Free Agency Begins

[drfeelgood]

This was taken from of listing of 100 TOP free Agents.[url="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AudPC3NIVMlgns6MKaqin79DubYF?slug=pfw-20100302_top_100_free_agents_2&prov=pfw&type=lgns"]100 Top Free Agents[/url]

2. Brandon Marshall(notes)
WR / Denver Broncos
Age: 26 FA type: Restricted


One of the game’s top receivers, Marshall has caught more than 100 passes in each of the past three seasons. However, Marshall and head coach Josh McDaniels have a strained relationship, and the Broncos might look to move him in the offseason. Any team acquiring Marshall knows it will be getting a No. 1 wideout, but it also will be taking a significant risk, considering the on- and off-the-field issues that have dogged Marshall throughout his career.

5. Vincent Jackson(notes)
WR / San Diego Chargers
Age: 27 FA type: Restricted


A premier field-stretching threat, the 6-5, 230-pound Jackson set career highs in catches (68), yards (1,167) and touchdowns (nine) in 2009. He brings a strong résumé into free agency — his production has steadily increased in his five NFL seasons, he’s in the prime of his career, and his combination of size and athleticism makes him a tough matchup. However, he has been arrested twice for driving under the influence, with a four-day jail sentence pending.

9. Miles Austin(notes)
WR / Dallas Cowboys
Age: 26 FA type: Restricted


Austin put it all together in his fourth NFL season, catching 81 passes for 1,320 yards and 11 touchdowns despite starting just nine games. The Cowboys would like to retain Austin, who has emerged as their No. 1 receiver, for the long term, and for good reason: He might have only begun to scratch the surface of what he is capable of doing. He was given a first- and third-round tender.

14. Braylon Edwards(notes)
WR / New York Jets
Age: 27 FA type: Restricted


The Jets made a strong move to retain Edwards, whom they acquired from Cleveland in October, when they placed a first- and third-round tender on him Thursday. Whether Edwards will ever be a No. 1 receiver is a matter of debate — he simply drops too many passes, and he can disappear for large stretches of games. But at times, he looks like a prototypical go-to receiver: big, strong, fast. He always might be a “can’t live with him, can’t live without him” player.


17. Dunta Robinson(notes)
CB / Houston Texans
Age: 28 FA type: Unrestricted


With the Texans electing not to give Robinson the franchise tag, he will test free agency, and it would be no surprise if he garnered lucrative offers elsewhere. At his best, Robinson is a fast, physical cornerback capable of matching up with the opponent’s top receiver, but he didn’t start last season strongly, and he is less than three years removed from serious knee and hamstring injuries. There is a lot to like about Robinson, but he doesn’t come without some risk.

19. Nick Collins(notes)
S / Green Bay Packers
Age: 27 FA type: Restricted


Collins is one of the NFL’s top ballhawks, a safety who runs like a cornerback. Collins, who has intercepted 17 passes in five NFL seasons, trusts his instincts and occasionally will make an ill-advised gamble, but at his best, he can erase mistakes on the back end.


22. Oshiomogho Atogwe
S / St. Louis Rams
Age: 29 FA type: Restricted


A rangy, instinctive free safety, Atogwe has been one of the Rams’ lone bright spots since stepping into the starting lineup four seasons ago. Atogwe is both a ballhawk (19 career interceptions) and a hard hitter (14 forced fumbles).

27. Antoine Bethea(notes)
S / Indianapolis Colts
Age: 26 FA type: Restricted


In an era where speed at safety is more important than ever, given the proliferation of powerful passing attacks, players like Bethea are very valuable. A two-time Pro Bowler, Bethea closes ground quickly and demonstrates a playmaking flair. He was given a first-round tender.

33. Darren Sharper(notes)
S / New Orleans Saints
Age: 34 FA type: Unrestricted


Sharper had a magical first season with the Saints, intercepting nine passes and returning three for scores. What’s more, he’s still a hard hitter. One of the premier center fielders of his generation, Sharper has the smarts and athleticism that have stood the test of time.



35. Steve Breaston(notes)
WR / Arizona Cardinals
Age: 27 FA type: Restricted


Breaston has thrived as the Cardinals’ third receiver, catching 132 passes the past two seasons. He’s a reliable short-and-intermediate threat who can stretch the field occasionally, and he brings added value as a punt returner. Given a first-round tender, he will step into the starting lineup if the Cardinals trade Anquan Boldin(notes).


37. Derrick Mason(notes)
WR / Baltimore Ravens
Age: 36 FA type: Unrestricted


Mason retired briefly last summer before returning to the Ravens, and he’s reportedly contemplating walking away from the game once again if he doesn’t get a multiyear commitment. He’s most likely to re-sign with the Ravens if Baltimore gives him a two-year deal, and it’s clear any other interested suitors can’t just offer one year if they want to sign him. Mason (73 catches, 1,028 yards, seven touchdowns) still can get open after all of these years, but how much longer can he keep this up?

38. Bernard Pollard(notes)
S / Houston Texans
Age: 25 FA type: Restricted


Pollard is a classic case of how a change of scenery can alter the course of a player’s career. Pollard fell out of favor with the Chiefs, who released him before the ’09 season. The Texans, in desperate need of safety help, signed him, and he quickly emerged as one of Houston’s more important defensive players. What’s more, he has been a strong leader in the secondary. The Texans are likely to try to keep him long term

41. Leigh Bodden(notes)
CB / New England Patriots
Age: 28 FA type: Unrestricted


He’s hitting free agency at a good time — he comes off a strong season for the Patriots, and he’s one of the better free-agent cornerbacks available. Big and instinctive, Bodden has a knack for breaking up passes, and he has notched five interceptions or more in two of the past three seasons.

