Top NFL free agents for 2021 offseason
Packers running back Aaron Jones runs against the 49ers during the second half of the NFC Championship Game on Jan. 19, 2020, in Santa Clara, Calif. Credit: AP/Tony Avelar
A wild NFL offseason could get even wilder in mid-March.
After a flurry of trades, cuts and other roster moves involving big-name players, this year's free agency period is shaping up to see even more stars potentially landing with new teams.
The franchise tag deadline passed on March 9. Teams may start negotiating with agents of impending unrestricted free agents — otherwise known as "legal tampering" — beginning March 15, and free agency officially begins March 17 at 4 p.m. Eastern.
Here's a position-by-position look at some of the top free agents for the 2021 offseason. (All salary information via Spotrac.)
QUARTERBACK
QUARTERBACK
Mitchell Trubisky of the Bears participates in warm-ups before a game against the Giants at Soldier Field on Sept. 20, 2020, in Chicago. Credit: Getty Images/Jonathan Daniel
Mitchell Trubisky
Age: 26
2020 team: Bears
2020 earnings: $4,513,967
2020 stats (10 games): 199 of 297, 2,055 yards, 16 TDs, 8 INTs; 1 rush TD
Alex Smith
Age: 36
2020 team: Washington
2020 earnings: $16,000,000
2020 stats (10 games): 168 of 252, 1,582 yarrds, 6 TDs, 8 INTs
Ryan Fitzpatrick
Age: 38
2020 team: Dolphins
2020 earnings: $8,000,000
2020 stats (seven games): 183 of 267, 2,091 yards, 13 TDs, 8 INTs; 2 rush TDs
Jameis Winston
Age: 27
2020 team: Saints
2020 earnings: $1,100,000
2020 stats (4 games): 7 of 11, 75 yards
RUNNING BACK
RUNNING BACK
Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake is pursued by Seahawks outside linebacker K.J. Wright as he runs 80 yards for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL game on Dec. 22, 2019, in Seattle. Credit: AP/Lindsey Wasson
Aaron Jones
Age: 26
2020 team: Packers
2020 earnings: $2,133,000
2020 stats (14 games): 201 carries, 1,104 yards, 9 TDs; 47 catches, 355 yards, two TDs
Kenyan Drake
Age: 27
2020 team: Cardinals
2020 earnings: $8,483,000
2020 stats (15 games): 239 carries, 955 yards, 10 TDs; 25 catches, 137 yards
James Conner
Age: 25
2020 team: Steelers
2020 earnings: $825,000
2020 stats (13 games): 169 carries, 721 yards, 6 TDs; 35 catches, 215 yards
Todd Gurley
Age: 26
2020 team: Falcons
2020 earnings: $5,500,000
2020 stats (15 games): 195 carries, 678 yards, 9 TDs; 25 catches, 164 yards
Chris Carson
Age: 26
2020 team: Seahawks
2020 earnings: $2,133,000
2020 stats (12 games): 141 rushes, 681 yards, 5 TDs; 37 catches, 287 yards, 4 TDs
Leonard Fournette
Age: 26
2020 team: Buccaneers
2020 earnings: $2,500,000
2020 stats (13 games): 97 rushes, 367 yards, 6 TDs; 36 catches, 233 yards
WIDE RECEIVER
WIDE RECEIVER
Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay Credit: Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free/Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press
Kenny Golladay
Age: 27
2020 team: Lions
2020 earnings: $2,133,000
2020 stats (5 games): 20 catches, 338 yards, 2 TDs
JuJu Smith-Schuster
Age: 24
2020 team: Steelers
2020 earnings: $1,037,152
2020 stats (16 games): 97 catches, 831 yards, 9 TDs
A.J. Green
Age: 32
2020 team: Bengals
2020 earnings: $18,171,000
2020 stats (16 games): 47 catches, 523 yards, 2 TDs
Marvin Jones
Age: 30
2020 team: Lions
2020 earnings: $6,500,000
