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Top NFL free agents available
Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery was suspended four games for PEDs in 2016. Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports

Top NFL free agents available

Now that Super Bowl LI is in the books, it's time to turn toward 2017 NFL free agency. Several perennial All-Pros highlight what is a relatively strong all-around free agent class, including a certain running back in the Steel City, big-name defensive players and receivers, and an intriguing quarterback.

 
1 of 25

Le'Veon Bell, RB

Le'Veon Bell, RB
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

It would be shocking if the Steelers allowed Bell to walk in free agency. Arguably the game's best running back, Bell had 1,884 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns during 2016 in only 12 games.

 
2 of 25

Kirk Cousins, QB

Kirk Cousins, QB
Brad Mills / USA Today Sports Images

If Cousins re-signs with Washington, he's expected to get a mammoth deal after he threw for more than 4,900 yards and 25 touchdowns. He led the team to a 17-14-1 record over the last two seasons.

 
3 of 25

Eric Berry, S

Eric Berry, S
Jeff Curry / USA Today Sports Images

Berry played with the Chiefs under the franchise tag in 2016, and it could work out financially for him after a great season. He was an All-Pro for the third time and had two pick-sixes.

 
4 of 25

Alshon Jeffery, WR

Alshon Jeffery, WR
Jeff Hanisch / USA Today Sports Images

Jeffery surely hurt his value with a PEDs suspension in 2016, but wideouts with his tools don't grow on trees. He will only be 27 in 2017 and has two 1,100-yard seasons in his career.

 
5 of 25

Trumaine Johnson, CB

Trumaine Johnson, CB
Joe Camporeale / USA Today Sports Images

The Rams can ill-afford to lose more top-end talent like they did last offseason. Johnson was their top cornerback in 2016, but his interceptions plummeted with teams not forced to throw against L.A. He still had 57 tackles.

 
6 of 25

DeSean Jackson, WR

DeSean Jackson, WR
Bill Streicher / USA Today Sports Images

The flashy Jackson can still take the top off a defense, though he's no stranger to injuries and is now in his early 30s. He had the highest yards per reception average in the league for the third time in 2016 and reached 1,000 yards receiving for the fifth time.

 
7 of 25

Jason Pierre-Paul, DE

Jason Pierre-Paul, DE
Jeff Hanisch / USA Today Sports Images

Pierre-Paul rehabbed his value in 2016 after a fireworks accident ruined his previous season. He played only 12 games but had seven sacks. It remains to be seen if the Giants will be able to afford him.

 
8 of 25

Kawann Short, DT

Kawann Short, DT
Bob Donnan / USA Today Sports Images

Losing Short would be very difficult after the Panthers lost cornerback Josh Norman last offseason. Short had 55 tackles and six sacks in 2016.

 
9 of 25

Chandler Jones, OLB

Chandler Jones, OLB
Joe Camporeale / USA Today Sports Images

Traded from the Patriots to the Cardinals last offseason, Jones proved he could dominate in another system with 11 sacks for Arizona in 2016. He's had double-digit sacks in three of the last four seasons.

 
10 of 25

Melvin Ingram, OLB

Melvin Ingram, OLB
Ron Chenoy / USA Today Sports Images

Will Ingram make the move with the Chargers to L.A.? He has 18.5 sacks over the last two seasons, but the team prepared to lose him by drafting Joey Bosa last year. There will be plenty of interest in his services if the Chargers let Ingram walk.

 
11 of 25

Calais Campbell, DE

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

Campbell wouldn't look quite right in another uniform after spending the first nine seasons of his career in Arizona. He's been extremely consistent and is coming off a year in which he had 53 tackles and eight sacks.

 
12 of 25

Brandon Williams, DT

Brandon Williams, DT
Tommy Gilligan / USA Today Sports Images

Williams has emerged as a great run stuffer for the Ravens over the last few seasons, finishing with 51 tackles last season. He lacks the pass-rushing ability to get a huge deal but should still find big money in free agency.

