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          Top NFL free agents for 2021: Ranking the best 100 players on the market this offseason

          • Kevin Seifert, ESPN Staff WriterMar 15, 2021, 12:00 PM ET
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              Kevin Seifert is a staff writer who covers the Minnesota Vikings and the NFL at ESPN. Kevin has covered the NFL for over 20 years, joining ESPN in 2008. He was previously a beat reporter for the Minneapolis Star Tribune and Washington Times. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia. You can follow him via Twitter @SeifertESPN.
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          The 2021 NFL free-agent negotiating window began Monday amid an unprecedented environment. For only the second time in its history, the league has lowered its salary cap number from the previous season. Lower revenues due to the COVID-19 pandemic forced a reduction from $198.2 million to $182.5 million. So after seven consecutive years of $10 million increases, each team will have about $16 million less space this year to re-sign its own players and otherwise fill out its roster.

          What won't change, however, is the degree to which teams can remake their short-term fortunes with prudent and targeted decisions. So as discussions officially begin, and the expectation for news of agreements rises, we've updated our list of the NFL's top 100 free agents. The ranking is weighted to reflect the approach we often see in free agency. Teams always will prefer younger players coming off their rookie contracts. Running backs usually are devalued because of their shorter career peaks and the continuing shift toward the passing game, and pass-rushers are always sought, regardless of their past productivity.

          One shift in league thinking is also reflected here: Players coming off serious injuries aren't necessarily fated to low valuations. Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is the latest example; he agreed to a new four-year, $160 million deal last week even as he continues to recover from a compound ankle fracture and dislocation. Here are the top 100 free agents for this offseason, with updates on where they are signing.

          Jump to the top-ranked ...
          QB | RB | WR | TE | OL
          Edge | DT | LB | CB | S

          1. Trent Williams, OT

          Re-signing with: San Francisco 49ers | Age entering 2021 season: 33

          Williams revived his career in 2020 after finally engineering a trade away from Washington. He started 14 games for the 49ers and reminded most observers why he has been considered one of the game's top left tackles. But his age and injury history will be a factor.

          2. Hunter Henry, TE

          Signing with: New England Patriots | Age entering 2021 season: 26

          Henry caught a career-high 60 passes under the Chargers' franchise tag in 2020, eighth most among NFL tight ends. In two years since returning from a torn ACL, Henry has proved to be a productive player whose potential for growth is unclear. Could he approach the productivity of a Travis Kelce or Darren Waller if he were in a system that allowed for it? Or is he a second-tier receiving tight end? In either event, many teams would cherish the mismatches he would bring to their offenses.

          3. Yannick Ngakoue, Edge

          Signing with: Las Vegas Raiders | Age entering 2021 season: 26

          An intense desire to leave Jacksonville last summer led Ngakoue to Minnesota and finally Baltimore during the course of the season. He had eight sacks, finishing below double digits for the fourth time in his five seasons. But young and even modestly effective edge rushers are always among the most sought-after free agents, and Ngakoue will have plenty of suitors.

          4. Bud Dupree, Edge

          Signing with: Tennessee Titans | Age entering 2021 season: 27

          Since the start of the 2019 season, Dupree has more sacks (19.5) than all but seven players in the NFL -- and that's despite missing the final five games of last season because of a torn ACL. A significant injury in a contract year isn't ideal, but it's also not the market buster that it once was. Assuming there are no reported complications, a pass-rusher like Dupree is going to find significant interest on the open market.

          5. Kenny Golladay, WR

          Signing with: New York Giants | Age entering 2021 season: 27

          Golladay's contract year was a bust, as injuries forced him to miss 11 games. When healthy, however, Golladay showed that he can be a big-time downfield No. 1 receiver. He combined for 17 touchdown receptions in the 2018 and 2019 seasons, tied for the NFL's seventh most over that span.

          6. Jonnu Smith, TE

          Signing with: New England Patriots | Age entering 2021 season: 26

          Smith has increased his receptions, yardage and touchdown totals in each of his four seasons with the Titans. He caught eight scoring passes in 2020, tied for fourth most by a tight end, as the Titans finally began focusing on him in the red zone. Smith seems like the kind of mismatch nightmare that teams salivate over in free agency.

          7. Trey Hendrickson, Edge

          Signing with: Cincinnati Bengals | Age entering 2021 season: 26

          A young pass-rusher who put up 13.5 sacks in his first season as a starter, Hendrickson caught many eyes last year. Many of the Saints' top defensive players are approaching or exceeding 30, but their annual cap crunch makes retaining him a challenge.

          8. Mitchell Schwartz, OT

          2020 team: Kansas City Chiefs | Age entering 2021 season: 32

          Schwartz had never missed a start in his NFL career before last season and had proved himself to be one of the NFL's best tackles by the time he suffered a back injury that cost him 10 games and the entire postseason in 2020.

