Top 50 Free Agents

1. Mario Williams, DE, Houston Texans: The Texans used him as a 3-4 rush outside linebacker last year, but I think his best spot is as a 4-3 end.

2. Brandon Carr, CB, Kansas City Chiefs: How often do good man-cover players in their prime hit the market? This kid is about to get paid. He is this high because he plays a premium position well. He turns 26 in May.

3. Carl Nicks, G, New Orleans Saints: I consider him to be the best guard in the NFL. He is a nasty player who can block for the run or the pass. He turns 27 in May.

4. Cliff Avril, DE, Detroit Lions: He has 19 1/2 sacks the past two seasons, including 11 last season. He has developed into a top pass rusher. He turns 26 in April, which makes him even more valuable.

5. DeSean Jackson, WR, Philadelphia Eagles: The ability should get him a huge contract. But the attitude might cut that down some. Even so, this kid is a game-changer. Those guys don't hit the market all the time. He turns 26 in December.

6. Jermichael Finley, TE, Green Bay Packers: He didn't quite have the season many expected in 2011 (55 catches), but he is still a heck of an athlete who can do a ton of things for a tight end. He turns 25 in March.

7. Vincent Jackson, WR, San Diego Chargers: The Chargers want him back, but at what cost? The indication is that the team won't tag him. He turned 29 in January.

8. Brent Grimes, CB, Atlanta Falcons: He is a feisty corner who can play man or zone. He is small, but he has great athletic ability. The Falcons missed him late when he was injured. He turns 29 in August.

9. Dwayne Bowe, WR, Kansas City Chiefs -- The Chiefs want him back in the worst way, but at what price? He is their top target in the passing game, but do they tag him? He turns 28 in September.

10. Red Bryant, DT, Seattle Seahawks -- He had eight starts in his first three seasons, but started 16 in 2011 and was a force on the Seattle defense. He is a perfect 3-4 end, which is where he played last season. He is this year's Ray McDonald. He turns 28 in April.

11. Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens -- He is a big part of what the Ravens do, and there is a chance he could get franchised. But that's not a definite. He just turned 25 in January.

12. Robert Mathis, DE, Indianapolis Colts: He is coming off his best season, but he turns 31 this month and is older than some teams would like for free agents. but he has improved against the run. He could easily make the transition from 4-3 end to 3-4 rush 'backer.

13. Steve Johnson, WR, Buffalo Bills: There has already been some outrageous numbers bandied about for Johnson. The Bills want him back, but the price could get high. He is a franchise tag possibility. He turns 26 in July.

14. Cortland Finnegan, CB, Tennessee Titans: He just turned 28 this month and will be a hot commodity on the open market. It doesn't appear he's coming back to Tennessee. The Lions would seem to be a team that will make a push.

15. Carlos Rogers, CB, San Francisco 49ers: He is the player who will benefit most from signing a one-year deal. He will cash in big after a good 2011 season for the 49ers. He isn't young, turning 31 in July.

16. Marques Colston, WR, New Orleans Saints: The question with Colston is whether he would be as good in another system. I say yes, but he isn't a burner. He turns 29 in June.

17. Tyvon Branch, S, Oakland Raiders: Branch led the Raiders in tackles and should have been in the Pro Bowl. He has improved in coverage as well. He turns 26 in December.

18. Wes Welker, WR, New England Patriots: He led the league in catches, but is he a No. 1 receiver in any other system? The other issue is age. He turns 31 in June.

19. Dashon Goldson, S, San Francisco 49ers: He is coming off his most complete season. He has always been a good run defender, but improved against the pass this season with six picks. He seemed leaner and faster. He turns 28 in September.

20. Tracy Porter, CB, New Orleans Saints: He is a good, solid starting corner, and those guys get paid. The Saints probably won't be able to keep him. He turns 26 in August.

21. Jeremy Mincey, DE, Jacksonville Jaguars: This is a try-hard player who did some good things against some good tackles last season. He isn't a speed player, but he is a solid 10-sack, good-run player. He turns 29 in December.

22. Chris Myers. C, Houston Texans: He was one of the better centers in the NFL last season, a perfect player for their cutback schemes. He turns 31 in September.

