Free Agency Watchlist

When the lockout ends there'll be a frantic rush by teams to fill the holes left after the draft with premium FA talent. A lot of money'll be flying around. With that in mind the free agents to be include:

QB:
Peyton Manning: Yes I know he was tagged. However given his name is included as one of the plaintiff's in the NFLPA case, they're pushing for exemption from the tag for those players. Peyton would be on the market, but would return to the Colts anyway.

Michael Vick: I'll put him down as he's technically a FA, but he'll be an Eagle next season.

Vince Young: Titans are praying for something before they release him.

Donovan McNabb: Nobodies paying for that contract, he'll be a FA.

Bree Favre: Would anyone be surprised?

Other notables:

Matt Hasselbeck
Matt Moore
Alex Smith
Matt Leinert
Marc Bulger
Tyler Thigpen
Tavaris Jackson
Rex Grossman
Kerry Collins

A lot of guys you'd feel comfortable with as backup or placeholder for a year. Nobody you'd want to turn the franchise over to (Note, Shanahan's excluded)

RB:
DeAngelo Williams: Elite a few seasons ago, indications are that both sides feel a split would be beneficial.

Ahmad Bradshaw: Productive as part of a one-two punch, still liable to cough up the football though. Could leave New York for the right offer.

Cedric Benson: Probably won't get the big offer he wants, likely ends up back in Cincy.

Other notables ((R) denotes likely restricted free agent under new CBA)

Arian Foster (R)
Mike Tolbert (R)
Benjarvis Green Ellis (R)
Darren Sproles
Ronnie Brown
Ricky Williams
Michael Bush
Joseph Addai
Jerome Harrison

Plenty of productive backs available here.

WR:
Vincent Jackson: Tagged

Sidney Rice: Heavily productive with Favre in 09, injured for most of 2010. Still needs to prove himself.

Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards and Brad Smith: Jets can only hand out so much money.

Malcom Floyd: Productive when healthy

Steve Smith: Elite slot WR, coming off injury though.

Mike Williams: About as likely to leave as Vick

T.O: Latest injury pretty much confirms the end of T.O's career.

Other notables:
Randy Moss
James Jones
Steve Breaston
Mike Sims-Walker
Lance Moore
Legedu Naanee
Santana Moss
Danny Amendola
Mark Clayton

Rice seems the prize of this class, plenty of talent to go round.

TE:
Zach Miller: A FA to be after not getting the tag

Other notables:
Owen Daniels
Kevin Boss

Not really much here

OT:
Tyson Clabo: I imagine the Falcons will throw him a big deal.

Doug Free: A restricted free agent

Jared Gaither: Reportedly on the trade block last year, could hit the open market.

Jammal Brown: The Redskins might as well retain him a year after giving up a decent pick for him.

Jermon Bushrod: Likely to return.

Willie Colon: Likely to return

G/C:
Carl Nicks: Someone will pay him

Logan Mankins: Got the tag

Davin Joseph: Coming off injury, should get paid in FA.

Other notables:
Harvey Dahl
Ryan Kalil (tagged)
Daryn Colledge
Marshal Yanda

DE:
Cullen Jenkins: Can play in a 3-4 or 4-3, disruptive and might get more money outside of GB

Charles Johnson: Quietly one of the better pass rushers the last few years. Could jump to a contender this offseason.

Mathias Kiwanuka: Coming off injury, might get more playing time elsewhere.

Ray Edwards: After making a name for himself opposite Jared Allen, Edwards will cash in.

Jason Babin: After a career year, could Babin fly the coop?

Not much else to shout about here, some good options.

DT:
Haloti Ngata: Tagged, the Ravens won't let him go.

Brandon Mebane: Good run defender.

Aubrayo Franklin: Probably the best 3-4 NT available.

Pat Williams: Can still play at a high level, is open to playing for a contender

Not really much here at all

LB:
Chad Greenway: Tagged

Lamar Woodley: See Chad Greenway

Tamba Hali: See Chad Greenway

David Harris: See Chad Greenway

Stephen Tulloch: An underrated MLB, bonus is he isn't tagged.

Paul Poluszny: Good MLB when healthy. He often isn't healthy.

James Anderson: Decent SLB

Rocky McIntosh: Hasn't adjusted well to the 3-4, could hit the open market.

Barrett Ruud: Set to cash in

Other notables:
Takeo Spikes
Mike Peterson
Clint Session
Kirk Morrison
Ben Leber
Stewart Bradley

CB:
Nmandi Asomugha: The prize of free agency. His price and age may force teams to shy away though.

Brent Grimes: I imagine he resigns in Atlanta

Carlos Rodgers: Good cover corner, horrible hands

Johnathan Joseph: Elite in 09 but regressed last year. Would be the best player Cincy could potentially lose.

Antonio Cromartie: Had an ok season, not the Jets first priority

Ike Taylor: Good in the Steelers defense, won't give them a discount though.

S:
Quintin Mikell: The Eagles are set to move on without Mikell, one of the leagues most underrated players.

Roman Harper: Likely to return to NO

Eric Weddle: The Chargers want to retain him but have other FAs to pay too.

Dawan Landry: Better in coverage this year and a solid run defender

Tanard Jackson: Coming off a suspension, is a massive gamble.

I reckon Joseph stays in Tampa. Also, while Ruud is a good MLB, I can't see any teams looking for a player like him with hardly any camp left. He is the QB of the Bucs defense and I reckon they off him a deal to stay for good.

Cadillac will also stay, as will Quincy Black.

Pr4wn wrote:I reckon they off him

Who'd want to play for the Buccs? Most teams would just cut you...

I'm tempted to edit that and delete your post.

Gunning for me today, you are!

Joseph and Ruud are needed if the Bucs are to make a succesful challenge. Cadillac is a great 2nd option RB and a decent passing threat too. Wouldn't mind a WR and keeping Tanard Jackson either. Possibly a corner to replace Ronde too.(building for the future!)

I really think we should make a play for Nnamdi. We have plenty of cap space and will be looking to hit the floor once it's in place.

The Bucs have decent corners though should Nnamdi be our biggest goal? I mean I would love him but we should try and keep the majority of our own guys first. Would like Sidney Rice but other teams will prioritise him more.

I think quite a few teams will be interested in signing Lawrence Vickers.

I think Sidney Rice is going to be pretty expensive to sign for someone who has had one good season, and his next best is his rookie year where he caught 31 passes for 396 yards and four touchdowns.

Kevin Boss is expected to be returning to the Giants.

The Rams would like to sign Darren Sproles to be Steven Jackson's backup.

The Cleveland Browns apparently won't be attempting to sign any free agent WR's.