The top 48: Think young when you think free agents
With the free-agency period set to open next week, we remind all teams of the cardinal rule of signing players to big-money deals:
Never give a mega contract to a player over the age of 27.
Players on the slope up are usually the way to go. Paying players on the down slope is a sure ticket to cap hell.
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| What's that sound, Jevon Kearse? Ka-ching. The risky DE is likely to cash in.(Getty Images) |
Instead, our top 10 is made up of young players on the rise, some who have already achieved star status (Jevon Kearse) and some who have not, but may soon do so. It has Seattle receiver Darrell Jackson in the fifth spot.
Take that into account as you scan this list. It is filled with players aged 26 and 27, and has lower ratings on some of the older players.
This list also does not include any player who has been franchised (Peyton Manning would top it if he didn't have the tag) or any restricted free agent. It does include transition player John Tait, a tackle from Kansas City who just missed the top 10.
Why?
He's 29, two years too old.
There will be no fudging if you want to avoid cap troubles, and that's advice all teams need to adhere to in free agency.
(*Note: The original list contained 50 free agents, but paperwork errors from Terrell Owens' and Dennis Northcutt's agents will keep them off the market.)
Top 48
1. Jevon Kearse, DE, Titans: Buyer beware. If he is healthy, he's worth a huge contract. But the team has to make sure not to blow this one because of medical trouble.
2. Robaire Smith, DT, Titans: Based on his age (26), and his productivity, this is a top free agent. He will be missed in Tennessee.
3. Antoine Winfield, CB, Bills: With so many of the top corners franchised, Winfield zooms to the top of the list. But his size (5-9, 180) is a worry to some teams.
4. Grant Wistrom, DE, Rams: He is a tough, hard-nosed player who gets the most out of his ability. Is he a star? No. But he's Pro Bowl worthy at times.
5. Darrell Jackson, WR, Seahawks: He has proved to be an effective player, and word is once he gets away from his buddy, Koren Robinson, he might be even better because he will be more committed.
6. Damien Woody, G-C, Patriots: Can play both guard and center, which makes him valuable. Started at guard last year, but most teams view him as a center.
7. Barrett Green, LB, Lions: A smallish linebacker at 6-foot, 225 pounds, he can run and played well in Detroit last season. At 26, he's the right age.
8. Jim Kleinsasser, TE, Vikings: We knew he could block, but he emerged last year as a pass-catching threat as well. He's key to the Minnesota running game. Re-signed with Vikings (March 2).
9. Erron Kinney, TE, Titans: He was overshadowed in Tennessee by Frank Wycheck, but he's emerged as an all-round player. Tennessee will have a tough time keeping him. Re-signed with Titans (March 2).
10. Cornelius Griffin, DT, Giants: He hasn't played as well as he did as a rookie four years ago, but Griffin has the ability to be solid run player and can get some inside pressure.
11. Troy Vincent, CB, Eagles: A solid veteran corner who excels in coverage, but with 12 years behind him is he too old? A team that wants him for a year or two is the team that should get him, not a long-term deal.
12. Warren Sapp, DT, Bucs: Any team that gives him a huge deal will be making a mistake. Any team wanting a good player for two or three more years, a guy who will help make the players around him better, should look hard at Sapp.
13. John Tait, T, Chiefs: He has a transition tag on him, but the right deal might be able to pry him loose.
14. Chris Villarrial, G, Bears: For any team looking to get better inside, this is the guy we would target. He's a tough player who gets it done in the run game and in pass protection.
15. Dhani Jones, LB, Giants: At 6-1, 240, Jones is coming off a productive season. Has the speed to fit in any defense.
16. Shawn Springs, CB, Seahawks: When he's healthy, he's a darn good corner. But injuries have slowed him some. Needs a bounce-back season, but might be worth the risk. Still only 28.
17. Bert Berry, DE, Broncos: He's coming off a productive season rushing the quarterback, getting 11½ sacks. A little undersized, but pass rushers get paid in the NFL.
18. Jerome Woods, S, Chiefs: After missing much of 2002 with a broken leg, Woods had a decent season in 2003.
19. James Hall, DE, Lions: A disruptive player at times last season, Hall is one of those players who doesn't get the ink but gets the job done. A rising player at 27.
