last year's FA was interesting but I think this year will be very intriguing with alot of teams probably looking to the FA market to fill their immediate needs as opposed to the draft. With that said...the picture will not be clear until the start of the new NFL fiscal year when contracts expire.
Team's draft strategies will also reflect where they are probably going to be steering their ship as they may draft positions where a player might be leaving (Pittsburgh with Faneca comes to mind).
With that said here we go top 5 FAs
At #1 I have Albert Haynesworth - The Titan D-Line was ferocious this year and was THE reason the Titans made a push to the playoffs. The absence of Haynesworth for several games was clear as the run-D was sliced and diced on several occasions...Haynesworth makes this front 7 that much better.
DT is one of the hardest positions to fill and elite players are very extreme at this position...(seriously...how often do you hear about DTs in this league). So one that makes as big of an impact both on and off the stat sheet as Haynesworth does is incredible.
It boils down to the Titans right now and their direction of revamping the offense. How much money will be left? Or will they try and sign Haynesworth only to trade him for some picks or Offensive players? Regardless he will be worth the money spent.
#2) Lance Briggs - Urlacher struggled a little this year but Briggs was still one of the top OLB in the league. He now wants to stay in Chicago but the question will remain if the Bears are willing to pay him what he wants.
Like the Titans...the Bears face and continue to face problems on the offensive side of the ball and needs to build up that side before worrying about their defense. Even without Briggs the front 7 will be solid but Briggs like Haynesworth adds that little extra that could mean the difference.
I think Briggs will end up being lured away by a fat paycheck outside of Chicago...
#3) Jared Allen - wow Defensive FA is stacked this year. He has been one of the biggest unsung D-ends in the NFL and has probably only hit the upswing of what could be a fantastic career. The Chiefs have problems in alot of places...especially the O-Line...and it would probably be in their best interest to keep Allen on with at least a franchise tag.
He is just way to valuable to let go for this organization. He has 43 career sacks and that is not very far from top earners Dwight Freeney and possible Peppers in the near future. So my guess is that he is going to command a ridiciulous offer from whatever team that wants to sign him....which is going to be a cap crusher.
Look what the acquistion of FA Patrick Kearney did for the Seahawk D-Line last year...people will pay top dollar for that boost in the overall D-fense
#4) Randy Moss - I would have put him higher but....I highly doubt is going to hit the open market. They want to keep Brady happy and not have another fiasco like they did when he lost his entire starting WR corp a few years back.
I would guess that we wont see a long term contract just yet but a franchise tag is probably the route the Patriot front office is going to take initally.
In Moss' perspective...he still wants that elusive ring and the Patriots give him the best chance at that. On the Patriots side they are probably going to lose alot of key players this offseason...so they are faced with a choice of chosing one over the other. The bottom line is 23 TDs speaks for itself.
#5) Nnamdi Asomugha - huh? over Samuel and co? Well hear me out...this is a value agent because you know damn well both Samuel and Trufant are going to want top dollar for the defensive market. And thanks to Nate Clements that is very big.
I dont know too much about what is going on with the Raiders right now so i cant say if he'll be back in '08 or hit the market. What I do know is that teams will be watching the situation and scoop up Nnamdi to boost their secondary at a very very good price.
I know he didnt have a great year in 2007 as he did the year before but its the Raiders...so ill cut him some slack. Is more of a cover corner than anything else but will fit nicely into any system that he bounces into.
Bargain bin :
Julius Jones...he can run and has proved it in the past until he got phased out of that offense. I like him to that of Dominic Rhodes, a back that will probably split time with another back. But he is none-the-less very versatile and a hard runner...just gets hurt too much though
Rex Grossman: Career backup QB or could he still salvage something better? He can play great but he can also look like a 14 year old taking snaps under center. Look for him to get added into the mix for a starting job somewhere.
Justin Smith: I want to put him higher than the Bargain Bin but there just isnt enough hype for him especially since he is part of that Bengal D. I doubt the Bengals will resign him but im calling that he becomes the Patrick Kearney of 2008...making the Bengals wish they didnt part with him
Ken Hamlin: very good safety and fits well in with the likes of Roy Williams. He can play up and be physical but I like how the Cowboys let him play center field and let Roy roam the middle. Im not sure how this is going to work out in the end but I would think one more year with the Cowboys would not hurt either party and would be in their best interests
Daunte Culpepper: HE CAN STILL PLAY! His knee is fine now and if he manages to get on a decent team just watch. After the Vikings he went to the Dolphins and then the Raiders...I mean come on...if you give him at least a decent O-Line he will be in good shape. I like him to be in the mix for another starting job in 2008...maybe the Vikings? prob not



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