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The NFL season is over, and that means an exciting offseason ahead. The first step towards building a championship team is free agency, and the 2020 class is full of talented player from multiple positions.
The quarterback group features two Hall of Famers in Tom Brady and Drew Brees. The prospect of them finishing their careers outside of New England and New Orleans is certainly strange, but not out of the question. Dak Prescott, Jameis Winston, and Teddy Bridgewater are the younger starting options. Elsewhere, Philip Rivers and Ryan Tannehill are two veterans that should earn a starting role.
The running back, wide receiver, and tight end group is quite talented, with the likes of Derrick Henry, Kenyan Drake, Melvin Gordon, Austin Ekeler, Amari Cooper, Austin Hooper, and Hunter Henry.
The Detroit Lions will have an important decision regarding free agent guard Graham Glasgow, but there is a lot of starters available on the market. Anthony Castonzo, Jack Conklin, Bryan Bulaga, Joe Thuney, and Brandon Scherff.
If defense is a need, free agency is a good place to sign some upgrades, but it will come at a price. Jadeveon Clowney, Chris Jones, D.J. Reader, Shaq Barrett, Yannick Ngakoue, Joe Schobert, Byron Jones, Chris Harris Jr., Anthony Harris, Justin Simmons, and Jimmie Ward will command a hefty paycheck, and that is just naming a few of the big names available.
With all these impact players available, it begs the question:
Who is the prize of the 2020 Free Agency?
My answer: I believe Chris Jones is the top available player in free agency.
Brady and Brees could command some serious cash, but at age 42 and 41, they are not a long-term option. Jones, on the other hand, has youth on his side, and at just 25 years of age, he has already turned into a top defensive player in the league. Aaron Donald gets a lot of hype as the best defensive tackle—and for good reason—but Jones is in the hunt as well. He creates havoc in the interior, totaling 31 sacks in the past three seasons. He could earn over $100 million this offseason, and while that will limit his possible landing spots, he could very well be worth the price.
Your turn.