Top NFL Free Agents for the 2021 Offseason
10. Marcus Williams S
24 yrs, PFF Ranking: 7
Duane Burleson/AP Photo
Marcus Williams is a high-value safety in this year’s free-agent class due to his incredible production at such a young age. Already one of the best safeties in the league at only 24 years of age, he still has plenty of room to grow and learn as a player. His combination of youth and skill makes him an incredibly valuable asset that many teams will be scrambling to sign. The Saints will absolutely try to keep their young star safety but will have trouble affording to pay all their star players. Don’t be surprised to see Marcus Williams on a new team next season.
2021 Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
9. Lavonte David LB
31 yrs, PFF Ranking: 5
USA TODAY Sports
Lavonte David is one of the best linebackers the NFL has seen in the last decade. Although he is beginning to age, his play on the field hasn’t shown it. Coming off one of his best seasons, his value is unmatched in free agency due to the intangibles he brings to the field. He has continued to be one of the best coverage and run-stopping linebackers in the NFL and a real leader on the defense side of the football. He is a player the Buccaneers will absolutely try to keep as they chase rings with Tom Brady, but it is certain that there are a lot of teams in the NFL that would be happy to pry a veteran star like David away from Tampa Bay.
2021 Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
8. Brandon Scherff G
29 yrs, PFF Ranking: 4
USA TODAY Sports
Brandon Scherff has been one of the most dependable interior offensive linemen in all of football and is the most highly touted of this year’s free-agent class. It is evident that he will receive a large contract this offseason, as he would add tremendous value to any team that signs him. It is uncertain whether he will remain in Washington or be persuaded to join another organization, but with a team trying to develop a productive offense, it is certain that Washington will do whatever they can to keep Scherff on their roster. However, just as we saw with Trent Williams last year, a veteran lineman could be tired of waiting around in Washington.
2021 Team: Miami Dolphins
7. Justin Simmons S
27 yrs, PFF Ranking: 8
USA TODAY Sports
Justin Simmons has quietly become one of the NFL’s best safeties. He has an ability to stop the run that few safeties in the NFL possess and that can be a tremendous asset to any defense. Ranked by Pro Football Focus as the second-best safety in 2019, and eighth in 2020, he has continued to show growth and consistency at an elite level. The Denver Broncos are very prideful when it comes to their defense, and with Simmons in his mid-20’s it would be surprising to let such a valuable star slip away in free agency. However, they have now had two seasons to work a deal out with their star safety and have yet to get anything done.
2021 Team: San Francisco 49ers
6. Will Fuller WR
27 yrs, PFF Ranking: 9
USA TODAY Sports
Will Fuller has had an interesting tenure with the Houston Texans. When playing with Deshaun Watson, he has been arguably one of the most productive receivers in the NFL, but due to his injury-riddled past, he has possibly lost some value as a receiver, especially due to the high talent level of wide receivers in this year’s free-agent class. Coming off of a very productive 2020 season, Deshaun Watson’s possible departure, and extreme dysfunction within the Houston Texans franchise, it is very unlikely that he will remain in Houston next season.
2021 Team: Washington Football Team
5. Kenny Golladay WR
27 yrs, PFF Ranking: 68
Rey Del Rio/Getty Images
Kenny Golladay is an ultra-talented receiver that has showcased his unique abilities on a terrible Lions team. With Matthew Stafford gone and the Lions committed to rebuilding, it seems like the right time for Golladay to get a fresh start as well. Alongside Godwin and Robinson, Golladay is a player that many teams in need of a star wide receiver will pursue.
2021 Team: New York Jets
4. Leonard Williams DL
27 yrs, PFF Ranking: 15
Bill Kostroun/AP
Leonard Williams has become an incredibly productive defensive lineman and is due for a large payday. He has been very consistent and has improved every season since he’s been in the league. There are multiple teams that are looking to bolster their defensive line, and Williams is one of the top free agents available that can fill that role. The Giants pride themselves on their defense and are most likely going to re-sign Williams unless another team is willing to pay him like a top defensive player.
2021 Team: New York Giants
3. Allen Robinson WR
28 yrs, PFF Ranking: 5
Dale Zanine/USA TODAY Sports
Allen Robinson is another elite wide receiver in this year's free-agent class. Robinson posted excellent numbers this season, raking in over 100 receptions for 1,200 receiving yards despite terrible quarterback play. Unless the Bears can attract a high-quality quarterback, it’s unlikely that Robinson will remain in Chicago, as many teams around the league will be interested in pursuing him.
2021 Team: Baltimore Ravens
2. Chris Godwin WR
25 yrs, PFF Ranking: 28
Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports
Chris Godwin has become one of the premier wide receivers in the NFL over the last two seasons. His stats took a decline in the 2020 regular season due to injuries and an increase in high-quality weapons for Tom Brady, but make no mistake, Chris Godwin is elite. The Buccaneers would love to keep him, but there will be other suitors in the market and there is a multitude of potential landing spots for Godwin this upcoming offseason.
2021 Team: Indianapolis Colts
1. Dak Prescott QB
28 yrs, PFF Ranking: 9
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Dak Prescott presents one of the most interesting free agent storylines for this upcoming offseason. For the past two years, Prescott has been searching for a major contract that some have reported as being over 40 million dollars per year. The Cowboys have been unwilling to meet his demands, but after an incredibly disappointing season due to his injury and their porous defense, Prescott’s value has become increasingly obvious. It would be shocking to see Jerry Jones and the Cowboys let Dak test the free-agent market and it should be expected to see him stay a Cowboy, but for a hefty price.
2021 Team: Dallas Cowboys