23. Jared Gaither, T, San Diego Chargers: The Chargers added him late when Marcus McNeil went down and he played well down the stretch. He has ability, which he showed when he was a starter for the Ravens before back troubles slowed his career. He turns 26 in March.

24. Brodrick Bunkley, DT, Denver Broncos: He is coming off his best season, the timing of it coming perfectly since he signed a one-year deal. He turns 29 in November.

25. Anthony Spencer, OLB, Dallas Cowboys: In a league desperate for pass-rush help, he will get action on the market, even though his six-sack total was a disappointment last season. He just turned 28 in January.

26. Curtis Lofton LB, Atlanta Falcons: He's a plug linebacker who had a tendency to get lost in pass coverage at times. He's good against the run but with it being a passing league, is the value there? He turns 26 in June.

27. Aaron Ross, CB, New York Giants: He's been a decent starting corner for two Super Bowl teams. That means something. He's a good second corner. He turns 30 in September.

28. John Abraham, DE, Atlanta Falcons: He had 9 1/2 sacks for the Falcons in 2011 and played better late when he was entirely healthy. But he turns 34 in May. He will be hard-pressed to get a big contract because of that.

29. Ben Grubbs, G, Baltimore Ravens: He missed six games with a toe injury this season, but started 48 straight from 2008-10. He is the other guard on the Ravens line to Marshall Yanda, but he's still a good player. He turns 28 in March.

30. Alex Smith, QB, San Francisco: He seems like he's been around forever, but he's only 27 and turns 28 in May. He is coming off his best season with 17 touchdown passes and five interceptions. The 49ers want him back, but there's no way they franchise tag him.

31. Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts: The question with Wayne is how many more years he has left to give. He can still be good for three or so, but how do you structure the contract? He turns 34 in November.

32. Demetrius Bell, T, Buffalo Bills: After starting 16 games in 2010, he had just six starts in 2011 because of knee issues. He turns 28 in May, which means his best football is in front of him.

33. D'Qwell Jackson, ILB, Cleveland Browns: After missing all of 2010 with a torn ACL, he bounced back to start all 16 games last season and played at a Pro Bowl level. He turns 29 in September.

34. Pierre Garcon, WR, Indianapolis Colts: He caught a career-high 70 passes last season without good quarterback play. He can fly, which will make him attractive to other teams. He turns 26 in August.

35. Matt Flynn, QB, Green Bay Packers: How good is he? Does anybody really know? Is he Rob Johnson or Matt Schaub? The team that signs him better hope he's the latter. He turns 27 in June.

36. Scott Wells, C, Green Bay Packers: He is the anchor of the Green Bay line and played well this season. He is a tough guy who battles. He just turned 31 in January.

37. Stephen Tulloch, MLB, Detroit Lions: On a one-year deal, he had 111 tackles and two picks for the Lions. He just turned 27, so age isn't an issue. He's a steady player.

38. Jason Jones, DT-DE, Tennessee Titans: He has flashed at times in his four seasons with the Titans, but he should be doing more. Has played both inside and outside for the Titans. He turns 26 in May, so he has time to become a really good player.

39. Sione Pouha, NT, New York Jets: He's had more than 50 tackles each of the past two seasons on the nose for the Jets. That's impressive. But he just turned 33, which is a concern.

40. Dwight Lowery, D, Jacksonville Jaguars: This former corner made a nice home at free safety for the Jaguars last season. He played above the level of expectations. The Jaguars want him back, but in a league where safety talent is at a minimum this former Jets player will get a nice deal. He just turned 26 in January.

41. Evan Mathis, G, Philadelphia Eagles: Mathis signed a one-year deal with the Eagles and played well. That could earn him a nice multi-year contract. He turns 31 in November.

42. Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seattle Seahawks: He has rejuvenated his career in Seattle after being a disappointment in Buffalo in his last two seasons. He ran for 1,204 yards last season for the Seahawks and he only turns 26 in March.

43. Reggie Nelson, S, Cincinnati Bengals: He was a disappointment in Jacksonville, but has turned his career around with the Bengals. He's a rangy safety who has improved his tackling. He turns 29 in September.

44. Jarrett Johnson, OLB, Baltimore Ravens: He's one of the underrated players on the Ravens defense. He isn't as flashy as some, but he gets the job done. He does turn 31 in August.