          9. Shaquil Barrett, Edge

          Re-signing with: Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Age entering 2021 season: 28

          No one expected Barrett to match his wild 2019 production of 19.5 sacks, but his eight-sack season in 2020 made clear he remains a pass-rushing obstacle who must be accounted for. After a year on the Buccaneers' franchise tag, it will be interesting to see his market.

          10. Corey Linsley, C

          Signing with: Los Angeles Chargers | Age entering 2021 season: 30

          Linsley earned first-team All-Pro honors in his seventh season and would be a worthy target for any team hoping to elevate its offensive line. With Linsley on the roster in 2017, the Packers allowed JC Tretter to leave as a free agent -- but there is no obvious replacement on the roster this go-around.

          11. Corey Davis, WR

          Signing with: New York Jets | Age entering 2021 season: 26

          Davis was eclipsed by A.J. Brown as the Titans' No. 1 receiver, and in four years he has caught a total of 11 touchdown passes while never producing a 1,000-yard season. The Titans declined his fifth-year option, and he might be best served with a change of scenery. As long as they're competent in the passing game, big receivers will always find interest.

          12. Joe Thuney, G

          Signing with: Kansas City Chiefs | Age entering 2021 season: 28

          The Patriots used the franchise tag on Thuney for 2020 and got another 16-start season. He hasn't missed a start since the Patriots made him a third-round draft pick in 2016 and is among the most reliable free agents available.

          13. Alejandro Villanueva, OT

          2020 team: Pittsburgh Steelers | Age entering 2021 season: 32

          Even if his best days are behind him, Villanueva plays a position that is very difficult to replace in free agency. Teams consider it a win to find a serviceable left tackle in free agency, and he certainly qualifies in that regard.

          14. Trai Turner, G

          2020 team: Los Angeles Chargers | Age entering 2021 season: 28

          Yes, two teams have given up on him in the past 12 months. But Turner was named to five Pro Bowls before the age of 27. There's plenty of athleticism and potential there to make him a desired target.

          15. A.J. Green, WR

          Signing with: Arizona Cardinals | Age entering 2021 season: 33

          The good news is that Green, a seven-time Pro Bowler, played in all 16 games last season after missing all of 2019 and seven games in 2018. The bad news is that he had the least productive year of his career, with 47 receptions for 523 yards and two touchdowns. Part of that can be attributed to the Bengals' offensive scheme, which required him to share targets with rookie Tee Higgins, as well as their quarterback issues after Joe Burrow was lost due to injuries. But those numbers -- and Green's age -- will make for a complicated set of negotiations with whoever pursues him this spring.

          16. Haason Reddick, Edge

          Signing with: Carolina Panthers | Age entering 2021 season: 26

          What a career turnaround. A first-round pick in 2016 as an inside linebacker, Reddick had his fifth-year option declined for 2020. In a contract year, he moved to outside linebacker and then burst into the national consciousness with five sacks in a Week 14 win over the Giants. In total, he racked up 7.5 sacks in the Cardinals' final four regular-season games. There is plenty of evaluation still needed, but at the very least, Reddick is rolling off a big contract season.

          17. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR

          Re-signing with: Pittsburgh Steelers | Age entering 2021 season: 24

          There's no other way to put it: Smith-Schuster had a confounding contract year. Playing in the Steelers' short passing game, he caught 97 passes -- ninth most in the NFL -- but averaged only 8.6 yards per catch. That was the third lowest among the wide receivers who caught at least 50 passes in 2020. The performance isn't likely to change teams' perceptions of his potential as a downfield receiver, but it could prompt at least a closer look.

          18. Desmond King II, CB

          Signing with: Houston Texans | Age entering 2021 season: 26

          King started eight combined games last season for the Chargers and Titans, to whom he was traded at midseason. At times in his career, he has been an exceptional slot cornerback. The midseason trade suggests that acclaim was not universally held.

          19. Curtis Samuel, WR

          Signing with: Washington Football Team | Age entering 2021 season: 25

          Samuel set career highs for receptions (77) and yards (851) in 2020 while also emerging as an intriguing multipositional player who got 41 carries out of various formations. He rushed for 200 yards and two touchdowns, while converting 10 first downs, and would be closely scrutinized by teams with open-minded schemes. Among players classified as wide receivers, only the Bears' Cordarrelle Patterson finished with more rushing yards than Samuel.

          20. Shaquill Griffin, CB

          Signing with: Jacksonville Jaguars | Age entering 2021 season: 26

          Griffin intercepted a career-high three passes in 2020, his fourth season as a starter in Seattle. Regardless of his interception numbers, though, he has consistently been around the ball. ESPN Stats & Information has credited him with 39 pass breakups -- passes that he either defended, tipped or batted down. That tied him for the 14th most in the NFL over the past four seasons.

