The NFL season is nearing an end, as championship weekend finally upon us. The weekend begins with the Kansas City Chiefs squaring off against the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship.
Immediately after the Chiefs and Titans play, the Green Bay Packers will face off against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship. In both games, there are players that could be playing in their final game with their respective teams.
All four teams remaining in the postseason have plenty of impending free agents that will be coveted in the open market. Here are the best 2020 free agents who will take part in the AFC and NFC Championship games.
DE Arik Armstead – 49ers
The 49ers selected Arik Armstead with the 17th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. In his first four seasons, Armstead accumulated only nine sacks, 13 tackles for loss, and 29 quarterback hits.
At first, it appeared that the Oregon product was going to be a bust in the NFL. But in 2019, Armstead likely earned himself an impressive payday in the upcoming offseason. The fifth-year defensive end tallied a career-high 10 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 18 quarterback hits, and two forced fumbles.
WR Emmanuel Sanders – 49ers
Back in October, San Francisco chose to acquire Emmanuel Sanders via trade from the Denver Broncos. The 49ers brought Sanders in to provide the offense with a reliable option at wide receiver.
After arriving in San Francisco, Sanders hauled in 36 receptions for 502 yards and three touchdowns in the regular season. The veteran wideout turns 33-years-old in March, but will still be a viable free-agent for wide-receiver-needy teams.
RT Bryan Bulaga – Packers
The Packers are going to be tasked with slowing down San Francisco's disruptive pass rush on Sunday. One player who will have his hands full blocking Nick Bosa and Dee Ford is Bryan Bulaga.
Bulaga has been a cornerstone of the Packers' offensive line for the last 10 seasons. Even though he'll be 31-years-old when free agency begins, Bulaga plays at a position that teams are desperate to find.
ILB Blake Martinez – Packers
Over the past three seasons, Blake Martinez has been overlooked by fans in the NFL. Yet, not many linebackers in the NFL have recorded as many tackles as Martinez has with the Packers since 2017.
Since 2017, Martinez has tallied 443 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, and two interceptions. Additionally, the former fourth-round pick led the team in tackles with 155 of them in 2019. That's not too bad for an inside linebacker who is heading into free agency.
DT Chris Jones – Chiefs
Chris Jones was unable to be active in the Chiefs' first playoff contest against the Houston Texans. Currently, Jones is listed as questionable to play versus the Titans due to a calf injury.
Over the past few seasons, Jones has become one of the best interior defenders in the NFL. Furthermore, the Chiefs' defensive tackle has combined for 31 sacks, 32 tackles for loss, 62 quarterback hits, and seven forced fumbles in the last three years.
RT Jack Conklin – Titans
The Titans' offense is predicated on running the football effectively and one of the reasons they are so effective on the ground is due to Jack Conklin. Tennessee chose Conklin with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft and he's started in all but seven games since.
At the right tackle position, Conklin has been phenomenal since entering the NFL and is at a position that teams need. Considering that, Conklin could become one of the highest-paid players at his position.
QB Ryan Tannehill – Titans
For the majority of the season, it was well-documented how Ryan Tannehill saved the Titans' 2019 campaign. At the beginning of the season, Tennessee started Marcus Mariota at quarterback and went 2-4 while he was under center.
Once Tannehill took the reins as the starter, the Titans finished the season at 9-7 and snuck into the playoffs. Despite being the No. 6 seed, the Titans find themselves in an opportunity to play in the Super Bowl in large part due to Tannehill. Undoubtedly, the veteran signal-caller has earned himself a lucrative contract in the offseason.
RB Derrick Henry – Titans
Without a doubt, arguably the most important free agent available in 2020 (in the conference titles) could be Derrick Henry. The larger-than-life running back is the engine that keeps Tennessee's offense going.
In his fourth season in the league, Henry led the NFL in rushing and continues to gash defenses in the postseason. Despite playing at a position that is easily replaceable, Henry would have plenty of suitors if the Titans don't resign him.
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