2020 stats (16 games): 76 catches, 978 yards, 9 TDs
Corey Davis
Age: 26
2020 team: Titans
2020 earnings: $4,017,921
2020 stats (14 games): 65 catches, 984 yards, 5 TDs
T.Y. Hilton
Age: 31
2020 team: Colts
2020 earnings: $14,542,000
2020 stats (15 games): 56 catches, 762 yards, 5 TDs
Will Fuller
Age: 26
2020 team: Texans
2020 earnings: $10,162,000
2020 stats (11 games): 61 catches, 726 yards, 5 TDs
Emmanuel Sanders
Age: 34
2020 team: Saints
2020 earnings: $8,500,000
2020 stats (14 games): 53 catches, 879 yards, 8 TDs
Antonio Brown
Age: 32
2020 team: Buccaneers
2020 earnings: $1,250,000
2020 stats (8 games): 45 catches, 483 yards, 4 TDs
Nelson Agholor
Age: 27
2020 team: Raiders
2020 earnings: $1,047,500
2020 stats (16 games): 48 catches, 896 yards, 8 TDs
Curtis Samuel
Age: 24
2020 team: Panthers
2020 earnings: $1,345,044
2020 stats: (15 games): 77 catches, 851 yards, 3 TDs; 41 carries, 200 yards, 2 TDs
TIGHT END
TIGHT END
Hunter Henry of the Chargers is tackled by Ashtyn Davis and Neville Hewitt of the Jets during the first half at SoFi Stadium on Nov. 22, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. Credit: Getty Images/Kevork Djansezian
Hunter Henry
Age: 26
2020 team: Chargers
2020 earnings: $10,607,000
2020 stats (14 games): 60 catches, 613 yards, 4 TDs
Jared Cook
Age: 33
2020 team: Saints
2020 earnings: $7,000,000
2020 stats (15 games): 37 catches, 504 yards, 7 TDs
Jonnu Smith
Age: 25
2020 team: Titans
2020 earnings: $2,133,000
2020 stats (15 games): 41 catches, 448 yards, 8 TDs
Rob Gronkowski
Age: 31
2020 team: Buccaneers
2020 earnings: $9,250,000
2020 stats (16 games): 45 catches, 623 yards, 7 TDs
OFFENSIVE LINE
OFFENSIVE LINE
Trent Williams of the 49ers smiles during warm ups before the game against the Giants at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. Credit: Getty Images/Elsa
Trent Williams
Age: 32
2020 team: 49ers
Position: Offensive tackle
2020 earnings: $12,500,000
Russell Okung
Age: 32
2020 team: Panthers
Position: Offensive tackle
2020 earnings: $13,031,250
Alejandro Villanueva
Age: 32
2020 team: Steelers
Position: Offensive tackle
2020 earnings: $5,000,000
Riley Reiff
Age: 32
2020 team: Vikings
Position: Offensive tackle
2020 earnings: $8,000,000
Joe Thuney
Age: 28
2020 team: Patriots
Position: Offensive guard
2020 earnings: $14,781,000
Trai Turner
Age: 27
2020 team: Chargers
Position: Offensive guard
2020 earnings: $8,781,250
Corey Linsley
Age: 29
2020 team: Packers
Position: Center
2020 earnings: $8,500,000
Alex Mack
Age: 35
2020 team: Falcons
Position: Center
2020 earnings: $8,000,000
Mike Pouncey
Age: 31
2020 team: Chargers
Position: Center
2020 earnings: $6,000,000
DEFENSIVE END
DEFENSIVE END
Seahawks defensive end Carlos Dunlap leaps to try and deflect a pass from Rams quarterback Jared Goff during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff game Jan. 9 in Seattle. Credit: AP/Scott Eklund
Carlos Dunlap
Age: 32
2020 team: Bengals/Seahawks
2020 earnings: $3,130,594
2020 stats (10 games): 32 tackles, 6 sacks, 18 QB hits, 4 passes defensed
Jadeveon Clowney
Age: 29
2020 team: Titans
2020 earnings: $12,718,750
2020 stats (8 games): 19 tackles, 6 QB hits, 4 passes defensed, 1 forced fumble
Justin Houston
Age: 32
2020 team: Colts
2020 earnings: $9,000,000
2020 stats (16 games): 25 tackles, 8 sacks, 12 QB hits, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries
Trey Hendrickson