          21. Will Fuller V, WR

          Signing with: Miami Dolphins | Age entering 2021 season: 27

          There haven't been many more confounding players than Fuller over the past five years. He has never played a 16-game season and has missed 27 games over that span because of injuries and a suspension. When on the field, however, Fuller has been one of the NFL's top deep threats. His average of 9.3 yards gained per target ranks among the top 10 in the NFL among qualified receivers over the past five seasons. Teams will have to decide how to balance his availability issues with his obvious production advantages.

          22. Patrick Peterson, CB

          Signing with: Minnesota Vikings | Age entering 2021 season: 31

          You'll find little disagreement that Peterson has played better in his career than he did in 2020. Pro Football Focus calculated that quarterbacks had a 96.2 passer rating when throwing in his direction. But there are rarely even competent cornerbacks available on the free-agent market, meaning there will be interest by default.

          23. Eric Fisher, OT

          2020 team: Kansas City Chiefs | Age entering 2021 season: 30

          The Chiefs' decision to release Fisher, the No. 1 overall pick in 2013, caught many by surprise. The timing of his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon surely played into it, but there is every reason to think Fisher has many more years as a productive left tackle ahead of him.

          24. John Johnson III, S

          Signing with: Cleveland Browns | Age entering 2021 season: 25

          Johnson has had an up-and-down career since the Rams made him a third-round draft pick in 2017, but he played a big role in their defensive resurgence in 2020 and appears to have helped himself in a contract year. He missed 10 games in 2019 because of injuries but otherwise has appeared in all 16 games for each of the other three seasons of his career.

          25. Matthew Judon, Edge

          Signing with: New England Patriots | Age entering 2021 season: 29

          Judon managed six sacks, his lowest output since 2016, after the Ravens applied their franchise tag on him for 2020. Pass-rushers are always of interest on the open market, but with the expected salary-cap decrease, it's unclear how much money will be available to the second tier of those available.

          26. Leonard Floyd, Edge

          Re-signing with: Los Angeles Rams | Age entering 2021 season: 28

          Floyd's past 12 months show just how much a change of scenery via free agency can affect a career. The Bears gave up on him after the 2019 season, and on a one-year contract with the Rams, Floyd recorded a career-high 10.5 sacks. It helps to be playing on a defensive line that includes Aaron Donald, but Floyd certainly earned some future money -- from someone -- in his 2020 campaign.

          27. Anthony Harris, S

          Signing with: Philadelphia Eagles | Age entering 2021 season: 29

          The Vikings made Harris a surprise target of their franchise tag after a six-interception season in 2019. Like the rest of the Vikings' defense, Harris did not match his previous year's performance, and he finished without a single interception. But he remains a smart and savvy defensive back with experience in a successful defense.

          28. Larry Ogunjobi, DT

          Signing with: Cincinnati Bengals | Age entering 2021 season: 27

          A three-year starter, Ogunjobi has been a force at times in the interior line. He might be better suited to playing the 3-technique in a 4-3 defense rather than the nose tackle, but he has plenty of tape doing both.

          29. Romeo Okwara, Edge

          Re-signing with: Detroit Lions | Age entering 2021 season: 26

          A waiver claim in 2018, Okwara produced an eye-opening season in 2020 for a team that fell totally from the national radar. He recorded 10 sacks as a part-time starter. Generally speaking, 26-year-old players with a 10-sack season tend to elicit significant interest. It wasn't a statistical fluke, either. He recorded 7.5 sacks in 2018.

          30. Chidobe Awuzie, CB

          Signing with: Cincinnati Bengals | Age entering 2021 season: 26

          Awuzie hasn't been much of a playmaker in terms of interceptions, having recorded a total of four in 49 career games, and he missed half of the 2020 season because of a hamstring injury. But he has been a reliable player when on the field.

          31. William Jackson III, CB

          Signing with: Washington Football Team | Age entering 2021 season: 28

          Jackson has had some solid moments for the Bengals over the past four years after missing his rookie season due to injury, but 2020 was not his best.

          32. Marvin Jones Jr., WR

          Signing with: Jacksonville Jaguars | Age entering 2021 season: 31

          Jones had his most reliable and productive season in four years, catching 76 passes for 978 yards and nine touchdowns while starting all 16 games for the Lions. It seems inevitable that he'll move on. Not every team is in the market for an over-30 receiver, but Jones still has playmaking ability.

          33. Nelson Agholor, WR

          Signing with: New England Patriots | Age entering 2021 season: 28

          Agholor revived his career as a true downfield receiver in the Raiders' offense, finishing the season ranked No. 2 in the NFL in average yards per catch (18.7) and yards per target (15.4). He still struggled with drops, ranking No. 8 with an 8.6% drop rate, but he proved without a doubt to be the kind of deep threat many envisioned when he entered the league five years ago.

