SI: No Manning? No matter -- there's still plenty of value in free agency

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No Manning? No matter -- there's still plenty of value in free agency

By B. Duane Cross, SI.com

Indianapolis re-signed QB Peyton Manning to a seven-year, $99.2 million deal that includes an NFL-record $34.5 million signing bonus. But he's not the only signal-caller worth spending money -- or draft picks -- on this offseason. In fact, quarterback is one of the shallowest positions in this year's free-agent pool.

Of course free agency is just one of the aspects of building a contender; the draft will also play a large role in determining a team's path for future success. This year's draft has the potential to be one of the best in recent memory, which will help offset a generally weak free-agent class.

Late signings and Franchise/Transition tags have kept many of the marquee names off the market, but there are several players worth long looks. The signings of Jevon Kearse, Jeff Garcia, Grant Wistrom, Robaire Smith and William Peterson will garner headlines in the coming weeks, but there is plenty of value to be had outside of the names Joe Fan is familiar with.

Here is a ranking of the top free agents:

Top 50 Free Agents

No. Pos. Player Status Exp. No. Pos. Player Status Exp.

1. QB Peyton Manning * Re-signed 6 26. WR Darrell Jackson UFA 4

2. CB Champ Bailey * UFA 5 27. CB Shawn Springs UFA 7

3. CB Charles Woodson * UFA 6 28. TE Jim Kleinsasser Re-signed 5

4. T Orlando Pace * UFA 7 29. LB Carlos Emmons UFA 8

5. T Chad Clifton * Re-signed 4 30. LB Dhani Jones UFA 4

6. T Walter Jones * UFA 7 31. DT Warren Sapp UFA 9

7. CB Chris McAlister * UFA 5 32. G Adam Timmerman Re-signed 9

8. DE Jevon Kearse UFA 5 33. DT Rod Coleman UFA 5

9. DE Adewale Ogunleye RFA 4 34. DT Cornelius Griffin UFA 4

10. LB Julian Peterson * UFA 4 35. CB Fernando Bryant UFA 5

11. T John Tait * UFA 5 36. CB Bobby Taylor UFA 9

12. DE Grant Wistrom UFA 6 37. CB Troy Vincent UFA 12

13. DE Darren Howard * UFA 4 38. LB Ian Gold UFA 4

14. LB Al Wilson Re-signed 5 39. S Keion Carpenter UFA 5

15. S Donovin Darius * UFA 6 40. LB Edgerton Hartwell RFA 3

16. QB Jeff Garcia UFA 5 41. S Deon Grant UFA 4

17. RB Correll Buckhalter RFA 3 42. CB Antoine Winfield UFA 5

18. DT Robaire Smith UFA 4 43. LB Marcus Washington UFA 4

19. CB William Peterson RFA 3 44. S Antuan Edwards UFA 5

20. RB Rudi Johnson RFA 3 45. S Arturo Freeman UFA 4

21. DE Kenny Holmes UFA 7 46. WR Drew Bennett Re-signed 3

22. QB Marc Bulger RFA 3 47. QB Billy Volek UFA 4

23. RB Kevan Barlow Re-signed 3 48. G Jeno James UFA 4

24. CB Ahmed Plummer UFA 4 49. TE Brandon Manumaleuna UFA 3

25. RB Duce Staley UFA 7 50. K John Kasay Re-signed 13

* -- Franchse/Transition tag

The release of Jeff Garcia sends him to the top of the available QBs chart, while the Rams tendered restricted free agent Marc Bulger $1.824 million, meaning a team must compensate St. Louis with a first- and a third-round draft choice if the Rams choose not to match the offer. Another other player sure to get a lot of ink is Billy Volek, a four-year veteran who may potentially be 2004's Jake Delhomme.

Two restricted free agent RBs -- Philly's Correll Buckhalter and Rudi Johnson of Cincy -- most likely will return to their teams, meaning Duce Staley is the most attractive back of the bunch. Then there's Thomas Jones, who washed out in Arizona and never fully reached the potential Tampa Bay had for him last year. He had high marks coming out of college -- almost five years ago. ... Good thing the NFL Draft is deep at running back.

Top 10 Quarterbacks and Running Backs

No. Pos. Player Status Exp. No. Pos. Player Status Exp.

