The 2017 NFL free-agent class isn't considered to be as good as others in recent years, mainly because the 2013 draft, which primarily feeds the list with fifth-year players, wasn't very good. But there is still plenty of talent at the top.
Several players in my top 50 won't be on this list in March; they'll either get the franchise tag or sign contract extensions. This free-agent class appears to be loaded on defense and thin in many offensive positions.
Here's my ranking of the top free agents in 2017:
1. Le'Veon Bell, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Two suspensions in two years had the Steelers wondering about Bell's off-the-field decision-making. His talent was never a question, however. He's the franchise running back being compared to Marcus Allen. He could get the franchise tag this offseason.
2. Kawann Short, DT, Carolina Panthers
General manager Dave Gettleman won't let Short leave like Josh Norman did, but it would help the locker room if the defensive tackle can get a long-term deal instead of a franchise tag. Short is a dominating force in the middle of the defense who is coming off an inconsistent season. He had 11 sacks in 2015 and only six in 2016.
3. Jamie Collins, OLB, Cleveland Browns
The Browns sent a third-round pick to the Patriots this season in exchange for Collins, with the intention of signing the free-agent-to-be to a long-term deal this offseason. They were able to do that on Jan. 23, as Collins inked a four-year deal worth $50 million total and $26.5 million guaranteed.
4. Chandler Jones, OLB, Arizona Cardinals
Coach Bruce Arians has already stated the Cardinals' intentions. Arians said Jones, who had 11 sacks this season, will be franchised if he doesn't get a long-term deal.
5. Kirk Cousins, QB, Washington Redskins
The Redskins might hesitate to pay Cousins $24 million per year on a long-term deal, but they simply can't let him hit the open market. At the least, he will be franchised.
6. Eric Berry, S, Kansas City Chiefs
Berry beat cancer and returned to being one of the best safeties in the league. The question is whether he will get a long-term deal or be franchised for a second straight year.
7. Brandon Williams, DT, Baltimore Ravens
Williams has blossomed into one of the best interior defensive linemen in the league. He stops the run, and the Ravens have to stop him from leaving for a big-money deal in free agency.
8. Dont'a Hightower, ILB, New England Patriots
The Patriots have $66 million in cap room and opted to trade away Collins and Jones, who both rank in the top five of this list. Hightower stands at the front of the line for a big payday from New England.
9. Alshon Jeffery, WR, Chicago Bears
This is an interesting decision for the Bears. He might not be a pure No. 1 receiver, but the Bears don't have much proven talent left at receiver or tight end. Can they afford to let Jeffery go?
10. Calais Campbell, DE, Arizona Cardinals
Franchising Jones could force the Cardinals to part ways with Campbell, one of the best 3-4 defensive ends in football. He turns 31 this year.
11. Dontari Poe, DT, Kansas City Chiefs
Poe is a force in the middle of the Chiefs' defense, but it might be hard for Kansas City to keep Berry and Poe because of its salary-cap situation.
12. Melvin Ingram, OLB, San Diego Chargers
Ingram is the perfect pass-rusher to work with defensive end Joey Bosa, who made a major impact as a rookie. San Diego needs to keep them together for years.
13. Stephon Gilmore, CB, Buffalo Bills
The Bills might have to franchise Gilmore because he is one of the best corners on the market. He could get a big offer if he makes it to free agency.
14. A.J. Bouye, CB, Houston Texans
What a story. Bouye rose from an undrafted free agent in 2013 to become one of the better young cornerbacks in the league. It might be hard for the Texans to keep the 25-year-old.
15. Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, New York Giants
JPP doesn't want to get another franchise tag, so the Giants have to find a way to keep their franchise defensive end. He had seven sacks in 12 games this season.
16. Kevin Zeitler, OG, Cincinnati Bengals
Zeitler, one of the best guards in the league, figures to get between $8 million and $10 million per year.
17. T.J. Lang, OG, Green Bay Packers
The Packers have $18.75 million a year tied up with tackles Bryan Bulaga and David Bakhtiari, but they can't lose Lang, who is making $5.2 million and just made his first Pro Bowl.
18. Pierre Garcon, WR, Washington Redskins
In a contract year, the 30-year-old Garcon caught 79 passes for 1,041 yards, which puts the Redskins in a tough position to see if they can keep him and DeSean Jackson.
19. Ricky Wagner, OT, Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens stole Wagner off a compensatory pick, and he has become one of the NFL's top right tackles.
20. Martellus Bennett, TE, New England Patriots
Bennett -- 55 catches and seven touchdowns in 2016 -- has meant enough to the Patriots' offense to earn at least $7 million a year.
21. Trumaine Johnson, CB, Los Angeles Rams
The Rams made a mistake in letting Janoris Jenkins sign with the Giants last offseason, and they can't afford to lose Johnson after they franchised him a year ago.