          34. Richard Sherman, CB

          2020 team: San Francisco 49ers | Age entering 2021 season: 33

          Sherman is probably in the year-to-year phase of his career, given his age and his 11-game stint on injured reserve last season because of a calf injury. Some teams will likely write him off, but because there is no reason to think his injury will loom into 2021, Sherman merits a spot on this list given his still-present coverage skills.

          35. Melvin Ingram III, Edge

          2020 team: Los Angeles Chargers | Age entering 2021 season: 32

          Ingram's foray into free agency will be tricky. His age and a mostly lost season in 2020 are real downsides. On the other hand, flawless pass-rushers never get to the market. There are always reasons, and they don't necessarily hold them back moving forward. Someone will bet that Ingram still has some good years left.

          36. Gerald Everett, TE

          Signing with: Seattle Seahawks | Age entering 2021 season: 27

          Everett has been the Rams' second tight end for most of his career, but his production, as well as the value teams place on tight ends who can exploit mismatches, makes him a free agent worth watching. He set career highs with 41 receptions for 417 yards last season in the Rams' scheme.

          37. Carl Lawson, Edge

          Signing with New York Jets | Age entering 2021 season: 26

          Lawson has never matched the production of his rookie season, when he recorded 8.5 sacks after the Bengals made him a fourth-round draft pick in 2017. But he became a starter in 2020, in conjunction with the departure of veteran Carlos Dunlap, and turned in the kind of performance that will conjure significant interest. ESPN tracked him with a pressure rate of 10.1%, good for 16th best in the league.

          38. Jadeveon Clowney, Edge

          2020 team: Tennessee Titans | Age entering 2021 season: 28

          There's no other way to put it: Clowney has had two really weird years. He recorded just three sacks in 13 games for the Seahawks in 2019 and then struggled to reach an agreement during free agency last spring. He eventually signed with the Titans and didn't record a single sack in eight games before a knee injury ended his season. Clowney did bring pressure on 10.9% of his rushes, good for No. 10 in the league, and there is no reason to think his career is over.

          39. Andy Dalton, QB

          Signing with: Chicago Bears | Age entering 2021 season: 33

          It went largely unnoticed, but Dalton turned in an above-average performance for a backup after returning in Week 12 from a stint on the COVID-19 list. Over that span, he led the Cowboys to a 3-3 record, throwing 10 touchdown passes to four interceptions and ranking No. 15 in QBR (61.4). He's not likely to receive a starting job outright in free agency, but of the quarterbacks who are currently available, he is among the best bets for a role as either a short-term starter or a backup who would compete in training camp.

          40. Eric Wilson, LB

          2020 team: Minnesota Vikings | Age entering 2021 season: 26

          Wilson went from being a valuable backup to a 15-game starter in 2020, filling in for the injured Anthony Barr. He has enough good tape, with 122 tackles and three interceptions, to tempt the Vikings to re-sign him as a starter or generate under-the-radar interest on the free-agent market.

          41. Adam Humphries, WR

          Signing with: Washington Football Team | Age entering 2021 season: 28

          Two disappointing injury-shortened seasons with the Titans ended with a release last month. In 18 games, Humphries managed fewer receptions, yards and touchdowns than he compiled in his final season with the Buccaneers in 2018. It's worth noting that the Patriots pursued him hard before he signed with the Titans.

          42. Kevin Zeitler, G

          Signing with: Baltimore Ravens | Age entering 2021 season: 31

          Teams don't often fall over themselves for 31-year-old offensive linemen, but Zeitler has been exceptionally durable throughout his career. He has made all but one start over the past six seasons for the Giants and Bengals. His availability will be a key attribute on the market.

          43. Golden Tate, WR

          2020 team: New York Giants | Age entering 2021 season: 33

          The surplus of free-agent receivers on the market shouldn't overshadow the availability of Tate, who remains as strong and crafty of a pass catcher as the NFL has. He'll be on his fourth team in four seasons but certainly has enough left in the tank to contribute to a team at his age.

          44. Rob Gronkowski, TE

          Re-signing with: Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Age entering 2021 season: 32

          The assumption is that Gronkowski will play only with Tom Brady as his quarterback, which means a likely return to Tampa if he plays at all. The top line of Gronkowski's 2020 season is that he managed to stay healthy enough to play all 16 games and then was a force in the Super Bowl with two touchdown catches. There's every reason to think he can run it back in 2021 if he wants to.

          45. Jameis Winston, QB

          Re-signing with: New Orleans Saints | Age entering 2021 season: 27

          It's kind of wild to think that Winston has started five full seasons, was a backup for a sixth and is still three years away from 30. He appears to have a real chance to return as the Saints' 2021 starter, presuming Drew Brees retires, based on offseason comments from coach Sean Payton. Winston will have to decide if he prefers to first shop himself on the open market.

          46. Kyle Rudolph, TE

          Signing with: New York Giants | Age entering 2021 season: 31

          A uniquely skilled pass receiver for much of his career in Minnesota, Rudolph shifted to more of a blocking role in 2020. The good news is that he proved he can block well in a zone-based scheme. But he'll likely find a team that is more interested in using him as a big red-zone target.

