Eight days into the NFL's 2020 free-agent market, there is really only one thing left to do: start planning for next year.
What follows is a two-tiered look at the potential 2021 class one year out. We've separated the 15 players who received either the franchise or transition tag this spring. Some probably will sign long-term deals over the next few months, but for now, all of them remain eligible for free agency next year.
The 2021 class could be dominated by the high number of running backs from the 2017 draft class. We know that teams generally don't chase tailbacks on the open market, unless they bring substantial value in the passing game, and we've tried to skew the rankings accordingly. There is also a surprisingly large pool of left tackles, one that is likely to dry up between now and next March.
Here are the top 25 players set to hit the market in 2021, with age and position taken heavily into consideration.
Note: This list does not include first-round picks from the 2017 draft, including quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson, whose teams probably will pick up their fifth-year options for 2021.
1. George Kittle, TE
2020 team: San Francisco 49ers | Age entering 2021 season: 27
Arguably the best tight end in the NFL -- and one of the league's best overall players -- would shatter precedent if he ever got on the open market. Given the relative efficiency of the tight end franchise tag number, it's hard to imagine the 49ers ever letting it get to that point.
2. Joey Bosa, Edge
2020 team: Los Angeles Chargers | Age entering 2021 season: 26
After an injury-shortened 2018 season, Bosa roared back in 2019 to play in all 16 games and record his third double-digit sack season (11.5) in four years. Even after missing 13 games in four seasons, Bosa leads the 2016 draft class in career sacks (40).
3. Ronnie Stanley, OT
2020 team: Baltimore Ravens | Age entering 2021 season: 27
It's difficult to imagine the Ravens allowing Stanley to move on. Left tackle is one of the most difficult positions to replace, and in 2019, Stanley earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors.
4. Jalen Ramsey, CB
2020 team: Los Angeles Rams | Age entering 2021 season: 26
The Rams didn't sign Ramsey to a contract extension after acquiring him from the Jaguars. So while everyone assumes they will do whatever it takes to maximize the trade's value, Ramsey, as of now, would be eligible for free agency after the season.
5. Kenny Clark, DT
2020 team: Green Bay Packers | Age entering 2021 season: 25
The Packers' first-round pick in 2016, Clark overtook Mike Daniels as the team's dominant interior disrupter. He has six sacks in each of his past two seasons and earned a Pro Bowl berth in 2019.
6. David Bakhtiari, OT
2020 team: Green Bay Packers | Age entering 2021 season: 29
Bakhtiari has developed into one of the best left tackles in the game during a seven-year run as a starter. He also has proved durable, missing only six of a possible 112 starts.
7. Laremy Tunsil, OT
2020 team: Houston Texans | Age entering 2021 season: 27
The Texans didn't extend Tunsil's contract after acquiring him from the Dolphins, putting him squarely in the power position for any ensuing negotiations. Earning Pro Bowl honors in 2019 won't hurt his argument.
8. Alvin Kamara, RB
2020 team: New Orleans Saints | Age entering 2021 season: 26
Receiving skills are key for running back value and career projection. Since 2017, the only tailback with more catches (243) or yards (2,068) than Kamara is Christian McCaffrey.
9. Jonnu Smith, TE
2020 team: Tennessee Titans | Age entering 2021 season: 26
Smith's production has increased in each season of his career, and his 2019 season took off once the Titans installed Ryan Tannehill at quarterback.
10. Patrick Peterson, CB
2020 team: Arizona Cardinals | Age entering 2021 season: 31
Peterson will be on the wrong side of 30 by the time this market opens, but barring a complete physical collapse in 2020, there will be interest in one of the best defensive players in this generation.
11. Taylor Decker, OT
2020 team: Detroit Lions | Age entering 2021 season: 28
Although he has never made a Pro Bowl, Decker figures to cash in at some point over the next 12 months. Starting left tackles are of premium value.
12. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR
2020 team: Pittsburgh Steelers | Age entering 2021 season: 24
Despite a 2019 dip in productivity, coinciding with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's season-ending injury, Smith-Schuster leads all receivers drafted in 2017 with 211 career catches and 2,895 receiving yards. He'll also be one of the youngest free agents on the market after entering the NFL at age 20.
