1. Albert Haynesworth, DT, Tennessee Titans: He's easily the best player on this list. He's a power player who dominates when he wants to do so. (Signed with Washington, Feb. 27)
2 Jason Brown, C, Baltimore Ravens: He's a power player in the middle who is just now entering his prime. He's better blocking for the run than as a pass protector. Will cash in big in this period. (Signed with St. Louis, Feb. 28)
3. Chris Canty, DE, Dallas Cowboys: He's a big defensive end who can play the run. He's not a great pass rusher but might entice some 3-4 teams. (Signed with New York Giants, March 1)
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| Playoff star Antonio Smith cashes in. (Getty Images) |
5. Bryant McFadden, CB, Pittsburgh Steelers: He's a solid starter and teams are always looking for corners. Plus, his best football will come in the next three years. (Signed with Arizona, March 8)
6. Stacy Andrews, T, Cincinnati Bengals: He tore up his knee late last season, but he's made good progress. He should be ready for the open of the 2009 season. Knee injuries don't cripple linemen. He's an ascending player. (Signed with Philadelphia, Feb. 28)
7. Jonathan Vilma, LB, New Orleans Saints: In his first season with the Saints, he showed why he is a good 4-3 linebacker and why the Jets miscast him as a 3-4 inside backer. The Saints want him back, but he will be tough to keep. (Re-signed with New Orleans, Feb. 27)
8. DeAngelo Hall, CB, Washington Redskins: He's not nearly as good as he thinks, but he played well for the Redskins after the Raiders let him go last season. But how does he play after he gets paid? He had to play well in Washington to get another big contract. (Re-signed with Washington, Feb. 27)
9. Bart Scott, LB, Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens will try to keep him, but they have other issues. He's a good player, but he's seeking great player money. ( Signed with New York Jets, Feb. 27 )
10. Channing Crowder, LB, Miami Dolphins: He's an aggressive, young linebacker who fits the target demographic at 26. The price is too high for the Dolphins to retain him. (Re-signed with Miami, Feb. 25)
11. Igor Olshansky, DT, San Diego Chargers: He's a solid 3-4 end who can hold up against the run. Can he play inside in a 4-3 defense is the big question. (Signed with Dallas, March 6)
12. Philip Buchanon, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: He started last year for the Bucs, and at 28 he still has some good football left. He's another player who is a perfect second corner. (Signed with Detroit, March 4)
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13. Ray Lewis, LB, Baltimore Ravens: Age moves him down, but for a team looking for a two-year hit he can help. That team better have big people to keep guards off him. (Re-signed with Baltimore, March 4)
14. Kurt Warner, QB, Arizona Cardinals: He'll play in Arizona, which is why he's down this list. Like Lewis, he's a two-year player. (Re-signed with Arizona, March 4)
15. T. J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, Cincinnati Bengals: He'll be looking for No. 1 receiver money and I don't think he's that guy. Somebody will. (Signed with Seattle, March 3)
16. Gibril Wilson, S, Oakland Raiders: After being a marquee signing by the Raiders last season, Wilson was let go in a cost-cutting move. He played OK in his first season in Oakland, but was cut because of cap considerations. (Signed with Miami, Feb. 26).
17. Fred Taylor, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars: Here's another two-year player. Don't let last season fool you, he can still run. The Patriots are a perfect fit. (Signed with New England, Feb. 27)
18. Yeremiah Bell, S, Miami Dolphins: He's had some injury issues, but he played well in 2008. He's a tough tackler who always seems to be around the ball. (Re-signed with Miami, Feb. 27)
19. Jabari Greer, CB, Buffalo Bills: He has started 23 games the past two seasons and should be getting a lot of attention when the period opens. He's a good No. 2 corner. (Signed with New Orleans, March 4)
20. Jovan Haye, DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: He's not a big defensive tackle at 285 pounds, so he has to play in the right system. The Bucs were perfect for him; he started the past two seasons. He has to play in a similar system. (Signed with Tennessee, March 2)
21. Gerald Sensabaugh, S, Jacksonville Jaguars: Were it not for his off-the-field issues, he'd be higher on this list. He was the Jaguars' best defender in the final five games of last season. (Signed with Dallas, March 10)
22. Andra Davis, LB, Cleveland Browns: At 30, he's not the player he was a few years ago. But he had 90 tackles last season and can still be a productive NFL linebacker. (Signed with Denver, March 2)
23. Mike Peterson, LB, Jacksonville Jaguars: He had a falling out with Jack Del Rio, leading to his benching, but he still led the team in tackles. He has two good years left. (Signed with Atlanta, March 10)
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| James Sanders has age (turns 26 in Nov.) on his side. (US Presswire) |
25. Byron Leftwich, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers: After spending 2008 as a backup in Pittsburgh, it's time for him to start again. He's more than capable. (Signed with Tampa Bay, April 13)
26. Marcus Washington, LB, Washington Redskins: The Redskins released him for money reasons. He played only 22 games the past two seasons because of hamstring issues.
