Need to rebuild? Target one of these guys for an immediate impact

The big game is over. Now, let the big-game hunting begin.

Welcome to Free Agency, 2009, where 32 teams get to compete for some of the game's best veterans. Julius Peppers could be one of them. Ray Lewis another. Maybe even Albert Haynesworth. Or Nnamdi Asomugha -- provided you can pronounce his name.

Keeping Haynesworth (92) with the Titans is 'a priority' according to coach Jeff Fisher. (Getty Images)

Of course, many of the guys who appear on today's list could be gone tomorrow, either because a club re-signed the free-agent-to-be or because it designated him as its franchise player -- as New England did with quarterback Matt Cassel on Thursday.

Nevertheless, it's never too soon to start shopping. Contracts expire at the end of this month -- Feb. 27 to be exact -- which means your team is making its list and checking it twice as we have this conversation.

I can't tell you whom it will try to pursue, but I can tell you whom it should. The roll call, please:

Kurt Warner, QB, Arizona

The knock on the guy is his age. He's 37 and sending out signals that he might want to retire. His agent says not to pay attention, but I always listen when Warner speaks. If he doesn't go, he's attractive for this reason: He is still one of the game's most accurate, smartest and most productive quarterbacks, and I call Dick LeBeau as my first witness. Warner shredded the Steelers' pass defense for more yards in the fourth quarter than most passers do in one game. You want a quarterback who can resuscitate your passing game the next two years? This is your man.

What's to like: Productivity, maturity and a calming influence in the locker room.

What's not: Age.

Prediction: Re-signs with Arizona.

Brandon Jacobs, RB, N.Y. Giants

Conventional wisdom says the Giants re-sign Jacobs and let free-agent Derrick Ward walk. Maybe. All I know is I'd want a crack at this guy. He's built like a defensive lineman and more difficult to stop than Warren Sapp at a buffet. In short, he's a load. He just produced his best season -- rushing for 1,089 yards, averaging 5 yards a carry and producing 15 touchdowns -- and is only 26. The Giants limited his carries, subbing Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw for him, but there are few backs better at the goal line. I once remember Michael Strahan pointing to him and saying, "Look at him: He's bigger than me." And he is. No wonder he's so tough to tackle.

What's to like: Size, productivity.

What's not: Injuries. He missed eight games the past two years. Also has a reputation as a fumbler.

Prediction: Re-signs with Giants.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, Cincinnati

He's the best of a thin group of wide receivers and is more attractive -- a lot more -- than that other Bengals receiver who gets the headlines in Cincinnati. Houshmandzadeh doesn't make waves; he makes plays, and I'm all for that. In 2007 he led the league with 112 catches; a year later, he had 92 despite having to pair up with Ryan Fitzpatrick most of the season. I love Houshmandzadeh's consistency -- during the past five years, he never had fewer than 73 catches in any season. Plus, he missed only one game the past two years. He's reliable, has sure hands and is a good teammate. Sounds good to me.

What's to like: Steady productivity operating alongside Chad Ocho Cinco.

What's not: Not a big-play receiver, averaging 10 yards a catch the past two years. More of a No. 2 receiver.

Prediction: Signs with the highest bidder.

Jordan Gross, OT, Carolina

A starter since his rookie season, Gross was instrumental in the Panthers' return to the playoffs -- playing a key role in the awakening of one of the league's top rushing attacks. He's a solid run blocker whom Carolina coveted so highly it made him its franchise player a year ago. Now it has a dilemma -- whom does it protect: Gross or Julius Peppers? It's so hard to find franchise tackles that I can't imagine the Panthers let him get away.

What's to like: Solid run blocker and decent pass protector.

What's not: Good, not great, as a left tackle in pass protection.

Prediction: Panthers re-sign him or make him their franchise player.

Jason Brown, C, Baltimore

The loss of Brown would not be a positive for Flacco. (Getty Images)

The Ravens would love to keep the fourth-year pro, but they have three linebackers to re-sign, too, so stay tuned. Brown is versatile, a tough guard whom the Ravens moved to center this season, and he's so capable he was a starter for most of the past three seasons. Brown is young (25) and the centerpiece of an improved offensive line. Losing him would be a blow to young quarterback Joe Flacco, which means the Ravens should put on the full-court press to keep him. But it won't be easy. Plus, they might have Chris Chester on stand-by.

What's to like: A mauler. Handled Haynesworth in two meetings this season.

What's not: Not great in pass protection.

Prediction: Ravens try to retain him but can't.

Albert Haynesworth, DT, Tennessee

The Titans' top defensive player and one of the game's top defensive performers, period, Haynesworth will seek a contract that could make him the game's highest-paid defender. He can sack the quarterback. He stops the run. He stacks the middle of the line. And he makes a difference. During the past three seasons, the Titans were 28-10 with him and 3-7 without. That's why they made him their franchise player in 2008. Now they're trying to re-sign him to a long-term deal, and negotiations bear watching. Coach Jeff Fisher has already said keeping him is "a priority," and it should be. Haynesworth, who had a career-best 8.5 sacks this season, is critically important to the league's seventh-ranked defense which is critically important to the future of the franchise.