          47. T.Y. Hilton, WR

          Re-signing with: Indianapolis Colts | Age entering 2021 season: 31

          Hilton played out his five-year, $65 million extension with the Colts but remains young enough to sign a third contract this offseason. It won't be nearly as lucrative -- he has fallen short of 1,000 receiving yards in three of his past four seasons.

          48. Russell Okung, OT

          2020 team: Carolina Panthers | Age entering 2021 season: 32

          Okung could be moving to his fifth different team in the past seven seasons, a reminder that there is always a market for someone who can fit the profile of a left tackle. He has struggled to stay on the field in his past two seasons, however, and has missed 19 games during that stretch because of various injuries.

          49. Kyle Van Noy, LB

          Signing with: New England Patriots | Age entering 2021 season: 30

          The Dolphins paid Van Noy $15 million to sign and play for them last season, and he seemed to have done his part in leading their defensive resurgence. He isn't likely to cash in, but teams know he is the kind of player who can excel in a specific lane of responsibilities.

          50. Ndamukong Suh, DT

          Re-signing with: Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Age entering 2021 season: 34

          Playing on the Buccaneers' talented defensive line, Suh put up more sacks in 2020 (6.0) than in any of his previous four seasons. His career is a year-to-year proposition at this point, but he appears to have at least one more year left in him. He has already earned nearly $156 million in his NFL career, a stunning total for a non-skill position player.

          51. Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB

          Signing with: Washington Football Team | Age entering 2021 season: 38

          You won't often see a 38-year-old player on any list of top free agents, but Fitzpatrick plays quarterback and has a long history of exceeding expectations at the position for teams that need either a temporary starter or backup who might actually need to play. You might also be surprised to know that in nine games for the Dolphins last season, Fitzpatrick compiled the NFL's fifth-best QBR (76.9).

          52. Jayon Brown, LB

          Re-signing with: Tennessee Titans | Age entering 2021 season: 26

          The Titans used Brown, undersized at 6-foot and 226 pounds, to a good degree of success as a cover linebacker. He has been a full-time starter for the past two seasons, although he has missed eight games over that period, including six last season because of an elbow injury. But teams annually seek out the kind of speed he demonstrated both at the 2017 scouting combine (4.7 in the 40) and on the field ever since.

          53. Riley Reiff, OT

          Signing with: Cincinnati Bengals | Age entering 2021 season: 32

          The Vikings, and the Lions before them, spent years thinking about alternative positions for Reiff. At this stage in his career, he can play left tackle if needed but would be a more-than-suitable starter on the right side or even at guard.

          54. David Andrews, C

          Re-signing with: New England Patriots | Age entering 2021 season: 29

          Andrews returned from a 2019 injury to start 12 games for the Patriots in 2020 and had a solid year. He finished No. 29 among all NFL offensive linemen in pass rush win rate (93.7). His run blocking did not grade out as well -- he was No. 98 with a 72.2% win rate -- but there is certainly a fit for him somewhere in the NFL this season.

          55. Dalvin Tomlinson, DT

          Signing with: Minnesota Vikings | Age entering 2021 season: 27

          Each year in free agency, a handful of names recognizable by only diehard fans get notable contracts. Tomlinson might be one of them. He has been a reliable run defender for the Giants since they made him a second-round pick in 2017, having started all 64 of their regular-season games during that stretch. He ranked No. 54 in 2020 among all NFL defenders in run stop win rate (34.3).

          56. Antonio Brown, WR

          2020 team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Age entering 2021 season: 33

          A touchdown in the Super Bowl reminded the football world that Brown had in fact returned to the field as a productive player. Fulfilling his desire to play with quarterback Tom Brady, Brown caught 45 passes in eight regular-season games for the Buccaneers. Even after that success, his off-field history ensures that he'll be a relatively cheap signing -- for someone -- if he wants to continue playing.

          57. Janoris Jenkins, CB

          Signing with: Tennessee Titans | Age entering 2021 season: 32

          Jenkins' big-play production is undeniable. Three interceptions last season brought his career total to 26. Only two players (Richard Sherman and Harrison Smith) have had more interceptions since Jenkins entered the NFL in 2012.

          58. Xavier Woods, S

          2020 team: Dallas Cowboys | Age entering 2021 season: 26

          The league would be forgiven for not rushing to swoop in and collect available members of the Cowboys' 2020 defense, which ranked No. 26 last season in points allowed (29.6) and touchdown pass to interception ratio (3.4). But Woods is a versatile safety who could probably fit into multiple schemes around the league.

