FA Listings

[Cards Czar]

Good listing from PFW.

The following list ranked the top free agents as of March 3, three days before the delayed start of the free-agent signing period, and it includes players who were released before March 3. We have ranked the top five available players at each position. Players who are released after March 3 will be added to the list in the appropriate spot, designated by an asterisk (*). For a complete list of key free-agent moves beginning March 9, see "Free-Agent Moves" in the NFL Zone or the individual team pages.

Free-agent designations: FFA — franchise free agent; TFA — transition free agent; UFA — unrestricted free agent; RFA — restricted free agent; cut — released by 2005 team.

Rk. Free agent Type 2005 team 2006 team Comment

Quarterbacks
1 Drew Brees UFA San Diego --- Chargers would miss leadership under center
2 Josh McCown UFA Arizona--- Wild card has to learn game management
3 Jon Kitna UFA Cincinnati --- Can be pacesetter, but starter's salary is nonsense
4 Brian Griese TBD Tampa Bay --- Gets the ball where it needs to be
Craig Nall UFA Green Bay --- The next Jake Delhomme? Probably not

Running backs
1 Edgerrin James UFA Indianapolis--- Is 28 and coming off another huge season
2 Shaun Alexander UFA Seattle--- Seattle Scored TD of a contract; $15 mil guaranteed
3 Jamal Lewis UFA Baltimore --- Two years removed from 2,000-yard campaign
4 Ahman Green UFA Green Bay --- Green Bay Gave up chance for more green to stay in G.B.
5 DeShaun Foster TFA Carolina --- Three serious injuries didn't scare off Panthers
Chester Taylor UFA Baltimore --- Under-the-radar with Ravens, not with scouts
Michael Bennett UFA Minnesota --- Speed to burn, but can he remain injury-free?
Verron Haynes UFA Pittsburgh --- Tweener RB-FB won't get a featured-back gig
Mike Anderson cut Denver --- Texans, Pack, Falcons could use goal-line option
Lorenzo Neal UFA San Diego --- Bowling-ball lead blocker brings top credentials
Najeh Davenport UFA Green Bay --- Broken ankle has not completely healed
Jeremi Johnson UFA Cincinnati --- Beefy but athletic fullback has some versatility
Fred Beasley UFA San Francisco --- Nice fit for any West Coast offense
Mack Strong UFA Seattle --- Pro Bowl lead blocker says he'll follow Alexander

Wide receivers
1 Terrell Owens TBD Philadelphia --- Among best in business between white lines
2 Eric Moulds TBD Buffalo --- Age, inconsistent effort will limit his market
3 Isaac Bruce* cut St. Louis --- Turned 33; was too pricey to stay put
4 David Givens UFA New England --- Poor man's Rod Smith or Hines Ward
5 Nate Burleson RFA Minnesota --- First-round tender is high price for a No. 2 WR
Kevin Curtis RFA St. Louis --- Speedster with home-run ability
Antwaan Randle El UFA Pittsburgh --- Jack-of-all-trades, master of none
Antonio Bryant UFA Cleveland --- Character is the question with Bryant
Joe Jurevicius UFA Seattle --- Tall and sure-handed; total team player
Brandon Lloyd RFA San Francisco --- Quick but undersized slot receiver

Tight ends
1 Zach Hilton UFA New Orleans --- Huge target can move
2 Matt Schobel UFA Cincinnati --- Very limited blocker has "West Coast" game
3 Jeb Putzier cut Denver --- Rated higher than Schobel by some teams
4 Chris Baker UFA N.Y. Jets --- Athlete, H-back type
5 Aaron Shea UFA Cleveland --- Not special on paper, Shea can help at FB too

Offensive tackles
1 Jeff Backus FFA Detroit --- Not a prototype, but a throwback the Lions like
2 Jon Runyan UFA Philadelphia --- Powerful 32-year-old is a fine leader
3 Kevin Shaffer UFA Atlanta --- Has lower ceiling than most No. 1 tackles
4 Kenyatta Walker UFA Tampa Bay --- Hot-and-cold right tackle could use new scene
5 Brad Hopkins UFA Tennessee --- Slowed down significantly but still capable
Mike Pearson UFA Jacksonville --- Not right since breaking leg in 2004
Mike Williams cut Buffalo --- Underachiever has size, motivational issues

