No, not on the dwindling pool of unrestricted free agents who still don't have contracts. Already the thinnest bunch in the eight years of the current system when the signing period commenced on Feb. 11, the unrestricted class has been all but picked clean, with less than two dozen viable and unfettered veterans available to the few teams with sufficient salary funds.

But the "other" free-agent market, those veterans with three accrued seasons in the NFL but with strings attached, remains worthy of scrutiny. The two caveats surrounding the restricted group: It typically requires a creative contract structure to pry a player away from his current team, which retains a right of first refusal.

Unlike the unrestricted period, which runs into July, the restricted market closes shop on April 14, the day before this year's draft.

No one feels the pressure of that time crunch more than Cincinnati Bengals tailback Corey Dillon, the top restricted player this spring, and a frequent subject of SportsLine.com stories over the past six weeks.

Early this week, Dillon once again bemoaned the fact no team has stepped up with an offer sheet for him, and he may be forced to return to the Bengals.

"Time is running short and the clock keeps ticking louder every day," Dillon said. "It's getting to the point now where it's almost deafening. You're definitely aware of (the deadline) coming up."

The dearth of quality unrestricted players remaining, however, could enhance the attractiveness of some restricted veterans. There are a few teams, notably Miami and Denver, which annually seem to pay closer attention to the restricted market than other franchises league-wide, and that was the case again this year.

Miami signed St. Louis offensive lineman Ryan Tucker to an offer sheet the Rams matched so they could retain a young player who is projected to be their starting right tackle in 2000. The Dolphins also flirted with the notion of signing Pittsburgh tailback Richard Huntley to an offer sheet, and installing him as the starter, before he re-upped with the Steelers.

The Broncos signed strong safety Billy Jenkins and then, rather than wait seven days to see if St. Louis would match the offer, consummated a trade for the three-year veteran.

Many teams feel Tampa Bay's Ronde Barber is a player to watch.(Allsport)

So far two restricted players -- former Dallas fullback Robert Chancey, who went to San Diego, and backup middle linebacker Charlie Clemons, who moved from St. Louis to New Orleans -- have switched teams. But as personnel directors continue to scrutinize roster shortcomings in the next few weeks, there could be some more movement.

"We've targeted two (restricted) players we feel we'd have a legitimate shot of getting," said one AFC Central personnel chief. "But there are so many variables, you have to ask yourself if that's the way to go. You might put in a lot of effort and not wind up with the guy. Plus the restricted period ends right before the draft. Some teams will simply gamble on being able to fill their need through the draft rather than with a restricted player."

Certainly the rules for restricted veterans blunt the potential movement of players in the category. Current teams retain the right of refusal to a restricted free agent by making a qualifying offer at one of three levels.

1. A one-year tender of $472,000 means a team retains a player's rights and, if he signs an offer sheet the club doesn't match, it is due compensation at the draft level at which the player entered the league. Jacksonville, for instance, made a qualifying offer of $472,000 to tight end Damon Jones, a fifth-round pick in the 1997 draft. Were another club to sign Jones to an offer sheet, and the Jaguars elect not to match it, they would receive a fifth-round choice as compensation.
2. The second level for qualifying offers, $1.027 million, means a team would receive a first-round pick if a player tendered for that amount signed elsewhere and the current club did not match.
3. The highest level is $1.371 million, which brings first- and third-round picks as compensation. Only two players, Dillon and Seattle quarterback Jon Kitna, were offered tenders at the highest level. Kitna signed his one-year deal for $1.371 million last week.

That said, there are some relative bargains in the restricted market, especially among the players who have outperformed their draft status.

Some teams, for instance, feel Tampa Bay cornerback Ronde Barber, a two-year starter, is a player on the rise. His compensation price tag, provided some other team could get him to sign an offer sheet the Bucs would not match, is only a No. 3 draft choice.

Most teams guard against poachers by making higher qualifying offers to players they feel will be attractive to other clubs.

Dallas linebacker Dexter Coakley, for example, was a third-round choice in the 1997 draft, but received the $1.027 million tender offer, meaning he carries compensation of a first-round selection. Had the Cowboys simply made Coakley the lower qualifying offer of $472,000, he would be a hot commodity right now.

"There are a few players, though, who kind of fall between the cracks and who teams will inquire about," said agent Ralph Cindrich. "It's always a risky thing when you decide to pursue a veteran on the restricted list, but the payoff could be a good one for the team and the player."

Cindrich represents one such player in Giants defensive tackle Christian Peter, now penciled in as a starter with the club's release earlier this month of Robert Harris, and could find himself in the closing days of the restricted market fielding phone calls from a few interested teams.

Certainly the prized player in the restricted pool remains Dillon, but the odds on his chances of leaving the Bengals shorten with each passing day.

Here are 10 restricted free agents, though, who might be worth a look, given their potential in the league and their relatively modest price tags in terms of draft choice compensation.

All of them carry draft pick compensation of a third-round selection or less:

Players are listed with their current team, draft choice compensation and analysis.

DE Ndukwe Kalu, Washington, fifth-round pick:
Notched 3½ sacks and a dozen pressures despite limited playing time in '99; Giants have considered making offer sheet to him.

CB Ronde Barber, Tampa Bay, 3rd:
Started 24 games in past two seasons, including 16 in 1999; a bit undersized, but good closing speed on passes thrown in front of him.

DT Christian Peter, N.Y. Giants, 5th:
Has overcome off-field problems to become a contributor -- started 10 games in '99 -- and run-stuffer penciled in as starter this season.

RB Priest Holmes, Baltimore, *None:
Rushed for 1,008 yards in 1998, limited by injuries last season, but still gained 506 yards and averaged 5.7 yards per carry.

WR Dedric Ward, N.Y. Jets, 3rd:
The classic No. 3 receiver with great, deep speed; averages a touchdown every eight catches and also a dangerous punt return specialist.

OT Brent Smith, Miami, 3rd:
Versatile lineman and spot starter in past seasons, hasn't lived up to his potential yet, but certainly has the physical tools to be a good player.

TE O.J. Santiago, Atlanta, 3rd:
Huge target up middle of field; former starter who seemed to fall out of favor with coaching staff last season; future in Atlanta uncertain.

WR/KR Derrick Mason, Tennessee, 4th:
Hasn't developed yet as receiver, but dangerous return specialist who played huge role in two of three postseason wins in '99.

TE Damon Jones, Jacksonville, 5th:
Has started 18 games in three years, and 10 of his 32 career catches have been for touchdowns; effective receiver in the "red zone."

LB Cornell Brown, Baltimore, 6th:
Five starts in 1999 because of injury to Peter Boulware; not as tall as most teams like, but fairly active and gets around the football.

* -- Note: Holmes entered the league as an undrafted free agent. So while the Ravens retain the right of first refusal to him, they would receive no draft choices if he switched teams.