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Best pending NFL free agents
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Best pending NFL free agents

Best pending NFL free agents of 2017.

 
1 of 35

Le'Veon Bell, RB

Le'Veon Bell, RB
Ken Blaze / USA Today Sports Images

It's hard to imagine the Steelers letting Bell get to free agency without at least franchising him. Arguably the best running back in football, Bell had 1,884 yards from scrimmage in only 12 games in 2016.

 
2 of 35

Martellus Bennett, TE

Martellus Bennett, TE
Scott Galvin / USA Today Sports Images

Bennett has revitalized his career in New England, and would love to return. He had 55 receptions for 701 yards and seven touchdowns spending much of the year as Rob Gronkowski's sidekick.

 
3 of 35

Eric Berry, S

Eric Berry, S
Jeff Curry / USA Today Sports Images

Berry was franchised in 2016, and the Chiefs would love to have him back. He's the team's defensive leader and was named to his fifth Pro Bowl this year.

 
4 of 35

LeGarrette Blount, RB

LeGarrette Blount, RB
Reinhold Matay / USA Today Sports Images

The last time Blount left New England, things didn't go as hoped with Pittsburgh and he found his way back. Coming off a career year with 1,161 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns, Blount could return again but will likely net a big raise.

 
5 of 35

Kenny Britt, WR

Kenny Britt, WR
Chuck Cook / USA Today Sports Images

Britt had a career year at the right time, with 68 receptions for 1,002 yards in 2016. The Rams would be well-advised to retain their top receiving option as quarterback Jared Goff develops.

 
6 of 35

Zach Brown, ILB

Zach Brown, ILB
Aaron Doster / USA Today Sports Images

Brown had a career year in his first season with Buffalo, netting 97 tackles and four sacks. He could cash in after solidifying himself as a starter.

 
7 of 35

Calais Campbell, DT

Calais Campbell, DT
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

One of the best interior pass rushers in football, Campbell had eight sacks in 2016 for the Cardinals. He has more than 50 sacks for his career.

 
8 of 35

Jamie Collins, ILB

Jamie Collins, ILB
Scott Galvin / USA Today Sports Images

The Patriots shocked the football world when they traded Collins to Cleveland at midseason, and the Browns would like to retain him. Collins had 79 tackles and three sacks this season.

 
9 of 35

Chris Conte, S

Chris Conte, S
Gary Rohman / USA Today Sports Images

Conte was a playmaker for the Bucs this season, with 54 tackles, two interceptions, and five passes defensed.

 
10 of 35

Kirk Cousins, QB

Kirk Cousins, QB
Brad Mills / USA Today Sports Images

Clearly the best quarterback on the market, Cousins got a huge payday with the franchise tag in 2016. Washington could opt to do the same this year, but more likely Cousins will get the long-term deal he's been hoping to receive.

 
11 of 35

Michael Floyd, WR

Michael Floyd, WR
Reinhold Matay / USA Today Sports Images

Floyd had a huge opportunity in his walk year and completely blew it. He struggled in Arizona before a DUI arrest that got him released. New England scooped him up late in the year, and a good playoff run could still earn him some money. Floyd had at least 800 yards in three consecutive seasons leading up to 2016.

 
12 of 35

Mike Glennon, QB

Mike Glennon, QB
Kim Klement / USA Today Sports Images

With teams desperate for quarterbacks, Glennon is likely to find a starting job somewhere. He has 18 starts since he was drafted in 2013, but hasn't found much of the field since the Bucs drafted Jameis Winston in 2015.

 
13 of 35

Dont'a Hightower, ILB

Dont'a Hightower, ILB
Kyle Terada / USA Today Sports Images

Hightower has made his share of plays for the Patriots during his five-year career, but he had only 31 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 2016. New England should be able to afford to retain him if they choose.

 
14 of 35

Melvin Ingram, OLB

Melvin Ingram, OLB
Jake Roth / USA Today Sports Images

Ingram has really come on strong for the Chargers over the last two seasons, with a total of 18.5 sacks. Pass rushers are hard to find, so Ingram should find a sizable market if the Chargers let him walk.

 
15 of 35

DeSean Jackson, WR

DeSean Jackson, WR
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Jackson returned to 1,000 receiving yards this season for Washington, showing his immense speed into his 30's. There should still be some worry that the deep threat will slow down soon, but surely there will be teams interested in giving him a significant contract this offseason.

 
16 of 35

Alshon Jeffery, WR

Alshon Jeffery, WR
Aaron Doster / USA Today Sports Images

Jeffery missed time due to a PEDs suspension in 2016, but had 52 receptions for 821 yards in 12 games despite poor quarterback play in Chicago. He still brings huge upside just entering his age 27 season.

 
17 of 35

Trumaine Johnson, CB

Trumaine Johnson, CB
Joe Camporeale / USA Today Sports Images

After getting seven interceptions in 2015, Johnson had only one this season. He's still a quality cover corner and arguably the best on the market this year. The Rams can ill-afford to give up players of his quality.

