The NFL free agency period doesn't start until March 11, but that hasn't stopped the media from speculating where players will go and on the MMQB.com they listed their 100 best free agents and some of the top 10 includes Greg Hardy, Jimmy Graham, Michael Bennett, Brian Orakpo, Jairus Byrd and Michael Johnson.
Hardy is considered by many to be the best player on the market after the season he had with the Panthers and he is expected to cash in when it comes to free agency. Hardy has said that he would like to remain in Carolina, but that could be tough if some other teams come calling and at his age, he should have a number of suitors. Hardy had his best season as a pro and after the way the Panthers played and made the playoffs for the first time in a number of years, it would be hard to see him go for the team. Hardy made the defense one of the best in the league and he was a huge part of that pass rush and he had double digit sacks and was a force on the line and any team that signs him will be better up front for it.
Graham had another amazing season of over 1,000 yards and double digit touchdowns and now he has established himself as the best tight end in the league, since Rob Gronkowski never can seem to stay healthy. The Saints may try and pull some stuff with the franchise tag or overall with the contract like they did with Drew Brees, but there is no way they let Graham go. Graham has helped transform the offense for the Saints over the past couple seasons with Brees and the numbers he has put up are nearly as good or better as some of the top wide receivers in the game.
Graham and the team could get into it over whether he should be a tight end or receiver if he gets tagged with the franchise tag, but either way the Saints are going to figure out a way to keep him. Losing Graham will totally change the offense and there's no way the team is letting him go. Michael Bennett and Michael Johnson are the best line options past Hardy and both could cash in depending on what Hardy does. The market should be good for those two if Hardy stays with the Panthers and those players should be signed before Justin Tuck gets a deal. Orakpo and Byrd are also two very good defensive options on the market.