          59. Sheldon Rankins, DT

          Signing with: New York Jets | Age entering 2021 season: 27

          Rankins was a full-time starter in 2017 and 2018 before injuries and performance relegated him to a reserve role for the Saints. But because he isn't likely to be a high-priced acquisition, teams with interior needs -- and a belief that Rankins can be rejuvenated -- will be interested.

          60. Malcolm Butler, CB

          Signing with: Arizona Cardinals | Age entering 2021 season: 31

          Butler has struggled when asked to consistently defend the opponent's No. 1 receiver, but that doesn't mean he can't play. It just means he isn't a true No. 1 corner, which you rarely -- if ever -- find on the free-agent market anyway.

          61. Sammy Watkins, WR

          2020 team: Kansas City Chiefs | Age entering 2021 season: 28

          You might be surprised to know that Watkins, even after a seven-year career that has seen its share of injuries, will still be two years shy of 30 when the season begins. He missed 17 games in three years with the Chiefs and is five years removed from the only 1,000-yard season of his career, but he might prove a more affordable alternative to some of the younger receivers available in this market.

          62. Quinton Dunbar, CB

          2020 team: Seattle Seahawks | Age entering 2021 season: 29

          Dunbar had a rough year after his trade to the Seahawks, first accused of robbery after an incident in Florida (he was not charged) and ultimately limited to six games because of a knee injury. Those issues will pop on his free agency resume, but teams should also remember that he had developed into a really good cover cornerback prior to his trade from Washington.

          63. Mike Hilton, CB

          Signing with: Cincinnati Bengals | Age entering 2021 season: 27

          Hilton intercepted three passes last season as the Steelers' slot cornerback, a role he has filled for most of the past four seasons. There is always a debate about the value of a third cornerback, especially if they don't project as a full-time player on the outside, but Hilton has been trained and coached well in Pittsburgh.

          64. Jared Cook, TE

          Signing with: Los Angeles Chargers | Age entering 2021 season: 34

          A 34-year-old skill-position player, you say? Even if he has lost a step, Cook caught 22 touchdown passes in the past three seasons -- more than any NFL tight end not named Travis Kelce over that period -- and would remain a red-zone threat in 2021.

          65. Troy Hill, CB

          Signing with: Cleveland Browns | Age entering 2021 season: 30

          • News: Hill has a deal with the Browns.

          Hill had his best season in 2020, becoming a 16-game starter for the first time in the Rams' top-rated defense. He intercepted three passes, returned two for touchdowns and has shown that he can play outside or in the slot.

          66. Carlos Dunlap, Edge

          Re-signing with: Seattle Seahawks | Age entering 2021 season: 32

          It was always going to be a brief stay in Seattle for Dunlap, whose cap number would have ballooned to $14.1 million in 2021. But he proved he can still provide an edge pass rush, totaling six sacks over 15 games, and will find a new home this spring.

          67. Malik Hooker, S

          2020 team: Indianapolis Colts | Age entering 2021 season: 25

          Injuries really stunted Hooker's development in Indianapolis, most recently a torn Achilles that cost him 14 games in 2020. But he's still remarkably young. There is every reason to think he'll be healthy to start the 2021 season and make another run at being a top-end big safety.

          68. Mackensie Alexander, CB

          2020 team: Cincinnati Bengals | Age entering 2021 season: 27

          Alexander started a career-high 10 games last season after signing a one-year deal with the Bengals. He has mostly played in the slot in his career but can shift outside if needed.

          69. K.J. Wright, LB

          2020 team: Seattle Seahawks | Age entering 2021 season: 32

          You won't see too many teams falling over themselves to sign 32-year-old linebackers, but Wright played at a high level in 2020 while starting 16 games and could be a stabilizing force for a team if he and the Seahawks don't agree on a return. It's worth remembering that the Seahawks drafted linebacker Jordyn Brooks in the first round last year.

          70. Kyle Long, G

          Signing with: Kansas City Chiefs | Age entering 2021 season: 32

          • News: Long is coming out of retirement to sign with the Chiefs on a one-year deal.

          Long has signed with an agent and is hoping to return from a year off. He retired after the 2019 season after injuries cost him 34 games over the previous four seasons. But when healthy, he was one of the NFL's most dominant guards, and that pedigree should get him more than a few looks this spring.

          71. Rashard Higgins, WR

          Re-signing with: Cleveland Browns | Age entering 2021 season: 26

          Higgins has the ability to work from multiple positions, can make plays downfield and has experience in multiple systems. He could be another value add at a position where needy teams will find heavy supply.

          72. Xavier Rhodes, CB

          Re-signing with: Indianapolis Colts | Age entering 2021 season: 31

          Rhodes resurrected his career after moving from the Vikings to the Colts in 2020. According to Pro Football Focus, opposing quarterbacks completed 50% of the passes thrown in his direction, down from 80% in 2019. Still, at his age and with his injury history, Rhodes' career will be a year-to-year proposition.

