s probably best to keep him on the list of possibilities to be safe. However, he’ll turn 39 next month and doesn’t seem likely to play in 2014.

Age is also a concern for Paris Lenon, who turns 37 in November, and there will be questions about the health of veterans Larry Foote and Jonathan Vilma, who both spent most of the 2013 season on injured reserve. Throw in a torn MCL for Nick Barnett and off-field concerns for Erin Henderson, and there are certainly no slam dunks in this group. 27-year-old Pat Angerer may be the most appealing name here, but he’s certainly no beacon of good health himself.

Cornerbacks:

Champ Bailey doesn’t appear quite ready to change positions or retire quite yet, and the future Hall-of-Famer certainly represents the biggest name on the market. Still, there are a few other noteworthy veterans here: Jabari Greer, Quentin Jammer, Asante Samuel, Rashean Mathis, Drayton Florence, and Dunta Robinson are among them.

Corey Webster and Josh Wilson are among the other players on the market who have extensive starting experience, but my favorite potential bargain buy might be Terrell Thomas, who returned admirably from back-to-back torn ACLs in 2013.

Safeties:

Safety is perhaps the deepest defensive position in free agency, even after Manning, Chung, and Bush came off the market. According to Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required), Steve Gregory, Ed Reed, and Quintin Mikell had the best 2013 seasons among this group, but there are plenty of other longtime starters or players with upside here.

Thomas DeCoud, Reed Doughty, and Major Wright are reportedly drawing some interest this week. Meanwhile, Mike Adams, Yeremiah Bell, Michael Huff, and Jim Leonhard have a combined 341 NFL starts to their names, for clubs in search of veteran experience.

Over the next two days, we’ll take a look at some of the more intriguing free agents still on the board, starting today with offensive players. Let’s dive in…

Quarterbacks:

When free agency opened, we questioned whether any members of this year’s quarterback class would even land a starting job. Josh McCown appears to have done so with the Buccaneers and Michael Vick may have the inside track with the Jets, but now that the market has dried up, there aren’t many reliable backups left, let alone guys with starting potential.

Among the notable names still on the board: Matt Flynn, who looks like a decent bet to rejoin the Packers; Rex Grossman, who could be destined for a reunion with Kyle Shanahan in Cleveland; and Josh Freeman, who is waiting to see if any team is willing to bet on the upside and promise he displayed prior to 2013.

Running Backs:

As we’ve seen so far this offseason, it’s more profitable to be a free agent kicker in the NFL these days than a free agent running back. When even 2014’s top free agents like Ben Tate, Maurice Jones-Drew, and Rashad Jennings are only seeing very modest paydays, there isn’t much hope for the guys still on the board.

Still, perhaps a few of the remaining players can at least eke out salaries worth more than the minimum. Andre Brown looks to me like the most interesting back available, though there are a handful of capable veteran backups out there, including Michael Bush, Willis McGahee, Felix Jones, and Justin Forsett. Clubs in the market for a fullback could also kick the tires on John Kuhn, Vonta Leach, and Le’Ron McClain, among others.

Wide Receivers:

This group gets significantly less interesting with Jackson having committed to the Redskins, but there are plenty of noteworthy names here. For teams in need of a high-character veteran who can play out of the slot, Nate Burleson or Jason Avant could be of interest. For clubs looking for a veteran with slightly more playmaking ability, Miles Austin and Santonio Holmes have appeal, and Earl Bennett may be worth a shot. A franchise looking to roll the dice on a player with a higher ceiling could target Sidney Rice.

Additionally, it’s worth mentioning Doug Baldwin, who has yet to garner much reported interest after receiving a restricted tender offer from the Seahawks. We haven’t seen many teams target other players’ restricted free agents this offseason, but the one RFA who signed a surprisingly lucrative offer sheet was also a receiver (Andrew Hawkins). Baldwin, who is still just 25 years old, likely won’t draw a similar offer, since it would cost a draft pick to sign him, but he’s worth keeping an eye on.

