The NFL free agent class for 2016 has some notable names hitting the market, including Lamar Miller, Matt Forte, Travis Benjamin, Alshon Jeffery, Chris Ivory, Jermaine Kearse, Doug Martin, Sam Bradford, Ladarius Green, Ronnie Hillman and Josh Norman.
The salary cap is expected to rise and that could put a number of teams in position to spend big on free agents, including the 49ers, Cowboys, Raiders, Jets and Giants. The Green Bay Packers also could get into the mix on some lower level players, as Pro Football Talk reports that Mike McCarthy is a bit frustrated with the way Ted Thompson has been handling free agency. Either way, some players should end up getting some big money on the market if they switch teams this offseason.
Sam Bradford, Lamar Miller and Matt Forte are expected to be some of the top targets for teams, while players like Doug Martin, Alshon Jeffery and Kirk Cousins are expected to remain with their current clubs. Jeffery is hitting free agency after dealing with injuries this season and he is the top wideout on the market, but most expectations are that he will stay in Chicago. Brad Biggs at the Chicago Tribune writes that he would be "very surprised" if Jeffery did not end up back with the Bears.
Matt Forte on the other hand is not expected to stay in Chicago, as the team appears ready to let him go after a productive career. Forte is 30 and after the team did not engage in contract talks with him during the season, Forte told the Associated Press that there is "not much to hope for" when it comes to getting a new deal from the team. Forte should be a prime target on the market, as he is still very productive at running back. Forte could be a fit for the Raiders, Cowboys, Giants and Dolphins, as all of those teams are expected to target the running back position this offseason.
Miller may return to the Dolphins, but he also could be a prime target on the market for teams like the Cowboys, Giants and 49ers. Travis Benjamin had the best season of his career in 2015 and while the Browns are interested in keeping the receiver, there is a chance another team could swoop in. Benjamin showed off his explosive skills as a return man and also set highs across the board in receptions, yards and touchdowns this season. Teams in need of WR help likely will look at Benjamin, Rueben Randle and Jermaine Kearse as options.
Kearse also had a career season this year for the Seahawks and there is a chance he could be too expensive to return to Seattle. According to ESPN, Kearse said that he is not planning to give a hometown discount to stay with the team and that could take his talents elsewhere. Kearse has been a reliable option for the Seahawks, but with Tyler Lockett emerging as a rookie, the team could let him go. Ivory had over 1000 yards for the Jets this past season and could be a target for teams in need of an RB.
