NFL Free Agent Tracker: Top 50 Free Agents
By Josh Hill
31. Steven Jackson, RB
2012 team: St. Louis Rams
2013 team:
Next to Reggie Bush, Steven Jackson will be the most coveted running back on the market and could be one of the best offensive players in free agency. We’ve never seen what Jackson is capable of behind a good offensive line but we may see that soon. Imagine how good the Packers could be if Jackson was behind Rodgers in the backfield.
32. Kenny Phillips, S
2012 team: New York Giants
2013 team:
Phillips is one of the best safeties in the NFL and he’ll be courted as such this offseason. There are some questions about his durability and he might become an injury concern down the road but as of right now, Phillips is a top notch choice for a team looking for a safety and the Giants will likely get outbid for his services.
33. Brian Hartline, WR
2012 team: Miami Dolphins
2013 team:
Hartline is an up and down type of receiver and that was on full display in 2012. Hartline posted a career high with 1,083 receiving yards last season but he only scored one. The question is how much of that had to do with Hartline and how much can Miami’s quarterback play and offensive schemes be blamed?
34. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB
2012 team: Philadelphia Eagles
2013 team:
Rodger-Cromartie is a classic example of what happens when a really good cornerback is known for things other than being a really good cornerback. He’s well worth a gamble, but remember that the key word there is gamble. He showed flashes in Arizona of being a top-tier corner but he fell off in Philadelphia which means right now Rodgers-Cromartie is a high risk, high reward option.
35. Michael Johnson, DE
2012 team: Cincinnati Bengals
2013 team: Cincinnati Bengals (1-yr/$11.175M)
Franchise tagged on March 1st
Johnson was a massive disappointment last season and there’s not a lot to suggest he’ll bounce back if given a large contract. What this means though is that a team will get Johnson’s potential at a very reasonable price, leaving a lot of room for redemption.
36. Aqib Talib, CB
2012 team: New England Patriots
2013 team:
Talib is one of the most talented cornerbacks in the NFL but his character issues continue to be an issue. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers traded him in the middle of the season and Talib reportedly gave half the effort he should have in New England. The deal with Talib is you pay for his potential but have to manage his issues.
37. Cary Williams, CB
2012 team: Baltimore Ravens
2013 team:
Williams is set to be yet another player who made his money based on postseason performance. Williams was less than stellar in the regular season but when it comes time to give him a contract, the last impression he gave teams was his impressive postseason. The question is which Williams will show up in 2013?
38. Israel Idonije, DE
2012 team: Chicago Bears
2013 team:
Besides having a fun name to say, Israel Idonije is ridiculously productive but likely won’t get the contract he may deserve. Line him up in the middle of the line and he’s effective, the same goes for lining him up as a defensive end. He’s productive but he’s not outstandingly productive which is why he’ll get short changed, but he won’t be starving by any means.
39. Dashon Goldson, S
2012 team: San Francisco 49ers
2013 team:
Goldson is coming off his best season and will be cashing in on that this offseason. Goldson appears to be peaking as a safety in the NFL which means while he won’t get top dollar, he’ll be up there when it comes to getting a hefty salary.
40. Fred Davis, TE
2012 team: Washington Redskins
2013 team:
Dr. James Andrews said Davis is 100 percent recovered from his ACL injury and is ready to become an impact player in 2013. He failed to impress under the rule of Robert Griffin III in 2012 and his ACL injury only further personified his season. Davis is one of many guys coming off forgettable seasons who are looking to prove themselves at any cost.
41. Gosder Cherilus, T
2012 team: Detroit Lions
2013 team:
Cherilus is another guy who won’t be making his money due to his run blocking skills. However Cherilus redeems himself nicely when it comes to pass protection as he was a big part of making sure Matthew Stafford stayed relatively safe in 2012.
42. Dwight Freeney, DE
2012 team: Indianapolis Colts
2013 team:
Being forced to move to outside linebacker turned out to be a fatal decision in terms of his future with the Colts. But as a defensive end, Freeney is still a deadly force and can provide a young team with a proven veteran leader and a contending team with a valuable piece to add to their roster. If you think Freeney was done simply because the Colts cut him, look at Peyton Manning and then petition your team to sign him.
43. Erin Henderson, LB
2012 team: Minnesota Vikings
2013 team:
Henderson struggled to get playing time before 2012 but he showed the world that he’s well worth giving a shot as a starting linebacker. However he didn’t fully utilize all his playing time with the Vikings, but the flashes he showed will intrigue more than a few.
44. Alan Branch, DT
2012 team: Seattle Seahawks
2013 team:
A change of scenery turned out to be just what Alan Branch needed as he was far more productive with the Seahawks than he was with the Cardinals. That being said, there’s still lots left to be desired when it comes to Branch and a third change of scenery might end up being the charm.
45. Andy Levitre, G
2012 team: Buffalo Bills
2013 team:
If he can work on his run-blocking abilities — which aren’t bad to begin with — Levitre could end up being one of the best all-around guards in the NFL in 2013. His pass protection is top notch and that’s saying a lot considering how bad the Bills were at times in 2012.
46. Brandon Moore, G
2012 team: New York Jets
2013 team:
Like a lot of guys entering free agency, Moore’s age taints his value but not his skill. He has an uncanny ability to generate movement in the run game and surrendered only three sacks the past three years. He’s not elite, but he wasn’t one of the problems for the Jets in 2012.
47. Glover Quin, S
2012 team: Houston Texans
2013 team:
Quin is a former cornerback that can play in multiple positions in the secondary. That utility aspect to his game will no doubt help his value, as will his ability to make like hard for Jermaine Gresham in the playoffs. But he’s a little known player with only postseason success to gloat about which means interest might not be too high.
48. Brian De La Puente, C
2012 team: New Orleans Saints
2013 team:
De La Puente should be generating more interest than he is at the moment but that’s only good news for the New Orleans Saints. After coming in for Olin Kruetz last season, De La Puente was a stand out for the Saints and it’s highly likely that they’ll find a way to keep him.
49. Randy Starks, DT
2012 team: Miami Dolphins
2013 team:
Some may be a bit too quick to write off Starks, who has fallen on hard times but has age and potential on his side. Starks clearly isn’t a top choice in free agency but that doesn’t mean he’s a bad option if your team is interested in him. There are far worse options on the market than Starks.
50. Steve Breaston, WR
2012 team: Arizona Cardinals
2013 team:
Breaston showed flashes flying next to Larry Fitzgerald in Arizona but bad quarterback play sunk his value and buried his name when it came to talked about receiving options the last few years. He’s low risk signing that has high reward written all over him. Breaston is a classic case of a guy waiting to flourish, and then doing so when he’s plugged into the right system.