FIve NFL players with a lot to prove entering contract years

By Vincent Frank

Every single season around the NFL there are players in contract years who must show they still have it in order to cash in on the open market when the new league year comes calling the following March.

This season is no different.

From an aging running back in Chicago to a talented linebacker with off-field issues in San Francisco, here are five players who need to prove their worth in order to break the bank when they hit the free agent market next March.

Matt Forte, Running Back, Chicago Bears

It may seem crazy to have someone as accomplished as Forte head this list, but he’s going to face an incredibly difficult free-agent market as a 30-year-old running back next March. Any sign of regression this year, and the two-time Pro Bowler could be relegated to a short-term contract without a guarantee of starting. Considering he put up over 1,800 yards and 10 scores last season, it’s ridiculous to even think about.

For what it’s worth, Forte doesn’t seem to be too happy about Chicago’s unwillingness to enter into extension negotiations:

The concern for Forte’s future value could be that the Bears may run him into the ground, all the while knowing full well that they won’t retain him for the 2016 season. We saw this to an extent last season when the Dallas Cowboys relied heavily on DeMarco Murray.

Sam Bradford, Quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles

Even before he’s taken a regular season snap with the team, Philadelphia is apparently looking to extend Bradford. The issue, at least early in the process, is that no real progress has been made in talks.

Complicating things further, there is no set market for a player of Bradford’s ilk with his injury history. After undergoing two ACL surgeries over the past two years, Bradford has played a total of seven games since the start of the 2013 campaign. Philadelphia could overshoot here by signing the former No. 1 overall pick to a deal that will make him one of the 12 highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL. It could take a wait-and-see approach, which could backfire should Bradford return healthy and perform well in Chip Kelly’s quarterback-friendly scheme. Either way, the team isn’t in a great position here.

For Bradford, it’s all about staying healthy and producing at a high level. The last time he played a full season, the former St. Louis Rams starter put up 3,702 yards with 21 touchdowns compared to 13 interceptions in 2012. He’s going to need to put up even better numbers in 2015 with a stronger supporting cast and a solid overall scheme. If not, potential buyers may be a bit standoffish when he hits the open market next March.

Michael Crabtree, Wide Receiver, Oakland Raiders

Unfortunately for Crabtree, his first venture into free agency didn’t go according to plan. Expecting to cash in big time, even after struggling with the San Francisco 49ers last year, this former top-10 pick ended up signing a one-year, $3.2 million prove-it deal with the Raiders.

Now the most accomplished receiver on a team without much proven talent at that position, Crabtree should team up with rookie Amari Cooper to form a solid one-two tandem for second-year quarterback Derek Carr. In order for Crabtree to prove his worth as even a lower-end No. 1 target, he’s going to have to dramatically improve off a 2014 season that saw him average just 10.3 yards per catch. If that doesn’t happen, concerns over his ability to rebound from an Achilles injury suffered back in 2013 will likely haunt him on the open market next March.

Coby Fleener, Tight End, Indianapolis Colts

In terms of size and production, there is little doubt that Fleener will draw a ton of interest as a free agent following the 2015 season. The 6-foot-6, 250-pound tight end put up 774 yards and eight scores last season.

Based solely on those numbers, and not taking into account Andrew Luck’s presence in Indianapolis, that would put Fleener somewhere near the top-12 highest-paid tight ends in the league. Though, a breakout campaign could set the market that much higher. One of Fleener’s biggest values is the fact that he can line up both in-line and outside. In today’s NFL, that’s the type of tight end teams covet.

If Fleener can take the next step in Indianapolis’ tight end-friendly offense, there’s no reason to believe he won’t receive a deal north of the $7.5 million Jordan Cameron made on the open market this past March. If not, he might be seen more as a product of Luck and the Colts scheme.

Aldon Smith, Linebacker, San Francisco 49ers

More than anything, this is all about Smith keeping his nose clean off the field. The former All-Pro performer has been among the best edge pass rushers in the NFL when he’s actually seen the field. Smith has recorded 44 sacks in 50 career games.

However, as noted above, the biggest issue remains concerns over Smith’s character. By now his off-field exploits are well-known. The former top-10 pick was suspended nine games last year for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. Off-field incidents include gun charges and a DUI.

If Smith can prove that he’s matured off the field, it will be all about consistent production come Sundays. And while he hasn’t put up the same production over the past two years (10.5 sacks) as he did in his first two seasons (33.5 sacks), the 25-year-old outside linebacker remains confident in his abilities:

And all reports from the team’s facility in Santa Clara have been positive regarding Smith. If the (still) young pass rusher can return to 2012 form while remaining sober off the field, he will be a huge commodity on the open market next March. But it’s going to have to come together in all aspects for other squads, let alone San Francisco, to trust him on a long-term deal with a lot of guaranteed money.

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