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Top 30 NFL free agents
Aaron Doster / USA Today Sports Images

Top 30 NFL free agents

The NFL unrestricted free agency period officially begins in mid-March, and all 32 teams are making plans. This year's crop feature some true difference makers at the top. Here are the top 30 NFL free agents entering the offseason.

 
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1. Kirk Cousins, QB

Kirk Cousins, QB
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Cousins and the Redskins haven't fostered a great relationship over the last few seasons despite his success on the field, and Washington's unofficial trade for former Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith effectively ended Cousins' time in Washington. It's incredibly rare that a quarterback of Cousins' ability makes it to free agency, as he's now thrown 81/36 TD/INT with more than 13,000 passing yards over the last three seasons. Possible destinations include Minnesota, the Jets, Arizona, Denver, and Cleveland.

 
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2. Le'Veon Bell, RB

Le'Veon Bell, RB
Aaron Doster / USA Today Sports Images

Arguably the best running back in football, Bell rebounded from two injury-plagued seasons to have a league-high 321 carries last season. He's surpassed 1,800 yards from scrimmage three times, and his patient running style is one of a kind. The Steelers are expected to do everything they can to bring him back.

 
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3. DeMarcus Lawrence, DE

DeMarcus Lawrence, DE
Matthew Emmons / USA Today Sports Images

Lawrence had a breakout year at the right time, finishing 2017 with 14.5 sacks for the Cowboys. It's difficult to believe owner Jerry Jones would let him walk in free agency, but Dallas would be buying him if they sign him to a long-term deal.

 
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4. Case Keenum, QB

Case Keenum, QB
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

A career backup, Keenum emerged as a legitimate starter for Minnesota last season after Sam Bradford got hurt. He started 14 regular season games and finished with 3,547 yards and 22/7 TD/INT.

 
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5. Jarvis Landry, WR

Jarvis Landry, WR
Brett Davis / USA Today Sports Images

Landry led the NFL with 112 receptions last season and has exactly 400 receptions over his four-year career in Miami. He's rarely a major deep threat but can get open on demand, and also had a breakout touchdown year in 2017 with nine scores.

 
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6. Nate Solder, LT

Nate Solder, LT
Winslow Townson / USA Today Sports Images

Legitimate left tackles are premium commodities in the NFL, and Solder has done a solid job protecting Tom Brady's blindside during this decade. It would be surprising if the Patriots let him walk without a fight.

 
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7. Trumaine Johnson, CB

Trumaine Johnson, CB
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Johnson has developed into one of the league's top cornerbacks despite never making a Pro Bowl in his six seasons. He had 65 tackles and two interceptions for the Rams last season, and will likely be paid handsomely as the top cornerback on the market.

 
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8. Jimmy Graham, TE

Jimmy Graham, TE
Sergio Estrada / USA Today Sports Images

A five-time Pro Bowl tight end, including two in a row, Graham is something off a mediocre season with 520 receiving yards but still had 10 touchdowns. Now in his early 30's, Graham might not be the player he was early in his career with the Saints, but he's one heck of a Red Zone target.

 
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9. Allen Robinson, WR

Allen Robinson, WR
Troy Taormina / USA Today Sports Images

Robinson had a breakout year in 2015 with 80 receptions for 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns in Jacksonville. His production declined the following season, along with the rest of the Jags offense, and he tore his ACL in Week 1 of 2017. The good news is that he will have ample time to recover by the start of 2018, so it shouldn't impact what should be a long line for his services if the Jags let him get to free agency.

 
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10. Andrew Norwell, OG

Andrew Norwell, OG
Bob Donnan / USA Today Sports Images

Norwell has done a solid job at guard over four seasons in Carolina and was an All-Pro in 2017. Already struggling on the offensive line, the Panthers can ill-afford to let Norwell walk.

 
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11. Sheldon Richardson, DT

Sheldon Richardson, DT
Troy Wayrynen / USA Today Sports Images

Richardson wore out his welcome with the Jets before getting traded to Seattle last season. A dominant pass rusher early in his career, the former first-round pick had his second straight mediocre year, but his upside will be very enticing in free agency.

 
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12. Ezekiel Ansah, DE

Ezekiel Ansah, DE
Raj Mehta / USA Today Sports Images

Ansah rebounded from a sub-par and injury-plagued 2016 season to record 12 sacks for the Lions last season, the second highest total of his career. He certainly knows how to get to the quarterback but has to find the right fit for his skillset.

 
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13. Star Lotulelei, DT

Star Lotulelei, DT
Bob Donnan / USA Today Sports Images

The 14th overall pick in the 2013 draft by Carolina, Lotulelei has been as advertised as a defensive tackle who can plug up the run. He should be a welcome addition to just about any run defense.

 
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14. Sammy Watkins, WR

Sammy Watkins, WR
Matt Kartozian / USA Today Sports Images

Plagued by a foot injury leading up to last season, Watkins was traded from the Bills to the Rams and finished his fourth season with 39 receptions for 593 yards and eight scores. That's a farcry from the 1,047 receiving yards in 13 games Watkins had in 2015, but he's just heading into his age 25 season.

 
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15. Sam Bradford, QB

Sam Bradford, QB
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Bradford has had multiple ACL surgeries, and a bizarre knee injury that eventually required surgery last season further clouds his status. The former No. 1 overall draft choice is still just 30, and he led the league with a 71.6 completion rate in 2016. Someone should be happy to take the plunge, but that team will want a solid backup option.

