Player 2005 team Comment
1. C LeCharles Bentley Saints Two-time Pro Bowl performer who switched from guard to center in 2004 and might already be the league's best player at the latter position. The kind of 315-pound anchor most franchises now favor in the middle and won't be on the market very long.
2. RB Edgerrin James Colts Will be 28 years old by the start of the '06 season and, while that will be a red flag for some teams, "Edge" has still rushed for 1,500-plus yards four times in seven seasons. Does all the little things right, a terrific locker room presence whom the Colts will miss.
3. LB Will Witherspoon Panthers Pure speed 'backer who has posted three straight 100-tackle seasons, has averaged 105.3 stops for his career and who, at age 25, still has his best football in front of him. Can cover and has some blitz skills, has to play in a system that puts him in space.
4. LB Julian Peterson 49ers An even more explosive and athletic linebacker than Witherspoon, but an Achilles injury has slowed him the past two years, and he's never quite played up to his skill level. Only 5½ sacks the last two seasons and more than four sacks just once in six years.
5. QB Drew Brees Chargers The revelation that his January shoulder surgery included repair for a partial rotator cuff tear will force teams to perform their due diligence. But he's a quality starter, still just 27 years old, and if teams determine he'll be ready to throw by camp, he will be signed very quickly.
6. DE Aaron Kampman Packers Blue-collar left end who possesses a huge motor and has gotten better every year in the league. Won't dazzle anyone with quickness or athleticism, but plays every down and is coming off a 2005 season in which he had 105 tackles and 6½ sacks, both career bests.
7. PK Adam Vinatieri Patriots One of the greatest clutch kickers in the game, provided the winning field goals in two of the Patriots' three Super Bowl victories, and has averaged 115.8 points per year. Is the fifth-most accurate field goal kicker in league history and thrives under pressure.
8. DT Maake Kemoeatu Ravens The kind of 350-pound wide-bodied anchor every team covets, a guy who just eats up blockers and allows linebackers to get to the football. Had a career-best 60 tackles in '05 and, despite just four career sacks, is going to generate a very quick market.
9. WR David Givens Patriots His receptions total has improved every season and his quickness, double-move skills and size are impressive. It's notable, though, that he has never played a full 16-game schedule, and there are questions as to whether he can ever be a No. 1 receiver.
10. DT Ryan Pickett Rams Labeled an underachiever for much of his first three seasons, Pickett found motivation in 2005, started all 16 games for the second straight year, and had 115 tackles, the most in the NFL by any defensive lineman. Starting to become an impressive interior force.
11. LB Willie McGinest(a) Patriots Even at age 34, there are going to be a lot of 3-4 teams (Cleveland and Dallas, for instance) pursuing the 12-year veteran. He's a high quality presence on a roster and still has something left in the tank, as evidenced by his 4 ½ sacks in the playoffs.
12. OT Jon Runyan Eagles Some of the concerns about his age (32), the tread rubbed off his tires, the fact he plays the right side, and past inconsistency might be justifiable. But the 10-year veteran is coming off back-to-back solid seasons and proven tackles are a difficult commodity to find.
13. PK Mike Vanderjagt Colts The adage that "you're only as good as your last kick" likely won't hold true. His shanked 46-yarder in a divisional-round loss to Pittsburgh aside, Vanderjagt still owns the best field goal conversion rate in league history. Kickoffs are his biggest problem.
14. DT Gerard Warren Broncos Has never lived up to his status as the third overall player selected in the 2001 draft, by Cleveland, but really subjugated personal goals in 2005 to become a terrific team defender. Had 42 tackles and three sacks but, more important, occupied a lot of blockers.
15. DE Anthony Weaver Ravens Established run defender who is more solid than spectacular and whose sack total (14½ in four seasons) might increase if he is able to get to a 4-3 team. Good strength for a guy who regularly plays in the 285-pound range. Fundamentally sound. Had some injuries in 2005.
16. Antwaan Randle El Steelers More quick than fast, the mercurial Randle El isn't a deep threat, is best working from the slot, and his average of one touchdown every 23.1 receptions isn't scintillating. He could benefit from going to a team that throws more, and his versatility is intriguing.