Tight Ends:

Two of the players who opened the offseason among the top five tight ends available, Jimmy Graham and Jermichael Finley, are still available, though neither player is generating a whole lot of excitement. If there was a team considering making a run at Graham and giving up the two first-round picks he would cost, I imagine that club has decided by now to pass. As for Finley, he has upside, but he needs to be fully cleared following his spinal injury first.

It’s more likely we’ll see guys like Ed Dickson and Owen Daniels come off the board before those two bigger names. Dustin Keller, Kellen Winslow, and Jeff King are among the other tight ends still without a team.

Tackles:

Tyson Clabo, Tony Pashos, and Byron Bell were regular starters at right tackle for their respective clubs in 2013, and all three were passable. Bell is a restricted free agent who seems likely to return to Carolina, while Clabo and Pashos may be having trouble finding a club with an open starter’s job.

Eric Winston, Ryan Harris, and Bryant McKinnie are among the other options on the market, and it should just be a matter of time until all three find work.

Guards:

Offseason cuts have added some talent to this group, with players like Uche Nwaneri and Daryn Colledge hitting unrestricted free agency after becoming cap casualties for their respective teams. Garrett Reynolds and Wade Smith should draw some interest as well, and there would probably be plenty of teams willing to bring aboard Brian Waters or Travelle Wharton if they decide to continue their playing careers.

One wild card here, of course, is Richie Incognito, whose involvement in the Dolphins’ bullying scandal has made teams reluctant to even express interest. I think we’ll probably see Incognito back in the NFL at some point, but whether or not that happens this year remains to be seen.

Centers:

Two of my top three free agent centers remain available, though one (Alex Mack) has been saddled with the transition tag by the Browns. That tag means the Browns retain the right to match any rival offer, so Mack appears likely to remain in Cleveland. The other top center, Brian De La Puente, has visited the Redskins and been linked to several other teams, but has yet to reach an agreement anywhere. Depending on what his price tag looks like, he could be one of the better under-the-radar pickups of free agency’s second month.

Other potentially intriguing options for teams seeking a center include Fernando Velasco, Dan Koppen, Ryan Cook, and especially Jonathan Goodwin, who looks like he may be done in San Francisco, and could be a nice short-term solution for a contender.

Teams generally need between $4-6MM in cap space for their rookie draft classes. Earlier this week we brought you the 2014 rookie draft pool estimates, again courtesy of Over The Cap.

Other free agent notes from around the NFL…

• Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who met with the Jets today, will visit the Giants on Sunday, reports ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter (via Twitter).
• Devin Hester said the Dolphins are just one of 13 teams that have expressed interest in signing him, according to Jodie Wagner of the Palm Beach Post. In his home town of Riviera Beach for a football camp, Hester said he’d like to play a bit at wide receiver if and when he finds a new home after eight seasons with the Bears, adding that he would welcome an opportunity to play for his hometown team.
• The Packers will host former Vikings defensive tackle Letroy Guion on Sunday and Monday, per Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Wilson said Guion is drawing interest from the Ravens and Patriots as well.
• The Panthers made an offer that was ultimately turned down by Hakeem Nicks, the new Colts wide receiver told Jonathan Jones of The Charlotte Observer. Nicks said that after speaking with Carolina GM Dave Gettleman, both men agreed that Indianapolis was the best situation for the North Carolina product.

Alterraun Verner and Michael Johnson have six and seven teams calling their agents, respectively. But, as Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio notes, unless those teams are independently leaking to the media that interest, the players’ camps figure to be the source of the links — which is nothing out of the ordinary.

But just making a call to show interest is not exactly front-page news. “I would have thought 20 teams would call,” a league source said regarding Johnson. “Maybe more. Anyone can place a call.” 

USA TODAY NFL writer Tom Pelissero paints the picture this way (via Twitter): “Any starting-caliber FA should have 9-10 teams express ‘interest.’ Of those, 3-4 are serious. Agent’s job to narrow to 1-2 by 4 p.m. Tuesday.” 

Pelissero continues, saying teams aren’t working to give out info. Just because a team calls on a free agent doesn’t mean he’s a priority.

