The first wave of the NFL's free agency period is complete. While many more moves are sure to come, the main high-profile free agents, with the exceptions of Elvis Dumervil and Darrell Revis, have been signed, or are in the process of being signed. This is a position-by-position breakdown of the biggest moves made so far. At the end of each breakdown are listed some of the best free agents still available at that position.
Quarterbacks:
1. David Garrard (signed by the Jets). Could start.
2. Bruce Gradkowski (Steelers). Third-string insurance.
3. Alex Smith (Chiefs). Should start, will face competition.
4. Chase Daniel (Chiefs). Will battle Smith for the KC job.
5. Matt Cassel (Vikings). Might get a shot if Ponder falters.
6. Derek Anderson (Panthers). Will continue backing up Cam.
7. Dennis Dixon (Eagles). Chip Kelly will give him a new chance.
8. Drew Stanton (Cardinals). Could win this job.
BEST OUT THERE: You can't help but think Ryan Fitzpatrick could help some team, for example Arizona, the Jets, or Cleveland. He should end up somewhere, and don't be surprised if he gets selected a "veteran backup" but ends up starting, wherever he goes. After that, it goes downhill fast, a retread Kellen Clemens, proven failure Brady Quinn, and Jason Campbell being the best you can do. No matter how bad this year's crop of rookie NFL QBs might be rated, you can bet your hat there are going to be several of them drafted.
Running Backs:
1. Reggie Bush (Lions). Hurts the value of LeShoure.
2. Steven Jackson (Falcons). Slow now, could still be beneficial.
3. Rashard Mendenhall (Cardinals). Teams with Ryan Williams.
4. Shonn Greene (Titans). Could help CJ2K stay fresh.
5. Mike Goodson (Jets). A golden opportunity to shine.
6. Danny Woodhead (Chargers). Could get Ronnie Brown cut.
7. Leon Washington (Patriots). Belichick's new kick returner.
8. Justin Forsett (Jaguars). A player, look out if MJD falters.
BEST OUT THERE: Ahmad Bradshaw has experienced sluggish interest, likely due to his injury history. He will get a shot somewhere and the situation is worth watching. We feel, contrary to many reports, that Michael Turner can still provide starter production for a needy team. Chris Ivory, Brandon Jacobs, Peyton Hillis, and Cedric Benson are the best of the rest. Several UFAs and RFAs, like Andre Brown, Jonathan Dwyer, and Felix Jones could stay with their current teams. Beanie Wells needs to prove his health to catch on anywhere.
Wide Receivers:
1. Percy Harvin (Seahawks). Headache(s) or not, is the question.
2. Wes Welker (Broncos). Manning's short arm gets a new slot man.
3. Mike Wallace (Dolphins). Overpaid, can they get him the ball?
4. Donnie Avery (Chiefs). Will get playing time.
5. Brandon Gibson (Dolphins). A WR #3. Davone Bess, watch out.
6. Anquin Boldin (49ers). Great signing for San Francisco.
7. Donald Jones (Patriots). Interesting move, keep an eye on him.
8. Kevin Ogletree (Bucs). Could be a WR #3 in Tampa Bay.
9. Arrelious Benn (Eagles), Another Chip Kelly project.
10. Greg Jennings (Vikings). Also overpaid. Can Ponder hit him?
BEST OUT THERE: Danario Alexander is the top player available if for some reason the Chargers let him move. He will probably end up playing on a one-year tender in San Diego, but if another team offers a multi-year deal, he could, well, "bolt." Victor Cruz wants starter money and the Giants are reluctant to come up with it. That one could take a while. Randy Moss is available but could choose to retire. A dozen or so other WRs, of the caliber of Darrius Heyward-Bey, Kevin Walter, and Deion Branch, could end up catching one-year deals with their current teams or elsewhere.