45. Robert Meachem, WR, New Orleans Saints: He's never caught more than 45 passes in a season, but he has the speed teams love. He does have 20 touchdown catches in the past three seasons. He turns 28 in September.

46. Michael Griffin, S, Tennessee Titans: His play has tailed off some this past season. But he's only 27. When he's at his best, he is a good, solid player. He's never been as good as his reputation.

47. Jerome Simpson, WR, Cincinnati Bengals: He is a receiver who can fly. That would make him a hot commodity, but he has a legal issue hanging over his head. He just turned 26 earlier this month.

48. Paul Soliai, DT, Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins franchised him last year and he played for that tag. It won't happen again. But he is a solid player who will get play on the market. He turns 29 in December.

49. Mario Manningham, WR, New York Giants: The Super Bowl hero is a good player, but is he a No. 2 receiver. And how much will he cost? Did the Super Bowl make the price come up? He turns 26 in May.

50. Pat Sims DT, Cincinnati Bengals: He has started 23 games in four seasons for the Bengals. He is mostly an anchor inside against the run. He won't bring a lot of pass rush. He turns 27 in November.

Would love to sign Carl Nicks or Ben Grubbs at G. And get D'Qwell Jackson to line up next to DJ. And just imagine Marshawn Lynch in the backfield with Jamaal Charles. I know it would never happen but a guy can dream can't he?

Bunkley, Soliai, or Pat Sims would be nice at NT. Maybe Posha short term instead to help get Powe ready.

DeSean Jackson would be a nice replacement for Bowe and compliment to Baldwin and Breaston! But that's a dream, Bowe is coming back which is probably better.

DeSean Jackson would be way sweet, but Bowe would probably come cheaper. There's actually some good WR's out there... Jackson, Bowe, Johnson, Welker, Colston, Wayne, Garcon, Meachem, Manningham... but like usual most of the young talent likely wont actually hit the open market.

Bowe should still be our top target at WR though, and Carr should be our top priority.

We should really try to make a move for Ben Grubb.. I was just reading up on him on Wiki and sounds like someone who would really fit in with what Pioli wants. Obviously wouldn't complain if Nicks was the guy either though. Both would be awesome at LG. Albert at LT, Hudson at C, Asomah at RG, and probably a first round pick at RT and thats a real good looking OL.

NT is a huge need also, Pat Sims is who I could see us going after. Soliai might be Pioli's idea guy since the Dolphins have been apart of the "Parcells tree" the last few years... but he might be asking for too much money. If the price is right though hes likely our top target after our own guys.

I think we could save allot by resigning and moving Richardson to his more natural position at RG, just my opinion though. If not than Nicks would be amazing then Grubbs would be good.

I think we will lose Carr, I have been saying it for a while now and lokks as if Pioli is preparing for it. I think a physical replacement like Finnegan would be nice until Arenas is ready for full time.

WR wont be a problem because I think Bowe will get tagged and then get a 4 year deal. I think we should draft another young talent there though for sure. If we lost Bowe I think Colston would be a sure handed replacement. We could go the cheaper route though knowing how Pioli like to operate and go with talent like Meachem has.

As far as NT is concerned there is allot to choose from this year and Soliai is the best out of the bunch. Sims would be good, I dont like Bunkley as a 0 tech NT.

WE HAVE TO DRAFT A TACKLE IN THE FIRST ROUND!

Maybe if Richardson wants to be a backup RG/RT/LT. But I doubt he moves Asomoah from RG. But I would love to have Grubbs at LG.

If we can't resign Carr, no way we can get Finnegan. No way we even get Routt if we can't resign Carr.

WR is just straight up stacked, and we could go about any direction there because having someone like Baldwin really opens up what to compliment him with. But I still prefer to keep Bowe opposite of him.

Soliai, Pousha, or Sims. Get it done.

Asamoah could play any of the interior OL positions without any problem.

I think you are under valuing Carr and over valuing Finnegan.

I would also like to keep Bowe and I think we will.

Any of those NTs would be fine.

Aso was pretty bad when we had him at LG. Also I would assume what he was getting at is 90% of the time your players resign for cheaper than what someone from the free agent market does. Damn inflation!

That's exactly right, most free agents are over priced. You always pay them more than you pay your own free agents.