 
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16. A.J. McCarron, QB

A.J. McCarron, QB
David Kohl / USA Today Sports Images

It's been a whirlwind few months for McCarron, who was supposedly traded to Cleveland at the deadline last season but didn't move due to the Browns inability to file paperwork. He recently won a grievance that granted him free agency this offseason, so reuniting with Browns head coach Hue Jackson could still be in his future. McCarron only has a few starts under his belt, so it will be interesting to see the offers he receives.

 
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17. Dontari Poe, DT

Dontari Poe, DT
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

A deceptively athletic 350 pound defensive tackle, Poe signed a one year pillow contract with Atlanta in 2017 to prove back issues hadn't slowed him down. He finished with only 2.5 sacks but still have a solid year in an improving defense.

 
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18. Nigel Bradham, OLB

Nigel Bradham, OLB
Jake Roth / USA Today Sports Images

A key part of the Eagles linebacker corps in 2017, Bradham could get a boost from his team's Super Bowl win. He's started 31 games for the Eagles over the last two seasons after coming over from Buffalo, and finished last season with 88 tackles.

 
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19. Eric Reid, S/LB

Eric Reid, S/LB
Sergio Estrada / USA Today Sports Images

Reid has been a very solid safety and part-time linebacker over his five seasons in San Fran, though he's recently made more headlines for his national anthem protests in support of friend Colin Kaepernick's cause. He finished 2017 with 66 tackles and two interceptions in 13 games.

 
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20. Justin Pugh, OG

Justin Pugh, OG
Kim Klement / USA Today Sports Images

A right tackle turned guard for the Giants, Pugh has been solid when on the field but has managed to play only 19 games over the last two seasons. New York has issues on the offensive line, so they really can't afford to lose Pugh.

 
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21. Paul Richardson, WR

Paul Richardson, WR
Stan Szeto / USA Today Sports Images

Richardson found more snaps and had a breakout season at the right time in Seattle as he heads town free agency. The former second-round pick had 44 receptions for 703 yards and six touchdowns in 2017.

 
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22. Morgan Burnett, S

Morgan Burnett, S
Jeff Hanisch / USA Today Sports Images

Now age 29, Burnett is becoming long in the tooth for an NFL player but has still been productive. He had 68 tackles in 12 games for the Packers last season, and has been extremely versatile.

 
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23. Marqise Lee, WR

Marqise Lee, WR
Reinhold Matay / USA Today Sports Images

Lee had a breakout season in 2016, his third NFL season, with 63 receptions for 851 yards alongside Allen Robinson in Jacksonville. He wasn't quite as productive last season with more attention paid to him from opposing defenses, but Lee has proven he can be a major factor.

 
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24. Isaiah Crowell, RB

Isaiah Crowell, RB
Ken Blaze / USA Today Sports Images

Crowell has more than 3,100 rushing yards over four seasons in Cleveland, but he's yet to surpass 1,000 yards in a single season. At times he's still shown flashes of a brilliance on a team that's far from it. Cleveland can certainly afford to bring back Crowell if they want him, but some suspect that will opt to go for more upside in another loaded running back draft class.

 
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25. Teddy Bridgewater, QB

Teddy Bridgewater, QB
Jeremy Brevard / USA Today Sports Images

Bridgewater led the Vikings to a 11-5 record in a Pro Bowl 2015 season, but a gruesome knee injury suffered in training camp before the 2016 season has sidetracked his career. He did get on the field briefly in 2017, but only the Vikings and their coaches truly know if he's the same player he was prior to the injury. At age 25, Bridgewater can still expect plenty of interest. However, he might not be handed a starting job.

 
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26. Malcom Butler, CB

Malcom Butler, CB
Reinhold Matay / USA Today Sports Images

Butler was mentioned in trade rumors on an almost daily basis last offseason, and his final straw in New England came during the Super Bowl when they Patriots oddly benched him. The former Super Bowl hero has still played cornerback at a top level in the past, making the Pro Bowl in 2015, so teams will be intrigued.

 
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27. Carlos Hyde, RB

Carlos Hyde, RB
Jayne Kamin-Oncea / USA Today Sports Images

The new 49ers regime never seemed entirely convinced by Hyde's ability last season, though he did manage to play all 16 games for the first time. Injuries have been a theme during his career, and he averaged just 3.9 yards per carry in 2017, but he's shown enough upside for teams to be interested.

 
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28. Dion Lewis, RB

Dion Lewis, RB
David Butler II / USA Today Sports Images

The versatile Lewis finished out the season as New England's primary running back and finished the season with more than 1,100 yards from scrimmage while also working as a kick returner. His history of injuries are a huge red flag that could prevent a long contract, but Lewis has the ability to create his own space when he's healthy.

 
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29. Jay Cutler, QB

Jay Cutler, QB
Jay Biggerstaff / USA Today Sports Images

Cutler retired to the broadcast booth last offseason before Adam Gase called him back due to Ryan Tannehill's injury. The results were mixed, but Cutler is certainly still an NFL quarterback if he wants to keep playing.

 
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30. Derrick Johnson, ILB

Derrick Johnson, ILB
Denny Medley / USA Today Sports Images

The Chiefs organization made the difficult decision to move on from Johnson recently after 13 seasons. He slowed considerably last season after two Achilles injuries, struggling to cover running backs as well as he had in previous years, but Johnson still had 71 tackles and plenty of hard hits. At worst, he will be a source of great veteran leadership with his new team.

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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