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2017 NFL Free Agency: 10 Players In Line For Huge Paydays

By Erik Lambert

Sep 19, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Philadelphia Eagles strong safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) breaks up a pass intended for Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) during the second half at Soldier Field. Philadelphia won 29-14. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Philadelphia Eagles strong safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) breaks up a pass intended for Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) during the second half at Soldier Field. Philadelphia won 29-14. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray (28) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray (28) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

Next to the draft there is no more exciting off-season event to look forward to than 2017 NFL free agency. The question moving forward is who boards the hype train?

That is to say there are several names out there who are already lining up for massive paydays from every position, offense and defense. Based on the first two weeks of the regular season, which players are the ones that bear watching? Keep an eye on these guys.

Latavius Murray (RB, Oakland Raiders)

Last year the Oakland Raiders were confident they had something special at running back in Latavius Murray. After a few early bumps in the road, he finished with a strong enough season to make his first Pro Bowl. He collected just shy of 1,300 total yards and scored six touchdowns. So far in 2016 he’s off to another strong start. Through two games he has collected 173 total yards from scrimmage, is averaging 5.3 yards per carry and scored two touchdowns.

He is the unquestioned bell cow in the backfield for the Silver and Black. The good news is the team could have as much as $42 million in cap space in 2017. That should make re-signing him relatively easy. Adrian Peterson is the highest-paid running back at the moment, making an average of $14 million per year. The next closest though are LeSean McCoy and Jonathan Stewart at a more modest $7-8 million per year. Expect Murray to hover in that territory.

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