- Thread starter
- #1
BINGO
New Member
Top 50 free agents for 2012
Peyton Manning, Mario Williams, Vincent Jackson among top free agents
Originally Published: March 9, 2012
By Matt Williamson | Scouts Inc.
Peyton Manning is certainly one of the top free agents available, but is he No. 1?
With free agency beginning at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, it seemed appropriate to rank the top 50 unrestricted free agents this year.
There are some elite free agents out there, including potential franchise-altering quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Matt Flynn, both of whom are probably ranked lower than you think. Even though several wideouts were franchised, there is still talent available at WR, with eight players appearing on the list. The defensive tackle position also has eight players, while there are six linebackers and six defensive tackles.
Remember, while this list factors in age, upside and other factors, it's primarily based on each free agent's value right now.
1. DE Mario Williams: The Texans' defense was excellent this year, even with Williams out of the lineup, and they have two young starting outside linebackers that look to be fine players in their own right. Plus, Houston doesn't have a lot of money to spend after re-signing Arian Foster. Williams could end up being the most sought after free agent in this class. Maybe the Patriots, Titans or Jaguars will step up for his services.
2. G Carl Nicks: Nicks is definitely in the conversation as the best guard in the NFL. He has size, power, feet, nastiness and is excellent both in protection and mashing his opponent in the run game. The Saints need him, but there are a ton of teams out there that would do cartwheels to land this guy. Dallas is one team that comes to mind immediately.
Vincent Jackson is a legitimate No. 1 receiver.
3. WR Vincent Jackson: There is a lot of consistency issues with Jackson and he isn't as young as many tend to think, but he is big, fast and extremely talented. Jackson is a perfect match in San Diego, with Philip Rivers' deep passing skills, but he could make an offense like New England's utterly unstoppable.
4. QB Peyton Manning: Yes, Manning is going to be 36 years old and his neck surgeries are gigantic red flags, but he also is in the conversation as the best quarterback who ever lived -- and last we saw of him, Manning was still fantastic. Will he get back to that level? Even if he can't replicate his greatness exactly, if I were the 49ers, Dolphins, Chiefs, Seahawks or several others, I would be extremely interested.
5. LB Stephen Tulloch: One of the best middle linebackers in the game and improving yearly, Tulloch will be more sought after than many fans realize. He covers ground, is a punishing downhill force and keeps getting better as a coverage player. Detroit needs to bring this guy back, but a team like Philadelphia might have something to say about that.
6. C Chris Myers: Houston doesn't have a ton to spend, but Myers is more valuable to the Texans than any other team. He is perfect for what they do on offense, but he is also sure to garner an awful lot of attention -- possibly from teams like Dallas, Tennessee and Green Bay.
7. DT Red Bryant: This is a very good football player that too few know people about. He is the type of valuable defensive lineman that can line up all over a defensive front. Seattle does have plenty of room under the cap and considering how well Bryant fits their scheme, the Seahawks would be wise to bring him back.
8. DT Paul Soliai: Soliai was franchised last year, but the Dolphins are going to more of a 4-3 scheme, and Soliai is pretty much a pure 3-4 nose tackle. He isn't young, but a space-eating interior defensive lineman can play a long time and he will rarely be on the field when the defense is in nickel.
9. DT Sione Pouha: Tough, powerful and durable, Pouha is exactly what you look for at nose tackle in the 3-4. Although he is an older guy, Pouha doesn't have as much wear and tear on his body as most players his age, since he is just a three-year starter. Kansas City might be a good destination for Pouha or Soliai.
10. WR Brandon Lloyd: The best two seasons of Lloyd's career have come over the past two years, despite the nightmarish conditions in St. Louis. He has always been able to make the spectacular catches, but he's become much more consistent. Josh McDaniels would love to get Lloyd to New England, where he could make the Patriots' offense complete.
11. DE John Abraham: Abraham probably can't handle the workload that he once did, and he might be just a designated pass rusher going forward, but he still presents a lot of problems for opposing protection schemes. Look for a contender in need of a last piece or two to be very intrigued by Abraham.
