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Four former Miami Hurricanes ranked among best unsigned NFL free agents

By Alan Rubenstein

SHREVEPORT, LA - DECEMBER 27: Duke Johnson #8 of the Miami Hurricanes runs for yards against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the first quarter of the Duck Commander Independence Bowl at Independence Stadium on December 27, 2014 in Shreveport, Louisiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
SHREVEPORT, LA - DECEMBER 27: Duke Johnson #8 of the Miami Hurricanes runs for yards against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the first quarter of the Duck Commander Independence Bowl at Independence Stadium on December 27, 2014 in Shreveport, Louisiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Four former Miami Hurricanes football players are among the top 100 remaining free agents according to Pro Football Focus. Miami all-time leader rusher Duke Johnson, edge rusher Olivier Vernon, cornerback Corn Elder and defensive tackle Allen Bailey are the 27th through 93rd ranked unsigned free agents.

Johnson has spent his NFL career with the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans, Vernon with the Browns, New York Giants and Miami Dolphins, Elder the Carolina Panthers and Bailey with the Kansas City Chiefs and last two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. The players have varying numbers of years in the NFL.

Johnson just finished his sixth season in the NFL, Vernon his ninth, Elder his fourth and Bailey his 10th. All of them have tough competition remaining to find spots this late in free agency and with the NFL Draft later this month. Johnson, Bailey and Vernon are all proven contributors in the NFL.

The possibility exists that the Miami Hurricanes foursome will have to wait until after the NFL Draft for teams to show an interest in them. Drafting players who will be on their rookie contracts could be more advantageous for NFL teams than adding a veteran who is a second-tier free agent or lower.

The only Miami Hurricanes alum currently among the best players in the NFL is Baltimore Ravens defensive end, Calais Campbell. Bailey, Elder, Johnson and Vernon are players who can be part of the rotation at their positions but ultimately are not among the top in the NFL. The Miami four might have to be patient.

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