2014-03-09



With franchise and transition tags handed out and a few names choosing to re-up with their old teams, we take another look at the top free agents at each position.

Free agency is yet to begin, but there has already been considerable movement among the players set to hit the market. A few players cashed in, even before hitting the open market, while six others had their free agency impeded by either the franchise or transition tag. At the same time, a handful of notable players avoided the franchise tag and could soon become hot commodities.

NFL free agent tracker: Follow all the moves

Here's a look at the latest free agency rankings for each position, minus some of the early moves by teams to retain players like Anquan Boldin, etc.

Quarterback

1. Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles

2. Josh Freeman, Minnesota Vikings

3. Josh McCown, Chicago Bears

4. Matt Cassel, Minnesota Vikings (re-signed with Minnesota)

5. Matt Flynn, Green Bay Packers

6. Chad Henne, Jacksonville Jaguars (re-signed with Jacksonville)

7. Tarvaris Jackson, Seattle Seahawks

8. Shaun Hill, Detroit Lions

9. Colt McCoy, San Francisco 49ers

10. Rex Grossman, Washington Redskins

11. Kellen Clemens, St. Louis Rams

12. Derek Anderson, Carolina Panthers

13. Brady Quinn, St. Louis Rams

14. David Garrard, New York Jets

15. Charlie Whitehurst, San Diego Chargers

The relatively modest class remains intact with Vick at the top. Teams in the market for a starter won't find many options. Even the options for a solid No. 2 drop off relatively quickly.

Running back

1. Ben Tate, Houston Texans

2. Darren Sproles, New Orleans Saints

3. Knowshon Moreno, Denver Broncos

4. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars

5. Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders

6. Rashad Jennings, Oakland Raiders

7. Donald Brown, Indianapolis Colts

8. LeGarrette Blount, New England Patriots

9. James Starks, Green Bay Packers

10. Andre Brown, New York Giants

11. Toby Gerhart, Minnesota Vikings

12. Anthony Dixon, San Francisco 49ers

13. Ahmad Bradshaw, Indianapolis Colts

14. Jonathan Dwyer, Pittsburgh Steelers

15. La'Rod Stephens-Howling, Pittsburgh Steelers

The running back market remains quiet. None of the top free agents got tagged and all appear set to hit the market. There are some intriguing options even beyond the top few names. Brown, Blount and Starks all excelled at times last season.

Wide receiver

1. Eric Decker, Denver Broncos

2. Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants

3. Golden Tate, Seattle Seahawks

4. Julian Edelman, New England Patriots

5. James Jones, Green Bay Packers

6. Emmanuel Sanders, Pittsburgh Steelers

7. Sidney Rice, Seattle Seahawks

8. Kenny Britt, Tennessee Titans

9. Dexter McCluster, Kansas City Chiefs

10. Brandon LaFell, Carolina Panthers

11. Andre Roberts, Arizona Cardinals

12. Jerricho Cotchery, Pittsburgh Steelers

13. Ted Ginn, Carolina Panthers

14. Lance Moore, New Orleans Saints

15. Jerome Simpson, Minnesota Vikings

There was a little movement at wide receiver with Jeremy Maclin and Anquan Boldin coming off the board by re-signing. A couple of the top free agents could be in line for one year "prove it" deals, including Rice and Britt. If they can re-gain their previous form, they could be steals of the offseason. If not, worth the cost of taking a flier.

Tight end

1. Jimmy Graham, New Orleans -- Franchise tag

2. Jermichael Finley, Green Bay Packers

3. Brandon Pettigrew, Detroit Lions

4. Dustin Keller, Miami Dolphins

5. Scott Chandler, Buffalo Bills

6. Garrett Graham, Houston Texans

7. Brandon Myers, New York Giants

8. Ed Dickson, Baltimore Ravens

9. John Carlson, Minnesota Vikings (signed by Arizona; two-years, $4.65 million)

10. Anthony McCoy, Seattle Seahawks

11. Fred Davis, Washington Redskins

12. Andrew Quarless, Green Bay Packers

13. Tony Scheffler, Detroit Lions

14. Jeff Cumberland, New York Jets (re-signed by New York)

15. Clay Harbor, Jacksonville Jaguars (re-signed by Jacksonville)

The tight end market took a significant hit with Graham franchised, Dennis Pitta re-signing in Baltimore and Fred Davis getting suspended. There aren't many well-rounded tight ends on the market, but teams looking for either a receiving option or a blocking specialist will have some options.

Offensive line

1. Branden Albert, Kansas City

2. Jared Veldheer, Oakland Raiders

3. Alex Mack, Cleveland Browns -- Transition tag

4. Eugene Monroe, Baltimore Ravens

5. Anthony Collins, Cincinnati Bengals

6. Geoff Schwartz, Kansas City Chiefs

7. Rodger Saffold, St. Louis Rams

8. Geoff Schwartz, Kansas City Chiefs

9. Travelle Wharton, Carolina Panthers

10. Jon Asamoah, Kansas City Chiefs

11. Michael Oher, Baltimore Ravens

12. Brian De La Puente, New Orleans Saints

13. Evan Dietrich-Smith, Green Bay Packers

14. Chad Rinehart, San Diego Chargers

15. Breno Giacomini, Seattle Seahawks

Cleveland used the transition tag on Mack, but that may not stop teams from pursuing him. Albert, Veldheer and Monroe all avoided a tag, meaning three above-average left tackles could hit the market. There is some depth to the free agent class, both inside and at tackle.