Offensive guards
1 Steve Hutchinson TFA Seattle --- Best OL on the market will be pricey
2 Kris Dielman RFA San Diego --- Tough guy is light in the butt
3 Vince Manuwai RFA Jacksonville --- Never adjusted to run-first offense
4 Terrence Metcalf UFA Chicago --- Chicago Bears keep O-line intact
5 Derrick Dockery RFA Washington --- Powerful and much improved
Toniu Fonoti UFA Minnesota --- A steal if he stays focused, trims down
Andre Gurode UFA Dallas --- Versatile and some like him best at center

Centers
1 LeCharles Bentley UFA New Orleans --- At top of multiple wish lists; can also play OG
2 Jeff Mitchell UFA Carolina --- Old but far from finished
3 Kevin Mawae* cut N.Y. Jets --- No mercy from new regime; he'll land on feet
4 Mike Flanagan UFA Green Bay --- Knee, stomach injuries cost him most of ’04, '05
5 Justin Hartwig UFA Tennessee --- Has developed into a steady starter
Seth McKinney UFA Miami --- Youngster with ability to slide to either OG spot
Trey Teague UFA Buffalo --- Former Broncos OT can play almost anywhere

Defensive ends
1 John Abraham FFA N.Y. Jets --- Inconsistent, but pass rushers are at a premium
2 Robert Mathis RFA Indianapolis --- Light at 235 pounds; 22 sacks in two seasons
3 Darren Howard UFA New Orelans --- Not the fastest or strongest; needs a complement
4 Trevor Pryce cut Denver --- Production falling; will have chances at DT
5 Aaron Kampman UFA Green Bay --- Average on paper but gets the job done
Anthony Weaver UFA Baltimore --- Could slide to defensive tackle
Kalimba Edwards UFA Detroit --- Lions never found a way to use him effectively
Kenard Lang cut Cleveland --- Teams that value veterans should look at him

Defensive tackles
1 Rocky Bernard UFA Seattle --- Pure three-technique tackle with some upside
2 Gerard Warren UFA Denver --- Broncos making room to keep Warren
3 La'Roi Glover cut Dallas --- St. Louis Active interior rusher reunited with Haslett
4 Grady Jackson UFA Green Bay --- A beast to block, but bum knees, age are issues
5 Sam Adams cut Buffalo --- Aged beyond point of being a one-man gang
Larry Tripplett UFA Indianapolis --- Active but undersized and short; supersub type
Ron Edwards UFA Buffalo --- Injury history (shoulder) creates red flags
Maake Kemoeatu UFA Baltimore --- Massive with a motor — can be a 3-4 nose
Lional Dalton UFA Kansas City --- Clogger quietly had a good year for K.C.
Russell Davis UFA Arizona --- Not the biggest but gives his best on every snap

Linebackers
1 Julian Peterson UFA San Francisco --- Freakish athlete; most versatile player available
2 Will Witherspoon UFA Carolina --- Just 26, hitting free agency at the right time
3 LaVar Arrington cut Washington --- Tapped out after two injury-riddled seasons
4 David Thornton UFA Indianapolis --- Colts don't have the cash to keep him
5 Cato June RFA Indianapolis --- Converted safety could draw an offer sheet
Derek Smith UFA San Francisco --- San Francisco Team's leading tackler stays in San Fran
Akin Ayodele UFA Jacksonville --- Big ’backer wasn't right for Jags' zone defense
Nick Greisen UFA N.Y. Giants --- Wants to play inside; could land with 3-4 team
Bart Scott UFA Baltimore --- Held his own as Ray Lewis' replacement in 2005
Scott Fujita UFA Dallas --- Supersmart; at 6-5, can be headache to block
Hunter Hillenmeyer RFA Chicago --- Only one of Bears' 22 starters on the market

