Top free agents: Late cuts add some beef to thin class
By Pete Prisco | SportsLine.com Senior Writer Follow Pete
Insider | Notes
At the NFL scouting combine, the talk is mostly about potential draft picks. But because drafting is impacted by free agency, it's normal for the talk to move to the latter.
The consensus regarding this year's free agency class by most scouts, personnel men and coaches at the just-concluded combine was this:
There will be Wal-Mart merchandise wanted to be bought at Macy's prices.
"When you look at this group of free agents, really study them, you realize there isn't a lot there," one NFC personnel director said. "I'm being kind when I say this might be one of the worst groups we've had in a long time. And the sad thing is some of these guys will get overpaid by teams desperate for help."
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| Sometimes-maligned Cardinals QB Jake Plummer is the best free agent available. (Getty Images) |
Some late cuts, such as the release of Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart, Broncos corner Denard Walker and Redskins running back Stephen Davis help, but as of right now it is a class that doesn't feature a lot of star players. When the signing period begins Friday, there likely isn't going to be a wild start, especially without the star players.
That made putting together a Top 50 unrestricted free agent list quite a feat. After the top 10-15, there is a significant dropoff in talent. That's why there will be fewer big-money deals this year than in the past.
Jake Plummer tops the list, and that's only because he's a starting quarterback in his prime. Plummer can still play, and any team looking for a quarterback would be foolish not to start their search with him.
As a whole, the quarterback spot offers little after Plummer, although Jake Delhomme of the Saints is one player that should get attention from a number of teams.
The best free-agent positions are linebacker, guard and offensive tackle. Help can be had there. By contrast, there are no definite No. 1 corners, no great pass-rushing ends -- aside from Hugh Douglas who is 32 -- and no top running backs.
In the early days of free agency, teams would make big splashes on the first couple of days, racing to sign the top prospects. Some teams would spend on a handful of big-ticket items. Now, with the salary-cap implications, teams are much more cautious.
It now seems like it's better to get two or three good free agents rather than one high-ticket player.
If that's truly the philosophy, then this market is perfect. The Top 50 players are all good players, or potentially good players. What may be lacking are the stars, those difference makers.
Top 50 unrestricted free agents
1. Jake Plummer, QB, Cardinals. This is a league starved for starting quarterbacks. At 28, Plummer still has plenty of good years ahead of him. To see a player of this caliber at this position on the market is unbelievable.
2. David Boston, WR, Cardinals. Like Plummer, the Cardinals want him back. Maybe even more. Boston does have some off-field issues that prevented the Cardinals from tagging him. That might also scare away some teams. But at 240 pounds, he can run -- which is a must in the NFL for an outside receiver.
3. Luke Petitgout, T, Giants. The Giants want him back, but they want him back at their price. He is a quality starter who could get plenty of action. Left tackles are hard to find, which is why he is ranked this high.
4. Mike Peterson, LB, Colts. It's no secret Peterson is a favorite in this spot. He is a perfect run-and-chase linebacker. The Colts are making a mistake letting him walk.
5. Hugh Douglas, DE, Eagles. Although not a big fan of paying a 32-year-old player big money, somebody will. He can be an effective player for another couple of years, but buyer beware. Age can be a factor.
6. Anthony Simmons, LB, Seahawks. When he's healthy, he's a top linebacker. He can play inside or outside. The Seahawks want him back, but the price might be too rich for their liking.
7. Mo Collins, G, Raiders. He's a tough guy who is coming off his best season. He's young, rising player who will grow as he becomes more comfortable inside after moving from tackle.
8. Randy Thomas, G, Jets. Collins gets a slight edge based on his nasty demeanor. A lot of teams like Thomas, including the Cowboys, where former Jets coach Bill Parcells is now the boss.
9. Roosevelt Colvin, LB, Bears. He is a solid all-round linebacker, but the Bears can't afford to keep him if the price gets too high. He can rush the passer, which teams have to have against the many spread offenses now being used.
10. John Thornton, DT, Titans. He is young and on the rise, which teams want when they pay a free agent. Is he a great player? Not yet. But he can be a solid 16-game starter.
11. Flozell Adams, T, Cowboys. Left tackles are hard to find. If the right coach gets Adams, he has the ability to be a Pro Bowl player.
12. Vonnie Holliday, DE, Packers. Holliday turned down an offer from the Packers last year, and some think he made a mistake. Little did they know this market would be this bad. He isn't a great player, but he can be a good one.
13. Dre' Bly, CB, Rams. This is a bad market for corners when Bly is at the top. It's not that he isn't a solid starter, but he certainly shouldn't be put in the No. 1 corner category. Somebody will pay him, though.
14. Kwamie Lassiter, S, Cardinals. One thing about this guy: He makes plays. He also has the range teams are looking for in the back two positions. That's a must nowadays.
15. Daryl Gardener, DT, Redskins. Washington is trying to get him back, but it doesn't want to overspend. Gardener is coming off one of his better seasons, and proved to the Dolphins maybe they shouldn't have let him walk. He does have some back troubles.
16. Shawn Barber, LB, Eagles. He had a good first season with the Eagles after signing with them last year. He is a smallish, active linebacker who has the speed to cover backs out of the backfield.
17. Stephen Davis, RB, Redskins. He is a power back who doesn't have that big-play speed. The Cowboys may make a run at him to replace Emmitt Smith.
