NFL Notes: 2017 Free Agents, Lions & Rams

2017 Free Agents

Nate Davis of USA Today offers his top-10 2017 free agents worth keeping an eye on this year. Davis’ list includes:

1. Redskins QB Kirk Cousins
2. Panthers DT Kawann Short
3. Cardinals DB Tyrann Mathieu
4. Steelers RB Le’Veon Bell
5. Bears WR Alshon Jeffery
6. Patriots LB Jamie Collins
7. Bills QB Tyrod Taylor
8. Bills CB Stephon Gilmore
9. Cardinals OLB Chandler Jones
10. Chiefs S Eric Berry

Lions

Lions CB Darius Slay spoke highly of HC Jim Caldwell, saying that “he’s probably the best coach I’ve ever had in my life.”

“Oh, man, he’s probably the best coach I’ve ever had in my life,” Slay mentioned during an interview with Sirius XM NFL Radio. “He’s very calm, collected. I never think he’s on a hot seat because he’s always in a chill mode. He never talks during practice. He learned how to coach from a lot of great coaches in the league, so I don’t think he’s ever in the hot seat.

“He’s the best communicator ever. And I think that’s what just (brought) us together, because he never got out of control. We were 1-7, but he knew we had to win ballgames but he still kept his composure and he still trusted and believed in us and that’s why we went 6-2 in the last eight games.”

Rams

• Vincent Bonsignore reports that while Rams RB Tre Mason remains on roster, his status for training camp still hasn’t been determined.