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NFL free agency: The top remaining players
By Gregg Rosenthal
Around The League Editor
Published: March 15, 2013 at 04:00 p.m.
Updated: April 26, 2013 at 11:39 p.m.
The second phase of free agency -- the bargain phase -- is here. The great majority of our initial Top 85 overall free agents heading into free agency have signed, but plenty of good players still are out there.
The remaining players are unsigned for a variety of reasons. Many of them want too much money and priced themselves out of a quick offer. Some have injury questions. This is the part of free agency where great general managers earn their money. Here are our top players remaining, with a look at where they might land:
Potential difference-makers
1. Brandon Moore, G: He can start 16 games at a cheap price.
Starters with questions
2. Ahmad Bradshaw, RB: Teams might wait until Bradshaw is fully healthy this offseason to sign him.
3. Dwight Freeney, DE: The New England Patriots could have signed him in an Adam Vinatieri-in-reverse type of move. The Denver Broncos were interested as well.
4. Richard Seymour, DL: He wants big money and could wait out teams looking for an injury replacement in camp.
5. Eric Winston, OT: He may have to wait for Smith to sign.
Role players
6. Israel Idonije, DE: He doesn't fit in every system, but he should make a nice third DE for some team.
7. Beanie Wells, RB: The Pittsburgh Steelers checked out Wells' knee. There are big health concerns here.
8. Daryl Smith, LB: Teams don't pay linebackers over 30 who don't rush the passer.
9. John Abraham, DE: He was battling Freeney for a potential job with the Broncos, but things have died down.
10. Bryant McKinnie, OT: Like Seymour, McKinnie could be a late addition in the offseason for a team in need.
11. Brandon Lloyd, WR: There's a solid chance he'll return to the Patriots because he won't have a huge market.
12. Sedrick Ellis, DT: I'm surprised some coach out there doesn't think he can turn around Ellis' career.
13. Felix Jones, RB: He'll get a job, but there's no guarantee he'll have much of a role.
14. Charles Woodson, S: If the 49ers don't bite, we're not sure where Woodson could land.
15. Brian Urlacher, LB: The Chicago Bears were unable to reach a contract agreement with Urlacher for 2013. He's going to have a hard time finding a starting job.
Best of the rest: Karlos Dansby, LB; Michael Turner, RB; Kerry Rhodes, S; Shaun Phillips, OLB; Ronde Barber, CB/S; Nick Barnett, LB; Peyton Hillis, RB; Michael Boley, LB; Takeo Spikes, LB; Cedric Benson, RB.
By Gregg Rosenthal
Around The League Editor
Published: March 15, 2013 at 04:00 p.m.
Updated: April 26, 2013 at 11:39 p.m.
The second phase of free agency -- the bargain phase -- is here. The great majority of our initial Top 85 overall free agents heading into free agency have signed, but plenty of good players still are out there.
The remaining players are unsigned for a variety of reasons. Many of them want too much money and priced themselves out of a quick offer. Some have injury questions. This is the part of free agency where great general managers earn their money. Here are our top players remaining, with a look at where they might land:
Potential difference-makers
1. Brandon Moore, G: He can start 16 games at a cheap price.
Starters with questions
2. Ahmad Bradshaw, RB: Teams might wait until Bradshaw is fully healthy this offseason to sign him.
3. Dwight Freeney, DE: The New England Patriots could have signed him in an Adam Vinatieri-in-reverse type of move. The Denver Broncos were interested as well.
4. Richard Seymour, DL: He wants big money and could wait out teams looking for an injury replacement in camp.
5. Eric Winston, OT: He may have to wait for Smith to sign.
Role players
6. Israel Idonije, DE: He doesn't fit in every system, but he should make a nice third DE for some team.
7. Beanie Wells, RB: The Pittsburgh Steelers checked out Wells' knee. There are big health concerns here.
8. Daryl Smith, LB: Teams don't pay linebackers over 30 who don't rush the passer.
9. John Abraham, DE: He was battling Freeney for a potential job with the Broncos, but things have died down.
10. Bryant McKinnie, OT: Like Seymour, McKinnie could be a late addition in the offseason for a team in need.
11. Brandon Lloyd, WR: There's a solid chance he'll return to the Patriots because he won't have a huge market.
12. Sedrick Ellis, DT: I'm surprised some coach out there doesn't think he can turn around Ellis' career.
13. Felix Jones, RB: He'll get a job, but there's no guarantee he'll have much of a role.
14. Charles Woodson, S: If the 49ers don't bite, we're not sure where Woodson could land.
15. Brian Urlacher, LB: The Chicago Bears were unable to reach a contract agreement with Urlacher for 2013. He's going to have a hard time finding a starting job.
Best of the rest: Karlos Dansby, LB; Michael Turner, RB; Kerry Rhodes, S; Shaun Phillips, OLB; Ronde Barber, CB/S; Nick Barnett, LB; Peyton Hillis, RB; Michael Boley, LB; Takeo Spikes, LB; Cedric Benson, RB.
Poor Armstrong.
