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The NFL's top unrestricted free agents
Updated 4:21 pm, Tuesday, February 14, 2017
2016 team: Jacksonville Jaguars
Age: 27
2015 Stats: 49 total tackles (1 for loss), 6 passes defensed
Notes: The former first-round pick isn't a game-changer, but he is a solid veteran cornerback who should see a decent market after settling for a one-year deal in Jacksonville last year. less
2016 team: Jacksonville Jaguars
Age: 27
2015 Stats: 49 total tackles (1 for loss), 6 passes defensed
Notes: The former first-round pick isn't a game-changer, but he is a solid veteran ... more
DT Chris Baker
2016 team: Washington Redskins
Age: 29
2015 Stats: 48 total tackles (7 for loss), 4.5 sacks, 10 quarterback hits, 2 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles
Notes: Baker is a scheme-diverse solid run defender with 39 starts over the last three years.
DT Chris Baker
2016 team: Washington Redskins
Age: 29
2015 Stats: 48 total tackles (7 for loss), 4.5 sacks, 10 quarterback hits, 2 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles
Notes: Baker is a scheme-diverse solid run
RB Le'Veon Bell
2016 team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Age: 24
2015 Stats: 261 rushes for 1,268 yards and 7 touchdowns; 75 receptions for 616 yards and 2 touchdowns
Notes: Perhaps the best overall running back in the game when healthy, there's no chance Bell hits the open market. Look for him to get tagged if a long-term deal can't be worked out.
RB Le'Veon Bell
2016 team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Age: 24
2015 Stats: 261 rushes for 1,268 yards and 7 touchdowns; 75 receptions for 616 yards and 2 touchdowns
Notes: Perhaps the best overall running back in the
2016 team: New England Patriots
Age: 29
2015 Stats: 55 receptions for 701 yards and 7 touchdowns
Notes: After putting together a very good season while playing in place of an injured Rob Gronkowski for much of the year, Michael's brother could be heading to his fifth NFL stop in 2017. less
2016 team: New England Patriots
Age: 29
2015 Stats: 55 receptions for 701 yards and 7 touchdowns
Notes: After putting together a very good season while playing in place of an injured Rob ... more
2016 team: Kansas City Chiefs
Age: 28
2015 Stats: 77 total tackles (2 for loss), 4 interceptions, 9 passes defensed, forced fumble
Notes: The three-time first-team All-Pro said he wouldn't play under the franchise tag for the second consecutive year, but a long-term deal might be tough for cash-strapped Kansas City. less
2016 team: Kansas City Chiefs
Age: 28
2015 Stats: 77 total tackles (2 for loss), 4 interceptions, 9 passes defensed, forced fumble
Notes: The three-time first-team All-Pro said he wouldn't play ... more
CB A.J. Bouye
2016 team: Houston Texans
Age: 25
2015 Stats: 62 total tackles (2 for loss), interception, 16 passes defensed, sack
Notes: The former undrafted free agent had a breakout campaign in a contract year in 2016, which could mean he's an ascendant star or buyer beware.
CB A.J. Bouye
2016 team: Houston Texans
Age: 25
2015 Stats: 62 total tackles (2 for loss), interception, 16 passes defensed, sack
Notes: The former undrafted free agent had a breakout campaign in a contract year
2016 team: Arizona Cardinals
Age: 30
2015 Stats: 53 total tackles (12 for loss), 8 sacks, 21 quarterback hits, interception, 6 passes defenses, 3 fumbles recovered
Notes: Campbell showed no signs of slowing down as he entered his 30s, and with both Chandler Jones and Tony Jefferson also unrestricted free agents, Arizona might not be able to afford him. less
2016 team: Arizona Cardinals
Age: 30
2015 Stats: 53 total tackles (12 for loss), 8 sacks, 21 quarterback hits, interception, 6 passes defenses, 3 fumbles recovered
Notes: Campbell showed no ... more
2016 team: Washington Redskins
Age: 28
2015 Stats: 406 of 606 passing for 4,917 yards, 25 touchdowns and 12 interceptions; 34 carries for 96 yards and 4 touchdowns
Notes: Cousins set a career high in passing yards and yards per attempt in 2016 while playing under the franchise tag. Expect a long-term deal to get done with Washington. less
2016 team: Washington Redskins
Age: 28
2015 Stats: 406 of 606 passing for 4,917 yards, 25 touchdowns and 12 interceptions; 34 carries for 96 yards and 4 touchdowns
Notes: Cousins set a career ... more
CB Stephon Gilmore
2016 team: Buffalo Bills
Age: 26
2015 Stats: 48 total tackles, 5 interceptions, 12 passes defensed
Notes: The former first-round pick is a bit of a boom-or-bust player, but coming off a career high in interceptions, he could command big money on the open market.
