We're still more than a month from NFL free agency. When thinking about free agency, most people look at the free agent players that each team should add to their roster. Perhaps it's because my football foundations were built in a 1970s NFL without free agency, I prefer to look at the free agent players that each team should re-sign. I like roster consistency. Here's a look at the free agents that each team must find a way to re-sign.
NFC
Minnesota Vikings
Anthony Harris, S
The Vikings aren't in a great salary cap situation and it's going to take a decent safety salary to keep Anthony Harris. The Vikings have been looking for a player like Harris to pair with Harrison Smith at safety since they drafted Smith in 2012. They finally found that player in Harris. The Vikings have to find a way to keep him.
Green Bay Packers
Blake Martinez, LB
Blake Martinez might not be the flashiest player or well known but he's always around the football. He should be well known because his name is mentioned on nearly every tackle.
Chicago Bears
Nick Kwiatkoski, LB
Khalil Mack and Akiem Hicks get most of the attention on a very good defense. But I watched Nick Kwiatkoski wreck a lot of offensive plans.
Detroit Lions
A'Shawn Robinson, DT
The Lions are piecing together a nice defensive line. A'Shawn Robinson might be the most talented player on that line.
Philadelphia Eagles
Ronald Darby, CB
The biggest problem with the Eagles secondary in recent years has been health. When Ronald Darby is healthy he's a promising corner. The sort of corner they need to re-sign.
Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott, QB
It's a mystery as to why this deal isn't done. The Cowboys have plenty of cap room. They know that Dak Prescott will get a good chunk of that cap room. He's the quarterback. The going rate for a good to very good quarterback is going to be at least $35 million. And Prescott is closer to very good than good.
New York Giants
Leonard Williams, DL
Leonard Williams hasn't played up to his draft projections. That's why he isn't playing for the Jets. He's very talented. Still young. Maybe the new Giants coaching staff can get the best from Williams.
Washington Redskins
Brandon Scherff, G
I wouldn't mind seeing Brandon Scherff in Minnesota. But that's a dream that's too expensive to become real. The Redskins need to re-sign one of the best guards in the league.
New Orleans Saints
Drew Brees, QB
The only thing that keeps Drew Brees from being on the Saints next year is retirement.
Carolina Panthers
James Bradberry, CB
This one's just a stab as I'm not sure what Matt Rhule and his coaching staff are going to do with the players that they are inheriting.
Atlanta Falcons
De'Vondre Campbell, LB
I don't see De'Vondre Campbell going anywhere.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jameis Winston, QB
Bruce Arians lives by his "No risk it. No Biscuit" offense. There's probably no quarterback that better fits that belief than Jameis Winston.
San Francisco 49ers
Arik Armstead, DL
The 49ers defense was terrific last season and Arik Armstead finally played like the player that the team drafted in the first round. The strength of the defense is the versatility and rotation of the defensive line. Armstead has become an important part of that.
Seattle Seahawks
Jarran Reed, DT
The Seahawks defense is much better when Jarran Reed is on the field.
Los Angeles Rams
Cory Littleton, LB
Cory Littleton was probably the best player on the Rams defense not named Aaron Donald.
Arizona Cardinals
Kenyan Drake, RB
It's amazing that the Cardinals were able to add a player of Kenyan Drake's ability in an in-season trade. It helps that the Dolphins were giving players away. The Cardinals offense started playing much better once Drake was added to it.
AFC
Baltimore Ravens
Matt Judon, LB
The Ravens keep finding edge rushers like Matt Judon on the second and third days of the draft. That ability might give the team the confidence to let him walk. At some point the Ravens have to keep one of these players that they develop.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Javon Hargrave, NT
It was a tossup between Javon Hargrave and edge rusher Bud Dupree. Re-signing an impact player in the middle of the Steelers defensive line appealed to me more.
Cincinnati Bengals
A.J. Green, WR
Keeping a talented, reliable, veteran receiver makes a lot of sense for a team that's probably turning the offense over to rookie quarterback Joe Burrow.
Cleveland Browns
Joe Schobert, LB
I see Joe Schobert as the leader of a young defense that has a lot of talent but needs a little direction.
New England Patriots
Tom Brady, QB
No matter how fun it is for the talking heads to "place" Tom Brady all over the league I can't see his return not happening.
Buffalo Bills
Quinton Spain, OG
The Bills added damn every available mid-level offensive lineman in free agency last year. Quenton Spain was one that found a roster spot.
Miami Dolphins
Evan Boehm, OG
The Dolphins traded away most of the players that would be considered "must re-signs." I'll go with a guard that I liked when he was with the Colts. Maybe he can be a building block for a new, decent Dolphins offensive line.
New York Jets
Robby Anderson, WR
Sam Darnold needs an explosive playmaker. Robby Anderson is one of those.
Houston Texans
Bradley Robey, CB
The Texans have stocked up on corners over the past several months. Bradley Robey is the best of the bunch.
Tennessee Titans
Ryan Tannehill, QB
Derrick Henry, RB
I could not decide between the two. The Titans need both.
Indianapolis Colts
Anthony Castonzo, OT
The Colts have built one of the best offensive lines in the league. Anthony Castonzo is the veteran leader of that line. They need him to keep that role for a couple more years.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Yannick Ngakoue, DE
Yannick Ngakoue is the sort of player that smart teams keep.
Kansas City Chiefs
Chris Jones, DT
Chris Jones is another player that I'd love to see in Minnesota. The Chiefs might not have won the Super Bowl without him. The Chiefs can not let him leave.
Denver Broncos
Von Miller, LB
He's on the wrong side of 30 but Von Miller is still one of the best pass rushers in the game.
Los Angeles Chargers
Hunter Henry, TE
No matter who plays quarterback for the Chargers he'll need Hunter Henry on the field.
Las Vegas Raiders
Karl Joseph, S
Karl Joseph was one of my favorite players in the 2016 NFL Draft. I really like the Raiders safety combination of Joseph and Johnathan Abram.
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