Welcome to free agency 2012.
A record number of franchise tags thinned this year’s top-75 list considerably. Some key re-signings also took big names off the market. Not to worry This happens every season. Most guys make it to free agency because their teams don’t truly want them.
There are exceptions to that rule. And those exceptions will make a ridiculous amount of money in the next week. With final cuts now over, here are Rotoworld’s Top 75 free agents.
The excitement officially kicks off at 4:00 p.m. ET Tuesday. We’ll have you covered on our player news page all week.
The difference makers
1. Mario Williams, Texans DE/OLB: I made the case that Williams may not be one of the best five defensive ends in football. He will still get paid like the best.
2. Peyton Manning, Colts QB: If there’s even a 50% chance he’s the old Manning, he will be worth the risk. I’m also looking forward to when all the losers in the Manning derby have to cover their ass. New contracts for everyone!
3. Cortland Finnegan, Titans CB: Finnegan is the guy you hate to play against, but love having on your side.
4. Vincent Jackson, Chargers WR: A rare No. 1 receiver that has the tools to succeed in any scheme.
5. Carl Nicks, Saints G: A one-man infusion of nasty for your running game.
Quality starters
6. Brandon Carr, Chiefs CB: Above-average starting cornerback play does not come cheaply this time of year.
7. Paul Soliai, Dolphins NT: With Sione Pouha back in New York, Soliai is the only true run-stuffing linemen available.
8. Chris Myers, Texans C: You can make a strong case Myers was the best center in football last year.
9. Eric Winston, Texans T: There’s always one big surprise cut before free agency starts. Winston was the guy this year. He isn’t coming off his best year, but he’s a top-10 starting right tackle.
10. Matt Flynn, Packers QB: I’m buying the hype.
11. Ben Grubbs, Ravens G: Plug him into your starting lineup for the next 3-4 years.
12. Red Bryant, Seahawks DL: The more you watch him play, the more there is to like. (UPDATE: Re-signed on a five-year deal.)
13. Brodrick Bunkley, Broncos DT: Based just on 2011 game tape, you could argue Bunkley belongs in the “difference maker” category.
14. Tracy Porter, Saints CB: Everyone seems to forget how strong Porter can perform at his best. Highly experienced, talented young cover guys are not easy to find.
15. Stephen Tulloch, Lions LB: I’ve been a big fan of Tulloch for a few years. He’s one of the most underrated, versatile inside linebackers in football and he’s shown he can perform on multiple teams.
16. Brandon Lloyd, Rams WR: He’s not a true No. 1 receiver. He wouldn’t have to be if he lands in New England.
17. Marques Colston, Saints WR: The heart of a champion with the knees of a 40-year-old. I’d worry about Colston away from Drew Brees. (UPDATE: Re-signed with Saints on five-year contract.)
18. Curtis Lofton, Falcons LB: A sure tackler with leadership ability, but not a huge difference maker for what he’ll cost.
19. Jared Gaither, Chargers T: Extremely talented left tackle that hasn’t stayed healthy or reliable for very long. Perhaps the best boom or bust free agent out there.
Taking a shot
Some of these guys will cost too much for the risk.
20. Jason Jones, Titans DL: He’s the right age (26) and he’s flashed at various points in his career. He could be a great pickup in the right system.
21. LaRon Landry, Redskins S: All sorts of talent, but Landry is undisciplined and injury prone.
22. Mario Manningham, Giants WR: I almost wrote “Bucs WR” that connection has been mentioned so often. Manningham has a lot of talent but makes way too many mental errors.
23. John Abraham, Falcons DE: He’s a strong situational pass rusher that will probably get overpaid.
24. Kendall Langford, Dolphins DL: He's still young, versatile, and has shown flashes of being a difference maker.
25. Michael Bush, Raiders RB: He’s better served as a complementary player, but Bush can handle all three downs just fine.
26. Robert Meachem, Saints WR: Speed kills and no one questions Meachem’s big play ability. But do we really think most teams will get more out of him than Sean Payton and Drew Brees.
27. Jameel McClain, Ravens LB: He flashes serious ability and comes from a great system. McClain is one of my favorite sleepers.