Tight Ends:
1. Jared Cook (Rams). Over-hyped, now overpaid, a chance for him.
2. Dustin Keller (Dolphins). Team chemistry? Upgrade over Fasano?
3. Martellus Bennett (Bears). Mediocre, mediocre move. Starter.
4. Delanie Walker (Titans). Titans get best TE and an upgrade.
5. Anthony Fasano (Chiefs). Will battle Moeaki. He can play.
6. Brandon Myers (Giants). Perfect TE and upgrade. His health?
BEST OUT THERE: Fred Davis is the hottest name still available. Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta are still unsigned by the world champions. After that, there are several players, primarily blockers and special teams players, who are in limbo. Players like Jake Ballard, Chris Cooley, Travis Beckum, even Dallas Clark and still-kicking Randy McMichael, have careers on the line this season.
Kickers:
1. Josh Brown (Giants). Tynes had a great year, cost too much.
2. David Buehler (Giants). Will compete with Brown. And lose.
BEST OUT THERE: David Akers could retire. Billy Cundiff could stay on there in San Fran. Phil Dawson, Jason Hanson, and Steven Hauschka should resign with their teams. Lawrence Tynes and the always-available-in-a-pinch Olindo Mare are reliable options that will get work somewhere.
Defensive Linemen:
1. Cliff Avril (Seahawks). Aggressive birds land 1 more big fish.
2. Michael Bennett (Seahawks). Ditto.
3. Chris Canty (Ravens). More beef for the D-line.
4. Glenn Dorsey (49ers). Iffy move, could pan out nicely.
5. Cullen Jenkins (Giants). Solid move here for Coughlin.
6. Paul Kruger (Browns). Great pickup, will have good D in CLE.
7. Matt Shaughnessy (Cardinals). Could help out.
BEST OUT THERE: Elvis Dumervil will get paid big to play somewhere, he says he wants to stay in Denver. John Abraham will be worth every penny for whomever decides to pay him; the Falcons will regret releasing him. Robert Geathers, Andre Carter and Kenyon Coleman could give a team another solid year. Vonnie Holiday can still play. A handful of younger players like Vaughn Martin, Terrence Knighton, and Turk McBride should find work. Osi Omenyiora, Rocky Bernard, Richard Seymour, and several other veterans will catch on somewhere.
Linebackers:
1. Danell Ellerbe (Dolphins). OK move, Fins lose a solid Dansby.
2. Philip Wheeler (Dolphins). OK move, FIns lose solid Barnett.
3. Geno Hayes (Jaguars). Could pan out. Maybe.
4. Nick Roach (Raiders). Will help this defense.
5. Jasper Brinkley (Cardinals). A solid player, could start.
6. Stewart Bradley (Broncos). Can he get his mojo back?
BEST OUT THERE: Dozens of free agent linebackers will sign with their current teams before all is said and done. The aforementioned Karlos Dansby and Nick Barnett, as well as Rey Maualuga, Daryl Smith, Justin Durant, DJ Williams, James Harrison, Takeo Spikes, Bart Scott, and James Anderson can form at least two starting NFL linebacker units, and they will find work somewhere. Brian Urlacher will need to take a pay cut to stay in Chicago, or he will also become available. Leroy Hill and Dan Connor will also find a new team in 2013.
Defensive Backs:
1. Dashon Goldson (Bucs). Expensive but Bucs are desparate.
2. Sean Smith (Chiefs). An upgrade for Kansas City.
3. Patrick Chung (Eagles). A hustler, and ideal nickel back.
4. George Wilson (Titans). Big hitter a plus move for Tennessee.
5. Cary Williams (Eagles). Another upgrade for Chip.
6. Dunta Robinson (Chiefs). With Smith will start for the Chiefs.
7. D. Rodgers-Cromartie (Broncos). Does he still have it?
8. Glover Quinn (Lions). Perhaps Detroit's best offseason move.
9. LaRon Landry (Colts). He is a gamer and will help the Colts.
10. Yeremiah Bell (Cardinals). Tackling machine a good fit.
11. Derek Cox (Chargers). Gets a big contract in sunny San Diego.
BEST OUT THERE: Darrell Revis is coming off surgery and suitors are not lining up as expected, especially considering his high price tag. But he will play somewhere in 2013. Ed Reed should also be playing football this year for someone, possibly the Ravens again. You would think his leadership abilities would be valued more in Baltimore than anywhere else. Nnamdi Asomugha, Michael Huff, Antoine Winfield, and Brent Grimes will find new teams.
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