 
13 of 25

A.J. Bouye, CB

A.J. Bouye, CB
Troy Taormina / USA Today Sports Images

Bouye really helped himself in his walk year with the Texans, and it would be surprising if the team doesn't retain him. He was a lockdown corner in his fourth season, also finishing with 62 tackles.

 
14 of 25

Prince Amukamara, CB

Prince Amukamara, CB
Matt Marton / USA Today Sports Images

Amukamara helped his value on a one-year deal with Jacksonville, staying healthy for 14 games. He's expected to get a multiyear offer this time around.

 
15 of 25

Dontari Poe, DT

Dontari Poe, DT
Jay Biggerstaff / USA Today Sports Images

Poe has fallen off a bit over the last two years due to back issues, but the athletic big man is still a strong run stuffer who has also contributed for the Chiefs on offense. Kansas City would love to retain him but might be forced to let him walk due to cap concerns.

 
16 of 25

T.J. Lang, OG

T.J. Lang, OG
Jeff Hanisch / USA Today Sports Images

Lang made his first Pro Bowl in 2016, his eighth year in the NFL. He's spent his entire career with Green Bay, so it would be surprising on both sides if he walked.

 
17 of 25

Mike Glennon, QB

Mike Glennon, QB
Reinhold Matay / USA Today Sports Images

While Glennon hasn't started a game since 2014, he's at least expected to get an opportunity in a starter competition. Tampa Bay can't afford to retain Glennon as the backup, and he's shown flashes in the past.

 
18 of 25

LeGarrette Blount, RB

LeGarrette Blount, RB
Reinhold Matay / USA Today Sports Images

A Super Bowl champion once again, Blount led the league with 18 rushing touchdowns in 2016. He struggled the last time he left New England after signing with the Steelers and found his way back after off-field issues. It would be somewhat surprising if Blount ventured far this offseason.

 
19 of 25

Martellus Bennett, TE

Martellus Bennett, TE
Matthew Emmons / USA Today Sports Images

Bennett had a strong year serving as New England's starting tight end for much of the season due to Rob Gronkowski's injuries. Foot issues hindered Bennett, but he still had 55 receptions for 701 yards and seven scores for the Pats.

 
20 of 25

Dont'a Hightower, LB

Dont'a Hightower, LB
Daniel Powers / USA Today Sports Images

A strong run stuffer for the Patriots, Hightower hasn't been the most durable player but has always been productive over his career. He had 65 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 13 games in 2016.

 
21 of 25

Terrelle Pryor, WR

Terrelle Pryor, WR
Scott Galvin / USA Today Sports Images

Pryor is still learning how to play wide receiver, but he made huge strides this season. He had 77 receptions for 1,007 yards and four touchdowns despite very shaky quarterback and offensive line play in Cleveland. It would be a surprise if the Browns let him walk.

 
22 of 25

Kenny Britt, WR

Kenny Britt, WR
Chuck Cook / USA Today Sports Images

Britt made the most of the final year of his contract with 68 receptions for 1,002 yards and five touchdowns. The numbers are even more impressive considering how poorly the L.A. quarterbacks played all year.

 
23 of 25

Nick Perry, OLB

Nick Perry, OLB
Jeff Hanisch / USA Today Sports Images

Are Perry's 11 sacks this season a mirage? Someone other than the Packers might find out. Perry never had more than four sacks in a season before 2016.

 
24 of 25

Riley Reiff, OT

Riley Reiff, OT
Jeff Hanisch / USA Today Sports Images

Reiff missed two games in 2016, but he's still capable of playing either tackle spot. He should find a big contract, though not necessarily with Detroit.

 
25 of 25

Eddie Lacy, RB

Eddie Lacy, RB
Jeff Hanisch / USA Today Sports Images

Lacy was out of shape in 2015 and injured the following year. He might be forced to sign a one-year deal to show he can stay healthy, but the powerful back did average 5.1 yards per carry in five games before getting hurt.

Seth Trachtman

Seth Trachtman is a sportswriter, digital marketer, and fantasy sports expert based in St. Louis, Missouri. He’s a two-time winner of the Tout Wars Fantasy Baseball Expert’s League, and his work has appeared in hundreds of fantasy baseball and fantasy football newsstand and online publications

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