13. Kenny Golladay, WR
2020 team: Detroit Lions | Age entering 2021 season: 27
Golladay has put together consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and actually led the NFL with 11 touchdown receptions in 2019.
14. Alejandro Villanueva, OL
2020 team: Pittsburgh Steelers | Age entering 2021 season: 32
Villanueva has steadily developed into a more-than-competent left tackle. He would be young enough to command heavy interest if he got onto the open market.
15. Aaron Jones, RB
2020 team: Green Bay Packers | Age entering 2021 season: 26
Jones led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns in 2019 and had another three as a receiver. Under new coach Matt LaFleur, the Packers worked hard to get him involved more in the passing game.
16. Budda Baker, S
2020 team: Arizona Cardinals | Age entering 2021 season: 25
Baker is a tackling machine who has made the Pro Bowl once for special teams (2017) and once as a safety (2019). He has the second-most career tackles (305) of any defensive player drafted in 2017.
17. Keenan Allen, WR
2020 team: Los Angeles Chargers | Age entering 2021 season: 29
Allen has rebounded from injury-marred seasons in 2015 and 2016 to play in all 48 games from 2017 to 2019. He made the Pro Bowl in all three seasons, ranking third in the NFL over that period with 303 receptions. And his skills would fit in any system.
18. Joe Mixon, RB
2020 team: Cincinnati Bengals | Age entering 2021 season: 25
You might not have realized it, unless Mixon was on your fantasy team, but he has rushed for more career yards (2,931) than any of the running backs drafted in 2017 -- including McCaffrey. He also has the highest workload (693 rushes) to this point.
19. Andy Dalton, QB
2020 team: Cincinnati Bengals | Age entering 2021 season: 33
It's still not clear where Dalton will play in 2020, and how that might affect his contract status. But as of now, he is slated to be the top quarterback available to teams in 2021.
20. Trent Williams, OT
2020 team: Washington Redskins | Age entering 2021 season: 33
Much is left to be resolved about Williams' future, including where and if he plays in 2020. His age and difficulty staying on the field -- he last made it through all 16 games in 2013 -- will require extra scrutiny. But he has been one of the NFL's best left tackles for much of the decade.
21. Cooper Kupp, WR
2020 team: Los Angeles Rams | Age entering 2021 season: 28
Although he'll be older than most first-time free agents, Kupp will always appeal as a highly reliable pass-catcher who also can make big plays downfield. Since the start of the 2017 season, only five receivers have caught a higher rate of passes thrown their way (70.3%).
22. Tarik Cohen, RB
2020 team: Chicago Bears | Age entering 2021 season: 26
Like Kamara, Cohen is dangerous in the passing game. He is also a threat in the return game. There are plenty of creative offensive coordinators who would love to get their hands on his game -- if the Bears don't wear him out first.
23. Melvin Ingram III, Edge
2020 team: Los Angeles Chargers | Age entering 2021 season: 32
Age 32 isn't an ideal time to enter the free-agent market, but pass-rushing from a three-time Pro Bowl player still would be valued. To this point, Ingram's ability to make plays on the edge has not diminished.
24. Will Fuller V, WR
2020 team: Houston Texans | Age entering 2021 season: 27
Availability is really the only thing keeping Fuller from a big payday. He has never made it through a 16-game season and has missed a total of 22 of 64 possible games over four seasons. But his big-play ability is undeniable.
25. Dalvin Cook, RB
2020 team: Minnesota Vikings | Age entering 2021 season: 26
As exciting as his 2019 season was, it should be noted that all three of Cook's seasons have been cut short by injury. He has missed 19 of a possible 48 games over that stretch, and regardless of what happens in 2020, durability will be an issue.
2019 franchise and transition tags
These players received either the franchise or transition tag in 2019 and could become free agents again in 2020 if they do not agree to long-term deals.
Shaquil Barrett, Edge
Kenyan Drake, RB
Bud Dupree, Edge
A.J. Green, WR
Derrick Henry, RB
Hunter Henry, TE
Chris Jones, DT
Matthew Judon, Edge
Yannick Ngakoue, Edge
Dak Prescott, QB
Joe Thuney, G
Leonard Williams, DL