Cornerbacks
1 Ty Law UFA N.Y. Jets --- At 32, might not get the money he's seeking
2 Nate Clements FFA Buffalo --- Staying in Buffalo to form 1-2 with McGee
3 Charles Woodson UFA Oakland --- Real interest in him could be as a free safety
4 Ike Taylor RFA Pittsburgh --- Cap-strapped Steelers like Ike, won't let him go
5 Will Allen UFA N.Y. Giants --- Great speed, but just one pick in last 38 games
Ricky Manning RFA Carolina --- Midget plays bigger than he is
Brian Williams TFA Minnesota --- Former safety was Vikings' best CB last year
Sam Madison cut Miami --- Wants to stay in Florida; Jags could be best fit
Andre Dyson cut Seattle --- Speed to burn; could he return to Tennessee?
Deshea Townsend UFA Pittsburgh --- Very opportunistic but nothing special
Ahmed Plummer cut San Francisco --- Would be better off moving to safety

Safeties
1 Chris Hope UFA Pittsburgh --- Solid free safety/center fielder is only 25
2 Adam Archuleta UFA St. Louis --- Hybrid LB-SS can be special if he stays healthy
3 Tank Williams UFA Tennessee --- Big, strong and fast but not consistent enough
4 Corey Chavous UFA Minnesota --- Smart, natural leader fits best as free safety
5 Will Demps UFA Baltimore --- Serious knee injury in December hurts Demps
Lawyer Milloy cut Buffalo --- Dallas, Green Bay already talking about veteran
Marlon McCree UFA Carolina --- Seeking his fourth team in six seasons

Punters
1 Dave Zastudil UFA Baltimore --- Lefty has good leg
2 Kyle Richardson UFA Cleveland --- Been around the block
3 Sean Landeta UFA N.Y. Giants --- No one has played in more consecutive games
4 Tom Rouen UFA Seattle --- Old as the hills but has great touch
5 Jason Baker UFA Carolina --- Pro Bowl alternate in first year with Panthers

Placekickers
1 Adam Vinatieri UFA New England --- Kickers are dime-a-dozen unless they're "money"
2 Mike Vanderjagt UFA Indianapolis --- Might decline moving outdoors at age 35
3 Josh Brown RFA Seattle --- Very strong leg; best football is ahead of him
4 Ryan Longwell UFA Green Bay --- More of a craftsman than sledgehammer
5 Joe Nedney UFA San Francisco --- Deal to return to Niners is as good as done

Return specialists
1 Eddie Drummond UFA Detroit --- Had his best season in 2004
2 Dominic Rhodes UFA Indianapolis --- Contract includes an option for '06
3 Michael Lewis UFA New Orleans --- Big-play returner does little else
4 Chad Morton UFA N.Y. Giants --- Little man is best taking back punts
5 Tim Dwight UFA New England --- Revived career with some big plays for Pats

 

[NEZCardsfan]

If I were the GM, I'd go after:

Kitna--Vet backup needed
Schobel--A red zone target
Mitchell--Veteran leadership in the middle of the line
McCree--not going to spend much money on a FS improvement
not listed:
Fakhir Brown--a pure depth guy that would play STs
Neal--another vet in the middle of the Oline
Bannan--a guy that came on strong last year in Buf...could be a backup UT and DT

More guys to look at:
Verron Haynes--is he a good short yardage back??
Jeremi Johnson--same thing as with Haynes
Zach Hilton--came on strong at end of year...big guy...can he block??
Bart Scott--always have to take a look at Baltimore LBs

 

[Arizona's Finest]

I'm convinced this is what the Cardinals plan is after reading and scouring for information....

The team is not that far off from being a top 5 defense with the best pass rush in the league. This is why they will sign Will Allen so that they can have a cover corner opposite Rolle who can take on a teams fastest WR....Then we will blitz like hell....

Following with that mind set, the Cardinals will make a big play for Julian Peterson and have him and Dansby coming off the edge. This is a great move because these two signings allow their counterparts on the otherside (Dansby and Rolle) to not worry about coverage and come off the edge.

Chris Hope would be a good signing as well, as he would provide the same function to A. Wilson, although i dont see the Cardinals spending alot of money on a SS after the Dexter Jackson fiasco....

