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10 Best Pending NFL Free Agents Of 2016

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Great NFL players are generally locked up by their teams before they hit free agency, but that doesn’t always happen. Here are 10 very good players who can hit the free agent market this offseason and will be hotly pursued by teams around the league.

10. RB Matt Forte

RB Matt Forte Getty Images
Forte is the most proven back hitting free agency, but he's also in his 30s, which is a huge concern for someone at his position. It seems likely he will still have a couple more solid seasons before really dropping off, so expect someone to give him a sizable contract in the three to four-year range.

Forte is the most proven back hitting free agency, but he's also in his 30s, which is a huge concern for someone at his position. It seems likely he will still have a couple more solid seasons before really dropping off, so expect someone to give him a sizable contract in the three to four-year range.

9. QB Sam Bradford

QB Sam Bradford Getty Images
Bradford was up and down in Philadelphia this season, but he showed enough to convince people he's still a starting caliber quarterback in the NFL. The Eagles are likely to try and keep him, but if they don't, he will have plenty of other suitors.

Bradford was up and down in Philadelphia this season, but he showed enough to convince people he's still a starting caliber quarterback in the NFL. The Eagles are likely to try and keep him, but if they don't, he will have plenty of other suitors.

8. DE Jason Pierre-Paul

DE Jason Pierre-Paul Getty Images
Pierre-Paul's value took a big hit when he blew off portions of his hand in a Fourth of July fireworks accident, but he still can blow up plays from time to time. Plus, a team is going to want to get a steal on him and hope that he turns things back around in the next couple seasons.

Pierre-Paul's value took a big hit when he blew off portions of his hand in a Fourth of July fireworks accident, but he still can blow up plays from time to time. Plus, a team is going to want to get a steal on him and hope that he turns things back around in the next couple seasons.

7. RB Doug Martin

RB Doug Martin Getty Images
Martin was the league's second leading rusher this season which will make him a hot commodity over the offseason. His best years are probably still ahead of him, so someone has to lock him up for his prime. If he plays like he did this year into the future, he's going to be one of the premier backs in the league.

Martin was the league's second leading rusher this season which will make him a hot commodity over the offseason. His best years are probably still ahead of him, so someone has to lock him up for his prime. If he plays like he did this year into the future, he's going to be one of the premier backs in the league.

6. DE Olivier Vernon

DE Olivier Vernon Getty Images
Vernon is a disruptive force for the Dolphins, and no team can have enough players like that on the roster. Therefore, there's going to be a ton of interest in the pass rusher. There's a general feeling that he still hasn't lived up to his potential, which is a scary thought for the offensive linemen tasked with blocking him every week.

Vernon is a disruptive force for the Dolphins, and no team can have enough players like that on the roster. Therefore, there's going to be a ton of interest in the pass rusher. There's a general feeling that he still hasn't lived up to his potential, which is a scary thought for the offensive linemen tasked with blocking him every week.

5. QB Kirk Cousins

QB Kirk Cousins Getty Images
Cousins proved he could be a very good quarterback in the NFL this season, and that means the Redskins are likely to lock him up long term. There's still room for development, but there's nothing stopping Cousins from becoming a top 10 quarterback in the very near future.

Cousins proved he could be a very good quarterback in the NFL this season, and that means the Redskins are likely to lock him up long term. There's still room for development, but there's nothing stopping Cousins from becoming a top 10 quarterback in the very near future.

4. WR Alshon Jeffery

WR Alshon Jeffery Mike DiNovo-USA Today Sports
Jeffery is far and away the best offensive playmaker available this offseason, and teams are going to be lining up for the opportunity to sign him. He is one of the elite playmakers in the sport and is just now entering his prime. For any team searching for a go-to target in free agency, look no further than the Bears wideout.

Jeffery is far and away the best offensive playmaker available this offseason, and teams are going to be lining up for the opportunity to sign him. He is one of the elite playmakers in the sport and is just now entering his prime. For any team searching for a go-to target in free agency, look no further than the Bears wideout.

3. DE Muhammad Wilkerson

DE Muhammad Wilkerson Getty Images
Wilkerson has shown in his years with the Jets that he's one of the best all-around defensive linemen in the sport. He rushes the passer and stuffs the run, which is a rare combination. Most teams are happy to have a guy who does one of those things, let alone both. Of course, that will make him a popular guy this offseason.

Wilkerson has shown in his years with the Jets that he's one of the best all-around defensive linemen in the sport. He rushes the passer and stuffs the run, which is a rare combination. Most teams are happy to have a guy who does one of those things, let alone both. Of course, that will make him a popular guy this offseason.

2. OLB Von Miller

OLB Von Miller Ron Chenoy-USA Today Sports
Miller has a pretty extensive injury history, but when he's on the field, he's as good as they come on the defensive side of the ball. He's extremely quick, has great instincts and gets to the quarterback as well as anybody. Teams that need a real leader on defense should be pursuing Miller this spring.

Miller has a pretty extensive injury history, but when he's on the field, he's as good as they come on the defensive side of the ball. He's extremely quick, has great instincts and gets to the quarterback as well as anybody. Teams that need a real leader on defense should be pursuing Miller this spring.

1. CB Josh Norman

CB Josh Norman Getty Images
Norman might just win the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award this season which would only further boost his value. He is the definition of a shutdown corner and is in his prime. Being able to sign someone that young and that talented is rare. There aren't many teams that won't be interested in his services this offseason.

Norman might just win the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award this season which would only further boost his value. He is the definition of a shutdown corner and is in his prime. Being able to sign someone that young and that talented is rare. There aren't many teams that won't be interested in his services this offseason.

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