As the league’s general managers, scouts, coaches and decision makers assemble in Indiannapolis this week at the meat market known as the Scouting Combine to prepare for the upcoming draft, another market is about to open for business. The NFL’s annual free agent frenzy will begin next week as all 32 teams will look to sign the one or two players that they believe could be the missing pieces to their championship puzzle.
Each year at this time, GM’s salivate at the thought of getting their hands on the one that got away, the player who they missed out on securing on draft day and have watched grow into an impact player for another franchise. When the opening bell rings this time around they will look to throw huge multi-million dollar contracts at these players with the hope that they can help bring their team to the promised land . While fans of these teams would love for their fearless leaders to run out and try to sign every big name available, this is the time that GM’s really make their money (or in some cases, throw their money away) because for every signing that leads a team to a long playoff run, there are many more that end up as nothing more than dollars down the drain.
This season’s free agent pool has been watered down somewhat because of the use of the league’s franchise tag on many of the true impact players ( Albert Haynesworth, Nnamdi Asomugha, Ken Hamlin, Corey Williams, Jared Allen and Dallas Clark amongst others ) which has removed them from play before the bidding on their services even began. However, even without these players, the free agency pool still contains some players who on the right team could make a huge impact but like every other offseason as we’ve witnessed time and time again, nobody for sale in this market comes with a guarantee.
Here is my list of the top 10 players available this year and what they might be able to offer potential suitors:
1- Asante Samuel- CB- New England
Samuel is second only to Champ Bailey amongst corners in the AFC. He is coming off a Pro Bowl season and as a member of the Patriots organization, he knows what it takes to win the big games. The removal of Asomugha and Marcus Trufant from this free agency class have only helped in assuring that Samuel will recieve the biggest contract of any player on the market.
Possible Suitors: Vikings, Jets, Dolphins
2- Randy Moss- WR- New England
The Pats chose not to franchise Moss after a year in which he broke the league record for touchdown catches. Moss is obviously a one of a kind talent at the WR position and has the most ability to change a game of anyone on this list but with Moss you always have to take the bad with the great. He is an emotional and often moody individual who is prone to making comments to the media which at times can undermine his team and his coaches. While all seemed well during the Pats incredible run last season, once they were upset by the Giants in the Super Bowl, Moss publicly questioned his head coach and made remarks about possibly not returning to the team in the upcoming year. If a team out there feels they have strong leadership in the locker room and can weather the possible storm that adding Moss can bring then he could very well be the difference maker for a true championship contender.
Possible Suitors: Patriots, Packers, Buccaneers
3-Lance Briggs- OLB- Chicago
Briggs is a tackling machine. His speed and ability to run down plays makes him a valuable addition to any defense. While some critics say he was helped by the presence of Brian Urlacher in the middle, I say “Who wouldn’t benefit from playing alongside a Pro Bowler?”. Briggs, a pro bowler in his own right, would best be served joining a younger team looking for both on-field production and off the field leadership.
Possible Suitors: 49ers, Jets, Dolphins, Saints
4-Michael Turner- RB- San Diego
After 3 seasons in the shadow of LaDainian Tomlinson, Turner is ready to show that he can be a feature back. The subject of many trade rumors over the last 2 years, Turner is a speedy back with good vision who many expect to be able to carry a team if given the opportunity. The only concern of some GM’s around the league is the wear and tear he has taken as a backup and how long he can truly hold up with a full workload before he starts the inevitable breaking down of an NFL running back. My bet is he will give his new club at least 3 good years before he starts to slow down.
Possible Suitors: Dolphins, Chiefs, Seahawks, Lions
5- Antwan Odom- DE- Tennessee
Odom is entering free agency at the perfect time. The league is full of clubs looking for young edge rushers who can make a difference against the pass. The 26 year old Odom fits the bill and is coming off an eight sack season in which he seemingly only scratched the surface of his potential. The tagging of Allen by the Chiefs has opened up the door for Odom to cash in big time.
Possible Suitors: Redskins, Titans, Falcons, Bills
6-Flozell Adams- OT- Dallas
Once the Cowboys franchised Hamlin, they effectively waived goodbye to Adams and his huge frame. After a disappointing season in 2006, “The Hotel” bounced back with a very strong campaign and re-established himself as one of the top tackles in the game. The Boys would love to bring him back but only at a discount, which won’t be easy once he hits the open market and the offers start rolling in.
Possible Suitors: Cowboys, Giants, Buccaneers, Raiders, Texans
7-Bernard Berrian- WR-Chicago
Berrian is the next best deep threat available after Moss. His deep speed is enticing to many clubs looking for a weapon to stretch the field. The Bears would love to have him back but Berrian will probably look to go to a team where the QB situation is a little more stable than the revolving door that continues in the Windy City. The only concern is that he is prone to a case of the drops now and again.
Possible Suitors: Buccaneers, Patriots, Broncos, Steelers
8-Justin Smith- DE- Cincinnati
The former top pick is coming off a very disappointing season in which he only collected two sacks. Smith uses his speed to pressure quarterbacks and is a much better player than his stats would show. In this league, where pass rushers are coveted, Smith will probably be overpaid by someone.
Possible Suitors: Broncos, Colts, Texans, Jaguars, Vikings
9- Alan Faneca-OG- Pittsburgh
Faneca is one of the premier guards in all of football and is coming off a season that some said was his best in years. A technically gifted inside presence, Faneca brings stability and experience to any club which signs him. At 31, he may be only a year or two from a decline but for a team in need of immediate upgrade on the o-line, Faneca is a great add. If he were 28, he would probably be the top player rated on this list.
Possible Suitors: Packers, Browns, Ravens, Rams
10-Gibril Wilson- S- New York Giants
To the victors, go the spoils! Wilson is a rangy, hard hitting safety who will cash in on the success of his team after their Super Bowl victory. Wilson led the Giants in tackles in two playoff games and made several strong plays during their surprising run. A hard worker with good character who could be the missing piece for a team seeking help down the middle.
Possible Suitors: Cowboys, Browns, Raiders, Redskins, Eagles
Next week, most of these players will change uniforms and lifestyles (thanks to the millions they will make) and will pray that next year at this time they will be mentioned in the same breath as Reggie White and Trent Dilfer as great free agent signings and not with Larry Brown, Scott Mitchell and Alvin Harper as big money busts. No matter what happens over the next few weeks as these players come off the market and fans of the clubs that acquire them either celebrate or vilify their respective GM’s for the deals, the one thing that is for sure is that everyone will have an opinion but the only true measure of each move will come next season when the first coin is flipped and we get back down to business on the field.
