NFL Power Rankings - Week 14: Every team's most important free agent
The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's football editors.
With the season nearing its end, we're identifying each team's biggest impending free agent.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (11-1)
Previous Rank: 1
While Kansas City doesn't have a marquee free agent to re-sign, it is facing an offseason in which the team could lose a lot of its depth. The biggest name among the host of free agents is Sammy Watkins. The veteran - who took a pay cut to stay in 2020 - only has 295 yards this season, so it's not like he's irreplaceable. But without a ton of cap space, the Chiefs might prefer to bring back the known commodity on a cheap deal.
2. New Orleans Saints (10-2)
Previous Rank: 3
Trey Hendrickson couldn’t have picked a better time to have a breakout campaign. The Saints defensive end has put his name on the map in the midst of a contract year, notching a career-high 10.5 sacks. The next place Hendrickson should put his name on is the bottom of a very lucrative proposal, but New Orleans may need to perform a few magic tricks to keep him. The Saints are projected to be $95.4 million over the cap in 2021, per Spotrac.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-1)
Previous Rank: 2
JuJu Smith-Schuster has been all smiles in 2020. The wideout has solidified his importance, becoming the Steelers’ go-to target in crucial situations. Smith-Schuster is dancing in the end zone and on Tik Tok - and his next move may have him dancing all the way to the bank. A hefty payday likely awaits the young receiver, but will the Steelers have the money to keep him in Pittsburgh?
4. Buffalo Bills (9-3)
Previous Rank: 5
Like many teams, the Bills may be in a tough position due to a possible salary cap reduction in 2021. If Buffalo can find a way to make it work, Matt Milano is one player deserving of a payday. The Bills are projected to have $4.8 million in cap space in 2021, according to Spotrac.
5. Green Bay Packers (9-3)
Previous Rank: 4
Some may say running backs don't matter, but Aaron Jones is making a good argument to challenge that notion. The Packers ball carrier has totaled 1,033 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns this season. Jones will likely be looking to break the bank, but it has proved unwise to hand out long-term contracts to backs. A difficult situation could be on the horizon.
6. Los Angeles Rams (8-4)
Previous Rank: 9
Leonard Floyd signed a one-year deal with the Rams last offseason after four uneventful years in Chicago. Floyd has settled nicely in Los Angeles, tying a new career high in sacks (7). Hopefully, the linebacker signs a new deal to stay in the City of Angels and puts a Hollywood ending on his redemption arc.
7. Seattle Seahawks (8-4)
Previous Rank: 6
The Seahawks’ secondary owns the 32nd ranked passing defense. One of the few bright spots has been cornerback Shaquill Griffin, who will be a free agent in 2021. Griffin lacks flash - with just five career interceptions - but as the heart and soul of the secondary, he consistently gets the job done.
8. Indianapolis Colts (8-4)
Previous Rank: 8
With Jacob Eason as the only quarterback under contract for 2021 and the likelihood top draft prospects will be long gone before Indy picks, the team's priority should be retaining Philip Rivers. A long-term successor must be found soon, but it will be hard for the Colts to find a better stop-gap option for 2021 than the 38-year-old, who has performed well in his first season in Indy.
9. Cleveland Browns (9-3)
Previous Rank: 10
The Browns restructured the last year of Olivier Vernon's contract this offseason, and part of the deal was not using the franchise or transition tag on him in 2021. The pass rusher has put together another solid season, racking up five sacks. Cleveland would be smart to bring him back as a strong complement to starter Myles Garrett.
10. Tennessee Titans (8-4)
Previous Rank: 7
Guess who leads the Titans in receiving yards? It’s not A.J. Brown - it’s Corey Davis. The 25-year old is set to be a free agent and is building an impressive resume. Davis, who's on pace to set numerous career-highs, is PFF’s second-ranked NFL receiver. Extending Davis' stay in Tennessee would send shivers down the spines of defensive coordinators in the AFC South.