Andrew Brandt, former Packers VP and theMMQB writer, pokes fun at the free agency charade: “Time of year when NFL agents’ reputations precede them. When some say ‘Six teams are interested’ means ‘Two called, I called four.'”

For NFL Network reporter Albert Breer, the tampering period has turned out to be a poker game. “Can’t do a deal yet,” Breer tweets, “so be careful with your cards.”

This list would have looked a lot more impressive right after the Super Bowl, but various transactions in recent weeks have taken many of the top-tier options off the market. For instance, standout cornerback Brent Grimes, one of the best cornerbacks headed for unrestricted free agency, re-signed with the Dolphins on a four-year, $32MM deal. Star Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy was franchised by Carolina, and has accepted the one-year offer, meaning that while the two sides can continue negotiating a long-term contract, Hardy can’t sign an offer sheet with another team. Steelers linebacker Jason Worilds did the same with his transition tender, taking him off the market.

As for Saints tight end Jimmy Graham and Redskins edge defender Brian Orakpo, neither player has accepted his franchise tag yet, but we’re not including them on this list since the cost for another team to sign them (a long-term deal, plus two first-round picks) likely ensures that Graham and Orakpo aren’t going anywhere.

So with those caveats out of the way, let’s dive right in! Here are Pro Football Rumors’ top 25 NFL free agents for 2014, along with some predictions on how much they might earn and what teams should be in the mix:

Top 25 NFL free agents:

1. Michael Bennett (DE): With Hardy off the market, Bennett represents the top pass rusher available, having racked up 8.5 sacks and 65 quarterback pressures for the Seahawks last season. Veteran free agents like Justin Tuck and Jared Allen may have topped Bennett’s sack total in 2013, but Bennett is the only one on the right side of age 30, and he compiled his excellent numbers in just over 600 snaps. After settling for a one-year, prove-it deal with Seattle a year ago, Bennett proved it, and now he’s set to cash in with a much larger payday. The Seahawks, Bears, and 49ers have been mentioned as potential suitors for the 28-year-old, but if he’s looking to cash in with the biggest offer available after winning a Super Bowl, Bennett could be a fit for teams like the Raiders and Jaguars, who have a ton of cap space and a glaring need at defensive end. In that event, Bennett could be looking at a long-term deal worth about $9-10MM per year.
Signed: Seattle Seahawks. Four years, $28.5MM, $10MM fully guaranteed.

2. Eugene Monroe (OT): There are several intriguing left tackles available this offseason, and Monroe looks like the best of the bunch. The Ravens tackle turns 27 next month, and has ranked sixth, 15th, and 12th in the last three years among all tackles, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics. In other words, he’s still in his prime, and has already proven himself to be extremely effective and consistent. The Ravens have been trying to bring Monroe back and won’t give up that fight even if he reaches the open market, but they’ll face stiff competition from clubs like the Dolphins and Cardinals. Monroe is said to be seeking $10MM per year, and considering the horror show that was Miami’s offensive line in 2013 (both on and off the field), I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Dolphins pay that kind of money to ensure they have stability at left tackle for 2014 and beyond.
Signed: Baltimore Ravens. Five years, $37.5MM, $19MM fully guaranteed.

3. Jairus Byrd (S): As Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor showed the world in last month’s Super Bowl, safeties have become increasingly important in today’s NFL as a way to disrupt an offense’s passing game. And there are few safeties in the league more dynamic than Byrd, who has grabbed 12 interceptions and forced eight fumbles in his last three seasons in Buffalo. The Bills continue to say they’re making an effort to re-sign their playmaking safety, but I get the sense that Byrd is eager to test the market, particularly with no franchise tag to restrict him this season. The Falcons, Colts, and Eagles should be among the suitors to watch, but I suspect Byrd may reunite with former Bills defensive coordinator Mike Pettine in Cleveland. I also think we could see Byrd become the league’s highest-paid safety by annual average value, surpassing Eric Berry‘s $8.34MM per year.
Signed: New Orleans Saints. Six years, $54MM, $18.3MM fully guaranteed.