18. Kevin Dyson, WR, Titans. Coming off an injury -- again -- but he has the deep speed to make plays down the field. When he's on the field, he's a good receiver. But there is risk here.
19. Reggie Kelly, TE, Falcons. He is a big, physical tight end who can block at the point of attack. He has better receiving skills than his numbers would indicate. He has a chance to break out with the right team.
20. Kordell Stewart, QB, Steelers. The Steelers gave up on him, but in the right situation he can be a capable starter. Is he a franchise passer? No. But he can be an effective starter with the right team.
21. Willie Whitehead, DE, Saints. He has started at both tackle and end for the Saints. He isn't a great player, but he can be a solid 16-game starter outside for a team. He's not a great pass rusher, but solid against the run.
22. Denard Walker, CB, Broncos. His play has tailed off some in Denver, but corners are hard to find. He can be a solid No. 2 corner for a team.
23. Todd McClure, C, Falcons. He started all 16 games last season and is quietly developing into a solid player. Probably has his best football is ahead of him.
24. Jerame Tuman, TE, Steelers. In the pursuit of players who have shown they can be good starting players, Tuman fits right in. He took over for the injured Mark Bruener last year and did a nice job. Not a great blocker, but he has improved.
25. Chris Claiborne, LB, Lions. Some team is going to pay him a lot of money, which would be a mistake. He is an average player who had a tendency to get heavy. Can he start? Yes. Is he a Pro Bowl player? No way.
26. Ike Hilliard, WR, Giants. He has had major injury questions in his career. But he can run, which is what teams want outside. If he can show he's all the way back, he will get a decent contract.
27. Zach Piller, G, Titans. He had some injury troubles late last season, but nothing major. The Titans want him back, but it will be tough if he gets a big offer somewhere else.
28. Chike Okeafor, DE, 49ers. He showed some pass-rush skills last season, which should earn him a decent contract. He's another one of those players whose best football should be in front of him.
29. Cory Hall, S, Bengals. He is a safety with range, which should help his value. He can be a solid starter, but he will never play in the Pro Bowl.
30. Brad Scioli, DE/DT, Colts. He is the quintessential try-hard player. He made big improvements last season, and the Colts badly want him back.
31. Dexter Jackson, S, Bucs. The Super Bowl MVP should try to capitalize on that one game. He isn't special, but he is a capable starter. Teams should watch overpaying for him.
32. Tyrone Poole, CB, Broncos. After walking away from the game, he returned last season and had a good year playing for the Broncos. He can be a solid No. 2 starter or a very good nickel corner.
33. Ryan Young, T, Texans. He had major injury problems last season after coming in the expansion draft. When healthy, he's an above-average right tackle. Parcells might make a run at him, too.
34. John Carney, K, Saints. He had one of his best seasons in 2002, proving he is still an accurate kicker. He doesn't have the big leg, but he won't let a team down in the clutch, either.
35. Shelton Quarles, LB, Bucs. Quarles moved to the middle last season and had his best season. But as a smallish middle linebacker, the teams that could play him there are limited. Tampa Bay wants him back, and he wants to go back.
36. Wayne Gandy, T, Steelers. This veteran still has a few good years left, although not in Pittsburgh. Miami could make a run at him.
37. Mike Maslowski, LB, Chiefs. He led the Chiefs in tackles last year, although it was on a bad defense. He plays with a fire needed to play the linebacker spot.
38. Jeff Blake, QB, Ravens. He can still throw the deep ball, and he has improved his ability to make reads all over the field. Ravens want him back, but he might want too much.
39. Jake Delhomme, QB, Saints. Compared to other lists, he might be low. He is a No. 2 quarterback that somebody will overpay to get.
40. Mike Rosenthal, T, Giants. He started all 16 games last season at right tackle, proving he was capable of being a decent starter after a slow beginning to his career.
41. Adrian Dingle, DE, Chargers. Here is a guy who might be on the verge of breaking out. He had four sacks last season as a part-time starter.
42. Solomon Page, G, Cowboys. Page has been a major disappointment for the Cowboys. A change of scenery could do him a lot of good. He has the ability.
43. Ashley Ambrose, CB, Falcons. Age is starting to be a factor with him. But in a corner-starved market, he will get some play.
44. Lance Johnston, DE, Vikings. A pass-rushing end who started 16 games and had seven sacks has to be on this list. There are no questions about his speed off the corner.
45. Dwayne Rudd, LB, Browns. He played poorly last season after the helmet-throwing incident, but he still has the ability to run down runners. More of a finesse linebacker, so he has to get with the right team.
46. Stacey Mack, RB, Jaguars. The backup to Fred Taylor is looking for a chance to start. He can get the tough yards, but doesn't have that wiggle teams like in their backs.
47. Chester McGlockton, DT, Broncos. When he's motivated, he can still be a factor inside. That's the tough part, keeping him motivated.
48. Jay Foreman, LB, Texans. He started 16 games for a good Texans defense last season. At 26 years old, he has a chance to start five more years for the right team.
49. Tod McBride, CB, Packers. At 6-1, 208, he has the size teams are looking for in their corners. McBride started four games last season, picking off one pass. Just turned 27.
50. Jamar Nesbit, G, Panthers. Nesbit started 13 games for the Panthers last season. Powerful at 330 pounds, he is the perfect age, 26.