20. Jeno James, G, Panthers: Helped key the Panthers running attack last season with his powerful inside blocking. James is a rising player.
21. Ahmed Plummer, CB, 49ers: Plummer has all the tools you need, but he has struggled at times. Did play well last season, which is a good thing for the future.
22. Brandon Short, LB, Giants: Steady inside linebacker who doesn't do it with flash, but instead just gets the job done.
23. Todd Wade, T, Dolphins: A good, but not great, player. Wade bounced back from a bad 2002 season to play better in 2003.
24. Fernando Bryant, CB, Jaguars: Had a great rookie year in 1999, but injuries have slowed him since. He's a small corner who can be a quality starter with the right team.
25. Bobby Taylor, CB, Eagles: A good cover player who has been slowed by injuries the past couple of years. He also does not tackle that well.
26. Marcus Washington, LB, Colts: The Colts are pleading poverty because of the Peyton Manning deal, which might make it tough to keep this emerging player.
27. Carlos Emmons, LB, Eagles: When he went down with an injury late last year, the Eagles defense suffered. He's an underrated player, but a broken leg is a concern.
28. Travis Claridge, G, Falcons: Coming off a knee injury that cut short his season, Claridge is a solid player who is better run-blocking than in pass protection.
29. Adam Timmerman, G, Rams: Steady veteran who can still play at a high level. But at his age (32), he is a risk for a long-term deal. Re-signed with Rams (March 1).
30. Mike Flynn, C, Ravens: After moving over to center two years ago, Flynn has helped key one of the league's best running games. Baltimore does not want to lose him. Re-signed with Ravens (March 1).
31. Matt Stinchcomb, T, Raiders: A former first-round pick who can play tackle and guard. The Bucs will make a strong push to re-unite him with Jon Gruden.
32. Rod Coleman, DT, Raiders (released): He is a small, quick tackle who is good at rushing the passer. Can have trouble handling the run, but he's an interesting player.
33. Ted Washington, DT, Patriots: His age (35) and his weight are a concern again, but how many 350-pound interior linemen are there? Structure the contract right, and he can give you a good two years.
34. Thomas Jones, RB, Bucs: After a disappointing start to his career, he jump-started it late last year. The soft running style gave way to a tough, inside runner.
35. Ebenezer Ekuban, DE, Cowboys: This former first-round pick has not lived up to the billing, but maybe a change of scenery will help.
36. Mike Goff, G, Bengals: A starter on one of the more-underrated lines in the league. At 28, Goff still has a lot of good football left.
37. Adalius Thomas, DE-LB, Ravens: He's a special-teams monster who can also line up at pass-rushing end or stand-up outside linebacker. A comer.
39. Ian Gold, LB, Broncos: If not for a torn ACL suffered last season, he'd be much higher on this list. As it is, teams have to do a close medical study before diving in.
39. Tai Streets, WR, 49ers: At 6-3, he is the big receiver teams want. Streets can be an effective No. 2.
40. Solomon Page, G, Chargers: Veteran player who can play both guard and tackle. Good to decent player when motivated.
41. Duce Staley, RB, Eagles: Is he a star? No. Can he get you 1,200 yards? Yes. Age (turns 29 on Friday) is a concern here, too.
42. Matt Stover, K, Ravens: The Ravens plan to bring him back, but if a team is looking for a reliable kicker, Stover could be that guy. Kickers normally don't get big free-agent deals, but he could be worth the risk.
43. Rich Braham, C, Bengals: Age is a concern since he is 33, but he is a quality starter who is good at run blocking, but can have trouble in pass protection.
44. Chris Bober, C-T, Giants: A solid player who has proved to be a steal after not being drafted in 2000. Can play outside at tackle as well.
45. Mario Edwards, CB, Cowboys: He has kept some pretty good players on the bench, but he is too inconsistent for the Cowboys' liking.
46. Deon Grant, S, Panthers: Coming off his best season for the NFC champs. A good player, but he isn't a great tackler. Decent in coverage because of his range.
47. Orlando Brown, T, Ravens: At 33, his age is a concern, as is his on-field temper. He is a good run blocker, but he can have trouble with speed ends.
48. Damion McIntosh, T, Chargers: A big, powerful man who has had some injury troubles. Started 13 games last season.
