As we draw closer to the end of the NFL's regular season, it seems an appropriate time to look ahead towards free agency. Several big names are set to hit the open market during the offseason, but how much money will they get?
Let's take a look at some of the rising and falling stocks of this year's pending free agents.
Rising:
Ndamukong Suh, DT, Detroit Lions
Two words: game changer. That's what Suh is. He anchors the league's best defensive line on the NFL's second-ranked defense. That's a lot of usages of the word "defense" in one sentence but I don't care. That's how good Suh is. Suh is only 27-years-old and he's already totaled 33 sacks from the DL position in his career. He's also reportedly looking for a deal in the J.J. Watt range. Prepare to pony up a pretty penny if you want to bid on Suh's services this offseason.
Justin Houston, LB, Kansas City Chiefs
Houston and the Chiefs couldn't come to terms on a long-term agreement last offseason. I bet Kansas City is really regretting that now. Houston leads the NFL in sacks with 16 and is just 25-years-old. Pass rushers, especially young and talented ones, will always command top dollar on the open market because they're always in demand. They're like bacon, everyone loves them. As a 2011 third-round pick, Houston is making just over $1.4 million in base salary this season. If the Chiefs elect to use the franchise tag on him this offseason, that number will rise to somewhere between $11 and $13 million. Big raise coming for Houston.
Demaryius Thomas, WR, Denver Broncos
Thomas has caught 90 balls for 1,266 yards and 10 touchdowns this season, ranking third, fourth and fourth, respectively, among pass catchers. With 136 more yards, Thomas will join Jerry Rice and Marvin Harrison as the only receivers to total 1,450 yards and double digit touchdowns in a single season. That's good company to be in on the verge of a brand new contract. Sure, Thomas said he'd consider giving the Broncos a hometown discount. But when was the last time an All-Pro caliber receiver left money on the table, the Jurassic period?
Falling:
Brian Hoyer, QB, Cleveland Browns
So close, yet soooooo far. Hoyer started off the season looking like the capable, stabilizing veteran quarterback the Browns thought they had. The Browns got off to a 6-3 start with Hoyer throwing for 2,212 yards with 10 touchdowns and four touchdowns. Since then? Just one touchdown pass against eight interceptions with the Browns dropping three of four. Calls for Johnny Manziel to start are getting increasingly louder. When you watch Cleveland play recently, you are literally watching a man cost himself millions and millions of dollars. How's that for reality television?
DeMarco Murray, RB, Dallas Cowboys
Murray's stock is a little trickier to pin down. On one hand, he's got a shot at cracking 2,000 rushing yards in a season where he has easily been the best non-QB offensive player in football. On the other, Murray is on pace for over 400 total touches. That's an immense workload for anyone, let alone a guy who missed 11 games due to injury during his first three seasons. Rumors are circulating that the Cowboys are intentionally loading up on Murray's workload because they aren't going to be able to re-sign him in free agency. That would be Machiavellian of them, but not completely out of the question. Despite the fantastic season, it's hard to trust an injury prone player at an easily replaceable position coming off a career high in usage.
Brian Orakpo, LB, Washington Redskins
Orakpo bet on himself last offseason by declining Washington's long-term offer and opting instead to play under the franchise tag. Simply put, that move did not work out. Orakpo totaled just a half sack in seven games before tearing his pectoral muscle for the third time. He has only two seasons with double digit sacks on his resume since being drafted in the first round in 2009. Plus, Orakpo will be 29 when next season begins, not exactly a spring chicken. I know what I said about pass rushers, but underachieving ones approaching 30 with an injury history don't exactly break the bank.
