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This time last year, Terrance Knighton was looking for a big, multi-year contract in free agency. It didn't materialize for him, and he eventually left the Denver Broncos for a one-year, "prove it" deal with Washington, which became his third team in four years. He then referred to himself as the biggest steal in free agency.

"Yeah, I was [the biggest steal]," Knighton said last June, via Sports Illustrated. "But I've always bet on myself. I consider myself a premier player in this league, and I've got a lot of football left. This will be my seventh season, so when I hit the table again, there won't be any excuses next time."

Now that he's headed into free agency yet again, Knighton is mystified as to why he's not valued more highly, given the quality of his play. "I'm not really understanding why a guy like me, and what I bring to a team and what I bring to the field, is bouncing around like this," Knighton said, in an appearance on Sirius XM Radio. "But it'll catch up with itself."

Terrance Knighton is confused by his FA standing. (USATSI)

Knighton started all 15 games he played for the NFC East champs in 2015. He played very well, as usual, particularly against the run. But he also played only 375 snaps -- 51st among defensive tackles. That's the reality of the game now for run-stopping 3-4 nose tackles: they can only be on the field so often.

And so despite his play, Knighton said he hasn't yet gotten any indication from Washington that the team wants him to return.

"I haven't gotten any hint that they want me back or anything," he said. "To me personally. I haven't heard anything. And like I said, that's one thing I'm not going to stress about. Last time around I was hoping that something could get done with Denver and I was praying on that, I was talking it up all the time whenever I talked to the media because I felt in my heart that's where I was going to be. My emotions got caught into it. This time around, I understand it's a business."

Knighton will catch on with a team in free agency eventually. He's too good not to. It just might take awhile for the team that wants him to materialize, because there are other solid-or-better 3-4 tackles available. Guys like Damon Harrison, Haloti Ngata, Ian Williams and Jaye Howard are more likely to be on the field on third downs (or simply passing situations) than ole Pot Roast, so they seem likely to come off the board first, with Knighton eventually landing on whoever is left out of the dance. Whoever that team is will be getting a good player on a contract that will presumably be good value as well.

Wink of the CBS Eye to NFL.com