I then think the Cards will overpay for Baltimores DT, once again allowing Dockett to do what he does best and get to the passer (seeing a theme here?)

the only two offensive signings i see happening are Kosier for the line and a third WR, which for some reason the team seems to be preoccupied with. Denny wants three WR's to make his offense work and it seems he is not sold on BJ and that McCoy isn't ready.

The team will address its need in the draft for offense ( a very risky proposition, but since when have the Cardinals ever played the percantages?)

so i see the draft going like this.....

rd 1 - RB White
rd 2 - OT Winston
rd 3 - TE Fasano

White will be perfect between the tackles and Winston is an upgrade over Ross. I'm not sure if Denny goes TE in the third or QBOF, but i guess it depends on who is on the board....

for all of you hoping that Denny goes after Davis with # 10 i think you are going to be sorely mistaken. You can tell by Denny's need to get a third WR that he doesn't plan on throwing the ball to the TE that much....

I think its smart to stack the defense but i wish we were investing more money into the o-line. This team continually thinks its just a band aid away from running the ball and its just simply not the case. A run at Bentley (i hear the Eagles are interested in the cheaper Mawae) or Hutchinson should happen, and i think Jon Runyan would be a vast upgrade over Ross both production wise and attitude wise.

But what do i know, i'm just a fan...

 

[joeshmo]

Chris Hope would be a good signing as well, as he would provide the same function to A. Wilson, although i dont see the Cardinals spending alot of money on a SS after the Dexter Jackson fiasco....

The Cards will grab their FS in the Draft IMO. They have been heavily scouting the FS prospects at the senior bowl, combine, and pro days that have happened so far.

 

[Totally_Red]

The Cards will grab their FS in the Draft IMO. They have been heavily scouting the FS prospects at the senior bowl, combine, and pro days that have happened so far.

I agree. Robert Griffith is signed for one more year and provides a transition to the FSOTF. They (we) can get a pretty good safety early in the second round.

 

[BACH]

I agree. Robert Griffith is signed for one more year and provides a transition to the FSOTF. They (we) can get a pretty good safety early in the second round.

Why wait till the second?

Huff at #10. Could you imagine Huff and Wilson pairing up at the safety position?

 

[Pariah]

I'
for all of you hoping that Denny goes after Davis with # 10 i think you are going to be sorely mistaken. You can tell by Denny's need to get a third WR that he doesn't plan on throwing the ball to the TE that much....

It may be that DG could pass on Davis at #10, but if that's the case then I don't see us taking a TE this year unless a guy falls out of the first (Lewis or Pope)and we land them in the second. Once you get beyond that first tier of TEs, I don't see a clear improvement over Bergen.

 

[AntSports Steve]

I look at the list and think, "Crap, so few good free agents available and tons of money to spend".

There just isn't enough quality there.

I guess I'll take :

RB - Edge, J.Lewis, Chester Talor, M.Morris, or J.Wells
FS - C. Hope or Chavous (will he return here?)
OT - Runyan or Shaffer (is he any good?)
OG - Need someone, but who? Hutch too expensive, Metcalf resigned.
OC - Bentley
QB - McCown or Kinta. Griese would be unhappy on the bench.
DT - Kemoeatu

1st Choices that I would target would be C.Hope and Kemoeatu. Those are the good players that the Cards must have.

2nd choices would be to get a RB or an OL. The problem with OL is there just isn't any good ones that the Cards "must have". The best is Bentley. Maybe the Cards should toss their hat in the Bentley ring as there is not much else worth anything in free agency.

Whatever backup QB comes to the Cards, at least they will see playing time. That's a definete sell.

If the Cards get several from my list, then they could consider a kick returner/WR or linebacker if they still have money left.

If the Cards aren't careful, they will only get 1 starter and some backups and be left with lots of cap space. That would be a failure by the Cards management IMHO. None of this "We are saving cap space to extend current players" will cut it this year.

Spend, Spend, Spend and fill those stands.

 

[NEZCardsfan]

Now that we have the new numbers:

I'd make a play at Randle-El
Chester Taylor
and resign Russell Davis