4. Jared Veldheer (OT): Veldheer, who is a couple months younger than Monroe, has a strong case for the top left tackle in 2014’s free agent class, but a torn triceps limited the Raiders standout to just five games last year, so we haven’t seen him excel for a full season since 2012. Still, Veldheer returned near the end of 2013, and while his last few games weren’t exceptional, they at least showed that he was healthy, meaning he should do well in free agency. And while the same teams I mentioned as Monroe suitors will kick the tires on Veldheer, it’d be a major upset to see him sign anywhere but Oakland. After all, no team currently has more 2014 cap space than the Raiders, who can afford to lock up Veldheer to a lucrative five- or six-year contract.
Signed: Arizona Cardinals. Five years, $35MM, $10.5MM fully guaranteed.

5. Michael Johnson (DE): While Bennett tops the wish lists of teams in desperate need of pass-rushing, clubs looking for a more all-around end might target Johnson instead. The longtime Bengal is an excellent run-stopping end, having ranked behind only New England’s Rob Ninkovich last season in Pro Football Focus’ run grades for 4-3 defensive ends. Johnson isn’t likely to match the 11.5 sacks he posted in 2012 again, but that performance at least showed that he’s very capable of rushing the quarterback as well. The Eagles are said to be eyeing Johnson, who could draw interest as both a 4-3 end and a 3-4 outside linebacker. My guess though is that Johnson lands in Minnesota, with new head coach Mike Zimmer. A deal in the neighborhood of four years, $36MM for Johnson wouldn’t be out of the question.
Signed: Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Six years, $43.75MM, $16MM fully guaranteed.

6. Alex Mack (C): The only player on our list of free agents to receive the franchise or transition tag, Mack belongs here because his situation means teams will still pursue him. Having received the transition tag, Mack can sign an offer sheet elsewhere, but the Browns will have the right to match it. That means there’s a very good chance the standout center returns to Cleveland, either on a long-term deal or simply at his one-year, $10MM+ tender. But before that happens, expect the Colts, Rams, Falcons, and Giants to at least kick the tires on Mack. The Raiders and Buccaneers have been cited as possible suitors as well.
Signed: Cleveland Browns. Five years, $42MM, $18MM fully guaranteed.

7. Aqib Talib (CB): Arguably the best pure cover corner available this year, Talib earned his first Pro Bowl berth in 2013 and snagged four interceptions for the Patriots, setting himself up nicely for free agency. His departure would leave New England with a hole at corner, so I expect the Pats to continue discussing a new deal for him. But if and when he hits the open market, Talib could receive interest from other teams in need of secondary help, such as the Vikings, Chargers, Redskins, Bills, and Panthers. Talib won’t get Darrelle Revis money, but it’s fair to assume his new deal will approach the ballpark of $9-10MM per year corners like Johnathan Joseph, Brandon Flowers, and Leon Hall.
Signed: Denver Broncos. Six years, $57MM, $11.5MM fully guaranteed.

8. Alterraun Verner (CB): While many teams will prefer Talib’s upside, there’s a lot to be said for Verner’s consistency and durability. Since entering the league in 2010, Verner has never placed outside the top 25 in Pro Football Focus’ cornerback rankings. On the other hand, he’s never ranked inside the top 10. Verner isn’t elite, but he’s an effective No. 1 corner, and he’ll get paid like one this offseason. A four-year deal that surpasses Brent Grimes‘ $32MM seems reasonable, and I could see the Rams being a major player in the Verner sweepstakes if the Titans don’t lock him up.
Signed: Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Four years, $25.5MM, $8MM fully guaranteed.

