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Top 10 offensive weapons in 2015 NFL Free Agency (part one)

By Dan Salem

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With a ton of players available, the Top 10 offensive weapons in 2015 NFL Free Agency is a who’s who of talent. Yet nailing down a top ten wasn’t easy. Today ten through six; Sunday the top five. Dan Salem and Todd Salem debate in today’s NFL TD Sports Debate. Two brothers from New York yell, scream and debate the NFL and sports.

DAN:

There are a ton of excellent offensive free agents available this off-season, spanning from quarterbacks through tight ends and lineman. With so many teams having large holes to fill, who are the top ten offensive weapons available in free agency?

We are talking all offense, so I’m sure you’ll make mistakes. Give me your top ten and I’ll tell you why you’re wrong. Let’s split this in half, so today is ten through six, then the top five on Sunday morning.

TODD:

It definitely is hard to narrow this season’s free agents into an offensive top 10.

First, I’m going to remove offensive lineman from the equation. Although important, they don’t strike me as weapons per se. I am also not including any quarterbacks in my top 10. This is partly because they are also not really weapons in my mind, but also because I refuse to spend too much time wondering where Jake Locker fits into the rest of my list.

Locker, arguably the best passer available this offseason, isn’t great, but QBs are so important, he’d probably skew the results unrealistically. Heck, Christian Ponder might deserve consideration there as well…although I may be the last survivor on Ponder Island.

So, I’m looking at running backs, wide receivers and tight ends to come up with my top 10 available.

With the way the league is, pass catchers definitely have the importance edge over runners, so that factored into my rankings as well. Also, versatility and flexibility make players more valuable, although not if a peer is just flat-out better at the thing he does.

DAN:

I can live with leaving out quarterbacks. As the most important position on the field, they certainly would skew this list. Thursday 10-6, then on Sunday the top five. With so many names left off, I’ll offer my alternatives then as well.

Oct 12, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New England Patriots running back

Stevan Ridley

(22) runs with the ball and is tackled by Buffalo Bills cornerback

Stephon Gilmore

(24) during the 2nd half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Patriots beat the Bills 37-22. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Top 10 Offensive Weapons in Free Agency (10-6):

10) Stevan Ridley

TODD: Bill Belichick is a great coach; his coaching style doesn’t work to bring out the best in everybody though. Ridley was great in 2012 but fumbled four times. He was given little playing time the following season yet still fumbled four times. 2014 was a wasted year (although zero fumbles!), but if another coach has a longer string or, ideally, teaches Ridley to follow in the footsteps of famously fumble-prone Tiki Barber, he can still be an elite back in this league.

DAN: I seriously question using the word ‘elite’ and Stevan Ridley in the same sentence. He could find success behind a dominant offensive line, on another team with a serious threat at quarterback. But I don’t see him making waves on an average franchise. Top ten? Not in my book.

9) Ahmad Bradshaw

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TODD: All that holds Bradshaw back each season are injuries. At some point, you’d figure the guy could catch a break, figuratively of course. He was easily Indianapolis’ best running back last year. His pass catching and blocking make him the best player of any of the third-down back types out there.

DAN: I too believe Bradshaw can further succeed in the NFL, but what team will give him a shot? He’s certainly ahead of Ridley, but feels less like a must have running back option than several other big name players.

8) Michael Crabtree

TODD: I know, I know. I can’t help but think though that something was sour in Crabtree’s San Francisco situation. This is still a guy with crazy hands who can run the entire route tree. With an accurate quarterback, he can produce like a team’s number-one guy.

DAN: I love Crabtree’s potential. He’d be in the top three, if this class wasn’t so stacked. Something went wrong in San Francisco, but he’s get length, size, and enough speed to dominate in 2015. I’m not sure eighth is high enough. This wide receiver is a must sign.

Dec 7, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end

Jordan Cameron

(84) makes a reception against Indianapolis Colts inside linebacker

Jerrell Freeman

(50) during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Cots won 25-24. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

7) Jordan Cameron

TODD: Cameron missed a lot of time last year. When he did play, his quarterback was either Brian Hoyer or Johnny Manziel. Call me a skeptic that that was a true show of Cameron’s value. A change of scenery will remind us of what he did in 2013.

DAN: Cameron is another excellent wide receiver coming off a forgettable season. I hope he finds a home on a team with a reliable quarterback, because otherwise he may sink further and further into anonymity. He’s properly ranked in our top ten.

6) Justin Forsett

TODD: With Forsett’s mileage, if I could be guaranteed a repeat of 2014, he would be number two or three on this list. But we just don’t know if Forsett can be an every-down runner for multiple years. He was a backup for seven seasons in this league for some (likely) legitimate reason.

DAN: I’m not sure Forsett belongs on the top ten list. His history is too cloudy to consider him reliable. One great season does not make for a top free agent. Putting him at six is wrong. He belongs behind Crabtree and Bradshaw at the very least.

The top five offensive weapons coming on Sunday.

Next: How valuable is Jay Cutler?

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