CB Stephon Gilmore
2016 team: Buffalo Bills
Age: 26
2015 Stats: 48 total tackles, 5 interceptions, 12 passes defensed
Notes: The former first-round pick is a bit of a boom-or-bust player, but coming off a
LB Dont'a Hightower
2016 team: New England Patriots
Age: 26
2015 Stats: 65 total tackles (1 for loss), 2.5 sacks, 8 quarterback hits, 2 passes defensed, forced fumble
Notes: Nagging injuries have been a concern, but Hightower's play during the postseason showed how much of a difference-maker he could be.
LB Dont'a Hightower
2016 team: New England Patriots
Age: 26
2015 Stats: 65 total tackles (1 for loss), 2.5 sacks, 8 quarterback hits, 2 passes defensed, forced fumble
Notes: Nagging injuries have been a
LB Melvin Ingram
2016 team: San Diego Chargers
Age: 27
2015 Stats: 60 total tackles (10 for loss), 8 sacks, 19 quarterback hits, 5 passes defensed, 5 forced fumbles
Notes: Ingram teamed with rookie Joey Bosa to give the Bolts a fearsome pass-rush duo in 2016. He's a candidate for the franchise tag if a long-term deal can't be worked out.
LB Melvin Ingram
2016 team: San Diego Chargers
Age: 27
2015 Stats: 60 total tackles (10 for loss), 8 sacks, 19 quarterback hits, 5 passes defensed, 5 forced fumbles
Notes: Ingram teamed with rookie Joey Bosa to
2016 team: Washington Redskins
Age: 30
2015 Stats: 56 receptions for 1,005 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Notes: The speedster would like to stay in D.C., but it looks like Washington is moving on. Jackson's former team, the Eagles, are rumored to be interested in a reunion. less
2016 team: Washington Redskins
Age: 30
2015 Stats: 56 receptions for 1,005 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Notes: The speedster would like to stay in D.C., but it looks like Washington is moving ... more
SS Tony Jefferson
2016 team: Arizona Cardinals
Age: 25
2015 Stats: 92 total tackles (13 for loss), 5 passes defensed, 2 sacks, 4 quarterback hits, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumbles recovered
Notes: The former undrafted free agent has developed into a top-notch run-stuffing safety in Arizona and could earn a big payday on the open market if the Cardinals let him get there.
SS Tony Jefferson
2016 team: Arizona Cardinals
Age: 25
2015 Stats: 92 total tackles (13 for loss), 5 passes defensed, 2 sacks, 4 quarterback hits, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumbles recovered
Notes: The former
2016 team: Chicago Bears
Age: 26
2015 Stats: 52 receptions for 821 yards and 2 touchdowns
Notes: After missing 11 games over the past two seasons due to injuries and suspension, Jeffery likely won't be tagged by the Bears, which would make him a hot commodity on the open market. less
2016 team: Chicago Bears
Age: 26
2015 Stats: 52 receptions for 821 yards and 2 touchdowns
Notes: After missing 11 games over the past two seasons due to injuries and suspension, Jeffery ... more
2016 team: Los Angeles Rams
Age: 27
2015 Stats: 57 total tackles, interception, 11 passes defensed, fumble recovered
Notes: The Rams chose Johnson over fellow free agent Janoris Jenkins last offseason, but L.A. is expected to let him test the open market this year. less
2016 team: Los Angeles Rams
Age: 27
2015 Stats: 57 total tackles, interception, 11 passes defensed, fumble recovered
Notes: The Rams chose Johnson over fellow free agent Janoris Jenkins ... more
LB Chandler Jones
2016 team: Arizona Cardinals
Age: 26
2015 Stats: 49 total tackles (15 for loss), 11 sacks, 21 quarterback hits, 3 passes defensed, 4 forced fumbles, 2 fumbles recovered
Notes: After trading away a second-round pick to acquire Jones from the Patriots last offseason, the Cardinals will slap the franchise tag on him this year.
