PFW's Ranking, comments on Free Agents

Rk. Free agent Type 2005 team 2006 team Comment
Quarterbacks
1 Drew Brees UFA San Diego New Orleans Proven leader for offense, if healthy
2 Josh McCown UFA Arizona Detroit Will battle Kitna, push Harrington out the door
3 Aaron Brooks* cut Oakland Oakland Inconsistent but talented, replaces Collins
4 Jon Kitna UFA Cincinnati Detroit Veteran will work with McCown
5 Brian Griese* cut Tampa Bay Chicago Bears now have solid backup for Grossman
Craig Nall UFA Green Bay Buffalo Will compete with Losman, Holcomb
Running backs
1 Edgerrin James UFA Indianapolis Arizona Fills a gaping hole for Cardinals
2 Shaun Alexander UFA Seattle Seattle Scored TD of a contract; $15 mil guaranteed
3 Jamal Lewis UFA Baltimore Baltimore He's coming back after all
4 Ahman Green UFA Green Bay Green Bay Gave up chance for more green to stay in G.B.
5 DeShaun Foster TFA Carolina Carolina Three serious injuries didn't scare off Panthers
Chester Taylor UFA Baltimore Minnesota Slasher fits Vikings' new offensive scheme
Michael Bennett UFA Minnesota New Orleans Insurance for rehabbing McAllister
Verron Haynes UFA Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Tweener RB-FB may have bigger role with Bettis gone
Mike Anderson cut Denver Baltimore Likely starter unless Jamal Lewis returns
Lorenzo Neal UFA San Diego Bowling-ball lead blocker brings top credentials
Najeh Davenport UFA Green Bay Green Bay Broken ankle has not completely healed
Jeremi Johnson RFA Cincinnati Beefy but athletic fullback has some versatility
Fred Beasley UFA San Francisco Miami Will contend for starting FB job
Mack Strong UFA Seattle Seattle Pro Bowl lead blocker follows Alexander as he predicted
Wide receivers
1 Terrell Owens* cut Philadelphia Dallas Troublesome track record didn't deter Cowboys
2 Isaac Bruce* cut St. Louis St. Louis Looks like he'll finish career with Rams
3 David Givens UFA New England Tennessee Provides solid WR tandem with Bennett
4 Keyshawn Johnson* cut Dallas Carolina Possession receiver big upgrade over Colbert
5 Nate Burleson RFA Minnesota Seattle Brings speed to Hawks' WR corps
Kevin Curtis RFA St. Louis Speedster with home-run ability
Antwaan Randle El UFA Pittsburgh Washington Jack-of-all-trades can't pass up Skins' big bucks
Antonio Bryant UFA Cleveland San Francisco Becomes 49ers' No. 1 WR with Lloyd traded
Joe Jurevicius UFA Seattle Cleveland Dependable receiver, positive influence
Brandon Lloyd RFA San Francisco Washington Redskins needed help for Santana Moss
Tight ends
1 Zach Hilton UFA New Orleans Huge target can move
2 Matt Schobel UFA Cincinnati Philadelphia Likely replacement for Chad Lewis
3 Jeb Putzier cut Denver Houston Pass-catching TE is reunited with coach Kubiak
4 Chris Baker UFA N.Y. Jets N.Y. Jets Athlete, H-back type
5 Aaron Shea UFA Cleveland San Diego Will back up Gates and may 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 Philadelphia Powerful 32-year-old is a fine leader
