| NFC EAST |
 RB DEMARCO MURRAY. Since the Cowboys have used the franchise tag on Dez Bryant, Murray becomes the top free agent to keep. Expecting him to repeat a 1,845-yard season is foolish, but what Murray brings to the offense with attitude and style of play cannot be measured financially. The Cowboys are 22-2 when Murray gets at least 20 carries. -- Todd Archer
 CB WALTER THURMOND. The Giants signed Thurmond to a one-year deal last year thinking he'd give them a weekly advantage in the nickel spot and provide depth on the outside. He suffered a season-ending injury in Week 2, but based on camp and the preseason, they believed he fit exactly what they needed. With teams around the league looking to spend on and prioritize that nickel corner position more than ever, Thurmond likely would draw interest from multiple teams, as he did last year, in spite of the injury. -- Dan Graziano
 WR JEREMY MACLIN. When he signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract last year, Maclin said it was just a step toward an eventual long-term deal with the Eagles. Then, the former first-round draft pick went out and caught 85 passes for 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns -- proving himself and sparing Chip Kelly criticism for releasing DeSean Jackson. After all that, the Eagles would look pretty shady if they didn't reward Maclin with a fair deal. -- Phil Sheridan
 TE NILES PAUL. He's not a big name, nor is he what they need as an in-line blocker, but he helps in multiple areas. He caught a career-best 39 passes last season and offers matchup problems because of his speed. While serving as oft-injured starter Jordan Reed's replacement in the first four weeks last season, Paul caught five passes for 20 yards or more. He's also a good special-teams player and well respected in the locker room. -- John Keim
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| NFC NORTH |
 C/G BRIAN DE LA PUENTE. He isn't as big of a name as Lance Briggs or Charles Tillman, but he's probably more important to the Bears than the defensive stalwarts because he's the future at the center position. Veteran Roberto Garza signed a one-year deal to return for his 15th season but will be 36 when the season starts. So it's important the Bears bring back de la Puente because he's a proven player with 50 starts in just five seasons who the club could immediately plug into the starting lineup once Garza is done. -- Michael C. Wright
 DT NDAMUKONG SUH. He wants to be the highest-paid defensive player. He has been a cornerstone of the team's defense and is the best at his position in the league. Detroit has said it understands what it'll cost to lock him up long term -- likely $100 million -- and the Lions need to find a way to do that. -- Michael Rothstein
 WR RANDALL COBB. He's coming off his best season -- 91 catches, 1,287 yards and 12 touchdowns -- and, more importantly, he and Jordy Nelson give quarterback Aaron Rodgers an inside-outside receiver combination that is nearly impossible to defend. Cobb has become one of the best slot receivers in the game. -- Rob Demovsky
 Long-snapper CULLEN LOEFFLER. It either says something about the Vikings' small list of in-house free agents or the importance of his position that Loeffler is the answer to this question. But he's been a solid long-snapper for 11 seasons, and teams that have good ones don't tend to let them go. Loeffler got a three-year extension in 2011; figure on another multiyear deal for him this time. -- Ben Goessling
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| NFC SOUTH |
 LB SEAN WEATHERSPOON. Falcons coach Dan Quinn told me he wants Weatherspoon back and that Weatherspoon would be great in the new defensive scheme because he is fast and physical. At the same time, Quinn also said you have to be aware of the injury history with Weatherspoon, who missed all of last season with an Achilles tear. That being said, Weatherspoon is the best linebacker on the roster and only makes the Falcons better when healthy. -- Vaughn McClure
 DE GREG HARDY. The Pro Bowl defensive end would be a must if it weren't for his off-the-field issues, and the team isn't expected to make an offer despite lobbying from players. After Hardy, it's tight end Ed Dickson. He played a key role as a blocker in Carolina's two-tight end scheme and became a receiving threat late with six of his 13 receptions in the last two regular-season games and two playoff games. -- David Newton
 NONE. The good thing about the Saints' daunting cap situation is that they don't have any unrestricted free agents they must pay. The guy they'd most like to keep is running back Mark Ingram, who finally had a breakout year in 2014, proving he could be a No. 1 workhorse back with four 100-yard games in a six-week stretch. But if Ingram costs too much, the Saints have more pressing needs and should be able to get by with their usual committee approach.