LB Chandler Jones
2016 team: Arizona Cardinals
Age: 26
2015 Stats: 49 total tackles (15 for loss), 11 sacks, 21 quarterback hits, 3 passes defensed, 4 forced fumbles, 2 fumbles recovered
Notes: After trading
2016 team: Green Bay Packers
Age: 29
2015 Stats: NA
Notes: The former fourth-round pick is one of the best pass-blocking guards in the NFL, not allowing a sack or hit on Aaron Rodgers all year long, according to Pro Football Focus. less
2016 team: Green Bay Packers
Age: 29
2015 Stats: NA
Notes: The former fourth-round pick is one of the best pass-blocking guards in the NFL, not allowing a sack or hit on Aaron Rodgers all year ... more
OG Ronald Leary
2016 team: Dallas Cowboys
Age: 27
2015 Stats: NA
Notes: Leary, on the other hand, is a premier run blocker who became expendable in Dallas after they drafted La'el Collins in 2015.
OG Ronald Leary
2016 team: Dallas Cowboys
Age: 27
2015 Stats: NA
Notes: Leary, on the other hand, is a premier run blocker who became expendable in Dallas after they drafted La'el Collins in 2015.
2016 team: Green Bay Packers
Age: 26
2015 Stats: 52 total tackles (12 for loss), 11 sacks, 16 quarterback hits, interception, 4 passes defensed
Notes: Perry nearly tripled his previous season high in sacks despite missing two games with a broken hand. Don't expect the playmaker-needy Packers to let him go. less
2016 team: Green Bay Packers
Age: 26
2015 Stats: 52 total tackles (12 for loss), 11 sacks, 16 quarterback hits, interception, 4 passes defensed
Notes: Perry nearly tripled his previous season ... more
2016 team: New York Giants
Age: 28
2015 Stats: 53 total tackles (7 for loss), 7 sacks, 16 quarterback hits, 8 passes defensed, 3 forced fumbles, fumble recovery
Notes: The former first-round pick came back from nearly blowing his hand off in a fireworks accident to have a very strong 2016 season. He could be a candidate for the franchise tag. less
2016 team: New York Giants
Age: 28
2015 Stats: 53 total tackles (7 for loss), 7 sacks, 16 quarterback hits, 8 passes defensed, 3 forced fumbles, fumble recovery
Notes: The former ... more
DT Dontari Poe
2016 team: Kansas City Chiefs
Age: 26
2015 Stats: 27 total tackles (1 for loss), 1.5 sacks, 9 quarterback hits, 3 passes defensed, forced fumble
Notes: Poe's jump-pass touchdown versus Denver in Week 16 may be fans' overriding memory of Poe, but with Berry likely to be franchised, it's possible the run-stuffer could enter the open market.
DT Dontari Poe
2016 team: Kansas City Chiefs
Age: 26
2015 Stats: 27 total tackles (1 for loss), 1.5 sacks, 9 quarterback hits, 3 passes defensed, forced fumble
Notes: Poe's jump-pass touchdown versus Denver in
WR Terrelle Pryor
2016 team: Cleveland Browns
Age: 27
2015 Stats: 77 receptions for 1,007 yards and 4 touchdowns
Notes: The former quarterback broke out in 2016 and looked like one of the few above average players on Cleveland's roster. With over $100 million in cap space, expect them to work something out.