11. Miami Dolphins (8-4)
Previous Rank: 11
The Dolphins don’t have many big-name free agents, but Ryan Fitzpatrick is one name to keep an eye on. The veteran signal-caller has developed a cult-like following in Miami, and while it will be the Tua Tagovailoa show moving forward, a top-end backup is never a bad luxury to have.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5)
Previous Rank: 12
Injuries have kept Chris Godwin from repeating his breakout 2019 campaign, but his talent and youth make him one of the biggest upcoming free agents in the NFL. Godwin has recorded 1,895 receiving yards over his last two seasons. The 24-year-old receiver could cash in, but the Bucs also have a few other free-agent challenges coming up. A franchise tag may buy time until Tampa Bay can strike a long-term deal with Godwin.
13. Baltimore Ravens (7-5)
Previous Rank: 13
The Ravens went out and got Yannick Ngakoue to help their late-season push. Now, the only question is whether they can bring him back. Ngakoue hasn’t done much since arriving in Baltimore, but he figures to be a key player many teams will have their eyes on.
14. Las Vegas Raiders (7-5)
Previous Rank: 15
Las Vegas isn't in danger of losing any core pieces this offseason, but the Raiders should look to keep Nelson Agholor after helping revitalize the speedster's career this campaign. Agholor has helped unlock Derek Carr's long-dormant aggressive side, which should be worth a decent-sized extension for Jon Gruden and Co.
15. Minnesota Vikings (6-6)
Previous Rank: 16
The Vikings' in-house free-agent focus will be on Anthony Harris for a second straight year. Minnesota hit the safety with the franchise tag this past offseason in a moderately surprising move. Harris has taken a step back from his standout 2019 performance but will likely still command a big extension. Whether the Vikings believe he's worth it remains uncertain.
16. Arizona Cardinals (6-6)
Previous Rank: 14
Not many cornerbacks remain productive into their 30's, but Patrick Peterson might be able to fend off father time. The Cardinals will have to decide whether they want to risk another contract with the veteran corner, who has recorded three interceptions this season.
17. New England Patriots (6-6)
Previous Rank: 18
The Patriots won’t be in position to take a top quarterback in next year’s draft which makes bringing back the only credible passer on their roster a good idea. Cam Newton may not be putting up monster numbers anymore, but he’s leading New England back into the playoff race after winning four of the last five games.
18. New York Giants (5-7)
Previous Rank: 22
The Giants’ defense has been instrumental in their recent four-game win streak and a ton of credit should go to Leonard Williams. The 26-year-old defensive lineman was franchise tagged last offseason, but he probably won’t be settling for another prove-it deal again. Williams, a former top-ten pick, has anchored the Giants’ defensive line and set a new career-high in sacks (8.5) in the process.
19. San Francisco 49ers (5-7)
Previous Rank: 17
Besides a calf injury keeping him out for a good portion of this season, Richard Sherman seems to have found the fountain of youth in San Francisco. Unfortunately, that time may be coming to an end, according to the talented cornerback - Sherman is in the last year of his deal and circumstances are alluding to a departure. The 49ers would undoubtedly like to bring Sherman back, but the team is in for a massive juggling act with 25 unrestricted free agents in 2021.
20. Washington Football Team (5-7)
Previous Rank: 23
The Washington Football Team should be all hands-on deck in convincing three-time Pro Bowl guard Brandon Scherff to re-sign. Washington won’t have to go to all ends of the world to make it happen - a contract ensuring Scherff becomes one of the highest-paid interior linemen should do the trick.
21. Houston Texans (4-8)
Previous Rank: 21
Will Fuller looked like he was finally emerging into a consistent, big-play receiver until the league handed him a six-game suspension. If his breakout season isn’t a good enough reason to re-sign Fuller, maybe Houston should just ask Deshaun Watson how crucial it is to bring the receiver back. After trading his favorite target last offseason, it's time for Houston to do its franchise quarterback a favor.