45. Ryan Clark(notes)
S / Pittsburgh Steelers
Age: 30 FA type: Unrestricted


The instinctive, hard-hitting Clark complements SS Troy Polamalu(notes) well, and the Steelers will work to re-sign him. He has sickle-cell trait, which means playing at high altitude is a risk. His spleen and gall bladder were removed after he fell ill following a game in Denver in 2007.

46. Richard Marshall(notes)
CB / Carolina Panthers
Age: 25 FA type: Restricted


Marshall moved into the starting lineup full time in 2009 and responded well to the challenge, notching 88 tackles and grabbing a career-high four interceptions. Boasting good ball skills and considerable upside, Marshall could be in line for a long-term deal.



52. Malcom Floyd(notes)
WR / San Diego Chargers
Age: 28 FA type: Restricted


Floyd has outstanding size for the position and has shown he can get deep. The Chargers love big receivers, and he has a good rapport with Philip Rivers(notes). However, could he draw attention from a WR-needy team?

54. Antonio Bryant(notes)
WR / Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age: 29 FA type: Unrestricted


Bryant had a disappointing 2009 season, battling a knee injury for much of the campaign. It is tough to count him out, though — he’s seemingly at his best when he’s hungry and expectations are low. And he definitely enters this season with something to prove.

57. Le’Ron McClain(notes)
FB / Baltimore Ravens
Age: 25 FA type: Restricted


A two-time Pro Bowler, McClain brings value as a punishing blocker and ballcarrier. Does not lack for confidence — talked the coaching staff into getting more work as a runner in 2008. At heart, the Ravens like to play smashmouth football on offense, and McClain helps allow them to do that.


58. Chris Chambers(notes)
WR / Kansas City Chiefs
Age: 32 FA type: Unrestricted


Surprisingly released by the Chargers after seven games in 2009, Chambers bounced back nicely with the Chiefs, catching 36 passes for 608 yards with four touchdowns. He still can get deep and could get looks from teams seeking a complementary receiver.

61. Lance Moore(notes)
WR / New Orleans Saints
Age: 27 FA type: Restricted


An ankle injury limited Moore in 2009, and though he was healthy for the Saints’ postseason run, he caught just five passes for 32 yards in New Orleans’ three playoff games (excluding his two-point conversion in the Super Bowl). Though Moore is just two years removed from a 79-catch season for New Orleans, he appears to be just a complementary part of the offense at present

64. Dawan Landry(notes)
S / Baltimore Ravens
Age: 27 FA type: Restricted


Landry had his finest season in 2009, notching 89 tackles and intercepting four passes. With Ed Reed(notes) perhaps starting to wear down physically and beginning to talk of retirement, Landry is all the more important to the Ravens’ defense.



66. Terrell Owens(notes)
WR / Buffalo Bills
Age: 36 FA type: Unrestricted


All things considered, his statistics in one season in Buffalo (55 catches, 829 yards, five TDs), given his age and the Bills’ QB woes, were not that bad. Also, he was not a distraction in Buffalo. The days of him being a No. 1 receiver are over, but could he be a productive complementary target in the right offense? We’ll see if any teams are willing to take that chance.

70. Melvin Bullitt(notes)
S / Indianapolis Colts
Age: 25 FA type: Restricted


He’s a hard-hitting, instinctive strong safety who is an excellent insurance policy for the Colts, who must always be prepared for life without the dynamic but injury-prone Bob Sanders(notes). He has gained plenty of valuable experience the past two seasons. He was given a second-round tender.



71. Nate Burleson(notes)
WR / Seattle Seahawks
Age: 29 FA type: Unrestricted


Burleson, who fits well in West Coast offenses, caught 63 passes for 812 yards and three TDs in 2009. He’s best on short and intermediate routes but has shown he can stretch the field at times.

74. Kevin Walter(notes)
WR / Houston Texans
Age: 29 FA type: Unrestricted


A possession receiver who has thrived in the Texans’ system, Walter could return to Houston, but he might get more money elsewhere. Fits best in an offense with longer-developing plays, where he can use his size and physicality to work open.

77. Marlin Jackson(notes)
CB / Indianapolis Colts
Age: 27 FA type: Restricted


Jackson, a tall, physical zone corner, has been limited to just 11 games the past two seasons because of injuries, and he missed the majority of the ’09 season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. The Colts are expected to re-sign him, but his durability looms as a concern

78. Danieal Manning(notes)
S-CB / Chicago Bears
Age: 28 FA type: Restricted


Manning’s primary value might be as a kickoff returner, where he has flashed considerable ability. However, as a defensive back, he has yet to put it all together. Still, his speed and athleticism will keep earning him chances in the secondary.


79. Jason Avant(notes)
WR / Philadelphia Eagles
Age: 27 FA type: Restricted


Some might call Avant one of the sleepers of this class. He had a breakout game at San Diego last season, and a team looking for a big, young receiver might give him a look. He was given a second-round tender

85. Roman Harper(notes)
S / New Orleans Saints
Age: 27 FA type: Restricted


The Saints’ starting strong safety, Harper has notched at least 89 tackles each of the past three seasons. He provides a physical presence against the run and also covers relatively well, too.


90. Brad Smith(notes)
WR / New York Jets
Age: 26 FA type: Restricted


Smith has carved a nice niche for himself with the Jets, contributing on special teams and in gadget packages on offense. He’s exactly the sort of player whom teams covet to fill out their rosters because he can fill multiple roles.