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With the New England Patriots doing their utmost to snap up seemingly every premier free agent on the board this spring (and that was just Tuesday afternoon!), it's time for NFL franchises and analysts to begin looking a bit further down the board at some of the more underrated talents who are still available.
If you're looking for the 10 best free agents still available, you may check out here.
You won't find any JuJu Smith-Schusters or Kenny Golladays on this list, though; these are the five best available players in the free agency board who are perhaps not getting the credit they deserve for their recent exploits in the NFL.
So, without further ado, let's have a look at the five most underrated free agents still available.
#5 NFL Free Agent: Wide receiver - Rashard Higgins (Cleveland Browns)
With Pro Bowl wideouts Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. on the Browns' roster, Colorado State University product, Rashard Higgins, was never likely to see an abundance of targets in the NFL last season.
What Higgins did do, however, was make good use of the passes Baker Mayfield threw his way: Higgins ranked eighth in the NFL for yards per catch (16.2) in 2020 and clung on to 71% of his targets to boot. That put him in some elite company like Bills' Stefon Diggs, who managed 77%.
At 26, Higgins is now entering the prime of his career. So maybe it's time an NFL team gave him a real shot at holding down a regular WR1/WR2 slot on the depth chart.
After losing Corey Davis to the Jets via the NFL free agency, the Titans could have certainly found a spot on the roster for the Cleveland Brown.
Higgins and Tennessee star AJ Brown are both capable of huge yards before and after the catch and would have been a dominant duo in the AFC South, in my humble opinion.
Unfortunately for Tennessee, whilst I was typing this, Higgins re-signed with Cleveland, meaning my true number 5 pick will now go to...
#5 (take 2) Sammy Watkins (former Kansas City Chiefs)
Sammy Watkins is a proven receiver in the NFL.
The former Chief has seen his productivity go down since being paired alongside Tyreek Hill in the Kansas City offense. But there is no doubt that he could still light up the NFL if more football is thrown his way.
Watkins would be a great signing for either the Dolphins, Ravens or Bears, as all of them need to add depth at the receiver position during the off-season.
#4 NFL Free Agent: Safety - Duron Harmon (formerly of the Detroit Lions)
Duron Harmon lined up for 98% of the Lions' defensive snaps in 2020, logging 73 tackles (54 solo), five pass breakups and two picks in what was a woeful Detroit defense (let's be honest).
It's hard to blame Harmon for Detroit's failings, though. The blame should probably be laid at the feet of the Lions' pass rush unit that recorded the fewest quarterback pressures in the NFL. That put increased pressure on an inexperienced secondary.
Harmon played some good football last year; in fact, he has always done exceptionally well when called upon in coverage. That is evident in him tallying 12 interceptions and 21 pass break-ups since 2017. In my opinion, Harmon is an unheralded talent in this year's NFL free agency pile.
Harmon could be an experienced and able replacement for Sean McVay's side, who just saw their out-of-contract safety, John Johnson, join the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday.
#3 NFL Free Agent: Running back - Marlon Mack (Indianapolis Colts)
Most expected Marlon Mack to form a one-two punch in the backfield with the rookie, Jonathan David, in the last NFL season. But after tearing his Achilles tendon in week 1, Mack spent the rest of 2020 on the Colts' IR list, which was a huge loss for the Indianapolis faithful:
Over the course of the 2018 and 2019 NFL seasons, Mack tallied 2,184 yards from scrimmage and 18 TDs, which put him in some pretty elite company, in terms of output.
Assuming Mack makes a full recovery from his Achilles injury, there would be several teams that would improve if they pick him up in free agency: the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals (who are set to lose RBs James Conner and Kenyan Drake, respectively) are the two teams that spring to mind first.
Unfortunately for fans of the Cardinals and Steelers, while I am typing this piece, it appears that the Colts have steamed in to tie down their man on a new two-year deal.
More to come on that, I'm sure...
Without wanting to deny you of a true number 3 on the list, I give you a replacement:
#3 (take 2) Kalen Ballage (formerly of the Miami Dolphins)
I can't mention Drake or Conner on this list, as they are too popular. But one man who could be a sleeper pick in the NFL free agency is the former Charger, Kalen Ballage.
A couple of injuries and a pervious offensive line damaged Ballage's numbers last year. But whenever I watch the guy play (fit), he impresses me with his full-throttle running, determination and ability to break tackles.
At the moment, with James Conner set to leave the Steelers, I don't see much better on the Pittsburgh roster than the Arizona State University product, Ballage.
#2 NFL Free Agent: Tight End - Jared Cook (formerly of the New Orleans Saints)
Jared Cook might be approaching the end of his career. But with his size, strength and athleticism, even at 33 years of age, the big tight end is still one of the better players in his position.
Cook gathered 80 receptions for 1,209 yards and an impressive 16 TDs during his two-year stint with the New Orleans Saints. His receiving yards per game metrics may have dropped in 2020. But, in truth, Cook was targetted a lot less. If you check his stats, you'll see they bear a remarkable similarity to that of the Buccaneers' Super Bowl-winning TE Rob Gronkowski -- it's uncanny.
Cook did come under fire for some sloppy handling errors during the Saints' push for the NFL playoffs/playoff games. But he's still a marked upgrade for at least half of the franchise teams in the NFL: the Jaguars, Jets, Chargers, Bills, Texans and Colts. Many other NFL teams would also be significantly improved with the big man from the University of South Carolina out on the turf.
#1 NFL Free Agent: Defensive lineman - Ndamukong Suh (formerly of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Suh had a great second year down in Tampa Bay with the Buccaneers. His performances played a key role in the Bucs' number one ranked rush defense.
After losing teammate Vita Vea to an ankle fracture in Week 5, Suh upped the ante, contributing six sacks and 19 quarterback hits to the Bucs' cause, which was Suh's best performance in both categories since 2015.
But can he get it done in the playoffs?
Of course, he can: During the Bucs' playoff run and eventual Super Bowl victory, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate was a force, contributing ten tackles, one TFL, 1.5 sacks and four QB hits.
At 34, this next deal could well be the last contract that Suh signs in the NFL. But practically every team would be lucky to have him suit up for them, especially the Jaguars, Chargers and Dolphins. But if I had to pick one, I'd like to see him sign back on with the Bucs -- I don't want any excuses when Jameis Winston and my Saints take them to town --home and away -- in next year's NFC South Divison battles.