 
18 of 35

Chandler Jones, OLB

Chandler Jones, OLB
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Shipped from the Patriots to Arizona last offseason, Jones had 11 sacks during the regular season. He has double-digit sacks in three of the last four seasons, showing as one of the league's most consistent pass rushers.

 
19 of 35

Eddie Lacy, RB

Eddie Lacy, RB
Jeff Hanisch / USA Today Sports Images

Lacy's market is unclear after a frustrating two years. He got in better shape last season, only to suffer an ankle injury this year and play only five games.

 
20 of 35

T.J. Lang, OG

T.J. Lang, OG
Reinhold Matay / USA Today Sports Images

Lang has been a solid guard for the Packers over the last six seasons, and should be able to cash in somewhere this offseason.

 
21 of 35

Matt Kalil, OT

Matt Kalil, OT
Bruce Kluckhohn / USA Today Sports Images

Kalil played only two games in 2016 due to a hip injury. The former Pro Bowler should still get a huge contract at his premium left tackle position.

 
22 of 35

Latavius Murray, RB

Latavius Murray, RB
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Averaging only 4.0 yards per carry in each of the last two seasons, Murray could be allowed to walk in free agency with young options behind him in Oakland. He has generally performed adequately as a workhorse running back.

 
23 of 35

Jason Pierre-Paul, DE

Jason Pierre-Paul, DE
Ed Mulholland / USA Today Sports Images

Pierre-Paul rebounded this season to have seven sacks in 12 games for the Giants. After a fireworks accident during the 2015 offseason, Pierre-Paul has proven that he can be a solid pass rusher again.

 
24 of 35

Nick Perry, OLB

Nick Perry, OLB
Jeff Hanisch / USA Today Sports Images

Perry has made the most of his first season as a full-time starter, finishing the regular season with 11 sacks. He will certainly get a larger payday as a result of his big performance.

 
25 of 35

Dontari Poe, NT

Dontari Poe, NT
Orlando Jorge Ramirez / USA Today Sports Images

Poe has been slowed over the last two seasons due to back issues, which could deter the Chiefs from giving him a huge contract this offseason. He's still one of the top run stuffers at his position, often requiring double teams.

 
26 of 35

Terrelle Pryor, WR

Terrelle Pryor, WR
Scott Galvin / USA Today Sports Images

A former quarterback in college and the NFL, Pryor really developed as a wide receiver for the Browns this season. He finished with 77 receptions for 1,007 yards and four touchdowns.

 
27 of 35

Riley Reiff, OT

Riley Reiff, OT
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

A former first-round pick, Reiff has been a solid player protecting Matthew Stafford's blindside in recent seasons. He should get a huge pay increase this offseason.

 
28 of 35

Jabaal Sheard, DL

Jabaal Sheard, DL
Timothy T. Ludwig / USA Today Sports Images

Sheard has been a solid supplementary pass rusher for the Patriots over the last two seasons, with a total of 13 sacks. His consistent contribution should create plenty of free agent interest.

 
29 of 35

Kawann Short, DT

Kawann Short, DT
Jeremy Brevard / USA Today Sports Images

Short has come on strong over the last two seasons as a pass rusher, with a total of 17 sacks. The former second-round pick is set for a huge pay increase.

 
30 of 35

Andre Smith, OT

Andre Smith, OT
Jim Dedmon / USA Today Sports Images

Injuries have really hindered Smith in recent seasons, including a triceps injury that limited him to four games in 2016. Still solid when on the field, Smith should find a home, likely on a short-term deal.

 
31 of 35

Malcolm Smith, OLB

Malcolm Smith, OLB
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Smith piled up 186 tackles over the last two seasons in Oakland, showing comfort in the same defensive system he came up with in Seattle. He's a great fit to return to Oakland.

 
32 of 35

Lawrence Timmons, ILB

Lawrence Timmons, ILB
David Kohl / USA Today Sports Images

One of Pittsburgh's defensive leaders, Timmons had 78 tackles, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, and one forced fumble in 2016. It would be a major loss and surprise if the Steelers let him depart.

 
33 of 35

Sebastian Vollmer, OT

Sebastian Vollmer, OT
Kyle Terada / USA Today Sports Images

A solid player when he's on the field, Vollmer missed all of 2016 due to injury. His past injury issues could make him a high risk, high reward player in free agency.

 
34 of 35

DeMarcus Ware, LB

DeMarcus Ware, LB
Ron Chenoy / USA Today Sports Images

Ware has struggled to stay healthy over the last two seasons due to injuries, and could opt for retirement this offseason in his mid-30's. Still, he has 11.5 sacks over the last two seasons, spanning 21 games.

 
35 of 35

Andrew Whitworth, OT

Andrew Whitworth, OT
Aaron Doster / USA Today Sports Images

One of the oldest players in the NFL, Whitworth was still solid at tackle this season at age 35. He's been a late bloomer for the Bengals, and seems to have plenty left despite his age.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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