WR Terrelle Pryor
2016 team: Cleveland Browns
Age: 27
2015 Stats: 77 receptions for 1,007 yards and 4 touchdowns
Notes: The former quarterback broke out in 2016 and looked like one of the few above average
2016 team: New England Patriots
Age: 27
2015 Stats: 33 total tackles (7 for loss), 5 sacks, 10 quarterback hits, 4 passes defensed
Notes: Sheard had an up-and-down career in New England, but with pass-rushing skills and still in the prime of his career, he'll likely get paid somewhere. less
2016 team: New England Patriots
Age: 27
2015 Stats: 33 total tackles (7 for loss), 5 sacks, 10 quarterback hits, 4 passes defensed
Notes: Sheard had an up-and-down career in New England, but ... more
DT Kawann Short
2016 team: Carolina Panthers
Age: 28
2015 Stats: 55 total tackles (12 for loss), 6 sacks, 17 quarterback hits, 3 passes defensed, forced fumble
Notes: Short's 2016 season didn't quite live up to his monster 11-sack 2015 campaign, but he'll likely still earn a franchise tag from the Panthers.
DT Kawann Short
2016 team: Carolina Panthers
Age: 28
2015 Stats: 55 total tackles (12 for loss), 6 sacks, 17 quarterback hits, 3 passes defensed, forced fumble
Notes: Short's 2016 season didn't quite live up to
OG Larry Warford
2016 team: Detroit Lions
Age: 25
2015 Stats: NA
Notes: Warford isn't a star, but with 57 solid starts over four NFL seasons and still in the prime of his career, he should earn decent money on the open market.
OG Larry Warford
2016 team: Detroit Lions
Age: 25
2015 Stats: NA
Notes: Warford isn't a star, but with 57 solid starts over four NFL seasons and still in the prime of his career, he should earn decent money on
2016 team: Cincinnati Bengals
Age: 35
2015 Stats: NA
Notes: Whitworth's age means he won't get a monster deal anywhere, but he played like one of the best tackles in the NFL in 2016. The Bengals will try hard to keep him. less
2016 team: Cincinnati Bengals
Age: 35
2015 Stats: NA
Notes: Whitworth's age means he won't get a monster deal anywhere, but he played like one of the best tackles in the NFL in 2016. The ... more
DT Brandon Williams
2016 team: Baltimore Ravens
Age: 27
2015 Stats: 51 total tackles (4 for loss), sack, 2 quarterback hits, pass defensed
Notes: A run-stuffing nose tackle, look for Williams to command a deal similar to the five-year, $46.25 million contract Damon Harrison got with the Giants last year.
DT Brandon Williams
2016 team: Baltimore Ravens
Age: 27
2015 Stats: 51 total tackles (4 for loss), sack, 2 quarterback hits, pass defensed
Notes: A run-stuffing nose tackle, look for Williams to command a deal
OG Kevin Zeitler
2016 team: Cincinnati Bengals
Age: 26
2015 Stats: NA
Notes: One of the most balanced guards in the league, the former first-round pick should be highly coveted on the open market, assuming he gets there.
OG Kevin Zeitler
2016 team: Cincinnati Bengals
Age: 26
2015 Stats: NA
Notes: One of the most balanced guards in the league, the former first-round pick should be highly coveted on the open market, assuming he
Wednesday marks the first day the Seahawks and the rest of the NFL can designate unrestricted free agents as either franchise or transition players, with NFC West-rival Arizona Cardinals becoming the first team to announce their plans by confirming Tuesday that they will use the franchise tag on linebacker Chandler Jones.
Like Jones, several of the league's top unrestricted free agents seem likely to be tagged ahead of the start of free agency on March 9, but that doesn't necessarily mean they won't end up elsewhere in 2017. Just look at what happened last year with former Panthers cornerback Josh Norman, whom Carolina designated as its franchise player on March 1 before rescinding the tag on April 20, which allowed him to hit the free-agent market and sign a five-year deal with the Washington Redskins.
The Seahawks don't have many key unrestricted free agents, with tight end Luke Willson and kicker Stephen Hauschka being the biggest names on Seattle's list. Hauschka was seemingly replaced by former Vikings kicker Blair Walsh last week after the Seahawks signed him to a one-year deal.
With a projected $27 million-plus in salary cap space for the 2017 season and few in-house players it needs to bring back, Seattle could eschew its generally muted presence in the free agent market and make a play for one or two big names as the Seahawks try to get back to the Super Bowl.
So with the caveat that many of these players might not actually hit the open market, check out the gallery above for the league's top unrestricted free agents in 2017.
Visit seattlepi.com for more Seattle Seahawks news. Contact sports reporter Stephen Cohen at stephencohen@seattlepi.com or @scohenPI.
