Top 32 FAs: Cap-free year needs restricted infusion

Welcome to uncharted territory.

This will be an uncapped year in the NFL, provided the owners and the NFLPA don't agree to a new deal before March 5. That isn't likely, so it was presumed that we would have a wild free-agent market.

The rich would spend. And spend. And spend.

Prime age and prime pass-rush production make Elvis Dumervil a free-agent commodity. (US Presswire)

Nice thinking in theory, but what the heck would they spend on? The market for unrestricted free agents isn't very good.

"It's the sick, the old and the injured," one NFC personnel director said.

As part of the rules for the uncapped year, players who have expiring contracts must have six years of service to be unrestricted free agents. That has put a real damper on the free-agent class.

Take the receiver position as an example. The top restricted free-agent receivers are San Diego's Vincent Jackson, Brandon Marshall of the Denver Broncos and Miles Austin of the Dallas Cowboys.

All are in their prime and should be ready for contracts that include $15 million signing bonuses. As it is, their chances for moving are limited.

Their current teams will put restricted tenders on them, probably ones that would require a first- and a third-round pick from any team that signed them. Even then, their original teams could match the offer.

When I talked with several of the "born-at-the-wrong-time" group of free agents at the Pro Bowl, they didn't seem all that worked up about it -- at least on the record. Privately, it was a different story. They weren't happy.

For the purpose of ranking the league's top free agents, I included the restricted players on my list for two reasons.

One is that some still could get action on the market, even with restrictions. And the second is if it was a list just of unrestricted free agents, you might throw up on your shoes looking at it. I don't think I could get to 32 good players worth making a run at for most teams.

So my list of the top 32 free agents includes a lot of restricted free agents that should be unrestricted, but the system is holding them back -- fair or unfair as it is.

Of the top 10 on my list, New England defensive tackle Vince Wilfork is the only unrestricted free agent of the group. That has led to the thinking that the restricted market just might be an active one for the first time in a long time.

Why not? There's nothing else to spend on.

1. Elvis Dumervil, OLB, Denver Broncos (RFA): At 26, coming off a 17-sack season, what's not to like?

2. Vincent Jackson, WR, San Diego Chargers (RFA): He's big, strong, fast and he's only 27. His best football is coming.

3. Vince Wilfork, DT, New England Patriots (UFA): The Patriots will probably use a franchise tag on him, but if not, he will be a wanted commodity. He needs to trim down. (Re-signed with Patriots, March 5)

4. Brandon Marshall, WR, Denver Broncos (RFA): Baggage aside, he can play. But will teams push his issues to the side?

5. Jahri Evans, G, New Orleans Saints (RFA): He's a mauler in the run game who really improved his pass protection the past two years.

Will breakout Miles Austin be able to cash in? (US Presswire)

6. Miles Austin, WR, Dallas Cowboys (RFA): Is he a one-hit wonder? The Cowboys don't think so and plan to do everything they can to keep him.

7. Willie Colon, T, Pittsburgh Steelers (RFA): He has improved every year for the Steelers, and his best football is coming.

8. DeMeco Ryans, MLB, Houston Texans (RFA): He's a star in the middle of their defense, one they will not let leave.

9. Owen Daniels, TE, Houston Texans (RFA): He's coming off an ACL injury, so there is concern. But he should be ready for the open of the 2010 season.

10. Logan Mankins, G, New England Patriots (RFA): He's been the best lineman on the New England line the past three seasons. He plays with a mean streak.

11. Julius Peppers, DE, Carolina Panthers (UFA): At 30, his age is a concern. So is his focus. But he has the tools to be a 15-sack player every year. (Signed with Chicago, March 5)

12. Marcus McNeill, T, San Diego Chargers (RFA): He's a very good pass protector who helps key the San Diego passing game. Needs to improve his run blocking.

13. Karlos Dansby, OLB, Arizona Cardinals (UFA): He's a good run-and-chase linebacker who is bound to leave Arizona. He isn't a great pass rusher. (Agreed with Miami, March 5)

14. Dunta Robinson, CB, Houston Texans (UFA): He's the best corner on the market and happens to be an unrestricted free agent. The Texans put the franchise tag on him last year, and that isn't likely this year. (Signed with Atlanta, March 5)

15. O.J. Atogwe, S, St. Louis Rams (RFA): He played under the franchise tag last year and the Rams could tag him again. He's a good player they can't afford to lose.

16. Shawne Merriman, OLB, San Diego Chargers (RFA): What are you going to get from him? Can he revert to his form of a few years ago? Or is his best football behind him?

17. Tony Brown, DT, Tennessee Titans (RFA): He played well in 2009 when Albert Haynesworth left. He's an active inside force. He's not big, and that might turn off some teams.

Ray Edwards is intriguing but a restricted option. (Getty Images)

18. Ray Edwards, DE, Minnesota Vikings (RFA): You saw in the playoff game against Dallas what this young pass rusher can do. He's young and improving, which makes him valuable.

19. Antoine Bethea, S, Indianapolis Colts (RFA): He's a rangy safety who doesn't get the credit he deserves in the Colts secondary. He is the glue back there.

20. Richard Seymour, DE, Oakland Raiders (UFA): He was traded to Oakland from New England last year. Now the Raiders have to try to keep him, and indications are they will use the franchise tag on him.

21. Braylon Edwards, WR, New York Jets (RFA): The Jets traded to get him with the idea they would have to sign him to a new deal. He started to show a real rapport with Mark Sanchez in the playoffs.

22. Casey Hampton, NT, Pittsburgh Steelers (UFA): He's getting up in the years, but there's a chance the Steelers could put the franchise tag on him. (Re-signed with Steelers, Feb. 25)

23. Jammal Brown, T, New Orleans Saints (RFA): He missed much of last season after undergoing hip and sports hernia surgeries. He's expected to be ready for the 2010 opener.

24. Barrett Ruud, MLB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (RFA): He's been a force in the middle of the Tampa-2 defense. He plays with great instincts.

25. Nick Collins, S, Green Bay Packers (RFA): He has been to the Pro Bowl the past two years. He's improved as a coverage player, which was a must. (Re-signed with Green Bay, March 12)

26. Malcom Floyd, WR, San Diego Chargers (RFA): Like his teammate Jackson. he's young and improving. He averaged 17.2 per catch each of the last two seasons.

27. D'Qwell Jackson, ILB, Cleveland Browns (RFA): This tackling machine has been lost playing in Cleveland on bad teams. He did end 2009 on IR with a hamstring injury.

28. Kevin Walter, WR, Houston Texans (UFA): He's a nice complementary player if there's a speed guy on the other side. (Re-signed with Houston, March 8)

29. Antonio Bryant, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (UFA): He's had some issues with coaches in the past, but when he's not causing problems, he's a heck of a player. (Signed with Cincinnati, March 12)

30. Aubrayo Franklin, NT, San Francisco 49ers (RFA): The 49ers are expected to put the franchise tag on him. He really played well last season, but can he sustain it?

31. Kyle Vanden Bosch, DE, Tennessee Titans (UFA): He's getting up in years, which is a concern, especially since he's an effort player. (Signed with Detroit, March 5)

32. Jason Campbell, QB, Washington Redskins (RFA): Surprised to see him here? I think he can be a quality starter in the right system with the right coach. Hear that, Mike Shanahan?