28. Andre Carter, Patriots DE: Carter was playing at a Pro Bowl level before he got hurt late in the season.
29. Eric Wright, Lions CB: I heard from one team at the Combine that said they considered Wright the best right cornerback on the market. He’s streaky but can play at a very high level.
30. David Hawthorne, Seahawks LB: A cheaper version of Curtis Lofton.
31. Scott Wells, Packers C: Undersized quality starting center coming off his best season.
32. Evan Mathis, Eagles G: ProFootballFocus couldn’t have a man crush this big on a guy for no reason.
Welcome to free agency 2012.
A record number of franchise tags thinned this year’s top-75 list considerably. Some key re-signings also took big names off the market. Not to worry This happens every season. Most guys make it to free agency because their teams don’t truly want them.
There are exceptions to that rule. And those exceptions will make a ridiculous amount of money in the next week. With final cuts now over, here are Rotoworld’s Top 75 free agents.
The excitement officially kicks off at 4:00 p.m. ET Tuesday. We’ll have you covered on our player news page all week.
The difference makers
1. Mario Williams, Texans DE/OLB: I made the case that Williams may not be one of the best five defensive ends in football. He will still get paid like the best.
2. Peyton Manning, Colts QB: If there’s even a 50% chance he’s the old Manning, he will be worth the risk. I’m also looking forward to when all the losers in the Manning derby have to cover their ass. New contracts for everyone!
3. Cortland Finnegan, Titans CB: Finnegan is the guy you hate to play against, but love having on your side.
4. Vincent Jackson, Chargers WR: A rare No. 1 receiver that has the tools to succeed in any scheme.
5. Carl Nicks, Saints G: A one-man infusion of nasty for your running game.
Quality starters
6. Brandon Carr, Chiefs CB: Above-average starting cornerback play does not come cheaply this time of year.
7. Paul Soliai, Dolphins NT: With Sione Pouha back in New York, Soliai is the only true run-stuffing linemen available.
8. Chris Myers, Texans C: You can make a strong case Myers was the best center in football last year.
9. Eric Winston, Texans T: There’s always one big surprise cut before free agency starts. Winston was the guy this year. He isn’t coming off his best year, but he’s a top-10 starting right tackle.
10. Matt Flynn, Packers QB: I’m buying the hype.
11. Ben Grubbs, Ravens G: Plug him into your starting lineup for the next 3-4 years.
12. Red Bryant, Seahawks DL: The more you watch him play, the more there is to like. (UPDATE: Re-signed on a five-year deal.)
13. Brodrick Bunkley, Broncos DT: Based just on 2011 game tape, you could argue Bunkley belongs in the “difference maker” category.
14. Tracy Porter, Saints CB: Everyone seems to forget how strong Porter can perform at his best. Highly experienced, talented young cover guys are not easy to find.
15. Stephen Tulloch, Lions LB: I’ve been a big fan of Tulloch for a few years. He’s one of the most underrated, versatile inside linebackers in football and he’s shown he can perform on multiple teams.
16. Brandon Lloyd, Rams WR: He’s not a true No. 1 receiver. He wouldn’t have to be if he lands in New England.
17. Marques Colston, Saints WR: The heart of a champion with the knees of a 40-year-old. I’d worry about Colston away from Drew Brees. (UPDATE: Re-signed with Saints on five-year contract.)
18. Curtis Lofton, Falcons LB: A sure tackler with leadership ability, but not a huge difference maker for what he’ll cost.
19. Jared Gaither, Chargers T: Extremely talented left tackle that hasn’t stayed healthy or reliable for very long. Perhaps the best boom or bust free agent out there.
Taking a shot
Some of these guys will cost too much for the risk.
20. Jason Jones, Titans DL: He’s the right age (26) and he’s flashed at various points in his career. He could be a great pickup in the right system.
21. LaRon Landry, Redskins S: All sorts of talent, but Landry is undisciplined and injury prone.
22. Mario Manningham, Giants WR: I almost wrote “Bucs WR” that connection has been mentioned so often. Manningham has a lot of talent but makes way too many mental errors.
23. John Abraham, Falcons DE: He’s a strong situational pass rusher that will probably get overpaid.
24. Kendall Langford, Dolphins DL: He's still young, versatile, and has shown flashes of being a difference maker.
25. Michael Bush, Raiders RB: He’s better served as a complementary player, but Bush can handle all three downs just fine.