1. QB Peyton Manning * Re-signed 6 1. RB Correll Buckhalter RFA 3

2. QB Jeff Garcia UFA 5 2. RB Kevan Barlow Re-signed 3

3. QB Marc Bulger RFA 3 3. RB Rudi Johnson RFA 3

4. QB Billy Volek UFA 4 4. RB Duce Staley UFA 7

5. QB Mike McMahon RFA 3 5. RB Charlie Garner UFA 10

6. QB Chris Redman UFA 4 6. RB Garrison Hearst UFA 11

7. QB Doug Johnson UFA 4 7. RB Kevin Faulk UFA 5

8. QB Anthony Wright UFA 5 8. RB Thomas Jones UFA 4

9. QB Shaun King UFA 5 9. RB Stacey Mack UFA 5

10. QB Jeff Blake UFA 12 10. RB Dominic Rhodes RFA 3

* -- Franchise/Transition tag

Darrell Jackson benefits from Terrell Owens' contract snafu by becoming the top WR on the market, while Alex Bannister gets a look because of the Pro Bowl special teams play. The rest of the receivers are a collection of potential (Dez White, who is big, fast and strong ... but still too inconsistent) and overachievement (Justin McCareins, who averaged a TD every 6.7 catches last year).

Tight end is another position that isn't very deep. Jim Kleinsasser was easily the most desirable of the lot before he re-signed Tuesday night with Minnesota. Brandon Manumaleuna's potential remains intriguing to several teams, while Jermaine Wiggins gets the nod over Jed Weaver because of his superior blocking skills.

Top 10 Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

No. Pos. Player Status Exp. No. Pos. Player Status Exp.

1. WR Darrell Jackson UFA 4 1. TE Jim Kleinsasser Re-signed 5

2. WR Drew Bennett Re-signed 3 2. TE Brandon Manumaleuna UFA 3

3. WR Justin McCareins RFA 3 3. TE Erron Kinney Re-signed 4

4. WR Dez White UFA 4 4. TE Jermaine Wiggins UFA 4

5. WR Oronde Gadsden UFA 6 5. TE Cam Cleeland UFA 6

6. WR Darnerien McCants RFA 2 6. TE Jed Weaver UFA 5

7. WR Marcus Robinson UFA 7 7. TE Mark Bruener UFA 9

8. WR Alex Bannister RFA 3 8. TE Patrick Hape UFA 7

9. WR Tai Streets UFA 5 9. TE Jabari Holloway RFA 3

10. WR Cedrick Wilson RFA 3 10. TE David Martin RFA 3

Three tackles were franchised and a fourth was give the transition tag, clearly stating teams' need for top-notch line play. Considering that the top five players are all spoken for, Jeno James and Damien Woody -- both players' versatility is a huge plus -- are the players likely to garner the most attention.

Tennessee is rolling the dice by not putting the franchise tag on Kearse, opting instead to allow the market to set a price for the pass-rush specialist. There are still injury concerns with Kearse, who has not played a 16-game schedule since 2001. Wistrom has 41 1/2 sacks the past six years for St. Louis. Miami tendered Adewale Ogunleye $1.824 million, which means the Dolphins will receive a first- and third-round draft choice if they decline to match.

Top 10 Offensive Linemen and Defensive Ends

No. Pos. Player Status Exp. No. Pos. Player Status Exp.

1. T Orlando Pace * UFA 7 1. DE Jevon Kearse UFA 5

2. T Chad Clifton * Re-signed 4 2. DE Adewale Ogunleye RFA 4

3. T Walter Jones * UFA 7 3. DE Grant Wistrom UFA 6

4. T John Tait * UFA 5 4. DE Darren Howard * UFA 4

5. G Adam Timmerman Re-signed 9 5. DE Kenny Holmes UFA 7

6. G Jeno James UFA 4 6. DE Bertrand Berry UFA 6

7. C Damien Woody UFA 5 7. DE Ebenezer Ekuban UFA 5

8. T Adam Meadows UFA 7 8. DE Eric Hicks UFA 6

9. T Damion McIntosh UFA 4 9. DE Bobby Hamilton UFA 9

10. C Rich Braham UFA 10 10. DE Brian Young UFA 4

* -- Franchise/Transition tag

If Kearse and Robaire Smith jet Music City, the Titans' gamble will have backfired. Losing two D-line starters from a team that has been an AFC contender will be tough to overcome. Smith, a former sixth-round draft pick, is arguably the most sought-after DT available, though Warren Sapp's hype machine likely will gear up in the next few weeks. Coleman is a real go-getter who plays all-out, but benefits from a rotation that keeps him fresh.

