Out of the frying pan into the fire, football season is year round. Fresh off the New England Patriots hoisting the Lombardi Trophy, teams and their fans turn their attention to the offseason. This year’s free agency class is one of the best in recent memory with impact players on both sides of the ball.

On offense there are solid players throughout, especially at wide receiver. These are the playmakers that can change the game in one play, or wear you down getting the ball play after play.

Dez Bryant- The Cowboys NEED to resign Dez Bryant, he had the most touchdown receptions this year with 16 and he is Tony Romo’s go to target. He wants to be back in Dallas. “I’m a Cowboy at heart. It’s Cowboys forever,” said Bryant. It’s just up to Jerry Jones bringing Dez back. Cowboys fans don’t want their last memory of Dez being THAT WAS A CATCH! The Cowboys were able to keep Dez Bryant as he was franchise tagged and will receive $12,823,000 next year.

DeMarco Murray- Another Cowboy who was crucial to the team’s success. Murray was fantastic this year accumulating 1,845 yards rushing(500 yards more than anyone else) and 13 rushing touchdowns, which tied Marshawn Lynch for the league lead. Also he had 80 more rushing attempts than anyone else demonstrating his value to the Cowboys offense. After failing to reach an agreement with the Cowboys Murray decided to sign with rival Philadelphia Eagles on a 5 year $40,000,000 deal with $21,000,000 guaranteed. After longtime Eagle LeSean McCoy was traded to the Buffalo Bills the Eagles swooped in on Murray. With quarterback questions surrounding the Eagles look for Murray to have another very solid year.

Demaryius Thomas- Thomas has emerged as one of the top receivers in the league the past few years. That generally happens when you go from Tim Tebow to Peyton Manning. Thomas is very versatile as he can be a possession receiver moving the chains or spread the field taking advantage of his 6′ 3″ frame. Thomas caught 111 balls this year, to give him 1,619 yards and 11 touchdown receptions. Thomas will return to the mile high city after the Broncos franchise tagged him he will get $12,823,000 next season as the Broncos attempt to extend his contract.

Randall Cobb- Cobb has been playing behind Jordy Nelson to give the Packers one of the best 1-2 receiver combinations in the league, but he doesn’t play like a number two receiver. Cobb might be the only player in the league who can effectively lineup in the slot, backfield, or outside the numbers. Like the other players on this list Cobb is entering his prime coming off a career year with 91 receptions, 1,287 yards and 12 touchdowns. Cobb Received a reasonable contract at 4 years for $40,000,000 with $13,000,000 guaranteed to remain with the Green Bay Packers.

    Jeremy Maclin- Dez Bryant may be the best receiver in the NFC East but not by far. Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin has put up fantastic numbers ever since DeSean Jackson left for the Rival Redskins last season. Maclin had a solid year leading the team with 85 receptions, 1,318 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns. The Eagles have a solid number two with Jordan Matthews but he isn’t ready to be the number one receiver, so resigning Maclin is essential. In addition, Maclin had Mark Sanchez as his quarterback for the majority of the season, I repeat Mark Sanchez… Jeremy maclin will be leaving the city of brotherly love after the Kansas City Chiefs offered him a 5 year $55,000,000 contract with $22,500,000 guaranteed.

    Bryan Bulaga- Who? Bulaga is the starting right tackle for the Packers; gotta give O linemen love sometimes. He was rated the top pass blocking right tackle in the league and was top 5 overall. If Green Bay wants to keep their MVP quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, off the ground, resigning Bulaga is essential. Bulaga will continue to keep Aaron Rodgers off his back after agreeing to a $33,750,000 contract with the Green Bay Packers. The Packers only guaranteed $8,000,000 which is a bargain for a player of Bulagas caliber.

On the other side of the ball there are many players that can change the game without even touching the ball. Dominating in the trenches or protecting the deep part of the field, these are the top defensive free agents.

    Ndamukong Suh- Suh is the best defensive tackle in the league. Ever since coming out of Nebraska he has destroyed offensive game plans. He had 53 tackles, and 8.5 sacks, even though those numbers don’t look dominating, D tackles aren’t known for stuffing the stat sheet. Suh was the star of the Detroit Lions fourth best rated defense. On the downside Suh has the reputation of being a dirty player. Also he will command a lot of money; some analyst estimate an average salary of 16.5 million. The Miami Dolphins dove into the Suh sweepstakes and obtained his services for a huge contract. Suh will receive $114,375,000 over 6 years. Along with a whopping $59,955,000 guaranteed giving him the largest defensive contract in NFL history.

Justin Houston- The Kansas City Chiefs rely on having a strong pass rush and they did this past year with 46 sacks, good for fifth in the league. This pass rush heavily depends on defensive end Justin Houston who had a fantastic season. Houston led the league in sacks with 22, .5 short of Michael Strahan’s record from 2001. If it weren’t for the dominant play of Texans defensive end J. J. Watt, Houston would be considered the top defensive end in the league. Many analyst see Houston as a prime candidate for the franchise tag. Houston received the franchise tag from the Chiefs and will get $13,195,000 next season.

Devin McCourty- Not many players in the league can match Patriots free safety Devin McCourty’s range. McCourty, along with the addition of Darrelle Revis, transformed New England’s defense, leading them to the Lombardi trophy. McCourty, like Suh, doesn’t stuff the stat sheet but his impact goes beyond tackles (68) and interceptions (2). If McCourty and the Pats can’t lock up a long term deal he’s expected to be franchise tagged. The Patriots were able to retain McCourty after agreeing on a 5 year $47,000,000 contract with $28,500,000 guaranteed.

When the game comes down to that final kick with a few ticks left on the clock these are the players you want in the clutch.

Justin Tucker- Tucker has been a very solid kicker for the Baltimore Ravens, making them forget about Billy Cundiff(Wide left!) Since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2012 Tucker has hit 89.8% of his field goal attempts. Also his career long is 61 yards which demonstrates his kicking power. Tucker will be going back to Baltimore after agreeing upon a 1 year $2,356,000 contract.

Stephen Gostkowski- Regardless of playing in the tough weather of Foxborough Stephen”Ghost”Gostkowski has been one of the top kickers in the league. Replacing the legend Adam Vinatieri is no small task but Gostkowski has been up to the challenge. In the past 2 years for the New England Patriots Gostkowski has hit 73/78 field goal attempts, good for 93.5%. The Patriots opted to use the franchise tag on Gostkowski as he will come back for another year. He will be paid $4,590,000 which is the highest annual salary for a kicker.