Age: 26
2020 team: Saints
2020 earnings: $825,000
2020 stats (15 games): 25 tackles, 13 1/2 sacks, 25 QB hits, 1 forced fumble, 1 pass defensed
Romeo Okwara
Age: 25
2020 team: Lions
2020 earnings: $3,175,000
2020 stats (16 games): 44 tackles, 10 sacks, 18 QB hits, 3 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 pass defensed
Yannick Ngakoue
Age: 25
2020 team: Vikings/Ravens
2020 earnings: $12,000,000
2020 stats (15 games): 23 tackles, 8 sacks, 11 QB hits, 4 forced fumbles, 1 pass defensed
Carl Lawson
Age: 25
2020 team: Bengals
2020 earnings:
2020 stats (16 games): 36 tackles, 5 1/2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 32 QB hits
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
The Panthers' Kawann Short arrives for training camp in Spartanburg, S.C., on July 26, 2018. Credit: AP/Chuck Burton
Kawann Short
Age: 32
2020 team: Panthers
2020 earnings: $13,187,500
2020 stats (3 games): 6 tackles, 1 QB hit
Ndamukong Suh
Age: 34
2020 team: Buccaneers
2020 earnings: $8 million
2020 stats (16 games): 44 tackles, 6 sacks, 19 QB hits, 2 passes defensed, 1 forced fumble
Dalvin Tomlinson
Age: 27
2020 team: Giants
2020 earnings: $1,088,468
2020 stats (16 games): 49 tackles, 3 1/2 sacks, 10 QB hits, 4 passes defensed
DaQuan Jones
Age: 29
2020 team: Titans
2020 earnings: $7,000,000
2020 stats (16 games): 49 tackles, 2 sacks, 6 QB hits, 1 forced fumble
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
Matthew Judon of the Ravens celebrates after the win against the Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on Jan. 3 in Cincinnati. Credit: Getty Images/Andy Lyons
Matt Judon
Age: 28
2020 team: Ravens
2020 earnings: $16,808,000
2020 stats (14 games): 50 tackles, 6 sacks, 21 QB hits, 2 passes defensed
Melvin Ingram
Age: 31
2020: Chargers
2020 earnings: $14,000,000
2020 stats (7 games): 10 tackles, 5 QB hits, 2 passes defensed, 1 interception
Bud Dupree
Age: 28
2020 team: Steelers
2020 earnings: $15,828,000
2020 stats (11 games): 31 tackles, 8 sacks, 15 QB hits, 2 forced fumbles, 2 passes defensed
Shaq Barrett
Age: 28
2020 team: Buccaneers
2020 earnings: $15,828,000
2020 stats (15 games): 43 tackles, 8 sacks, 16 QB hits, 3 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles
Olivier Vernon
Age: 30
2020 team: Browns
2020 earnings: $11,000,000
2020 stats (14 games): 36 tackles, 9 sacks, 16 QB hits, 3 passes defensed, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
Leonard Floyd
Age: 28
2020 team: Rams
2020 earnings: $10,000,000
2020 stats (16 games): 55 tackles, 10 1/2 sacks, 19 QB hits, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 forced fumble
Kyle Van Noy
Age: 30
2020 team: Dolphins
2020 earnings: $15,025,000
2020 stats (14 games): 69 tackles, 6 sacks, 10 QB hits, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 forced fumbles, 6 QB hits
Haason Reddick
Age: 26
2020 team: Cardinals
2020 earnings: $2,302,904
2020 stats (16 games): 63 tackles, 12 1/2 sacks, 16 QB hits, 6 forced fumbles, 4 passes defensed
K.J. Wright
Age: 31
2020 team: Seahawks
2020 earnings: $7,500,000
2020 stats (16 games): 86 tackles, 10 passes defensed, 2 sacks, 3 QB hits, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception
INSIDE LINEBACKER
INSIDE LINEBACKER
Avery Williamson #54 of the Jets runs the ball after his second-quarter interception against the Arizona Cardinals at MetLife Stadium on Oct. 11, 2020. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Denzel Perryman
