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NFL franchises have wasted little time in strengthening their rosters so far this off-season.
Many of the big names available via free agency a mere fortnight ago have already signed up with new teams.
Top five NFL free agents who are still available:
The premium caliber players are seemingly in short supply. There are, however, still a few proven stars yet to put pen to paper on a deal with a new NFL team.
On that note, let's check out the top five NFL free agents, in no particular order, who are still available on the board.
#1 Richard Sherman (CB)
Though Richard Sherman's 2020 production was down compared to that of previous years (67.2 coverage grade via PFF), the former San Francisco 49er is still an All-Decade CB (2010-20) and has a few yards left in the tank.
It was only the season before last that Sherman posted one of the best NFL campaigns of his entire career. Representing San Francisco, Sherman allowed just 227 receiving yards all season and allowed a quarterback passer rating of just 46.8.
Some teams may be put off by Richard Sherman's advancing years. But at 32, the former Seahawk still has plenty to give, something that has duly been noted by PFF analysts,who've ranked the old-timer at 19 on their list of the NFL's 250 best free agents.
#2 Mitchell Schwartz (OT)
Mitchell Schwartz has arguably been the best right tackle in the NFL in recent years.
The former Chief is still recuperating from a serious knee injury sustained during his team's AFC Championship-winning campaign in 2020. It could be this injury setback that has deterred a few of his suitors.
There have been rumors that Schwartz might opt to retire during the off-season. But if he decides that his knee is good and he wants to continue, it's tough to think of an NFL offensive line that Schwartz wouldn't strengthen.
It's a surprise to see that the PFF's number 22-ranked free agent is still on the board.
#3 Antonio Brown (WR)
Antony Brown performed exceptionally well for the Super Bowl-winning Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL last season.
The 4x All-Pro was only added to the roster midway through the season. But he still notched up 483 yards and four TDs during the regular season. He also registered a vital TD in the Bucs' Super Bowl defeat of the Kansas City Chiefs.
In the final nine games of the regular NFL season that he played, the PFF ranked Brown seventh among all wide receivers, awarding the player a receiving grade of 86.
Still capable of dodging tackles to chalk up huge yards-after-catch figures, Brown is still one of the NFL’s best wide receivers. The only problem for the former Steelers star is finding a team willing to take a punt on him:
Brown returns to the courts in December this year, facing sexual-assault and rape charges. If not for that, Brown would most likely have been signed up by another team already.
#4 Jadeveon Clowney (Edge)
Jadeveon Clowney didn't exactly set the world ablaze down in Tennessee last year. But the former Seahawk is still a versatile and consistent performer on the edge.
Clowney is a solid player to suit up in defense. The University of South Carolina product struggles to make big plays, and his stats make for an underwhelming read as a result: a 69.6 pass-rush grade in 2020 is nothing to write home about, and zero sacks as an edge rusher is a definite no-no.
However, the Titans have struggled to hit opposing QBs for several years now, so some of the blame for that can be laid at the feet of Tennessee head coach Mike Vrabel as well.
Moreover, Clowney is a solid defensive player. He might not ever chalk up ten sacks in a season, but he does a great job in keeping an offensive line busy. He rarely misses tackles; he's a hard hitter, and he plays with a lot of intensity.
So he'd be a great addition to most rosters in the NFL if if he's willing to drop his salary demands a bit.
#5 Russell Okung (OT)
Drafted by the Seattle Seahawks as the number 6 overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, Russell Okung has been one of the league's best offensive tackles for a decade.
However, Father Time comes to us all, and Okung might not be an elite OT anymore. But when called upon, he earned a pass-blocking grade of above 70 in the NFL in 2020.
He has also recorded a pass-blocking grade of 71 or better in his last six NFL seasons. As per PFF, the Oklahoma State product see,s to have plenty to offer and could be an enticing draft prospect.