9. T.J. Ward (S): The third-best safety in 2013, according to Pro Football Focus’ grades, Ward lacks the range and the playmaking ability of Byrd, but is perhaps the league’s best strong safety against the run. Ward is just 27 years old and can be an anchor for a secondary, even if he’s not going to pile up interceptions or highlight-reel plays. If he and the Browns have mutual interest in a new deal, the two sides should work something out, since Cleveland has more than enough cap flexibility to keep him. Otherwise, the Colts and Eagles will be teams to watch, and I could see the Ravens, Panthers, Saints, and Packers mulling an offer for Ward if he’s within their respective budgets. Contracts for safeties typically don’t break the bank, so if there aren’t a ton of teams in the mix, Ward could potentially be had for an annual salary between $6-7MM.
Signed: Denver Broncos. Four years, $22.5MM, $7MM fully guaranteed.

10. Lamarr Houston (DE): As is the case with Veldheer, it’s a little surprising not to see Houston already locked up by the Raiders, who have an abundance of cap room this offseason. Still, perhaps the club wants the official free agent period to set the market for its free agents, to avoid overpaying to keep them around. Houston, like Michael Johnson, is a run-stopping defensive end, with a limited pass rush impact — his six sacks in 2013 were a career high. That ability to stuff the run is a valuable commodity though, particularly on teams that can get their pass rush from other spots. Houston may not receive quite as big a deal as Johnson, but I could see him landing $15MM+ in guaranteed money. And the Raiders look like the best fit.
Signed: Chicago Bears. Five years, $35MM, $8.95MM fully guaranteed.

11. Branden Albert (OT): Although Kansas City seemingly doesn’t have much interest in re-signing him, Albert has recorded positive grades, according to Pro Football Focus, for four consecutive seasons and ranks just behind Monroe and Veldheer as this year’s top free agent left tackles. Albert is likely near the top of the Dolphins’ wish list, but it sounds like the Cardinals will be the club making the strongest push for the longtime Chief. I’ll speculate that Albert ends up signing a four-year deal in Arizona for about $8-9MM per season.
Signed: Miami Dolphins. Five years, $47MM, $20MM fully guaranteed.

12. Hakeem Nicks (WR): Nicks certainly wasn’t the highest-producing wide receiver among this year’s free agent class, but it’s hard to argue that any other receiver has a better combination of size, speed, and upside. The team that signs Nicks will be hoping that he recaptures his 2010-11 form, while angling to pay for his 2012-13 production. That could result in Nicks signing at a slight discount — perhaps a one-year, make-good deal, or even a longer-term deal in the $7-8MM per year range, rather than the $10MM+ he would have earned with a solid 2013. If Nicks wants to rebuild his value with a contender, the Patriots, Panthers, Colts, or Broncos might be a fit. Otherwise, teams like the Jets, Lions, Raiders, and Browns should all be very much in the mix.
Signed: Indianapolis Colts. One year, $3.5MM, $2.25MM fully guaranteed.

13. Eric Decker (WR): Based on his numbers in recent years, Decker figures to land a larger free agent contract than Nicks, but there will be question marks about how much of his production can be directly linked to the Broncos’ explosive offense. After all, Decker has just spent two years with Peyton Manning throwing him the ball and Demaryius Thomas drawing the secondary’s attention. Still, an annual salary in the $8-10MM range seems likely, and Decker should be able to secure $15-20MM in guaranteed money. The Browns look like the best fit to me, but the Broncos, Jets, Raiders, Chiefs, and Colts could be involved as well.
Signed: New York Jets. Five years, $36.25MM, $15MM fully guaranteed.

14. Jason Hatcher (DT): While Hatcher had one of the best 2013 campaigns of any of this year’s free agents, his age (he turns 32 in July) may limit his market somewhat. Still, it’s hard to argue with those ’13 numbers — having moved to nose tackle for the Cowboys, Hatcher posted a career-best 11 sacks, and ranks as the NFL’s eighth-best defensive tackle, according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics. Since Hatcher became a starter in 2011, in fact, he’s ranked among the top 10 at his position each season, according to PFF. A four- or five-year deal may not be realistic for Hatcher. Or if he signs one, it’ll be heavily frontloaded with guaranteed money, making it easier to get out of later on. Given Dallas’ lack of cap flexibility, it looks like Hatcher will head elsewhere. The Buccaneers, Vikings, Falcons, Packers, Steelers, and Dolphins are all potential fits, to varying degrees.
Signed: Washington Redskins. Four years, $27.5MM, $10.5MM fully guaranteed.

15. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (CB): The Broncos cornerback hinted leading up to the Super Bowl that he might consider retirement after the season, but he has rightly come to his sense since then. Rodgers-Cromartie will turn 28 next month, so he’s still in his prime, and he’s coming off one of the better seasons of his career. His inconsistent track record may scare off some teams, but 2013 did a lot to rebuild DRC’s value, and he should receive long-term offers in the ballpark of at least $7-8MM per year. The same teams I mentioned when discussing Talib and Verner should kick the tires on Rodgers-Cromartie.
Signed: New York Giants. Five years, $35MM, $11.98MM fully guaranteed.

16. Randy Starks (DT): It may seem like Starks has been around forever, and that perception isn’t totally unwarranted — he entered the league in 2004, after all. Still, his early start means he’ll still only be 30 years old for most of the 2014 season, so his age shouldn’t be a major red flag for interested teams this offseason. Starks has traditionally been better at rushing the passer than stopping the run, but he was excellent in both facets of the game in 2013. The Dolphins have reportedly not made an offer to Starks or fellow free agent lineman Paul Soliai, and I’d be shocked if the team kept both players. If Starks wants to leave an organization that has been plagued by dysfunction in recent months, possible destinations include Minnesota, Chicago, Tennessee, Houston, and Atlanta.
Signed: Miami Dolphins. Two years, $10MM, $5MM fully guaranteed.

17. Donte Whitner (S): Whitner didn’t like his ranking in NFL.com’s list of 2014 free agents, but we don’t have him 31 spots higher because we want to get in his good books. Coming off back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons, Whitner was one of the league’s best safeties in pass coverage last season, limiting yards after the catch and grabbing a pair of interceptions. At age 28, Whitner should have plenty of productive years left in him, and ranks behind only T.J. Ward among 2014’s free agent strong safeties. A contract that includes $10MM+ in guaranteed money seems within reach.
Signed: Cleveland Browns. Four years, $28MM, $11MM fully guaranteed.

18. Vontae Davis (CB): Only two cornerbacks in the NFL graded better than Davis in 2013, according to Pro Football Focus: Darrelle Revis, who is making $16MM per year, and Brent Grimes, who just signed for $8MM per year at age 30. Davis, who is only 25, doesn’t have the track record of either of those players, but given the elite company, it’s not hard to see why he and the Colts have yet to reach an agreement despite mutual interest. Indianapolis has a good deal of cap flexibility and I expect the two sides to work something out eventually, but the price for Davis may be a little higher than the Colts were expecting. I’d anticipate a four- or five-year contract that slightly exceeds Grimes’ annual average salary.
Signed: Indianapolis Colts. Four years, $36MM, $15MM fully guaranteed.

19. Karlos Dansby (ILB): The only linebacker on our list, Dansby would rank even higher if he wasn’t set to turn 33 in November. However, he certainly didn’t show any signs of falling off in 2013, racking up 121 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and a career-high four interceptions, including two for touchdowns. Dansby also ranked fifth among inside linebackers, according to Pro Football Focus, grading exceptionally well in pass coverage. The all-around standout has expressed a strong desire to return to the Cardinals, but expect the Titans, Vikings, Browns, and Dolphins to be among the teams making inquiries.
Signed: Cleveland Browns. Four years, $24MM, $12MM fully guaranteed.

20. Sam Shields (CB): Coming off a 2013 season in which he ranked as a perfectly average cornerback, according to Pro Football Focus, Shields has a few more question marks than a few other corners on this list. But there are few teams that question his potential to be a strong No. 1 cornerback in the NFL. At age 26, Shields has plenty of upside, and his reps will likely point to his excellent peripheral stats in 2012 during negotiations. Although Shields may not receive quite as large a contract as some of the players ahead of him on this list, a team that misses out on those top options and locks up the Packers CB at $6-7MM per year should be pretty happy.
Signed: Green Bay Packers. Four years, $39MM, $12.5MM fully guaranteed.