-- Mike Triplett
 TE LUKE STOCKER. The Bucs are in the fortunate position of having 11 unrestricted free agents and none of them being key players. They'll let some former starters walk, but they'll make a strong push to re-sign Stocker, a backup. He doesn't excel in any area but can do a little bit of everything. Stocker even played fullback after the Bucs had injuries there last season. -- Pat Yasinskas
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| NFC WEST |
 DT DAN WILLIAMS. He doesn't play a glamorous position at nose tackle, but Williams has been the core of Arizona's stingy run defense. In 2013, the Cardinals had the top run defense in the league. Without Williams off the field last season, the Cardinals allowed 4.92 yards per rush and 43 first downs compared to 3.97 yards per rush and 36 first downs with him on the field. -- Josh Weinfuss
 CB PERRISH COX. The easy choice would be running back Frank Gore, but at 32, the franchise's all-time leading rusher is apt to want a big payday. Let's go with Cox, who came out of nowhere last year -- he was supposed to be the slot corner -- to lead the Niners with five interceptions. He does not figure to break the bank, and with both cornerbacks slated to hit free agency, Cox is the safer choice. -- Paul Gutierrez
 QB TARVARIS JACKSON. The easy choice is starting cornerback Byron Maxwell, but the cost of $6 million a year or more is too high. Jackson is a veteran who knows the system, is respected by the players and likely comes at a reasonable price since he played for $1.25 million last season. -- Terry Blount
 WR KENNY BRITT. The Rams signed Britt to a one-year, prove-it deal last year, and while Britt didn't prove to be a true No. 1 receiver, he did prove to be a solid, consistent threat. Britt finished with 48 catches for 748 yards and three touchdowns. In the process, he became the first Rams pass-catcher since Torry Holt in 2008 to have 700 or more receiving yards. -- Nick Wagoner
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| AFC EAST |
 DE JERRY HUGHES. He's the Bills' top free agent and, in the team's eyes, the top priority to bring back for next season. Hughes has 20 sacks over the past two seasons, although there's been a healthy debate about whether his success has been the result of the three Pro Bowl defensive linemen next to him. If that's true, Hughes' production could be partly replaced by a cheaper player. -- Mike Rodak
 TE CHARLES CLAY. He is a former sixth-round draft pick who developed into a reliable weapon for quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Clay has 127 receptions, 1,364 yards and nine touchdowns the past two seasons. The Dolphins know that production would be hard to replace and used the one-year transition tag worth $7.071 million on Clay this week. Miami will have the right to match any outside offers, and retaining Clay provides some continuity in the passing game. -- James Walker
 CB DARRELLE REVIS. His ability to match up against a variety of top receivers, from outside targets to those in the slot, provided the Patriots with coveted flexibility and was a big factor in them ranking No. 8 in points allowed per game (19.5). He's arguably the best cornerback in the NFL, starting every game in 2014, totaling 14 passes defended and two interceptions while also fitting well into the team's locker room culture. -- Mike Reiss
 MLB DAVID HARRIS. He led the team in tackles and played 99.4 percent of the defensive snaps. He's intelligent and durable with no ego; he would be an asset as new coach Todd Bowles installs his defense. Even though he's 31, Harris is expected to have several suitors.
-- Rich Cimini
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| AFC NORTH |
 RB JUSTIN FORSETT. There's a reason Forsett was the Ravens' MVP last season. He's a proven fit in the team's stretch zone-blocking scheme; his 17 runs of 20-plus yards (which were two more than anyone else in the NFL) highlight that. Plus, the other free-agent options are either too expensive (DeMarco Murray) or worn down (Chris Johnson and DeAngelo Williams). -- Jamison Hensley
 G CLINT BOLING. The former fourth-round pick has been in Cincinnati since the franchise's rebirth in 2011, and he's played an integral role as a blocker in the Bengals' running game. If the Bengals don't lock Boling down quickly, it's expected he will draw significant interest.
-- Coley Harvey
 FS TASHAUN GIPSON. A restricted free agent, he is one of the more valuable members of the defense. In two seasons as a starter, he has been to one Pro Bowl and leads all safeties with 11 interceptions and 301 return yards. -- Pat McManamon
 OLB ARTHUR MOATS and CB BRICE MCCAIN. The Steelers are ready to part ways with Jason Worilds, making re-signing Moats a priority. But McCain might even trump Moats as far as the Steelers' own free agents. McCain tied for the team lead with three interceptions last season and is only 28 years old. The Steelers love the feistiness McCain brings to practices as well as games. He would give them insurance if Cortez Allen does not bounce back from a horrendous season and a nickelback if Allen does right himself after losing two jobs last season. -- Scott Brown
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| AFC SOUTH |
 QB RYAN MALLETT and CB KAREEM JACKSON. Both play positions that are difficult to replace, and both the draft and free agency are light on quarterbacks and corners. The Texans do have a backup plan at quarterback in Ryan Fitzpatrick, who started most of the season, but at corner they relied heavily on Jackson, who finished the season with three interceptions.
-- Tania Ganguli
 S MIKE ADAMS. He anchored the secondary and proved at 33 years old he still has several years left. He tied for the NFL lead in takeaways with seven last season. More importantly, the Colts need Adams and his experience because they don't have any starting-caliber safeties on their roster. -- Mike Wells
 DE TYSON ALUALU. Though he lost his starting spot when Red Bryant was signed last March, Alualu still had a decent season with 30 tackles, five quarterback hurries and two sacks. His primary responsibility is setting the edge in the run, so he's not going to have good pass-rushing stats. -- Michael DiRocco
 LB/DE DERRICK MORGAN. He might be a coveted free agent on the open market, but I'd argue he's not a necessity for the Titans given the price he's likely to command. He's a guy who's gotten close a lot, but the Titans need high-impact pass-rushers off the edge, and it might be time for them to change course, even as Morgan transitioned well to the 3-4. He's the biggest name in his prime time. -- Paul Kuharsky
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| AFC WEST |
 WR DEMARYIUS THOMAS. He is at the front of the line, and deservedly so. Just three receivers in league history have put together three consecutive seasons of at least 1,400 yards receiving and at least 10 touchdowns -- Hall of Famer Jerry Rice and Marvin Harrison are the others. The Broncos put the franchise tag on him and will keep working toward a long-term deal. -- Jeff Legwold
 C RODNEY HUDSON. He is the type of player who would be difficult to lose. He's only 25, he's homegrown and had the best season of his career. The offensive line has already suffered enough attrition without letting Hudson depart. -- Adam Teicher
 C STEFEN WISNIEWSKI. He is Oakland's best free agent, and the Raiders haven't kept enough of these players in recent years, but they might look to upgrade. Cornerback Tarell Brown was one of Oakland's better defensive players last season, and it could be worth signing him to a short-term deal. However, Oakland general manager Reggie McKenzie said he will let Brown test the market. -- Bill Williamson
 CB BRANDON FLOWERS. The Chargers already accomplished their top offseason priority by bringing back left tackle King Dunlap, but not too far behind should be Flowers. After being released by the Chiefs, the Virginia Tech product was a late addition in free agency last season. Flowers led the team in interceptions (three) and pass breakups (11), adding toughness and versatility to an ailing San Diego secondary. -- Eric D. Williams |
