ESPN Insider: Quarterback still a major need

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Quarterback still a major need

With free agency set to open Friday, Scouts Inc. takes a look at the top offensive players available in a position-by-position breakdown.

Quarterbacks

In what has become a passing league, there are three types of franchises: Those with quarterbacks, those without quarterbacks and those that might have a quarterback. Each category has 10 to 12 teams that qualify. That leaves a lot of teams that could use substantial help at the most important position on the field. But, like most positions this offseason, free agency doesn't look to yield anyone to really get excited about. The most attractive candidate of the lot is Redskins QB Jason Campbell, but he is a restricted free agent and, despite being 28 years old and having five years of experience, he still has to be considered a prospect. The talent is there, but considering his surrounding cast last season and the fact he was forced to learn a new system year after year, we still don't know all that much about Campbell. Plus, he will not be acquired on the cheap. There are a few unrestricted free-agent signal-callers who have had success in this league, like Daunte Culpepper, Chad Pennington and to a much lesser extent, Rex Grossman. If he checks out medically and proves that he can throw the ball well enough, Pennington is the only one who might be starter-worthy, especially for a dome team like St. Louis, for example. Maybe someone takes a shot on Chris Redman, but there is little to show that he can succeed as a starter for an extended stretch. Restricted free agent Matt Moore would be rather attractive, but there is no way Carolina will allow him to test the market. While Kyle Orton conceivably could switch teams again, at best he is a middle-of-the-road starter.

Running backs

Even despite the availability of Brian Westbrook and LaDainian Tomlinson, the free agent worth targeting at this position is Chester Taylor. He has much younger legs than his age and experience would indicate. Thomas Jones will not return to the Jets. He is consistently productive and will be sought after without question, even at his advanced age. Surely someone will give Westbrook and Tomlinson chances again as well, but both are a shell of what they once were. In Pittsburgh, Willie Parker was quickly surpassed by Rashard Mendenhall and is little help in the passing game or in short-yardage situations, but if used in spot duty, he might have enough left to spell a team's starting back. The same can't be said for Larry Johnson or Ahman Green anymore. It is difficult to foresee Bill Belichick favorite Kevin Faulk in another jersey, but he is a proven commodity who can help a team in numerous ways. As with all positions, the restricted market is deeper. Assets like Leon Washington and especially Pierre Thomas are very unlikely to leave town, but Darren Sproles will surely attract attention. Sproles should be on the open market and dynamic, change-of-pace weapons like him are in vogue now. Plenty of teams could utilize his services. However, do-it-all fullbacks Leonard Weaver and Le'Ron McClain are very good football players who, although restricted, might be undervalued by their current teams.

Wide receivers

There are receivers to be had this offseason, but there is a price to pay. Proven commodities Anquan Boldin and Brandon Marshall can probably be had and surely would improve a passing attack, but they won't come without a cost. So who makes sense for receiver-starved teams to target in order to find starting-caliber help? Terrell Owens and Derrick Mason might provide short-term fixes, but both are clearly declining and obviously Owens brings an awful lot of baggage with him. One guy who could surprise, but isn't without his own baggage, is Antonio Bryant. Don't forget, Bryant played with a chronic knee injury and substandard quarterback play last season. There is risk involved for sure, but he has the potential to kick-start a passing game. Kevin Walter isn't a difference maker, but he might be OK as a No. 2 or 3 wideout with a talented group of pass catchers. The restricted market is extremely rich, but as alluded to above, those difference makers are very unlikely to leave their current team, although several might be traded.

Offensive line

Kevin Mawae is unlikely to return to Tennessee and should have enough left in the tank to provide a short-term fix at the pivot. The same is true for Casey Rabach, but neither player is someone to get excited about. Chad Clifton could potentially serve the same role as a blindside protector. The guy here who is most intriguing is Bobbie Williams. Williams is 33 years old, but is coming off an excellent season, especially as a run blocker. Unrestricted linemen like Mike Gandy, Ryan Tucker, Rex Hadnot, Ben Hamilton, Mark Tauscher and Chester Pitts all should remain serviceable for the short term, but clearly they are the type of players who every team would look to upgrade over with young talent. If you can see a trend developing, the restricted group is once again excellent, but players like Marcus McNeill, Jammal Brown, Willie Colon, Jared Gaither, Jahri Evans and Logan Mankins will never hit the open market. Great offensive tackles are building blocks. It should surprise no one that these guys and upper-tier guards will stay where they are at.

Tight end

This is a very poor group of unrestricted free-agent tight ends, but Ben Watson is interesting. He isn't the blocker that New England needs in that division and drops too many catchable balls, but he can help as a pass-catcher and a new team and system might do his career good. Otherwise, everyone else is backup material. In fact, more like third-string material. The restricted group is quite strong. Although he is coming off a serious injury, Owen Daniels emerged as one of the best players at his position last season. Bo Scaife, Anthony Fasano and Tony Scheffler all bring something to the table. Due to his contract situation, Scaife might leave Tennessee and it appears that Scheffler has fallen out of favor in Denver. Fasano surely will return to Miami, but Scheffler might be a welcome addition with his pass-catching abilities in a new town. Also, if your favorite team has a big need for a blocking tight end, there are plenty to be found this year.