Cortland Finnegan is one of the top CBs available.
12. CB Brandon Carr: The Chiefs have ample room under the cap, but they are notoriously frugal and recently signed Stanford Routt, so it's now unlikely that Carr returns to Kansas City. However, Carr is going to be very attractive on the open market and many teams could use a starting cornerback with his abilities.
13. CB Cortland Finnegan: This is a controversial player who plays with aggression and nastiness, but he also had a good season even without the help of much of a pass rush. I could see New England or Oakland being very interested in him. Cincinnati is another team that makes a lot of sense, but the frontrunners in my mind are Detroit or St. Louis, both of whom now have direct ties to Finnegan in Tennessee.
14. WR Marques Colston: Colston can line up all over the field and despite his big body, is very effective out of the slot. He is also excellent in the red zone and catches everything thrown his way. But Colston isn't a quick-twitch guy, benefits a ton from his surrounding cast and has an extensive medical history. New Orleans is the best place for him.
15. CB Carlos Rogers: A year ago, San Francisco signed Rogers to a one-year deal. He was an excellent acquisition and had a very good year on an exceptional defense. Of course his supporting cast helped his cause, but Rogers' stock has certainly climbed noticeably since the free agency process one year ago.
16. DT Brodrick Bunkley: Bunkley is a much better player than many realize and did a great job for the Broncos in 2011. A pure run-stuffer that fits the 4-3 much better than the 3-4, Bunkley could be a hot commodity. The Broncos have plenty to spend under the cap and should make it a high priority to bring Bunkley back to Denver.
17. QB Matt Flynn: I understand the allure, but Flynn scares me -- especially considering how much cash it will most likely take to get him signed. Very heady and a good anticipatory thrower, Flynn is extremely ordinary in terms of his physical skill set compared to other NFL starters. So everything needs to be ideal for him -- which is much easier to pull off with Green Bay's offense than where he most likely inevitably ends up. Miami seems like Flynn's most likely destination, but Cleveland and Seattle also could be in the market if Manning goes to the Dolphins.
18. S LaRon Landry: Injuries have been a real problem for Landry, but there aren't many safeties in the NFL with his blend of size and speed. He could be a decent answer for covering all these tall, athletic tight ends that are all the rage right now, but really, he is much better suited near the line of scrimmage than away from it.
19. DE Kendall Langford: A true 3-4 defensive end, Langford will have much more value to teams that run such a scheme than many might realize. Miami is moving to a 4-3, so like Soliai, Langford could end up on a defense that better fits his skills.
20. RB Michael Bush: I have some doubts if Bush can be a true bell cow runner that gets a high number of carries week after week for the next few years, but he has been quite impressive when Darren McFadden has been out of the lineup -- which has been often. Cincinnati or Denver could be an excellent landing spot for Bush.
21. WR Reggie Wayne: Wayne has put together a Hall of Fame résumé and is one of the best wideouts of this generation. He was a difficult guy to evaluate in 2011 because of the awful supporting cast around him in Indianapolis, but in the right situation, Wayne could have several productive seasons left. He also has value as a mentor for a young player at the position.
22. LB Curtis Lofton: A foundation of Atlanta's defense and possessing the skill set to play in either a 4-3 or 3-4, Lofton seems destined to return to Atlanta as a leader of the defense. But the Falcons do have huge decisions to make with their spending and inside linebacker isn't a premium position.
23. LB David Hawthorne: Although not a household name, Hawthorne is an active and productive linebacker. He can line up in multiple spots on the second level and could fit either a 3-4 or 4-3 defense, which makes him quite marketable.
24. G Evan Mathis: Maybe the least known player on my list, Mathis has been extremely effective when given the chance to start. He is a technically sound guard and will be a great asset to any offensive line. He helped make up a fantastic left side of the line in Philadelphia next to Jason Peters.
25. DE Andre Carter: Carter played very well for the Patriots last year before getting hurt. His career path is very distinct in that he plays very well when playing defensive end in a 4-3 and struggles at outside linebacker in a 3-4, which is a role he has unfortunately been thrust into at times. It seems likely that Carter is back in New England.