17. CB Charles
Woodson(a) Raiders Was once a premier cover defender, but injuries have limited the former Heisman Trophy winner to 19 games in two years, and he's no longer considered elite. It will be interesting to see what kind of market is generated by a guy with just two interceptions in two years.
18. DT Rocky Bernard Seahawks Probably the top one-gap tackle in the free agent pool, which definitely sets him apart from others at the position and will enhance his attractiveness. Had 8½ sacks in 2005, but was a bit streaky, and didn't garner any sacks over the last five regular-season games.
19. FS Chris Hope Steelers Good range, was asked to cover a lot of ground when Pittsburgh played Cover 3 in most long-yardage passing situations and is a sure tackler. Teams are more split on him, though, and Pittsburgh hasn't tried very hard to retain him.
20. DE/LB Andre Carter 49ers Has been a starter at end in the 4-3 and linebacker in a 3-4, and some teams still aren't sure about his best position. Had 12½ sacks in 2002, but hasn't come close to that since and has had some problems keeping his weight in the 260-pound range.
21. RB Jamal Lewis Ravens Rushed for 2,066 yards in 2003, but injuries limited former first-rounder to 1,912 yards the last two seasons. Whether it was off-field problems, ankle surgery or a poor attitude, he did not look like the same player in 2005. Maybe he'll come back with a chip on his shoulder.
22. LB David Thornton Colts Not very flashy, as evidenced by only three sacks in his three seasons as a starter, but Colts didn't blitz him very much at all. A sound player and good tackler, very good in pass coverage, nice quickness and a guy with a lot of football in front of him.
23. QB Josh McCown Cardinals At age 26, and with 22 starts on his résumé, probably has the most upside of any quarterback in the pool, with the exception of Brees. Nice pocket stature and a strong arm, has three games
24. DT Sam Adams(a) Bills One of the NFL's top two-gap tackles of the past decade, who still manages to net three or four sacks per season while occupying interior blockers. Adams has made a difference on every defense on which he's played and, if you sign him, then you immediately improve versus the run.
25. OG Stephen Neal Patriots A self-made player, the two-time NCAA wrestling champion never played a snap in college and was originally signed as an undrafted free agent. Only a two-year starter and teams typically don't spend much on guards in free agency, but this mauler might be worth
1. C LeCharles Bentley Saints Two-time Pro Bowl performer who switched from guard to center in 2004 and might already be the league's best player at the latter position. The kind of 315-pound anchor most franchises now favor in the middle and won't be on the market very long.
2. RB Edgerrin James Colts Will be 28 years old by the start of the '06 season and, while that will be a red flag for some teams, "Edge" has still rushed for 1,500-plus yards four times in seven seasons. Does all the little things right, a terrific locker room presence whom the Colts will miss.
3. LB Will Witherspoon Panthers Pure speed 'backer who has posted three straight 100-tackle seasons, has averaged 105.3 stops for his career and who, at age 25, still has his best football in front of him. Can cover and has some blitz skills, has to play in a system that puts him in space.
4. LB Julian Peterson 49ers An even more explosive and athletic linebacker than Witherspoon, but an Achilles injury has slowed him the past two years, and he's never quite played up to his skill level. Only 5½ sacks the last two seasons and more than four sacks just once in six years.
5. QB Drew Brees Chargers The revelation that his January shoulder surgery included repair for a partial rotator cuff tear will force teams to perform their due diligence. But he's a quality starter, still just 27 years old, and if teams determine he'll be ready to throw by camp, he will be signed very quickly.
6. DE Aaron Kampman Packers Blue-collar left end who possesses a huge motor and has gotten better every year in the league. Won't dazzle anyone with quickness or athleticism, but plays every down and is coming off a 2005 season in which he had 105 tackles and 6½ sacks, both career bests.
7. PK Adam Vinatieri Patriots One of the greatest clutch kickers in the game, provided the winning field goals in two of the Patriots' three Super Bowl victories, and has averaged 115.8 points per year. Is the fifth-most accurate field goal kicker in league history and thrives under pressure.
8. DT Maake Kemoeatu Ravens The kind of 350-pound wide-bodied anchor every team covets, a guy who just eats up blockers and allows linebackers to get to the football. Had a career-best 60 tackles in '05 and, despite just four career sacks, is going to generate a very quick market.