          73. Jacoby Brissett, QB

          Signing with: Miami Dolphins | Age entering 2021 season: 28

          The Colts long ago moved past Brissett as a full-time replacement for Andrew Luck, having first acquired Philip Rivers and then Carson Wentz to be their starters. But Brissett rates higher than most backups and has thrown 31 touchdown passes against 13 interceptions in 32 career starts. If he wants to play again, without counting on an injury to Wentz, he'll need to move on.

          74. Justin Houston, Edge

          2020 team: Indianapolis Colts | Age entering 2021 season: 32

          Houston started 16 games in consecutive seasons for the Colts after moving over from the Chiefs, the first time he had done that in his career. He was productive as well, managing 19 sacks, and seems to have enough left in the tank for at least one more season.

          75. Jurrell Casey, DT

          2020 team: Denver Broncos | Age entering 2021 season: 31

          The Broncos' trade for Casey in 2020 was a bust, as he was lost for the season after three games because of a torn bicep. But his past history as an interior disruptor with the Titans, along with the relative dearth of available interior players in this market, means he'll generate interest.

          76. Jason Verrett, CB

          Re-signing with: San Francisco 49ers | Age entering 2021 season: 30

          After injuries limited him to a total of six games during the previous four seasons, Verrett emerged to start 13 games for the 49ers in 2020. The feat allowed him to extend his career, as there was never any doubt about his skill set when healthy. He also served as a reminder that free-agent help can come from the unlikeliest of sources.

          77. Denzel Perryman, LB

          Signing with: Carolina Panthers | Age entering 2021 season: 28

          Perryman plays well against the run, having produced the NFL's 12th-best run stop win rate for linebackers since 2017 (36.3), at a position where teams usually look for pass rush. There will be interest in Perryman, but probably not at big numbers.

          78. Kelvin Beachum, OT

          Re-signing with: Arizona Cardinals | Age entering 2021 season: 32

          Beachum has made a career of being an available starting tackle, most recently on the right side for the Cardinals in 2020. No one will mistake him for a Hall of Fame player, but teams have trusted that they will get a certain floor of performance with him over a relatively short period of time. Beachum has started for four teams in the past six seasons.

          79. James White, RB

          Re-signing with: New England Patriots | Age entering 2021 season: 29

          White's production dropped in 2020 along with the rest of the Patriots offense; his 49 receptions and 121 rushing yards were his fewest in a season since 2015. But his receiving skills will attract interest in a way that most 29-year-old running backs fail to generate.

          80. Keanu Neal, S

          Signing with: Dallas Cowboys | Age entering 2021 season: 26

          Neal returned from two lost seasons to start 14 games for the Falcons in 2020 and demonstrated that he can still be a full-time player. A torn ACL and a torn Achilles tendon cost him 28 games between 2018-19 which almost assuredly will impact his value on the market.

          81. Aldon Smith, Edge

          2020 team: Dallas Cowboys | Age entering 2021 season: 31

          It was wild simply to see Smith back on the field after four years of suspensions. Expectations were low for his production, and he exceeded them with five sacks and 50 pressures while starting all 16 games. It was enough to suggest he can and should play in 2021.

          82. Shelby Harris, DL

          Re-signing with: Denver Broncos | Age entering 2021 season: 30

          Harris has been productive as a part-time player, and the Broncos want to keep him as part of their defensive line, where he has been a starter for the past two seasons. But his versatility and the emergence of pass-rush skills could make him of value to many teams.

          83. Brian Poole, CB

          2020 team: New York Jets | Age entering 2021 season: 28

          Poole was acquitting himself well as a slot corner for the Jets in 2020 before a shoulder injury ended his season after nine games. Pro Football Focus counted just one touchdown pass thrown in his coverage area over the course of the season.

          84. Dan Arnold, TE

          Signing with: Carolina Panthers | Age entering 2021 season: 26

          • News: Arnold has a deal with Carolina.

          After emerging in 2020 with four touchdown catches amid 31 receptions, Arnold gave teams something to think about for 2021. Is there a way to use a 6-foot-6 and 220-pound tight end on a regular basis? Otherwise, which coaches are creative enough to find ways to capitalize on his unique build and speed? For those reasons, Arnold is an intriguing prospect.

          85. Austin Reiter, C

          2020 team: Kansas City Chiefs | Age entering 2021 season: 29

          Reiter has been a perfect center for the Chiefs' offense during the past two seasons. He ranked No. 14 in the NFL in pass block win rate last season (94.7), and his absence was felt in the handful of games that he missed. Given the shortage of left tackles on the market each season, many teams target available centers as a way to upgrade their offensive lines.

          86. DeSean Jackson, WR

          Signing with: Los Angeles Rams | Age entering 2021 season: 34

          It's difficult to generate too much enthusiasm for Jackson's entrance into the market. He missed 13 games in 2019 and 11 games in 2020 due to various injuries, and he's long past the ideal age for a speed receiver. But he has still got it. He averaged over 17 yards per reception in his limited appearances during that period.

