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As teams begin to get kicked to the NFL's version of the curb, a.k.a. playoff elimination, they now need to shift their focus toward improving next year. In recent days, personnel departments throughout the league began compiling lists for Free Agency Bonanza 2004. Who are the biggest names who could rock the open market in March? Which positions are strongest and which are depleted?

The Colts or another team will soon make Peyton Manning a very rich man.(AP)

SportsLine.com presents our top 10 (actually 11; there's a tie for No. 10) unrestricted free agents eligible to hit the open market after the season. Also included are others worth noting at each position. These names have been compiled using personnel directors from three teams and include some players who are not listed as free agents but either have the right to void their contracts, hit incentives that void their deals or have an option that the team will not pick up.

Not included on this list are players who were free agents last year but have already been hit with the dreaded "franchise" tag. Thus, players such as the Ravens' CB Chris McAlister, Rams left tackle Orlando Pace and Seattle lineman Walter Jones are not included. Jaguars safety Donovan Darius, however, is included among safeties because it's very questionable whether the Jaguars will tag him again.

1. Colts quarterback Peyton Manning: Manning told SportsLine.com several times during the past year he was confident he would continue with the only team he's been with in his pro career. As early as last month, he said he wasn't concerned by not having a new deal locked up and instead showed confidence that a blockbuster extension would be agreed upon before he became a free agent. In the odd circumstance that Manning hits the open market, an owner might have to mortgage his second, third, fourth and fifth homes to finance a deal Manning would command on the open market.

2. Redskins cornerback Champ Bailey: This is a corner's market, but no cornerback in the NFL is as talented as the athletic Bailey. While some say he has not had the type of year that one would expect, Bailey is still the best in the NFL. The best get paid.

3. 49ers wide receiver Terrell Owens: Owens is the most freakishly talented player on the market, and a new boss who shows him mucho love will provide quite the platform for the outspoken receiver. His open-mouth policy might scare some teams off, but those looking for a true star will be salivating at the chance to let him roam their sideline.

Other wideouts ripe for the picking include the Seahawks' Darrell Jackson, Owens' partner in San Francisco, Tai Streets, and, recently emerging from hibernation, Marcus Robinson of the Ravens.

4. Titans DE Jevon Kearse: Kearse is sure to garner a "freak"-ish contract number for his services. The Titans have more money tied up toward next year's cap than any other NFL team, which might make it more difficult for them to get a deal done. Throw in the fact that Kevin Carter is already making the type of money Kearse will be looking to exceed, and a difficult road could lie ahead. Defensive ends have huge price tags in this league, and several teams would overlook Kearse's injury history for a shot at his sack history.

5. Tampa Bay DT Warren Sapp: People love to criticize Sapp because of his outspoken nature, but one fact is usually overshadowed by popular opinion -- Sapp is the best "three-technique" defensive tackle in the NFL. That particular position is the singularly most important for any team that utilizes the cover-two scheme many have copied from the vaunted Tampa Bay defense. The man fills a glaring need not many others can.

Other defensive tackles on the market include New England's big man in the middle, Ted Washington -- still solid after all these years -- as well as the Chiefs' John Browning, the Rams' Brian Young, the Giants' Cornelius Griffin and the Raiders' Rod Coleman.

6. 49ers LB Julian Peterson: Peterson is the best linebacker on the market, but he's also the most likely candidate among the masses of Niners free agents to get hit with the dreaded franchise tag. He's big, strong, fast and versatile -- what's not to like?

7. Rams DE Grant Wistrom: Wistrom became a lot more visible when Carter was shipped to Tennessee. The former first-round pick is a very high motor guy who the Rams would love to keep in the fold. But they will not be able to franchise him unless they get a long-term deal ironed out with Pace.

Other defensive ends also free after the year include Saints underrated end Darren Howard, Seattle's Brandon Mitchell and Kansas City's Eric Hicks. All have more upside than Hugh Douglas and Vonnie Holliday, the cream of last year's free agent DE crop.

8. Raiders CB Charles Woodson: Talent-wise, Woodson is as solid as it gets. He's a prototypical shutdown corner who, when healthy, is a legitimate playmaker. But how his stock is affected by the Raiders' locker room turmoil could play a major factor in his market value. There were also reports in the offseason that the Raiders had peeked around to see if there would be any takers in a trade but found nobody to bite. The Raiders denied it. Still, some teams will likely be turned off by his comments about coach Bill Callahan, despite the fact that the coach in turn referred to his team as the "dumbest" in the country.

The other thing working against Woodson is the fact that the cornerback position is so deep this year. After Bailey, Woodson and McAlister, Buffalo's Antoine Winfield, Philadelphia's Bobby Taylor and Troy Vincent, Jacksonville's Fernando Bryant, Seattle's Shawn Springs and San Francisco's Ahmed Plummer are all first-line corners who are eligible to hit free agency. This might be the deepest free-agent class the position has ever seen in one year. Last year's elite was linebacker. This year, it's at the corner.

9. Patriots center/guard Damien Woody: This cat is a beast. Many bristled when the Patriots used a first-round pick on a center. Those same folks quickly pretended they knew how great he would be all along after the BC alum dominated in his first year. He has been terrific at center and strong at guard, where he has played this entire season, which means he's a nasty yet versatile blocker. Versatility means cha-ching!

Woody is the top-rated center available, but he's also the top-rated guard on the market. Other centers include the Ravens' Mike Flynn, the Falcons' Todd McClure, the Bengals' Rich Braham and the Giants' Chris Bober. The top guard aside from Woody is Adam Timmerman, followed by the Bears' Chris Villarrial and the Saints' Kendyl Jaycox.

10. (tie) Chiefs OT John Tait: Tait is the best tackle available in a very weak free-agent class for the position. He has some experience at both left and right. Tait has been solid since moving to the other side to make room for Willie Roaf. The rest of the class is weak, which dramatically improves Tait's stock. It includes Miami's Todd Wade and Baltimore's Orlando Brown. The real gems outside of Tait are the fellas like Pace and Jones, who have already been restricted with the franchise tag.

10. (tie) Ian Gold: Before his injury, Gold was showing the world he is a proven playmaker. The special teams ace-turned-star showed he is also a solid full-time linebacker. He's faster than most at the position and could shine in many systems. Gold is perfect for a team looking to upgrade its speed. Other outside backers ripe for the picking include the Giants' Dhani Jones and Brandon Short, Detroit's Barrett Green, Pittsburgh's Clark Haggans and Philly's Carlos Emmons.

The inside linebacker group is weak. Its only highlights are Denver's Al Wilson and Seattle's Randall Godfrey.