Kirk Cousins Eric Berry among players who must be re-signed

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Kirk Cousins, Eric Berry among players who must be re-signed Published: Dec 01, 2016 at 07:25 AM Gil Brandt Free agency might seem far away, but what's happening now can have a big impact on what happens in March. So though many of us have our eyes on the playoff picture heading down the stretch of this season, I thought it would be worth taking a look at the list of players expected to become free agents in 2017. Below, you'll find six pending free agents who should be re-signed and six whose teams can comfortably let them walk away. BRING THEM BACK 1) Kirk Cousins, QB, Washington Redskins Cousins -- and he's doing everything he can to make that bet pay off. After a slow start, he's posted a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 19:4 and a pa ser rating of 107.3 over his last nine games, and he's thrown for a league-best 362 yards per game over his last three contests. The fifth-year pro benefited from a much-improved offensive line and the seasoning that comes with experience. While Cousins' roll is reminiscent of how he closed out 2015, I think he's getting rid of the ball more quickly and running the team with a bit more authority this year. Cousins is the long-term answer at the position for Washington, having far surpa sed the relatively low expectations that accompanied his entry to the NFL as a fourth-round pick to grow into an above-average quarterback. He is a must-sign for the . In fact, if they can't reach an agreement with him (I've Doug Kotar Jersey been told that he's asking for $26 million per year), it would make sense for them to for a second straight year. It's easy for me to say, because I don't have to pay him, but I think Cousins is deserving of a financial reward, given the way he took a risk and that he can . 2) Eric Berry, SS, Kansas City Chiefs Another player playing out 2016 , Berry ties the ' defensive back seven together. He's a smart player who also serves as the emotional leader of the defense. Berry gets 'em lined up correctly makes plays all over the field, against both the pa s and the run. He can also play slot corner if needed. And, of course, he reached the , earned a first-team All-Pro nod and last season after . This season, he's got 57 tackles, seven pa ses defensed and two interceptions. At just 27 years old, Berry is deserving of a new contract in Kansas City. I realize is also primed to hit the market, but if I were the , I'd try to get something done with Berry and keep Poe via the tag. 3) Dont'a Hightower, MLB, New England Patriots I don't think the could afford to keep both Hightower and , so when they in October, they were e sentially choosing Hightower -- and I think that's the right call. Hightower can play in space, he can blitz, he can play the run. He can cover running backs out of the backfield or a tight end or receiver that is split out. He has speed and outstanding ability; he's kind of a defensive catalyst. He's also a more consistent player than Collins. 4) Terrelle Pryor, WR, Cleveland Browns In his first full year as a wide receiver, the former quarterback has caught 62 pa ses for 855 yards in 12 games. It's amazing, especially because that transition is not an easy one to make. Granted, he's a great athlete and talented guy -- you can't excel at high school and Ohio State without being a good football player. But it's important to note he's not relying solely on his size and speed; he's catching pa ses because he's learned how to run routes and get open. Just consider his touchdown against the Cowboys: Pryor ran that route like a savvy veteran. Pryor should be a very popular player if he hits the open market -- he's in line to make much more money as a receiver than he ever would have as a quarterback in the NFL. The might have to overpay a bit to keep Pryor (unle s they use the franchise tag on him), but then, he's really one of the only stars they have. Beyond his ability to make an impact on an otherwise talent-poor roster, he's the kind of attraction that can help Cleveland fill seats as the rebuilding proce s continues. Letting someone like Pryor walk away will not help the sell tickets. From that standpoint, I think he'll provide good value, even if Cleveland pays a premium to keep him. 5) Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, New York Giants Signed to a one-year deal to stay in New York this season, Pierre-Paul to his All-Pro, pre-accident form, collecting seven sacks, three forced fumbles and 50 tackles in 11 games. After a feeling-out period last season, he seems to have learned what he can and can't do after a that led to , along with . In fact, in terms of his on-field impact, it's like the accident never happened. As a pa s rusher who can also defend the run, is a special player at a position of need for a lot of people. 6) Le'Veon Bell, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers Bell is one of the best running backs in the NFL, a nightmare matchup who has excellent vision and unbelievable receiving skills. The question is, do you trust him enough to hand him a long-term deal? This is that has been for Bell, which would worry me if I were a team thinking about paying out a NFL New York Giants Jersey big chunk of guaranteed money. There's also , though that's only a relatively minor concern at this point. Ultimately, I'd give Bell the franchise tag before signing him. Also considered: , CB, (among the most improved players in 2016); , DE, (eight sacks so far this season); , NT, (one of the best nose tackles around, Williams has keyed Baltimore's top-notch run defense). LET THEM WALK 1) Pierre Garcon, WR, Washington Redskins 2) DeSean Jackson, WR, Washington Redskins Jackson (30) has been and is no longer the threat he once was; neither is the 30-year-old Garcon. The have up-and-coming pa s-catching weapons in , and rookie . Washington should use some of the money they'd give to one or both of these players and put it toward improving the defense. If I were going to keep one, it'd be Jackson, but I think it's OK to let both walk away. One factor to note that could potentially B.J. Goodson Jersey impact all of the players on this list: Teams that must increase their spending to meet the NFL's spending-floor requirements will be more willing to overpay for someone who otherwise would not merit a big contract. 3) Eddie Lacy, RB, Green Bay Packers The 26-year-old Lacy hasn't been a truly effective back since 2014, with and -- the latest an ankle injury that in October -- getting in the way. It might seem hard to let go of a player who won the 2013 Offensive Rookie of the Year award and earned a nod that season, but I wonder if he'll ever get back to what he was. The 2017 is set to include an unbelievable group of running backs, and if I were the , I'd turn my attention that way, given that I think teams will be able to get a good back as late as the third or fourth round. 4) Alshon Jeffery, WR, Chicago Bears I just don't think Jeffery -- who was this year -- is an elite receiver, and I don't think he was hit with in November will help his case on the open market. I would sign him at a relatively steep discount, but I don't see him playing like the No. 1 receiver he'd have to be to justify a big contract. 5) Michael Floyd, WR, Arizona Cardinals Floyd has had promise ever since his days in high school and at Notre Dame, but in five pro seasons, he's been very inconsistent and has yet to fulfill that potential. You're always hoping you'll see something click with him, but it never does. Floyd hasn't started consistently since 2014, and he has just 28 catches for 410 yards and three scores this season. If I were the , I'd let someone else overpay to take a shot on him. 6) Kawann Short, DT, Carolina Panthers Short was a force in 2015 (collecting 55 tackles, 11 sacks and three forced fumbles en route to making the Pro Bowl) but has fallen off considerably this season (36 tackles and three sacks), which is something of a surprise, considering this is a contract year. He just hasn't been a consistent player. Of course, he's a young guy (27), and sometimes young guys need a wake-up call. But if I were the , I wouldn't sign Short to a big-money deal at this point. This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be mi sing content or contain faulty links. Please use the Contact Us link in our site footer to report an i sue.
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