3 Kevin Shaffer UFA Atlanta Cleveland Thin market at OLT prompted quick signing
4 Kenyatta Walker UFA Tampa Bay Tampa Bay His return ensures continuity of O-line
5 Brad Hopkins cut Tennessee Slowed down significantly but still capable
Mike Pearson UFA Jacksonville Not right since breaking leg in 2004
Mike Williams cut Buffalo Jacksonville Underachiever may play guard or tackle
Offensive guards
1 Steve Hutchinson TFA Seattle Minnesota Pro Bowler fills big need at left guard
2 Kris Dielman RFA San Diego San Diego Tough guy is light in the butt
3 Larry Allen cut Dallas San Francisco The question is: How much does he have left?
4 Vince Manuwai RFA Jacksonville Never adjusted to run-first offense
5 Terrence Metcalf UFA Chicago Chicago Bears keep O-line intact
Derrick Dockery RFA Washington Washington Powerful and much improved
Toniu Fonoti UFA Minnesota Tampa Bay A steal if he stays focused, trims down
Andre Gurode UFA Dallas Dallas Versatile and some like him best at center
Centers
1 LeCharles Bentley UFA New Orleans Cleveland Key piece in Browns' revamped O-line
2 Jeff Mitchell UFA Carolina Old but far from finished
3 Kevin Mawae* cut N.Y. Jets Tennessee Replaces the departed Justin Hartwig
4 Mike Flanagan UFA Green Bay Houston Veteran should solidify shaky line if he's healthy
5 Justin Hartwig UFA Tennessee Carolina Steady starter will replace Jeff Mitchell
Seth McKinney UFA Miami 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 Atlanta Pass-rush specialist gives big lift to "D"
2 Robert Mathis RFA Indianapolis Indianapolis Light at 235 pounds; 22 sacks in two seasons
3 Darren Howard UFA New Orleans Philadelphia Pass rusher will complement Kearse
4 Trevor Pryce cut Denver Baltimore Slight upgrade over departed Weaver
5 Aaron Kampman UFA Green Bay Green Bay Average on paper but gets the job done
Anthony Weaver UFA Baltimore Houston Building block in new 4-3 scheme
Willie McGinest* cut New England Cleveland With limited snaps, 34-year-old can start at DE, OLB spots
Kalimba Edwards UFA Detroit Detroit Maybe Marinelli can find a way to use him effectively
Kenard Lang cut Cleveland Denver Veteran pass rusher another ex-Browns DL addition
Defensive tackles
1 Rocky Bernard UFA Seattle Seattle Pure three-technique tackle with some upside
2 Gerard Warren UFA Denver Denver Broncos made 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 Cincinnati Provides big run stuffer for middle of line
Larry Tripplett UFA Indianapolis Buffalo Active but undersized and short; replaces Adams
Ron Edwards UFA Buffalo Kansas City Injury history (shoulder) creates red flags
Maake Kemoeatu UFA Baltimore Carolina Massive with a motor; replaces Buckner
Lional Dalton UFA Kansas City Kansas City Clogger quietly had a good year for K.C.
Russell Davis UFA Arizona Seattle Run stuffer who adds bulk, depth to Seattle's line
Linebackers
1 Julian Peterson UFA San Francisco Seattle Freakish athlete adds versatility to defense
2 Will Witherspoon UFA Carolina St. Louis Badly needed playmaker for Rams' defense
3 LaVar Arrington cut Washington Tapped out after two injury-riddled seasons
4 David Thornton UFA Indianapolis Tennessee Adds much-needed speed to LB corps
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 Dallas Big ’backer will be boon to Dallas' depleted LB corps
Nick Greisen UFA N.Y. Giants Wants to play inside; could land with 3-4 team
Bart Scott UFA Baltimore Baltimore Accepted less money to return to Ravens
Scott Fujita UFA Dallas New Orleans 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 cut 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 Miami Will compete for starting job with Madison gone
Ricky Manning RFA Carolina Midget plays bigger than he is
Brian Williams UFA Minnesota Jacksonville Gets big bucks after transition tag is lifted
Sam Madison cut Miami N.Y. Giants Old pro may start alongside Corey Webster
Andre Dyson cut Seattle N.Y. Jets If healthy, speedy CB will replace Law
Deshea Townsend UFA Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Very opportunistic but nothing special
Ahmed Plummer cut San Francisco Would be better off moving to safety
Safeties
1 Chris Hope UFA Pittsburgh Tennessee Solid free safety/center fielder is only 25
2 Adam Archuleta UFA St. Louis Washington Hybrid LB-SS can be special if he stays healthy
3 Tank Williams UFA Tennessee Minnesota Will replace Chavous at SS, alongside FS Sharper
4 Corey Chavous UFA Minnesota St. Louis Smart, natural leader fits best as free safety
5 Will Demps UFA Baltimore N.Y. Giants Will replace Shaun Williams if knee is OK
Lawyer Milloy cut Buffalo Atlanta First of several additions needed to upgrade secondary
Marlon McCree UFA Carolina San Diego Joins fourth team in six seasons
Punters
1 Dave Zastudil UFA Baltimore Cleveland Browns add top-rated free-agent punter
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 Seattle Old as the hills but has great touch
5 Jason Baker UFA Carolina Carolina Pro Bowl alternate in first year with Panthers
Placekickers
1 Adam Vinatieri UFA New England Indianapolis Colts replace Vanderjagt with Mr. Clutch
2 Mike Vanderjagt UFA Indianapolis Dallas Fills troublesome spot for Cowboys
3 Josh Brown RFA Seattle Seattle Very strong leg; best football is ahead of him
4 Ryan Longwell UFA Green Bay Minnesota Replaces Edinger, stays in NFC North
5 Joe Nedney UFA San Francisco San Francisco Deal to return to Niners is as good as done
Return specialists
1 Eddie Drummond UFA Detroit Detroit Had his best season in 2004
2 Dominic Rhodes UFA Indianapolis Indianapolis May get shot at starting RB job with James gone
3 Michael Lewis UFA New Orleans New Orleans Big-play returner does little else
4 Chad Morton UFA N.Y. Giants N.Y. Giants Little man is best taking back punts
5 Tim Dwight UFA New England N.Y. Jets Backup WR and punt returner capable of big plays