10 NFL players that must step up in contract years

by Vincent Frank

There are soon-to-be free agents looking to cash in during their contract years every single season around the NFL. Some of these players may be considered elite performers, while others need to prove themselves in order to set a market when the new league year rolls around in March.

This year is no different. From a couple wide receivers currently working on one-year deals to a few defenders that must prove their worth, here are 10 impending NFL free agents who must step it up in 2015.

1. Sam Bradford, quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles

This one goes without saying. Instead of taking the security that would have come with a long-term deal after being acquired from the St. Louis Rams, Bradford decided to bet on himself. Considering he has suffered two torn ACLs since last suiting up for a regular season game back in 2013, this is a major risk on the veteran’s part.

It could also pay off big time for Bradford. Now entrenched in as the starter in a quarterback-friendly scheme, the former No. 1 overall pick could have a breakout season under Chip Kelly. If that happens, Bradford might be looking at the second big payday of his career. After all, the likes of Alex Smith, Andy Dalton and Carson Palmer are currently making $16-plus million this season.

2. Matt Forte, running back, Chicago Bears

An unlikely addition to this article, Forte finds himself in an unenviable position. He’s entering a contract year with an entirely new front office and coaching staff in Chicago. He does so at the age of 29 and with a ton of mileage on his tires. As you already know, running backs in today’s NFL aren’t anywhere near as valued on the free agent market in comparison to previous eras. That’s only magnified with him looking at being on the wrong side of 30 when the market opens next March.

With nearly 2,300 touches under his belt, Forte needs to prove to other teams that he can still be a difference-maker. Coming off a 2014 campaign that saw him put up over 1,800 total yards and 10 scores, this is a real possibility. Unfortunately, it does appear that this season could be Forte’s last in Chicago.

3. Russell Okung, offensive tackle, Seattle Seahawks

This former Pro Bowl performer has yet to play a full 16-game slate in five seasons. All said, Okung has missed over a quarter of Seattle’s games during this span. A franchise left tackle when healthy, Okung needs to prove he can be counted on over the course of an entire season in order to collect a huge contract in a market that will demand his services.

With a franchise quarterback under tackle, it’s impossible for a team to rely on a left tackle that has missed one quarter of his team’s games since entering the league back in 2010. Heck, teams will have a hard time justifying Okung at right tackle with his checkered injury history. If the former top-10 pick is unable to stay healthy again this season, the market for his services simply won’t be there when March comes calling.

4. Vernon Davis, tight end, San Francisco 49ers 

There was a time not too long ago that Davis was considered one of the best all-around tight ends in the NFL. A consistent threat against less-athletic linebackers and safeties in the passing game, Davis was also one of the best in-line blockers in the game. After what was a disastrous 2014 campaign that saw him catch just 26 passes, that time surely has passed.

One year after grading out as the site's sixth-best tight end, Pro Football Focus gave Davis an overall grade of -16.8, which was good enough for a No. 62 overall ranking last season (subscription required).

And that's the issue right there. Davis, who held out until late-July last summer, simply didn't have his head in the game. Always considered one of the best blocking tight ends in the game, he struggled massively in that aspect of the game last year. In addition to this, the two-time Pro Bowler caught just 55 percent of the passes thrown in his direction. Now at the age of 31 and in an entirely new offense, Davis needs to prove himself all over again.

5. Andre Smith, offensive tackle, Cincinnati Bengals

Entering the final year of a three-year, $18 million contract he signed back in 2013, this former top-10 pick is at a crossroads in his career. He will either show up and perform like he did from 2011-2013 when he was one of the best tackles in the NFL, or he will return to 2014 form.

Smith’s career has been somewhat of an enigma. Weight and injury issues saw him start just five games in his first two seasons. Putting in the off-field work to repair his damaged reputation, Smith came out strong in 2011, starting all 14 games in which he played. He followed that up with two consistently good seasons before missing seven games last year with an arm injury.

Cincinnati invested its first two picks on the offensive tackle position in this year’s draft, meaning that Smith could very well be auditioning for other teams on the free-agent market. At 28 and with a checkered injury history, 2015 could very well be a make-or-break campaign for Smith.

6. Morris Claiborne, cornerback, Dallas Cowboys

Claiborne, a top-10 pick back in 2012, is in real danger of being labeled as a bust. The former LSU standout has seen his on-field production drop each season in the NFL. After starting all 15 games in which he appeared as a rookie, Claiborne has started a total of 10 games over the past two seasons.

