Ranking the top 10 NFL free agents in 2015

The NFL is a 365-day league, and even in the midst of the league's spotlight time on the field, there is an insatiable appetite for news that includes teams that have already been eliminated from contention. In that spirit, we will break down the top ten free agents who will be hitting the open market when the Super Bowl concludes, and the 2015 list is a robust mix of talent.

It is important to note that this list is anything but finalized, as there will almost certainly be cuts that will provide additional names. However, it would be irresponsible to speculate about players who are currently under contract for the 2015 campaign (i.e. Adrian Peterson and Jay Cutler), and they will be absent from this particular group.

Speculation about where these players will land will surely pick up over the next few weeks, but for now, let's take a look at who will be available in the coming months.

10) Julius Thomas, TE Denver Broncos
Unlike the majority of this list, Julius Thomas needs a pay day. The Broncos tight end was selected as a high-upside “project” in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Portland State, and that pick has paid major dividends for Denver.
Thomas is unlikely to actually reach full-fledged free agency, with the Broncos expressing interest in bringing him back, but if he does, there should be an all-out frenzy for his services. The 26-year-old has battled major durability concerns, including a three-game absence this season, but Thomas has 24 touchdown catches in the past two campaigns combined, and that is elite-level production.
At 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, Julius Thomas can run like a receiver with a massive frame to support in-line blocking when called upon, and outside of likes of Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham, he is the best option at the tight end position in the NFL.
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions fumbles the ball after being sacked by defensive end Demarcus Lawrence #90 of the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth quarter during a NFC Wild Card Playoff game at AT&T Stadium on January 4, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)