21. Linval Joseph (DT): Joseph’s first few years in the NFL have been solid, albeit not exceptional. As a run-stopper, he may never fill up the stat sheet, but he’s been effective in a part-time role with the Giants and is young enough (25) that there’s plenty of room for further improvement. While teams in need of short-term help at defensive tackle will likely target Hatcher or Starks, Joseph could be a more worthwhile investment for a club looking to add a long-term piece to its defensive line. If he doesn’t return to the Giants, Joseph could be a fit for the division-rival Redskins, or many of the teams mentioned as suitors for Hatcher and Starks.
Signed: Minnesota Vikings. Five years, $31.25MM, $12.5MM fully guaranteed.

22. Rodger Saffold (OL): Saffold is one of this year’s more interesting free agent cases. Since starting all 16 games at left tackle for the Rams in his rookie season, the 25-year-old hasn’t appeared in more than 12 games for the club due to various injuries. Health will be a concern for any interested suitors, but Saffold’s flexibility to play either guard or tackle has a lot of appeal, as does his youth. The Rams appear to be making an effort to re-sign the offensive lineman, but St. Louis is looking at him as a guard, while other clubs may be willing to pay him like a tackle. Saffold and Anthony Collins could ultimately make very appealing Plan Bs for teams who miss out on the top tier of left tackles.
Signed: St. Louis Rams. Five years, $31.347MM, $11MM fully guaranteed.

23. Arthur Jones (DT): Jones and the Ravens seemed resigned to the fact that the free-agent-to-be will draw enough interest on the open market that Baltimore won’t be able to bring him back. And that interest will be warranted. Playing primarily as a part-timer on his rookie contract, Jones hasn’t accumulated a whole lot of mileage, but has exhibited plenty of potential when he’s played. In 529 snaps for the Ravens in 2013, Jones recorded a +15.7 PFF grade, performing very well against the run while also compiling 25 quarterback pressures. A multiyear deal worth in the neighborhood of $6MM per year seems about right for the 27-year-old.
Signed: Indianapolis Colts. Five years, $33MM, $10MM fully guaranteed.

24. Everson Griffen (DE): Griffen didn’t get a real chance to shine in Minnesota during his rookie contract, starting just one game in four seasons with Jared Allen and Brian Robison firmly entrenched as the team’s ends. Still, even as a part-timer often not playing his natural position, Griffen flashed solid potential, recording 13.5 sacks over the last two seasons. If Allen leaves Minnesota, the Vikings could re-sign Griffen and plug him in as a starter on the end. Griffen also figures to draw interest from other suitors though, including perhaps the Raiders, Buccaneers, Bengals, Jaguars, Seahawks, and Falcons.
Signed: Minnesota Vikings. Five years, $42.5MM, $19.8MM fully guaranteed.

25. Golden Tate (WR): Tate’s numbers in Seattle weren’t exceptional, but considering how little the Seahawks relied on their passing offense, a line of 64 receptions, 898 yards, and five touchdowns in 2013 doesn’t look bad at all. Tate, whose explosiveness can also be deployed on punt returns, could thrive in a more pass-heavy system, making teams like the Colts and Patriots ideal fits for him. Clubs like the Jets, Browns, Ravens, and Raiders may be willing to pay more though, depending on how the wide receiver market plays out. A $6MM annual salary sounds about right for Tate, and given his upside and age (25), that may turn into a bargain.
Signed: Detroit Lions. Five years, $31MM, $10.5MM fully guaranteed.

Just missed the cut:

• Jared Allen (DE)
• Chris Clemons (S)
• Anthony Collins (OT)
• Henry Melton (DT)
• Geoff Schwartz (OG)
• Paul Soliai (DT)
• Charles Tillman (CB)
• Justin Tuck (DE)

OverTheCap.com was used in the creation of this post.