27. Sean Jones, S, Cleveland Browns: He's a solid strong safety who isn't great in coverage. But he does play well in run support. (Signed with Philadelphia, March 6)
28. Rocky Bernard. DT, Seattle Seahawks: Bernard is 308 pounds and plays with quickness. He started 15 games last season, but he turns 30 in April. Even so, he's got some talent. (Signed with New York Giants, March 1)
29. Michael Boley, LB, Atlanta Falcons: He had a good season two years ago, but fell off last year. Some off-field issues led to that. He can still play. (Signed with New York Giants, Feb. 28)
30. James Sanders, S, New England Patriots: He's a young safety who can run and hit. He had 64 tackles and one interception last season. At 25, he's worth a look. (Re-signed with New England, March 5)
31. Chris McAlister, CB, Baltimore Ravens: He's getting up in years and has injury issues last season, but he can still help a team for a year or two. When he's healthy, he can still cover well.
32. Jon Stinchcomb, T, New Orleans Saints: He has started at right tackle the past three seasons, and has played well at times. He isn't a mauler, but gets by with smarts and athletic ability. (Re-signed with New Orleans, Feb. 28)
33. Ronald Bartell, CB, St. Louis Rams: He's a young player who emerged last year in his first as a starter. He's the kind of rising player teams need to sign. (Re-signed with St. Louis, March 4)
34. Chauncey Davis, DE, Atlanta Falcons: He is a situational pass rusher who thinks he's ready to start. He had four sacks last season. At 26, he is at the target age. The question is whether he's big enough at 270 pounds to be an every-down end. (Re-signed with Atlanta, March 4)
35. Chris Carr, KR-CB, Tennessee Titans: He can be used as a nickel corner and a return man. He showed well for the Titans last year after coming over from the Raiders. (Signed with Baltimore, March 18)
36. Marvel Smith, T, Pittsburgh Steelers: Injuries are the big thing with him. If not, he'd be higher on this list. He can be a quality left tackle when he's on the field, Medical is huge for him. (Signed with San Francisco, March 30)
37. Nate Washington, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers: He's got good speed and has played well as a third receiver with the Steelers. Is he anything more than that? Probably not. (Signed with Tennessee, March 2)
38. Drayton Florence, CB, Jacksonville Jaguars: He's a nickel back. Period. The Jaguars thought he was more, but then released him when they found out he wasn't. (Signed with Buffalo, March 4)
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| Fresh off a 1,000-yard season, Derrick Ward is looking to start. (US Presswire) |
40. Khalif Barnes, T, Jacksonville Jaguars: He has the ability to be a quality starter, but some off-the-field issues have stunted his development. If he's more focused, he can be a quality left tackle.
41. Jeff Saturday, C, Indianapolis Colts: At 33, how much does he have left? He was perfect for the Colts, but he doesn't have the strength to play in a lot of systems. He'll get some interest, but not as much as you think. (Re-signed with Indianapolis, Feb. 26 )
42. L.J. Smith, TE, Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles franchised him last year and then he didn't play well. This time, he hits the market. For a team looking for a pass-catching tight end, he's intriguing. (Signed with Baltimore, March 20)
43. Derrick Ward, RB, New York Giants: He wants a chance to start, but he might just be a backup. If he's looking for starter money, he might not get it. (Signed with Tampa Bay, March 3)
44. Domonique Foxworth, CB, Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons picked him up last year and he played well for them. Might be a good nickel corner rather than a starter. (Signed with Baltimore, Feb. 27)
45. Laveranues Coles, WR, New York Jets: He is getting up in the years, but he can still help a team with his speed. The Jets are tired of his complaining. (Signed with Cincinnati, March 4)
46. Marvin Harrison, WR, Indianapolis Colts: He might still be able to help a team as a third receiver, but that's it. His best days are way behind him.
47. Tra Thomas, T, Philadelphia Eagles: His career is winding down and he didn't play up to his usual level last season, but he can still be a capable starter. The team that signs him can't go crazy, though, because he's coming to the end.(Signed with Jacksonville, March 9)
48. Bert Berry, DE, Arizona Cardinals: How much does he have left? He's entering his 11th season, which is a concern. He might be able to help in a situational role. (Re-signed with Arizona, March 18)
49. Leigh Bodden, CB, Detroit Lions: The Lions let him go for cap reasons, but he has starting-corner skills. With six years experience, he will get action. (Signed with New England, March 10)
50. Jim Leonhard, S, Baltimore Ravens: It's funny how one good season in the right system can help a career. Leonhard was a second-level free agent until this past season when he played for an injured Dawan Landry. Now he will get some action. (Signed with New York Jets, March 3)