Peyton Manning, Mario Williams, Vincent Jackson among top free agents
Originally Published: March 9, 2012
By Matt Williamson | Scouts Inc.
Peyton Manning is certainly one of the top free agents available, but is he No. 1?
With free agency beginning at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, it seemed appropriate to rank the top 50 unrestricted free agents this year.
There are some elite free agents out there, including potential franchise-altering quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Matt Flynn, both of whom are probably ranked lower than you think. Even though several wideouts were franchised, there is still talent available at WR, with eight players appearing on the list. The defensive tackle position also has eight players, while there are six linebackers and six defensive tackles.
Remember, while this list factors in age, upside and other factors, it's primarily based on each free agent's value right now.
1. DE Mario Williams: The Texans' defense was excellent this year, even with Williams out of the lineup, and they have two young starting outside linebackers that look to be fine players in their own right. Plus, Houston doesn't have a lot of money to spend after re-signing Arian Foster. Williams could end up being the most sought after free agent in this class. Maybe the Patriots, Titans or Jaguars will step up for his services.
2. G Carl Nicks: Nicks is definitely in the conversation as the best guard in the NFL. He has size, power, feet, nastiness and is excellent both in protection and mashing his opponent in the run game. The Saints need him, but there are a ton of teams out there that would do cartwheels to land this guy. Dallas is one team that comes to mind immediately.
Vincent Jackson is a legitimate No. 1 receiver.
3. WR Vincent Jackson: There is a lot of consistency issues with Jackson and he isn't as young as many tend to think, but he is big, fast and extremely talented. Jackson is a perfect match in San Diego, with Philip Rivers' deep passing skills, but he could make an offense like New England's utterly unstoppable.
4. QB Peyton Manning: Yes, Manning is going to be 36 years old and his neck surgeries are gigantic red flags, but he also is in the conversation as the best quarterback who ever lived -- and last we saw of him, Manning was still fantastic. Will he get back to that level? Even if he can't replicate his greatness exactly, if I were the 49ers, Dolphins, Chiefs, Seahawks or several others, I would be extremely interested.
5. LB Stephen Tulloch: One of the best middle linebackers in the game and improving yearly, Tulloch will be more sought after than many fans realize. He covers ground, is a punishing downhill force and keeps getting better as a coverage player. Detroit needs to bring this guy back, but a team like Philadelphia might have something to say about that.
6. C Chris Myers: Houston doesn't have a ton to spend, but Myers is more valuable to the Texans than any other team. He is perfect for what they do on offense, but he is also sure to garner an awful lot of attention -- possibly from teams like Dallas, Tennessee and Green Bay.
7. DT Red Bryant: This is a very good football player that too few know people about. He is the type of valuable defensive lineman that can line up all over a defensive front. Seattle does have plenty of room under the cap and considering how well Bryant fits their scheme, the Seahawks would be wise to bring him back.
8. DT Paul Soliai: Soliai was franchised last year, but the Dolphins are going to more of a 4-3 scheme, and Soliai is pretty much a pure 3-4 nose tackle. He isn't young, but a space-eating interior defensive lineman can play a long time and he will rarely be on the field when the defense is in nickel.
9. DT Sione Pouha: Tough, powerful and durable, Pouha is exactly what you look for at nose tackle in the 3-4. Although he is an older guy, Pouha doesn't have as much wear and tear on his body as most players his age, since he is just a three-year starter. Kansas City might be a good destination for Pouha or Soliai.
10. WR Brandon Lloyd: The best two seasons of Lloyd's career have come over the past two years, despite the nightmarish conditions in St. Louis. He has always been able to make the spectacular catches, but he's become much more consistent. Josh McDaniels would love to get Lloyd to New England, where he could make the Patriots' offense complete.
11. DE John Abraham: Abraham probably can't handle the workload that he once did, and he might be just a designated pass rusher going forward, but he still presents a lot of problems for opposing protection schemes. Look for a contender in need of a last piece or two to be very intrigued by Abraham.
Cortland Finnegan is one of the top CBs available.
