While the picture could be altered over the next 2-3 weeks as teams assign franchise tags, reach extensions with would-be free agents, or cut players, here is a snapshot look at how the unrestricted free agent market is shaping up at each position: QUARTERBACK: Teams looking for a solid backup who could challenge for the top job will find help, as Todd Collins (Redskins), Daunte Culpepper (Raiders), Rex Grossman (Bears), and Billy Volek (Chargers) are set to hit the market. RUNNING BACK: Michael Turner (Chargers), who drew interest as a restricted free agent last offseason, is the headliner of a strong crop that also includes Jamal Lewis (Browns), Chris Brown (Titans), Justin Fargas (Raiders), Ron Dayne (Texans), and Mewelde Moore (Vikings). WIDE RECEIVER: The big question is whether the Patriots and Randy Moss reach an extension or the team franchises him. Others who figure to draw attention include D.J. Hackett (Seahawks), Bernard Berrian (Bears), Bryant Johnson (Cardinals), Ernest Wilford (Jaguars), and Jabar Gaffney (Patriots). Add Dont? Stallworth to the list if the Patriots don't pick up $8 million in option bonuses, as expected. TIGHT ENDS: The Eagles acted fast in placing the franchise tag on L.J. Smith, perhaps realizing there wasn't much else out there. Eric Johnson (Saints) and Ben Troupe (Titans) should draw interest. OFFENSIVE LINE: The Panthers are expected to keep tackle Jordan Gross off the market, but as usual, there will be plenty to choose from. Flozell Adams (Cowboys), Max Starks (Steelers), Sean Locklear (Seahawks), and Travelle Wharton (Panthers) are top tackles. Alan Faneca (Steelers), Jamar Nesbit (Saints), Stacy Andrews (Bengals), Jacob Bell (Titans), Justin Smiley (49ers), Jake Scott (Colts), Ryan Lilja (Colts), and Rex Hadnot (Dolphins) headline the exploding guard market, and Casey Wiegmann (Chiefs) leads the center charge. DEFENSIVE LINE: Jared Allen (Chiefs) would boost any pass rush, but it's hard to imagine Kansas City would let him get away. Albert Haynesworth (Titans) is also expected to get franchised. Justin Smith (Bengals) and Antwan Odom (Titans) are pass rushers who could help, while teams looking for more bulk might eye Corey Williams (Packers), Tommy Kelly (Raiders), and Marques Douglas (49ers). Clubs running the 3-4 in need of a nose tackle will have Isaac Sopoaga (49ers) and Ethan Kelley (Browns) on their radar. LINEBACKER: The Cardinals aren't likely to let Karlos Dansby slip away, but he would be a top target if he's available. Terrell Suggs (Ravens), Calvin Pace (Cardinals), Victor Hobson (Jets), and Clark Haggans (Steelers) should draw attention among pass-rush, edge-setting teams that run the 3-4, while Lance Briggs (Bears), Landon Johnson (Bengals), and Demorrio Williams (Falcons) are more 4-3 types in that they are a bit lighter and quicker. DEFENSIVE BACK: Asante Samuel (Patriots) headlines a weak cornerback crop (assuming Oakland's Nnamdi Asomugha and Seattle's Marcus Trufant get the franchise tag), which puts him in a position of considerable leverage. Nickel backs like Drayton Florence (Chargers) and Randall Gay (Patriots) are in a nice spot because of the lack of quality corners on the market. Chris Crocker (Falcons), Madieu Williams (Bengals), and Ken Hamlin (Cowboys) are safeties who should draw interest. SPECIALISTS: Josh Brown (Seahawks) and Jason Elam (Broncos) are top kickers, for those looking to address that area. Titans top league in cap size Which teams will be most aggressive in free agency this year? The early candidates - those with the most salary-cap space - are the Tennessee Titans ($36 million), Cincinnati Bengals ($31 million), and Jacksonville Jaguars ($30 million). The Patriots' rivals in the AFC East all have flexibility, as the Bills, Dolphins, and Jets project to have $20 million-$30 million in space. At the end of last week, the Patriots' $8.365 million in space ranked 25th out of the league's 32 teams.
Flozell Adams will be franchised. And there are some more names on that list that i don?t expect to hit the open market. If the pats sign Moss, they won?t have any room to do anything other than signing their rookies.
hmmm...Bryant Johnson could be a good pick-up...he was picked in the first round and could be ready to explode after having to sit behind Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald...thats great to hear about the options for the O-Line...how about Ken Hamlin for our other safety spot?
Is this guy kidding about a "strong crop" of FA RBs? After the unproven Turner, its a bunch of B-level castoffs and aging veterans available. Big freakin' deal. As for pickups: -Billy Volek would be my top choice to replace Chad in the event we trade him. -I like stallworth and berrian as WRs. -Good quality available on OL...this is where we need to throw all our money -a backup NT to pair w/Pouha would be nice
Dont sleep on Wilford either he is a big dude... Berrian is likely to get the big bucks... Any word on who we are gonna franchise?
we?re not gonna franchise anyone. Hobson is our "best" player who can walk. I really doubt, that berrian will break the bank. He?s not relieable, drops way too many balls, and the only route he runs really good is the deep one. He would be a #3 one many teams. I would love to get Bryant Johnson, i?m with lobacz87, i think he has great potential and size, but couldn?t show it behind two of the top 15 WRs in the league.
I want Justin Smiley. I remember wanting the Jets to draft him. What has he done in San Francisco? I never kept an eye on him. Maybe he sucked, I don't know. He looked good coming out of college though.
Berrian is functionally equivalent to the Justin McCareins of 2004, which is to say you pegged him perfectly.
Smiley is a solid guard who is probably the most likely guy to get a Hutchinson/Steinbach type contract out of some team this year. If the Jets were to spend a lot of money in free agency they could do a lot worse than pick up Smiley to play RG and Faneca to play LG.
would love to address the OL AND DL with free agents the addition of bryant johnson would be nice too. Would love to get Samuel but i doubt it...... Then for the draft we can address OLB, and draft a RB(strong rb class this year) and maybe get Flacco in the third round
Shitty. I think he dislocated his shoulder last season and had season ending surgery about halfway through. I really liked him before that though. He plays mean and he can be a mauler. I think the best G that has a chance of hitting the market is Jacob Bell. He's a mauler, he's versatile (has played T), and he played on a very badass O-line...I like O-line guys to have an aggressive mentality.
I know alot of SF fans had mixed feelings about him...and I believe there was a short time when he lost his job to someboddy else. I liked him alot coming out of Alabama...and try to watch him closely when SF is on. I like what I see... We'll see if our FO feels the same. I don't have alot of confidence in their ability to sign FA O-linemen. Bradway prefers washed up journeymen like Dave Szott, Tom Nutten and Brent Smith over solid young linemen w/ upside.
And thats why he's not our GM. Bradway's issue has been and always will be that he doesn't take smart risks...it's why what Parcell's built was pretty much done by '05...Bradway and Herm lived off of that talent until it got old, expensive, injured, or whiny. I hope (and think) that this new regime is more proactive than that.
I really hope Bradway is not a big voice in this upcoming FA period.We seriously cannot afford to shun the OL position in FA, or address how Bradway has in the past. A veteran Journeymen will not fix this Ol and it will further hamper 2 perfectly talented young Linemen w/ great upside.
Luckily this offseason might have a ton of younger OL players out there...Andrews...Smiley...Bell...Starks...Lilja...Gross (probably not)...Wharton...Scott...Locklear. I really hope they sign one of these guys...Bell and Andrews would be nice...
