With just four days left in 2018, we’ve finally reached the top 10 of my 2019 NFL free agency preview.
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Just like the previous entry in this five-part series, part four contains several outstanding defensive players and the only quarterback to make my top 25 list. Without any further ado let’s take a look at players 10 through six:
10. QB Teddy Bridgewater
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With the 2019 draft class not being as strong at quarterback as it was a year ago, teams in search of a QB may turn to an in-league option. At only 26 years old, Teddy Bridgewater is still in the early stage of his career and already has a Pro Bowl season and playoff experience on his resume.
Obviously, Drew Brees is the New Orleans Saints starting quarterback until he decides to retire. However, if Brees makes another quick decision about his playing future this offseason the Saints should have a nice window to try an convert Bridgewater from an insurance policy into Brees’ successor.
Teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars, the New York Giants, the Washington Redskins, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers could all give Bridgewater the opportunity to start immediately. Bridgewater would also likely be a cheaper option than other potential free agent QBs like Joe Flacco, Nick Foles, or Blake Bortles.
Should Bridgewater make it to the open market he will generate a ton of interest as the hottest commodity available at quarterback.
9. S Landon Collins
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If you haven’t noticed already, the 2019 NFL free agency is loaded with talent at the safety position. Landon Collins is the fourth safety to make the list and the former All-Pro could be a difference maker for a new team next year.
There have been clear signals from the Giants, i.e. the midseason trades of CB Eli Apple to the Saints and DT Damon Harrison to the Detroit Lions, that their approach on the defensive is changing. That being said, Collins recently joined the Michael Kay Show on ESPN Radio and seems to think he’ll be returning to the Giants next year:
“The feeling around the room, I mean, I feel like I might be a Giant upcoming next year. I have a gut feeling that I might still be here.” – Landon Collins on the Michael Kay Show (ESPN Radio), via Giants Wire.
The Giants could use the franchise tag to prevent Collins from hitting the open market.
Collins, who will be 25 at the start of next season, has shown improvement every year and combines the ability to stop the run and rush the passer with steadily improving coverage skills. In four seasons with the Giants, Collins has 321 tackles, 32 passes defended, 22 tackles for a loss, eight interceptions, four sacks, three forced fumbles, and one INT returned for a touchdown according to Pro Football Reference.
8. DT Grady Jarrett
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Grady Jarrett is in the final year of his rookie contract and will be looking to cash in this offseason. Throughout his four years in the NFL, Jarrett has steadily improved as a pass-rusher and become a strong presence in run defense.
In 2017, Jarrett recorded 34 solo tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and four sacks according to Pro Football Reference. Jarrett has followed that up with another good season in 2018 with a career-high six sacks, three forced fumbles, 26 solo tackles, and seven tackles for a loss.
To go along with his on the field performance, Jarrett is also the Atlanta Falcons’ 2018 nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award. Jarrett learned he was nominated for the award while providing and serving dinner to the men at Atlanta Mission: Shepherd’s Inn.
A Georgia native, Jarrett has given back to his community in many ways during his time with the Falcons. Jarrett partnered with organizations such as the At Promise Center and the Thomasville Heights Boys & Girls Club to promote anti-bullying and speaking up about past experiences last offseason.
While his skills on the field make him one of the more impressive young interior linemen in the game, Jarrett’s off-the-field actions truly set him apart. With strong ties to the Falcons’ organization he may decide to stay with the team, however, he’ll certainly draw interest from other teams hoping to persuade him to leave.
7. OLB Dee Ford
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There’s no doubt about it, Dee Ford is having a career year for the Kansas City Chiefs. Ford has totaled 12 sacks, 39 solo tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 29 QB hits, and six forced fumbles through 15 games this season according to Pro Football Reference. He was also named to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career.
Having a slow start to his career with a breakout year during the final year of his rookie contract has caused many people to draw comparisons between Ford and the Dallas Cowboys Demarcus Lawrence. Lawrence, who has been playing the 2018 season under the franchise tag, is earning $17 million this season on the basis of his performance in his 2017 contract year.
According to Joel Corry, a former sports agent, Ford will cost the Chiefs around $16.325 million to franchise tag.
Is Dee Ford this year's Demarcus Lawrence (pass rusher in a contract year with a breakout season)? It's probably going to be around $16.325M for KC to franchise Ford in 2019 if next year's salary cap is in the $190M neighborhood. https://t.co/PJlXXI3cz0
— Joel Corry (@corryjoel) October 17, 2018
There are a few ways this could play out during the offseason:
- The Chiefs sign to a long-term contract. (Possible)
- The Chiefs are forced to franchise tag Ford to keep him on the roster. (Most likely)
- The Chiefs allow Ford to hit the open market. (Unlikely)
Ford has proven this season that he can be an impactful edge rusher and players like that are extremely valuable in the NFL.
6. DE Trey Flowers
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Nicknamed “Quiet Storm” and “Technique” by his teammates, Trey Flowers has been the New England Patriots‘ sack leader the past two seasons. Flowers isn’t a household name like the Chicago Bears‘ Khalil Mack, he wasn’t one of the most voted for players in this year’s Pro Bowl Voting, and he won’t grab headlines with his postgame interviews, but he is one of the best overall defensive lineman ready to hit the open market in March.
Flowers’s ability to affect plays from any spot on the line coupled his ability to set a hard edge or pressure the quarterback have set him apart from other players on this list. Flowers is also a workhorse. According to an article by Forbes, Flowers played more downs for the Patriots last season than everyone other than defensive backs Stephon Gilmore, Patrick Chung, Devin McCourty, and Malcolm Butler despite missing to games.
Flowers has seen playing time in three of his four years with the Patriots, all except his rookie season in 2015, and has amassed 96 solo tackles, 58 QB hits, 24 tackles for a loss, 20 sacks, and four forced fumbles in his career according to Pro Football Reference.
Flowers is respected by players and coaches around the league and should prove to be the most-coveted Patriot on the unrestricted market.
Previous parts
In case you missed it here is a brief recap of the players ranked 25 through 11 in the 2019 NFL free agency:
25. RB Kareem Hunt
24. OT Daryl Williams
23. WR Golden Tate
22. OT Trent Brown
21. CB Ronald Darby
20. CB Bradley Roby
19. DE Ezekiel Ansah
18. C Matt Paradis
17. S Tyrann Mathieu
16. DT Ndamukong Suh
15. S LaMarcus Joyner
14. DT Sheldon Richardson
13. S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
12. LB Preston Smith
11. DE Brandon Graham
You can read more about each player by clicking the link below:
https://detroitsportsnation.com/detroit-lions-news/kevmarheine/top-25-players-in-2019-nfl-free-agency-part-three/12-2018/199550/
