Cautionary tales of nosedived investments in NFL free agency are easier to find than triumphant tales.

There are players perceived as quick solutions to glaring weaknesses at most every position in the 2015 free-agent class before franchise designations became an option Monday.

Skill-position talent is supreme this spring.

NFL rushing leader and Offensive Player of the Year DeMarco Murray and Pro Bowl pass catchers Dez Bryant (Cowboys), Demaryius Thomas (Broncos), Randall Cobb (Packers) and Julius Thomas (Broncos) headline many shopping lists. Their current team can restrict the open-market options for each player with the transition or franchise tag.

At other positions, the talent is not as decorated. Consider the top quarterbacks on the market were not full-time starters in 2014 — Mark Sanchez (Eagles), Josh McCown (Buccaneers, released), Brian Hoyer (Browns), Ryan Mallett (Texans), Michael Vick (Jets) — and none would make the must-have classification.

Here is a position-by-position peek at the prime unrestricted free agents in 2015:

Quarterbacks

Brian Hoyer, Browns

Jake Locker, Titans

Ryan Mallett, Texans

Mark Sanchez, Eagles

Michael Vick, Jets

Top option: Sanchez. His experience as a starter gives him value. A penchant for turnovers and baffling inconsistency serve as notice to teams to his future is in a backup role.

Second tier: Jason Campbell, Browns; Matt Flynn, Packers; Blaine Gabbert, 49ers; Matt Hasselbeck, Colts; Tarvaris Jackson, Seahawks; Colt McCoy, Redskins; Christian Ponder, Vikings

Running backs

Ahmad Bradshaw, Colts

Justin Forsett, Ravens

Frank Gore, 49ers

Mark Ingram, Saints

DeMarco Murray, Cowboys

Top option: Murray. The NFL’s rushing leader might have hurt his own value with a nearly 500-touch season, playing in 18 games including the postseason. Because the draft class is rich at the position and Murray’s durability is no given, he will not break the bank.

Second tier: John Kuhn (FB), Packers; Ryan Mathews, Chargers; Darren McFadden, Raiders; Knowshon Moreno, Broncos; Stevan Ridley, Patriots; Jacquizz Rodgers, Falcons; Ben Tate, Steelers

Wide receivers

Dez Bryant, Cowboys

Randall Cobb, Packers

Jeremy Maclin, Eagles

Torrey Smith, Ravens

Demaryius Thomas, Broncos

Top option: Thomas. His age (27) and production — three consecutive seasons with 90-plus catches, 1,400-plus yards and 10-plus touchdowns — are near guarantees he won’t get out of Denver. Bryant and Cobb aren’t going anywhere, either.

Second tier: Kenny Britt, Rams; Michael Crabtree, 49ers; Santana Moss, Redskins; Eddie Royal, Chargers; Cecil Shorts, Jaguars; Reggie Wayne, Colts; Wes Welker, Broncos

Tight ends

Jermaine Gresham, Bengals

Rob Housler, Cardinals

Lance Kendricks, Rams

Julius Thomas, Broncos

Top option: Thomas. He’s a specialized tight end with speed and athletic ability to be a threat as a receiver and dominate in the red zone. Denver wants to keep him, but cash isn’t there.

Offensive linemen

Joe Barksdale (tackle), Rams

Bryan Bulaga (tackle), Packers

James Carpenter (guard), Seahawks

Doug Free (tackle), Cowboys

Rodney Hudson (center), Chiefs

Mike Iupati (guard), 49ers

Top option: Iupati. Mauling left guard is just 27 and could realistically play out a four- or five-year deal should he find his way to the open market. By far the 49ers’ top free agent.

Second tier: King Dunlap (OT), Chargers; Dominic Raola (C), Lions; Stefen Wisniewski (C/G), Raiders

Kickers

Matt Bryant, Falcons

Jay Feely, Bears

Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots

Mike Nugent, Jets

Matt Prater, Lions

Ryan Succop, Titans

Top option: Gostkowski. Reliable in a stadium not all that easy on kickers. RFA Justin Tucker (Ravens) could attract more attention.

Defensive end

Greg Hardy, Panthers

Jerry Hughes, Bills

Jason Pierre-Paul, Giants

George Selvie, Cowboys

Anthony Spencer, Cowboys

Top option: Pierre-Paul. A late-season push saved Pierre-Paul from a production standpoint. He’s a very good athlete who could strike it rich if teams are convinced the 26-year-old’s best years are in front of him.

Second tier: Kroy Biermann, Falcons; Osi Umenyiora; Falcons

Defensive tackle

Nick Fairley, Lions

Terrance Knighton, Broncos

Stephen Paea, Bears

Ndamukong Suh, Lions

Dan Williams, Cardinals

Top option: Suh. A wrecking ball who plays with tenacity, Suh will break the $100 million barrier if he chooses the highest bidder. Instantly upgrades any defense significantly.

Second tier: Jared Odrick, Dolphins; Kevin Vickerson, Chiefs

Linebackers

Bruce Carter (OLB), Cowboys

David Harris (ILB), Jets

Justin Houston (OLB), Chiefs

Rey Maualuga (ILB), Bengals

Pernell McPhee (OLB), Ravens

Jason Worilds (OLB), Steelers

Top option: Houston. With 22 sacks last season, Houston is not getting out of Kansas City unless a team dangles multiple draft picks in a trade. With that in mind, the top free agent is likely Worilds, who could be a difference-maker as a No. 2 rusher.

Second tier: Lance Briggs (O), Chiefs; Larry Foote (I), Cardinals; Mason Foster (I), Buccaneers; Dwight Freeney (O), Chargers; Brandon Graham (O), Eagles; Ronaldo McClain (I), Cowboys, Jabaal Sheard (O), Browns; Sean Weatherspoon (O), Falcons

Cornerbacks

Antonio Cromartie, Cardinals

Brandon Flowers, Chiefs

Byron Maxwell, Seahawks

Walter Thurmond, Giants

Tramon Williams, Packers

Top option: Maxwell. Dallas and Detroit are two teams expected to knock on Maxwell’s door early in free agency. They won’t be alone. With bigger fish to fry — namely new deals for Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch — he’s done in Seattle.

Second tier: Bradley Fletcher, Eagles; Ike Taylor, Steelers

Safety

Ryan Clark, Redskins

Louis Delmas, Dolphins

Devin McCourty, Patriots

Rahim Moore, Broncos

Antrel Rolle, Giants

Top option: McCourty. As a one-year option, 32-year-old Rolle makes good sense. For teams in need of a younger playmaker to lead the secondary — looking at you, Falcons, Bears and Bills — McCourty is a no-brainer. For the same reason, don’t bet on him getting out of the Patriots’ grasp.

Second tier: Marcus Gilchrist, Chargers; Charles Godfrey, Panthers; Brandon Meriweather, Redskins