The Dolphins, Broncos, Browns, Rams, Bucs, Falcons, Chiefs, Rams, Texans, and Vikings are among the teams who could need to replace starting guards who will depart as free agents or cap casualties. The Seahawks, Bills, Colts, Buccaneers, and Jaguars may not have the same number of pending free agents, but they may be in the market for an upgrade after subpar guard performance on one side or the other last season. Meanwhile, the Chargers, Giants, and Jets would be on the lookout for upgrades even if they didn’t have prospective free agents, which they do.

We just mentioned more than half of the NFL’s 32 teams, and it’s fair to assume that several other clubs could get involved in the free agent market as well, as they look to add bench depth at the guard position. With so many teams eyeing stop-gap or long-term solutions, and only a small number of top-tier options available, it should be an interesting free agent period. Let’s check out some of the players expected to hit the open market on March 11….

First tier:

Two of the four guards we have listed as first-tier options, Jon Asamoah and Geoff Schwartz, come from the same team, and the Chiefs will likely try to keep at least one of the two. If only half the duo returns to Kansas City, I’d expect Asamoah to be the one leaving town — he lost his starting job toward the end of last season, despite a solid overall performance.

The third top-tier guard on this year’s market is the Panthers’ Travelle Wharton, who has hinted recently that he might consider retirement. Assuming he does keep playing, Wharton has suggested that he’d love to return to Carolina, but the Panthers don’t have a ton of cap flexibility, and considering the lack of elite guards available in free agency, he should receive plenty of interest.

As the longtime starting left guard of the defending AFC champions, Zane Beadles should also do well on the open market. Beadles recorded a subpar grade in 2013, according to Pro Football Focus, but his relative youth (he’s 27) and a strong 2012 should earn him a nice payday.

Second tier:

Chad Rinehart‘s was excellent for the Bills in his only full season (2011), but has never appeared in more than 11 games in any of his other four NFL seasons, so there may be question marks about how he’ll hold up as a fulltime starter. Meanwhile, Kevin Boothe‘s advanced numbers fell off a little last season, along with the rest of the Giants’ line, but with a set position and perhaps a new situation, there’s no reason to think he won’t provide solid production in 2014.

Shelley Smith and Willie Colon each excel in a particular area — run blocking for Smith and pass blocking for Colon. Unfortunately, they can’t maintain that level of production across the board, with Smith’s pass blocking and Colon’s penalty problems both acting as potential liabilities. Still, in the right offense, they could be effective starters.

Many of the other second-tier options have red flags in one area or another. Brian Waters remains productive, but his age and health mean he shouldn’t necessarily be relied upon as a 16-game starter, if he continues his career. There are also injury concerns with Mike Pollak, who has missed 23 games over the last two seasons due to injuries. Shawn Lauvao has yet to post a positive PFF grade in any of his four NFL seasons, though he’s still young enough to have some upside. As for Wade Smith, there’s certainly something to be said for a player who has started every game for four straight seasons, but he’s coming off a down year for Houston in 2013.

Finally, the wild cards of this group are Richie Incognito and John Jerry. Jerry, who is three years younger than Incognito, and wasn’t as tainted by the Ted Wells report, will have an easier time finding work, but it’s hard to predict how much his involvement in last year’s bullying scandal will affect his value. In any case, it’s safe to assume neither player will return to Miami.

The rest:

Teams aren’t likely to find an elite starter amongst this group, but there’s still some appeal to a player like Garrett Reynolds, who has recorded positive grades in about a full season’s worth of snaps over the last two seasons, or Charlie Johnson, who has started all but six games in the last six years even though his performance generally ranks below average. Chris Williams, Paul McQuistan, and Mike McGlynn are among the other available options coming off subpar performances as starters.

Geoff Hangartner, Eben Britton, Dylan Gandy, and Garry Williams, and Jamon Meredith are a few of the other prospective free agent guards likely to be signed as backups for 2014.

Previously:
Free Agent Market For Quarterbacks
Free Agent Market For Running Backs
Free Agent Market For Wide Receivers
Free Agent Market For Tight Ends
Free Agent Market For Offensive Tackles
Free Agent Market For Centers