A combination of lackluster play and continued injury issues have led some to believe Claiborne simply won’t pan out as a starting corner in the NFL. Last year saw the 25-year-old defensive back miss the final 12 games after suffering a ruptured patellar tendon. In the four games that Claiborne did see action, he allowed a 67 percent completion rate and a 121.5 quarterback rating. That came on the heels of a 2013 campaign that saw Claiborne grade out as the 88th-best cornerback in the NFL.

Still seen as ultra talented and at the young age of 25, Claiborne has an opportunity to prove all the skeptics wrong this year. Unfortunately, the corner has yet to see action in two preseason games this summer. His first goal has to get back on the field after suffering that serious injury last September.

7. Percy Harvin, wide receiver, Buffalo Bills

Even if Harvin produces at a high level this year, it’s reasonable to believe that a long-term contract is not in his future. A combination of injuries and continued drama with former teammates might very well be enough for this dynamic play-maker to find himself as nothing more than a secondary-market option come next offseason.

In order for Harvin to even have a chance of cashing in big time next March, he's going to have to absolutely dominate on both offense and special teams. Character concerns aside, this former first-round pick just hasn't been a difference-maker since putting up over 1,300 total yards for the Minnesota Vikings back in 2011. Last season saw the Florida product tally 51 receptions for less than 500 yards between the Seattle Seahawks and New York Jets.

Outside of a lack of production when he's actually on the field, injuries have been a major issue for the 27-year-old receiver. Since playing in 45 of a possible 48 games in his first three NFL seasons, Harvin has missed 25 of a possible 48 games over the past three years. That's not something teams will risk when it comes to doling out long-term deals.

8. Sean Weatherspoon, linebacker, Arizona Cardinals

One of a few players on this list that signed a one-year, prove-it deal. Weatherspoon, a former first-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons, has seen his career derailed by injury in recent years. Once considered one of the faces of the Falcons' defense, this sixth-year linebacker has played a grand total of seven games over the past two seasons. That came on the heels of the Missouri product putting up 90-plus tackles in both 2011 and 2012.

In a league that values coverage ability from the inside linebacker position, Weatherspoon was among the best in the NFL in that category prior to his recent injury issues. If he can prove that he's 100 percent and not a major injury concern this season, there is a solid opportunity for the new Cardinals linebacker to set a solid market come next March. The talent is there. It's now all about showing it on a consistent basis without another injury setback.

9. Michael Crabtree, wide receiver, Oakland Raiders

When Crabtree envisioned hitting free agency, I am pretty sure he didn't think it was remotely possible that he would find such a cold market for his services. Coming off an Achilles injury suffered prior to the start of the 2013 season, this former first-round pick just hasn't been the same receiver since. Never considered a deep threat, Crabtree was among the most consistent possession receivers priors to said injury. Remember, he put up 85 catches for over 1,100 yards and nine scores for the San Francisco 49ers back in 2012. That same season saw him catch 67 percent of the passes thrown in his direction.

Now well over two years removed from the Achilles injury, Crabtree has a golden opportunity to prove himself in yet another contract year. It will be all about him creating a solid relationship with young Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, who now has two solid receiving options in the form of Crabtree and first-year standout Amari Cooper. If the 27-year-old receiver proves he can be the consistent threat we saw prior to his injury, he could be in store for a long-term deal in March.

10. Bruce Irvin, linebacker, Seattle Seahawks

An enigma of sorts, Irvin boasts enough talent to play a central role on a good defense. Maybe lost in the shuffle with all the other elite talent in Seattle, he simply has not lived up to expectations since entering the league as a first-round pick back in 2012. 

Potentially playing out of position in Seattle's base 4-3 scheme, Irvin has racked up just 16.5 sacks in three NFL seasons. Though, it's hard to blame that scheme for his inability to get to the quarterback on a consistent basis. First under Gus Bradley and then Dan Quinn, Seahawks' defensive coordinators have put Irvin in a position to succeed in the past. It's now all about him actually taking that elite-level talent and turning it into production. Short of doing that, Irvin won't be getting the huge payday he's likely going to seek on the open market.

Check out Vincent's other work on eDraft.com and follow him on Twitter @VincentFrankNFL.