22. Atlanta Falcons (4-8)
Previous Rank: 20
Keanu Neal has seemingly found his groove again. The 25-year-old defensive back, who's been injury-plagued in past years, has been a force near the line of scrimmage with 76 tackles. The Falcons may be entering a period of transition, but Neal could still be a part of the team’s future at the right price.
23. Carolina Panthers (4-8)
Previous Rank: 19
Panthers tackle Taylor Moton has not been mentioned much this year, but that’s usually not a bad thing when you play on the offensive line. Moton is quietly having a spectacular campaign, setting himself up for a mammoth pay raise this offseason. Carolina let cornerback James Bradberry walk last year and he is playing at a Pro Bowl level now. They can’t afford to make the same mistake with Moton.
24. Denver Broncos (4-8)
Previous Rank: 25
The Broncos have a few choices to make this offseason. The team will have to decide on aging pass-rusher’s Von Miller’s club option, but their biggest goal should be getting Justin Simmons to sign on the dotted line. Simmons, currently playing on the franchise tag, is PFF’s third-ranked safety this season and has done more than enough to warrant a lucrative deal.
25. Detroit Lions (5-7)
Previous Rank: 25
Where are the Lions headed? Detroit will have a new coach and possibly even a different field general next year depending on how the franchise handles Matthew Stafford’s future. The Lions should ensure there's a top receiver to catch the football whether Stafford is back or not. Time to pony up for Kenny Golladay.
26. Chicago Bears (5-7)
Previous Rank: 24
There may not be a player who has made more out of a poor situation than Allen Robinson. Poor quarterback play has crippled Chicago during his tenure but the receiver has remained consistent. As undoubtedly the offense’s most talented player, the Bears may need to present loads of cash at the negotiating table to keep Robinson from bolting for greener pastures.
27. Philadelphia Eagles (3-8-1)
Previous Rank: 27
The Eagles don’t have any free agents that absolutely need to be brought back, which is good since the team is projected to be six-feet under in cap space. Jalen Mills is a trustworthy defensive back and has started every game he’s played since 2017. Keeping Mills in Philly on a modest deal shouldn't be too hard.
28. Los Angeles Chargers (3-9)
Previous Rank: 26
The Chargers have found their franchise quarterback and their next task should be to overload him with as many weapons as possible. Keenan Allen is already taken care of, so the next order of business should be finding a way to keep Hunter Henry in Los Angeles.
29. Dallas Cowboys (3-9)
Previous Rank: 29
The Cowboys will have a few unexpected dilemmas when the season ends - mostly surrounding Dak Prescott's future. With a top pick looming, Dallas will have to weigh Prescott’s health and contract demands. The Cowboys could always shock the world and select a new franchise QB in the draft, but Jerry Jones has been adamant Prescott is part of the team's projections. Now, the only question remaining is whether Jones will be as open with his wallet as he is with his words.
30. Cincinnati Bengals (2-9-1)
Previous Rank: 30
The Bengals should wisely move on from veteran A.J. Green this offseason, but they should also do all they can to extend William Jackson before he hits the market. The 28-year-old cornerback is having a phenomenal campaign and could still have many good years ahead of him. Pairing Jackson with talented safety Jessie Bates would ensure Cincinnati has a credible secondary for the foreseeable future.
31. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-11)
Previous Rank: 31
It’s always easier to re-sign an impending free agent when they express interest in returning. Keelan Cole hasn’t been shy in sharing his love for Jacksonville’s warm weather and a deal appeasing both parties shouldn’t be too challenging to work out.
32. New York Jets (0-12)
Previous Rank: 32
0-12 teams shouldn’t be in any rush to bring anyone back, but the Jets have an underrated safety in Marcus Maye. The impending free agent has flashed even if it doesn’t always come across in the box score, coming in as PFF’s fourth-ranked safety this season.