The thing is that Carr is going to get a huge contract offer from someone else. It might pay him more than what Flowers makes. Do you really think he might not take it and stay here. Come on. I want him too stay as much as anybody I just think someone in need of a starting corner will take him with a huge contract. I mean he is a top 5 FA this year and the best Corner available.

chiefbravebull wrote:

The thing is that Carr is going to get a huge contract offer from someone else. It might pay him more than what Flowers makes. Do you really think he might not take it and stay here. Come on. I want him too stay as much as anybody I just think someone in need of a starting corner will take him with a huge contract. I mean he is a top 5 FA this year and the best Corner available.

My point exactly!!!!

It all comes down to Carr's decision. Maybe he will take less here knowing he will be on a up and coming defense. Or make more somewhere else where he may be the only decent player there and exposed. It's all on him. But I don't see us offering anymore than we gave Flowers it would be absurd.

OutlawChief wrote:

It all comes down to Carr's decision. Maybe he will take less here knowing he will be on a up and coming defense. Or make more somewhere else where he may be the only decent player there and exposed. It's all on him. But I don't see us offering anymore than we gave Flowers it would be absurd.

And that is why we will lose him... because some one else probably will and he may not get another chance at a payday quite this large.

There we go, he will take the huge payday if it is there and by all rights he should.

He will get a huge payday regardless. If he can "settle" for something similar for Flowers no way hes getting away. Not every player will only play for the highest bidder.

I agree and thats what I was trying to say, maybe it came out wrong lol.

redross006 wrote:

OutlawChief wrote:

It all comes down to Carr's decision. Maybe he will take less here knowing he will be on a up and coming defense. Or make more somewhere else where he may be the only decent player there and exposed. It's all on him. But I don't see us offering anymore than we gave Flowers it would be absurd.

And that is why we will lose him... because some one else probably will and he may not get another chance at a payday quite this large.

Carr is not going anywhere without permission of the Chiefs! Either Bowe or Carr or will sign a deal and the other will get the tag if Pioli thinks they will bolt. Either way the Chiefs control the situation and will get a 1st or 2nd round pick out of the deal as compensation if a deal cant be reached. With 63 million in cap room something is going to get done unless one of them wants 10+ million a year.

BigRatt wrote:

redross006 wrote:

OutlawChief wrote:

It all comes down to Carr's decision. Maybe he will take less here knowing he will be on a up and coming defense. Or make more somewhere else where he may be the only decent player there and exposed. It's all on him. But I don't see us offering anymore than we gave Flowers it would be absurd.

And that is why we will lose him... because some one else probably will and he may not get another chance at a payday quite this large.

Carr is not going anywhere without permission of the Chiefs!

Carr is a FA... unless the Chiefs tag him he can do what ever he wants whether the Chiefs like it or not. And I think Bowe gets the tag, because after all the drops, I think the Chiefs would like to see at least another year of him before they sign him long term. Personally I say let Bowe go and throw some $$$ at Vincent Jackson. I'm probably dreaming but I think he's ALOT more reliable in the clutch than Bowe. But I doubt SD lets him get away.

Uhh I think that was his point, if Carr doesn't get resigned hes getting tagged. But I agree, Carr is going to be the easiest to resign.

We aren't going to go after Vincent Jackson, hes pretty much the same talent as Jonathan Baldwin.

RustShack wrote:

Uhh I think that was his point, if Carr doesn't get resigned hes getting tagged. But I agree, Carr is going to be the easiest to resign.

We aren't going to go after Vincent Jackson, hes pretty much the same talent as Jonathan Baldwin.

Like I said... I think Bowe gets tagged and Carr gets paid the big bucks... somewhere else. And as far as VJ is concerned ... VJ may have the same attributes as JB, but talent is proven on the field and JB has yet to prove anythingas to where VJ's #'s speak for them selves. Also I would rather have 2 VJ types catching passes than one JB catching 'em and one D Bowe dropping 'em. You have to admit... as good as D Bowe is... he is still pretty inconsistant... which is why I think the Chiefs tag him and see if he can be good on a consistant basis before signing him long term.

The more balls you have thrown your way, the more balls your likely going to drop. D-Bowe has been our only legit threat at WR until this past season. T.O. was also notorious for dropping passes, but he's still regarded as one of the best WRs of his time.