Safety

1. Jairus Byrd, Buffalo Bills

2. T.J. Ward, Cleveland Browns

3. Donte Whitner, San Francisco

4. Malcolm Jenkins, New Orleans

5. Louis Delmas, Detroit Lions

6. Antoine Bethea, Indianapolis Colts

7. Chris Clemons, Miami Dolphins

8. Mike Mitchell, Carolina Panthers

9. Major Wright, Chicago Bears

10. Nate Allen, Philadelphia Eagles

11. Steve Brown, New York Giants

12. Charles Woodson, Oakland Raiders

13. James Ihedigbo, Baltimore Ravens

14. Ryan Clark, Pittsburgh Steelers

15. Steve Gregory, New England Patriots

The safety market received a boost in recent weeks. Delmas was released and should land a starting job. Neither Byrd nor Ward were tagged, making for a loaded safety crop.

Cornerback

1. Alterraun Verner, Tennessee Titans

2. Aqib Talib, New England Patriots

3. Vontae Davis, Indianapolis Colts

4. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Denver Broncos

5. Sam Shields, Green Bay Packers (re-signed with Green Bay)

6. Captain Munnerlyn, Carolina Panthers

7. Charles Tillman, Chicago Bears

8. Tarell Brown, San Francisco 49ers

9. Brandon Browner, Seattle Seahawks

10. Walter Thurmond III, Seattle Seahawks

11. Corey Graham, Baltimore Ravens

12. Champ Bailey, Denver Broncos

13. Terrell Thomas, New York Giants

14. Chris Cook, Minnesota Vikings

15. Derek Cox, San Diego Chargers

Verner, Talib and Davis all avoided being tagged. Brent Grimes re-signed with Miami, but the free agent cornerback class remains deep and talented. Browner joined the mix after his indefinite suspension was lifted while Brown, Tillman and Munnerlyn are experienced starters from top defenses.

Linebackers

1. Brian Orakpo, OLB, Washington Redskins -- Franchise tag

2. Karlos Dansby, MLB, Arizona Cardinals

3. Brandon Spikes, MLB, New England Patriots

4. Daryl Smith, MLB, Baltimore Ravens

5. Shaun Phillips, OLB, Denver Broncos

6. Jon Beason, MLB, New York Giants

7. Wesley Woodyard, MLB, Denver Broncos

5. D'Qwell Jackson, MLB, Cleveland Browns

9. Calvin Pace, OLB, New York Jets

10. Perry Riley, MLB, Washington Redskins

11. Erin Henderson, OLB, Minnesota Vikings

12. Mike Neal, OLB, Green Bay Packers

13. Arthur Moats, MLB, Buffalo Bills

14. Kavell Conner, MLB, Indianapolis Colts

15. O'Brien Schofield, OLB, Seattle Seahawks

Orakpo received the franchise tag, which all but takes him off the market. Jason Worilds signed his transition tender, officially taking him off the market. The free agent crop of linebackers is heavy on inside 'backers and is overall a veteran group.

Defensive ends

1. Greg Hardy, Carolina Panthers -- Franchise tag

2. Michael Bennett, Seattle Seahawks

3. Michael Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals

4. Lamarr Houston, Oakland Raiders

5. Arthur Jones, Baltimore Ravens

6. Jared Allen, Minnesota Vikings

7. Justin Tuck, New York Giants

8. Everson Griffen, Minnesota Vikings

9. Tyson Jackson, Kansas City

10. Antonio Smith, Houston Texans

11. Corey Wootton, Chicago Bears

12. Robert Ayers, Denver Broncos

13. Jeremy Mincey, Jacksonville Jaguars

14. Anthony Spencer, Dallas Cowboys

15. Willie Young, Detroit Lions

It came as no surprise to see Hardy tagged, but even without him on the open market, there is still a deep and talented group of free agent defensive ends. The group is versatile with pass-rush specialists, run defenders and overall players among the crop.

Defensive tackle

1. Henry Melton, Chicago Bears

2. Randy Starks, Miami Dolphins

3. Red Bryant, Seattle Seahawks (signed by Jacksonville: four-years, $17 million)

3. Jason Hatcher, Dallas Cowboys

4. Linval Joseph, New York Giants

5. B.J. Raji, Green Bay Packers

6. Jonathan Babineaux, Atlanta Falcons

7. Kevin Williams, Minnesota Vikings

8. Clinton McDonald, Seattle Seahawks

9. Paul Soliai, Miami Dolphins

10. Earl Mitchell, Houston Texans

11. Alex Carrington, Buffalo Bills

12. Vance Walker, Oakland Raiders

13. Ziggy Hood, Pittsburgh Steelers

14. Pat Sims, Oakland Raiders

15. Ryan Pickett, Green Bay Packers

None of the defensive tackles got tagged, leaving a solid group of pending free agents. Melton is coming off a serious knee injury, but still remains the prize of the group. Had he stayed healthy, he may be the No. 1 overall free agent. The free agent crop is geared toward 4-3 defenses.

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