12. CB Brandon Carr: The Chiefs have ample room under the cap, but they are notoriously frugal and recently signed Stanford Routt, so it's now unlikely that Carr returns to Kansas City. However, Carr is going to be very attractive on the open market and many teams could use a starting cornerback with his abilities.
13. CB Cortland Finnegan: This is a controversial player who plays with aggression and nastiness, but he also had a good season even without the help of much of a pass rush. I could see New England or Oakland being very interested in him. Cincinnati is another team that makes a lot of sense, but the frontrunners in my mind are Detroit or St. Louis, both of whom now have direct ties to Finnegan in Tennessee.
14. WR Marques Colston: Colston can line up all over the field and despite his big body, is very effective out of the slot. He is also excellent in the red zone and catches everything thrown his way. But Colston isn't a quick-twitch guy, benefits a ton from his surrounding cast and has an extensive medical history. New Orleans is the best place for him.
15. CB Carlos Rogers: A year ago, San Francisco signed Rogers to a one-year deal. He was an excellent acquisition and had a very good year on an exceptional defense. Of course his supporting cast helped his cause, but Rogers' stock has certainly climbed noticeably since the free agency process one year ago.
16. DT Brodrick Bunkley: Bunkley is a much better player than many realize and did a great job for the Broncos in 2011. A pure run-stuffer that fits the 4-3 much better than the 3-4, Bunkley could be a hot commodity. The Broncos have plenty to spend under the cap and should make it a high priority to bring Bunkley back to Denver.
17. QB Matt Flynn: I understand the allure, but Flynn scares me -- especially considering how much cash it will most likely take to get him signed. Very heady and a good anticipatory thrower, Flynn is extremely ordinary in terms of his physical skill set compared to other NFL starters. So everything needs to be ideal for him -- which is much easier to pull off with Green Bay's offense than where he most likely inevitably ends up. Miami seems like Flynn's most likely destination, but Cleveland and Seattle also could be in the market if Manning goes to the Dolphins.
18. S LaRon Landry: Injuries have been a real problem for Landry, but there aren't many safeties in the NFL with his blend of size and speed. He could be a decent answer for covering all these tall, athletic tight ends that are all the rage right now, but really, he is much better suited near the line of scrimmage than away from it.
19. DE Kendall Langford: A true 3-4 defensive end, Langford will have much more value to teams that run such a scheme than many might realize. Miami is moving to a 4-3, so like Soliai, Langford could end up on a defense that better fits his skills.
20. RB Michael Bush: I have some doubts if Bush can be a true bell cow runner that gets a high number of carries week after week for the next few years, but he has been quite impressive when Darren McFadden has been out of the lineup -- which has been often. Cincinnati or Denver could be an excellent landing spot for Bush.
21. WR Reggie Wayne: Wayne has put together a Hall of Fame résumé and is one of the best wideouts of this generation. He was a difficult guy to evaluate in 2011 because of the awful supporting cast around him in Indianapolis, but in the right situation, Wayne could have several productive seasons left. He also has value as a mentor for a young player at the position.
22. LB Curtis Lofton: A foundation of Atlanta's defense and possessing the skill set to play in either a 4-3 or 3-4, Lofton seems destined to return to Atlanta as a leader of the defense. But the Falcons do have huge decisions to make with their spending and inside linebacker isn't a premium position.
23. LB David Hawthorne: Although not a household name, Hawthorne is an active and productive linebacker. He can line up in multiple spots on the second level and could fit either a 3-4 or 4-3 defense, which makes him quite marketable.
24. G Evan Mathis: Maybe the least known player on my list, Mathis has been extremely effective when given the chance to start. He is a technically sound guard and will be a great asset to any offensive line. He helped make up a fantastic left side of the line in Philadelphia next to Jason Peters.
25. DE Andre Carter: Carter played very well for the Patriots last year before getting hurt. His career path is very distinct in that he plays very well when playing defensive end in a 4-3 and struggles at outside linebacker in a 3-4, which is a role he has unfortunately been thrust into at times. It seems likely that Carter is back in New England.