          87. Breshad Perriman, WR

          Signing with: Detroit Lions | Age entering 2021 season: 27

          As we've seen over the years with Ted Ginn Jr., raw speed can extend a player's career. Perriman only caught 30 of the 60 passes thrown his way with the Jets last season, but he averaged 16.8 yards on each of them and can certainly stretch a defense.

          88. Mitchell Trubisky, QB

          Signing with: Buffalo Bills | Age entering 2021 season: 27

          It can be true that Trubisky was both a massive draft gaffe for the Bears and also has a future in the NFL. It makes sense for all parties for him to get a fresh start. His strong instincts as a runner have been overshadowed by his accuracy and decision-making problems as a passer.

          89. Trey Burton, TE

          2020 team: Indianapolis Colts | Age entering 2021 season: 29

          Burton rebounded a bit last season from his disastrous 2019 showing in Chicago, doubling his catch total to 28 and snagging three touchdown receptions. But it remains an open question whether he can return to his production levels from his Philadelphia years.

          90. Ronald Darby, CB

          Signing with Denver Broncos | Age entering 2021 season: 27

          Darby started all 16 games last season for the first time in his career. It was also his first campaign without a single interception, although that is not always the best way to judge cornerbacks. He did defend 16 passes, second-most in his career, and his raw skills would put him in competition to start for many teams.

          91. A.J. Bouye, CB

          2020 team: Denver Broncos | Age entering 2021 season: 30

          Injuries and a suspension limited Bouye to seven games in 2020, largely wiping out his impact after moving from the Jaguars to the Broncos. But he is already drawing interest around the league and was scheduled to visit the Raiders this week after the Broncos released him.

          92. Nickell Robey-Coleman, CB

          2020 team: Philadelphia Eagles | Age entering 2021 season: 29

          Although he'll potentially be moving to the fourth team in his career, Robey-Coleman has always been a reliable player who gets himself into the middle of the play more often than not. In eight seasons, he has played in 126 of 128 possible games, mostly in the slot.

          93. Rick Wagner, OT

          2020 team: Green Bay Packers | Age entering 2021 season: 31

          Wagner started nine games for the Packers last season, and it's up for debate how many teams would consider him a full-time starter for 2021. But the annual scarcity at his position, whether as a starter or for turn-key depth, makes him a factor in this market.

          94. Kenyan Drake, RB

          Signing with: Las Vegas Raiders | Age entering 2021 season: 27

          In his first chance to be a team's No. 1 running back for an entire season, Drake rushed for a career-high 955 yards in 2020 for the Cardinals. In 21 games since his 2019 trade from the Dolphins, he has totaled 18 rushing touchdowns. Teams might also remember that he caught at least 50 passes in two seasons for the Dolphins earlier in his career.

          95. Tyrod Taylor, QB

          Signing with: Houston Texans | Age entering 2021 season: 32

          Taylor has become one of the NFL's favorite "temporary starters." He made it through three games for the Browns before giving way to Baker Mayfield in 2018. Then he opened last season as the Chargers' starter but made only one start before a pain-killing shot punctured his lung. He never got his job back from Justin Herbert, and he likely will be a priority backup in 2021.

          96. Chris Carson, RB

          Re-signing with: Seattle Seahawks | Age entering 2021 season: 26

          Carson's touches fell by about 30% last season compared to 2018-19, when he was the Seahawks' workhorse back. But provided he can stay on the field, there is every reason to believe Carson could once again be a 1,000-yard rusher for a team that valued it.

          97. Larry Fitzgerald, WR

          2020 team: Arizona Cardinals | Age entering 2021 season: 38

          Yes, he'll be 38 by next season, and yes, it's difficult to imagine him leaving the Cardinals at this point. But if Fitzgerald is a pending free agent, as he is at this moment, he has to be on this list.

          98. James Conner, RB

          2020 team: Pittsburgh Steelers | Age entering 2021 season: 26

          When healthy, Conner can be a bruising runner. But he struggled to stay on the field during the Steelers' post-Le'Veon Bell years and has never had a 1,000-yard season. The good news is that the injuries have limited him to a reasonable 656 touches over four seasons. Still, he fits the profile of a running back who isn't likely to see big-money offers.

          99. Alex Mack, C

          Signing with: San Francisco 49ers | Age entering 2021 season: 35

          It's possible that Mack will retire, but if he wants to play, he's likely to find interest from teams looking for a short-term center solution. As a former player at Cal, he recently spoke publicly about returning to the Bay Area and signing with the 49ers.

          100. Keelan Cole Sr., WR

          Signing with: New York Jets | Age entering 2021 season: 28

          Cole has largely filled the role of a No. 3 receiver in his career for the Jaguars and will be buried among the bigger-name receivers in this market. But he's likely to come at a better value and still has room to grow.