9. WR David Givens Patriots His receptions total has improved every season and his quickness, double-move skills and size are impressive. It's notable, though, that he has never played a full 16-game schedule, and there are questions as to whether he can ever be a No. 1 receiver.
10. DT Ryan Pickett Rams Labeled an underachiever for much of his first three seasons, Pickett found motivation in 2005, started all 16 games for the second straight year, and had 115 tackles, the most in the NFL by any defensive lineman. Starting to become an impressive interior force.
11. LB Willie McGinest(a) Patriots Even at age 34, there are going to be a lot of 3-4 teams (Cleveland and Dallas, for instance) pursuing the 12-year veteran. He's a high quality presence on a roster and still has something left in the tank, as evidenced by his 4 ½ sacks in the playoffs.
12. OT Jon Runyan Eagles Some of the concerns about his age (32), the tread rubbed off his tires, the fact he plays the right side, and past inconsistency might be justifiable. But the 10-year veteran is coming off back-to-back solid seasons and proven tackles are a difficult commodity to find.
13. PK Mike Vanderjagt Colts The adage that "you're only as good as your last kick" likely won't hold true. His shanked 46-yarder in a divisional-round loss to Pittsburgh aside, Vanderjagt still owns the best field goal conversion rate in league history. Kickoffs are his biggest problem.
14. DT Gerard Warren Broncos Has never lived up to his status as the third overall player selected in the 2001 draft, by Cleveland, but really subjugated personal goals in 2005 to become a terrific team defender. Had 42 tackles and three sacks but, more important, occupied a lot of blockers.
15. DE Anthony Weaver Ravens Established run defender who is more solid than spectacular and whose sack total (14½ in four seasons) might increase if he is able to get to a 4-3 team. Good strength for a guy who regularly plays in the 285-pound range. Fundamentally sound. Had some injuries in 2005.
16. Antwaan Randle El Steelers More quick than fast, the mercurial Randle El isn't a deep threat, is best working from the slot, and his average of one touchdown every 23.1 receptions isn't scintillating. He could benefit from going to a team that throws more, and his versatility is intriguing.
17. CB Charles
Woodson(a) Raiders Was once a premier cover defender, but injuries have limited the former Heisman Trophy winner to 19 games in two years, and he's no longer considered elite. It will be interesting to see what kind of market is generated by a guy with just two interceptions in two years.
18. DT Rocky Bernard Seahawks Probably the top one-gap tackle in the free agent pool, which definitely sets him apart from others at the position and will enhance his attractiveness. Had 8½ sacks in 2005, but was a bit streaky, and didn't garner any sacks over the last five regular-season games.
19. FS Chris Hope Steelers Good range, was asked to cover a lot of ground when Pittsburgh played Cover 3 in most long-yardage passing situations and is a sure tackler. Teams are more split on him, though, and Pittsburgh hasn't tried very hard to retain him.
20. DE/LB Andre Carter 49ers Has been a starter at end in the 4-3 and linebacker in a 3-4, and some teams still aren't sure about his best position. Had 12½ sacks in 2002, but hasn't come close to that since and has had some problems keeping his weight in the 260-pound range.
21. RB Jamal Lewis Ravens Rushed for 2,066 yards in 2003, but injuries limited former first-rounder to 1,912 yards the last two seasons. Whether it was off-field problems, ankle surgery or a poor attitude, he did not look like the same player in 2005. Maybe he'll come back with a chip on his shoulder.
22. LB David Thornton Colts Not very flashy, as evidenced by only three sacks in his three seasons as a starter, but Colts didn't blitz him very much at all. A sound player and good tackler, very good in pass coverage, nice quickness and a guy with a lot of football in front of him.
23. QB Josh McCown Cardinals At age 26, and with 22 starts on his résumé, probably has the most upside of any quarterback in the pool, with the exception of Brees. Nice pocket stature and a strong arm, has three games
24. DT Sam Adams(a) Bills One of the NFL's top two-gap tackles of the past decade, who still manages to net three or four sacks per season while occupying interior blockers. Adams has made a difference on every defense on which he's played and, if you sign him, then you immediately improve versus the run.
25. OG Stephen Neal Patriots A self-made player, the two-time NCAA wrestling champion never played a snap in college and was originally signed as an undrafted free agent. Only a two-year starter and teams typically don't spend much on guards in free agency, but this mauler might be worth