With Julian Peterson franchised and Al Wilson re-signing with Denver, Carlos Emmons and Dhani Jones are the top linebackers on many teams' wish lists. However, Ian Gold, Edgerton Hartwell and Marcus Washington are young players with potentially explosive upsides and are sure to garner a lot of attention.

Top 10 Defensive Tackles and Linebackers

No. Pos. Player Status Exp. No. Pos. Player Status Exp.

1. DT Robaire Smith UFA 4 1. LB Julian Peterson * UFA 4

2. DT Rod Coleman UFA 5 2. LB Al Wilson Re-signed 5

3. DT Cornelius Griffin UFA 4 3. LB Carlos Emmons UFA 8

4. DT Warren Sapp UFA 9 4. LB Dhani Jones UFA 4

5. DT Eric Downing RFA 3 5. LB Ian Gold UFA 4

6. DT Jerry DeLoach RFA 3 6. LB Edgerton Hartwell RFA 3

7. DT Chris Hoke RFA 3 7. LB Marcus Washington UFA 4

8. DT Chad Eaton UFA 8 8. LB Randall Godfrey UFA 8

9. DT Lional Dalton UFA 6 9. LB Barrett Green UFA 4

10. DT Travis Kirschke UFA 7 10. LB Brandon Short UFA 4

* -- Franchise/Transtion tag

With Champ Bailey, Charles Woodson and Chris McAlister off the board, Peterson is the most valuable corner. However, expect Ahmed Plummer, Shawn Springs and Fernando Bryant to have their fair share of interviews. But don't overlook Troy Vincent (a solid cover corner who also actively supports the run) and Bobby Taylor (Houston, are you interested?).

Deon Grant is considered one of the best of a generally weak bunch and no doubt will parlay his Super Bowl appearance into a big-dollar deal. Aggresive and a plus in coverage, Keion Carpenter will draw a lot of interest despite being benched in Atlanta last year.

Top 10 Cornerbacks and Safeties

No. Pos. Player Status Exp. No. Pos. Player Status Exp.

1. CB Champ Bailey * UFA 5 1. S Donovin Darius * UFA 6

2. CB Charles Woodson * UFA 6 2. S Deon Grant UFA 4

3. CB Chris McAlister * UFA 5 3. S Keion Carpenter UFA 5

4. CB William Peterson RFA 3 4. S Antuan Edwards UFA 5

5. CB Ahmed Plummer UFA 4 5. S Arturo Freeman UFA 4

6. CB Shawn Springs UFA 7 6. S Rogers Beckett UFA 4

7. CB Fernando Bryant UFA 5 7. S Marlon McCree RFA 3

8. CB Bobby Taylor UFA 9 8. S Mark Roman UFA 4

9. CB Troy Vincent UFA 12 9. S Reggie Tongue UFA 8

10. CB Antoine Winfield UFA 5 10. S Jerome Woods UFA 8

* -- Franchise/Transition tag

Considering these guys can win or lose the field-position game, punters are too often overlooked in free agency. Tom Rouen and Darren Bennett ranked second and ninth, respectively, in net yards last year, while Tupa finished 12th and Jett 13th. Josh Bidwell? Remember, it's a field-position game. His punt into the end zone helped set up Philly's game-tying drive in the fourth quarter of the NFC Divisional playoffs.

Matt Stover was third among kickers with 134 points, accouting for 34 percent of Baltimore's points last year. However, he was only 11 of 16 from 40-plus and missed both of his attempts beyond 50 yards. Still, he was the most reliable (86.8) among the top free-agent kickers.

Top 10 Punters and Kickers

No. Pos. Player Status Exp. No. Pos. Player Status Exp.

1. P Tom Rouen UFA 11 1. K John Kasay Re-signed 13

2. P Darren Bennett UFA 9 2. K Matt Stover UFA 14

3. P Tom Tupa UFA 15 3. K Doug Brien UFA 10

4. P John Jett UFA 11 4. K Jay Feely RFA 3

5. P Josh Bidwell UFA 4 5. K Steve Christie UFA 14

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/football/nfl/03/02/free.agency/index.html