It’s the NFL offseason which means mock drafts, free agency lists, cap casualty lists, top prospects lists and well ... lots and lots of lists. We even have the mock draft database here at Niners Nation, which is a list of mocks that list prospects for teams. Lists.
On Monday, SB Nation NFL published its list of the top 100 NFL free agents for the 2017-18 offseason, and there’s some interesting things to note from said list.
The first is the placement of pending San Francisco 49ers free agents. Safety Eric Reid is the highest-placing player from the team on the list, at No. 37 overall. He comes in just behind tight end Tyler Eifert and just ahead of defensive tackle Dontari Poe, which sounds about right.
Carlos Hyde is next, and comes in at No. 48 on the list, which sounds low but it’s a pretty decent class overall. Hyde is the third running back listed, behind Le’Veon Bell (No. 1 overall) and Dion Lewis (No. 9 overall). They also have Aaron Lynch ahead of Tank Carradine, which I tend to agree with. Lynch is listed at No. 78 overall, behind Brent Grimes and ahead of LeGarrette Blount.
Carradine didn’t make the list, nor did Brandon Fusco or Dontae Johnson, or any other 49ers free agent, which isn’t surprising. Some notable ex-49ers are on the list. Frank Gore is 89th, while NaVorro Bowman, after successfully bouncing back with the Oakland Raiders, is listed 30th overall, the third linebacker on the list behind Avery Williamson of the Tennessee Titans and Demario Davis of the New York Jets.
Players that 49ers fans have been vocal about, like Bell, Demarcus Lawrence, Andrew Norwell and Allen Robinson are all within the top 15 of the list. I think I’m more interested in Sammy Watkins than Robinson, personally. Watkins comes in at No. 18 overall.
The top cornerback listed is E.J. Gaines of the Buffalo Bills, with Trumaine Johnson of the Los Angeles Rams second at No. 14 overall. It’s a good list, so go check it out.