Age: 28
2020 team: Chargers
2020 earnings: $1,762,500
2020 stats (13 games): 48 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 pass defensed, 2 QB hits
Avery Williamson
Age: 28
2020 team: Jets/Steelers
2020 earnings: $3,078,128
2020 stats (15 games): 111 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception, 3 passes defensed, 2 QB hits
CORNERBACK
CORNERBACK
Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson celebrates in the end zone after his interception of a pass by Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson in the fourth quarter of the game at State Farm Stadium on Oct. 25, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. Credit: Getty Images/Christian Petersen
Patrick Peterson
Age: 30
2020 team: Cardinals
2020 earnings: $12,550,000
2020 stats (16 games): 61 tackles, 3 interceptions, 8 passes defensed
Richard Sherman
Age: 32
2020 team: 49ers
2020 earnings: $12,987,500
2020 stats (5 games): 18 tackles, 1 interception, 1 pass defensed
William Jackson III
Age: 28
2020 team: Bengals
2020 earnings: $9,954,000
2020 stats (14 games): 45 tackles, 1 interception, 11 passes defensed
A.J. Bouye
Age: 29
2020 team: Broncos
2020 earnings: $10,159,926
2020 stats (7 games): 23 tackles, 6 passes defensed
Malcolm Butler
Age: 31
2020 team: Titans
2020 earnings: $11,600,000
2020 stats (16 games): 100 tackles, 4 INTs, 14 passes defensed
J.C. Jackson
Age: 25
2020 team: Patriots
2020 earnings: $750,000
2020 stats (16 games): 40 tackles, 9 INTs, 14 passes defensed, 3 fumble recoveries
Jason Verrett
Age: 29
2020 team: 49ers
2020 earnings: $1,047,500
2020 stats (13 games): 60 tackles, 2 interceptions, 7 passes defensed
Mike Hilton
Age: 26
2020 team: Steelers
2020 earnings: $3,259,000
2020 stats (12 games): 51 tackles, 3 interceptions, 7 passes defensed, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries, 5 QB hits
SAFETY
SAFETY
Lions strong safety Duron Harmon, cornerback Darryl Roberts and safety Jayron Kearse review plays with defensive backs coach Steve Gregory and defensive coordinator Cory Undlin, right, on the sideline during the second half of an NFL game against the Jaguars in Jacksonville, Fla. on Oct. 18,2020. Credit: AP/Phelan M. Ebenhack
Duron Harmon
Age: 30
2020 team: Lions
2020 earnings: $4,500,000
2020 stats (16 games): 73 tackles, 2 interceptions, 5 passes defensed, 1 QB hit
Daniel Sorensen
Age: 30
2020 team: Kansas City
2020 earnings: $3,750,000
2020 stats (15 games): 91 tackles, 1 interceptions, 3 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles, 4 QB hits
Jalen Mills
Age: 26
2020 team: Eagles
2020 earnings: $4,000,000
2020 stats (15 games): 74 tackles, 1 1/2 sacks, 1 interception, 3 passes defensed, 1 forced fumble, 5 QB hits
Anthony Harris
Age: 29
2020 team: Vikings
2020 earnings: $11,441,000
2020 stats (16 games): 104 tackles, 7 passes defensed
John Johnson
Age: 25
2020 team: Rams
2020 earnings: $2,133,000
2020 stats (16 games): 105 tackles, 1 interception, 8 passes defensed
Kenny Vaccaro
Age: 31
2020 team: Titans
2020 earnings: $5,156,250
2020 stats (14 games): 83 tackles, 5 passes defensed, 1 sack, 1 QB hit, 1 fumble recovery
Nick Klopsis is Newsday.com's sports editor. He often can be found studying NFL and college football film for his latest draft breakdown.