22. Terrelle Pryor, WR, Cleveland Browns
Pryor was the Browns' best wide receiver -- 77 catches for 1,007 yards -- and he might have been their best quarterback in 2016. He earned a nice payday.
23. Jabaal Sheard, DE, New England Patriots
Sheard had a rocky season with the Patriots. At one point, he lost his starting job, and his sack numbers went from eight to five. But he does have the ability to rush the quarterback.
24. Andrew Whitworth, OT, Cincinnati Bengals
Whitworth seems to be getting better as he gets older. At 35, he ranks among the best left tackles in football.
25. DeSean Jackson, WR, Washington Redskins
Jackson had his second 1,000-yard season in three years with the Redskins. After averaging 17.9 yards per catch, he showed that he is as dangerous as ever.
26. Bennie Logan, DT, Philadelphia Eagles
Logan is a solid tackle who can play in a 4-3 or 3-4 defense.
27. Kenny Britt, WR, Los Angeles Rams
After what might be considered a disappointing five-year tenure with the Tennessee Titans, Britt became a reliable receiver during his three years with the Rams. He had his first career 1,000-yard season.
28. Tony Jefferson, S, Arizona Cardinals
It seems like every safety who plays for the Cardinals becomes a solid player. Jefferson had a great year.
29. Larry Warford, OG, Detroit Lions
Warford is a sleeper among the guards. Although his name might not be on everybody's radar, he has 57 starts and is a solid blocker.
30. Riley Reiff, OT, Detroit Lions
Reiff might not have lived up to his billing as a former first-round pick, but he offers a team the flexibility of using him at left or right tackle.
31. Johnathan Hankins, DT, New York Giants
Hankins is a quality tackle whose play is improving next to Damon "Snacks" Harrison.
32. Barry Church, S, Dallas Cowboys
Church doesn't get a lot of attention outside of Dallas, but he has been a rock at strong safety for the Cowboys the past four years.
33. T.J. McDonald, S, Los Angeles Rams
McDonald has good size and range at strong safety.
34. Latavius Murray, RB, Oakland Raiders
Murray has 1,000-yard ability and is a good leader in the locker room.
35. Sylvester Williams, DT, Denver Broncos
The Broncos didn't exercise the fifth-year option for Williams, but the former first-round pick is a solid tackle.
36. Luke Joeckel, OG, Jacksonville Jaguars
It's didn't work out for the Jaguars after they made him the second overall pick in the 2013 draft in hopes that he would be their left tackle for a decade. He might be a better guard down the road. He still has some value and is only 25.
37. Eddie Lacy, RB, Green Bay Packers
If Lacy can keep his weight down, he can be a tough, physical runner in the style of Marshawn Lynch. After an ankle injury cut his season short, his value went down.
38. Zach Brown, ILB, Buffalo Bills
The Bills struck gold in signing him to a one-year, $1.25 million contract. He ended up being the third alternate to the Pro Bowl.
39. Kenny Stills, WR, Miami Dolphins
Stills averaged 17.3 yards per catch for the Dolphins and is an explosive player in any three-receiver set.
40. Lawrence Timmons, ILB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Timmons has been an anchor at inside linebacker for the Steelers for 10 years, and it's hard to believe he's only 30.
41. Kevin Minter, ILB, Arizona Cardinals
Minter is a good inside linebacker whom the Cardinals need to re-sign.
42. Devin Taylor, DE, Detroit Lions
Taylor had seven sacks as an inside pass-rusher in 2015 and did well as a starter last season.
43. Robert Woods, WR, Buffalo Bills
Woods might not be a No. 1 receiver, but he's a solid No. 2, and he's only 24.
44. Logan Ryan, CB, New England Patriots
People talk about the great play of Malcolm Butler at one cornerback spot, but they ignore how well Logan, who turns 26 next month, plays on the other side.
45. Manti Te'o, ILB, San Diego Chargers
Te'o might not be the biggest inside linebacker in a 3-4, but the former second-round pick makes plays. He suffered a torn Achilles early in the 2016 season.
46. Mike Glennon, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Glennon, who is 5-13 in his career, is a starting option for a team in need of a quarterback. The QB market isn't good.
47. Morris Claiborne, CB, Dallas Cowboys
Claiborne signed a one-year, $3 million contract and ended up having his best season as a Cowboy, which set him up for a better payday.
48. Chris Baker, DE, Washington Redskins
Baker just completed a three-year, $9 million contract, but he is a good end in a 3-4 defense.
49. Prince Amukamara, CB, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars signed Amukamara to a one-year, $5 million contract last year and got a good year out of him.
50. Kyle Juszczyk, FB, Baltimore Ravens
Juszczyk is the best fullback in the league, and the Ravens keep finding new ways to use him.