What's to like: Few are better plugging the middle; sometimes he's unblockable.

What's not: Durability. He hasn't played a complete season since 2002, his rookie year.

Prediction: He re-signs.

Julius Peppers, DE, Carolina

He wants to test the open market, which means he might want out of Carolina. That makes it tough for the Panthers, who have a difficult decision looming, with the contracts for Peppers and Gross expiring at the same time. They might have to choose whom to protect. If it were me, I'd slap the franchise tag on Peppers and try to re-sign the defensive lineman. Peppers had a terrific bounce-back season after slumping to 2.5 sacks in 2007, but that slump could make people nervous. I'm always leery of guys who inflate their numbers in contract years. Nevertheless, Peppers is a star pass rusher who can take over games, and that will be hard for teams to ignore.

What's to like: One of the game's dominant pass rushers.

What's not: Streaky. Game-to-game motor sometimes doesn't always run 100 percent.

Prediction: The Panthers find a way to keep him.

Karlos Dansby, LB, Arizona

Dansby is a versatile player who just wants some 'security.' (Getty Images)

He's become a top-shelf player, with this season his best in a steady progression of improved performances. Tall and powerfully built, he is an effective inside blitzer who can drop into coverage. The Cardinals valued him so highly they made him their franchise player a year ago, and they have the cap room to keep him. Dansby wants a long-term deal ("I want the security, man"), and he views Calvin Pace's contract with the Jets -- one that included $20 million in guaranteed money -- as the baseline. The Cards don't. They're talking up Lofa Tatupu's deal, which included $16 million in cash. Split the difference, guys, and everyone goes home happy.

What's to like: Versatility. He's a run-and-chase linebacker who can stand up against the run.

What's not: For the money we're talking about, he's not a great pass rusher.

Prediction: He re-signs.

Terrell Suggs, LB, Baltimore

The Ravens have difficult choices to make. All three of their starting linebackers are free agents, with Suggs the best of the bunch. The club hopes to keep at least two and hasn't ruled out the possibility of returning all three, but it will be tough. Suggs, who led the team in sacks and was chosen to his third Pro Bowl, is the first priority. Bart Scott will have suitors, while Lewis' age (33) and history of injuries will make him a tougher sell. Still, he attracts interest if he tests the market. Sorry, folks, there's no guarantee of any of these guys making it to the shelf, with Suggs suggesting a "home-town discount" to keep all.

What's to like: He's young (26) and so good that, even with one arm, he was still the Ravens' best defensive player in the AFC Championship Game.

What's not: Bit of a tweener, with some concerned he can't make it as 4-3 defensive end.

Prediction: He either re-signs, or the Ravens make him their franchise player.

Bart Scott, LB, Baltimore

The Ravens could lose him or Lewis, but I think Scott is the more likely to flee -- and not because the Ravens don't try to stop him. Scott fit in beautifully with Rex Ryan's defense, which has me wondering if Ryan tries to take him to the Jets. Scott's sack totals dropped off the past two years, but he proved in 2006 he can be an elite defender. The Ravens plan on trying to re-sign him, but you have to wonder if somebody doesn't offer Scott enough money to make him go. He fills gaps and has the range to drop into coverage. Plus, he has the Ravens' pedigree. That makes him an attractive catch.

What's to like: An all-around player with experience in a top-ranked defense.

What's not: Sacks plummeted the past two years.

Prediction: Ravens try to re-sign him, but he leaves.

Poll Who will become the best available free agent? 9% Kurt Warner   14% Brandon Jacobs   23% T.J. Houshmandzadeh   22% Julius Peppers   3% Karlos Dansby   30% Albert Haynesworth   Total Votes: 18915

Nnamdi Asomugha, CB, Oakland

You can't measure his value by his numbers. Measure it by how opponents attacked him. They didn't, and that tells you what they thought about the guy. They'd rather take their chances with someone else. Asomugha can play man; he can play zone; he can play off receivers; he can defend the run. He's also extraordinarily confident. There isn't much he can't do except win -- but take that up with the bosses. Asomugha would love to try another address, but he's stuck. The Raiders made him their franchise player a year ago, and, now that he's an All-Pro, they almost surely make him their franchise player again.

What's to like: Terrific cover cornerback.

What's not: Hasn't been called on to defend much.

Prediction: Raiders make him their franchise player.

Shane Lechler, P, Oakland

I like San Diego's Mike Scifres as the best punter in the AFC, but he almost never makes it to the Pro Bowl, and here's why. Lechler annually produces huge net and gross averages, and this season was no different. Hey, when you're with the Raiders you get plenty of practice punting, so you should be proficient at it, right? I think so. Anyway, Lechler is marvelous, leading the league this season with a 41.2-yard net and finishing second with a 48.8-yard average. Now he can escape the Black Hole, but look for the Raiders to make a push to keep him. He's too good to let escape.

What's to like: A strong leg to dictate field position.

What's not: Too many touchbacks. His 13 tied for the league lead.

Prediction: Raiders to re-sign him.