26. Robert Meachem, Saints WR: Speed kills and no one questions Meachem’s big play ability. But do we really think most teams will get more out of him than Sean Payton and Drew Brees.
27. Jameel McClain, Ravens LB: He flashes serious ability and comes from a great system. McClain is one of my favorite sleepers.
28. Andre Carter, Patriots DE: Carter was playing at a Pro Bowl level before he got hurt late in the season.
29. Eric Wright, Lions CB: I heard from one team at the Combine that said they considered Wright the best right cornerback on the market. He’s streaky but can play at a very high level.
30. David Hawthorne, Seahawks LB: A cheaper version of Curtis Lofton.
31. Scott Wells, Packers C: Undersized quality starting center coming off his best season.
32. Evan Mathis, Eagles G: ProFootballFocus couldn’t have a man crush this big on a guy for no reason.
Solid contributors
33. Kyle Orton, Chiefs QB: The NFL’s Rodney Dangerfield is just looking for a little respect. And money. And playing time. And a razor.
34. Carlos Rogers, 49ers CB: Beware the over-30 cornerback coming off a career season.
35. Reggie Wayne, Colts WR: Just know you are paying for a possession receiver, not the Wayne of five years ago. Wayne is a lot closer to late-career Torry Holt than he is to Vincent Jackson.
36. Pierre Garcon, Colts WR: Leading candidate for the Jerry Porter Memorial Overpaid Wide Receiver in Free Agency Award. (UPDATE: Signed with Redskins.)
37. Mark Anderson, Patriots DE: He’s worth more to the Patriots than anyone else.
38. Nick Hardwick, Chargers C: There are a lot of quality centers available this offseason. (UPDATE: Re-signed with Chargers.)
39. Peyton Hillis, Browns RB: His stock is down so far by now that he may come at a nice value for a guy with a versatile skill set.
40. Jason Campbell, Raiders QB: He’s a solid NFL starting quarterback with some potential that his best days are ahead of him. That’s worth taking a gamble on.
41. Eddie Royal, Broncos WR: A poor man’s Percy Harvin. He’d look great back with Mike Shanahan in Washington.
42. Steve Hutchinson, Vikings G: He could be a nice one-year Brian Waters-like pickup for a contending team.
43. Josh Morgan, 49ers WR: Longtime Rotoworld man crush is getting a lot of attention league-wide as a potential starter. (UPDATE: Signed two-year deal with Redskins.)
44. Alex Smith, 49ers QB: Like Kurt Warner a few years back, no one believes Smith will leave town. Warner made a visit.
45. Jeremy Mincey, Jaguars DE: Leading candidate for the Ray Edwards Memorial Overpaid Defensive End in Free Agency award.
46. Laurent Robinson, Cowboys WR: He caught lightning in a bottle last year in Dallas. Expect him to return to big D.
47. Dan Koppen, Patriots C: See Nick Hardwick.
48. Mike Tolbert, Chargers RB: He’s everything you want out of a backup running back.
49. Demetrius Bell, Bills T: A toolsy player with starting experience that will likely get overpaid.
50. Dwight Lowery, Jaguars S: Jacksonville loved what he brought to their team last year.
51. Kevin Boss, Raiders TE: This guy was too solid for too long in New York to give up on.
Role players
Beware paying these guys too much.
52. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Patriots RB: At least you know he won’t fumble.
53. Dan Connor, Panthers LB: At worst, Connor can be a rotational linebacker for some team.
54. Aaron Ross, Giants CB: You are better off if he’s your third cornerback instead of a starter.
55. Frostee Rucker, Bengals DE: Put off-field questions behind him to become a fine rotational disruptive force.
56. Derek Landri, Eagles DT: Another guy that can give you quality snaps in a limited role.
57. Jarret Johnson, Ravens LB: Don’t pay for past production.
58. Richard Marshall, Arizona CB: Serviceable cornerbacks usually get overpaid in free agency.
59. Chad Henne, Dolphins QB: I’d take him over Mark Sanchez. The Jets may have that choice.
60. Anthony Collins, Bengals T: Silva was right. Collins is a potential diamond in the rough.
61. John Carlson, Seahawks TE: You could do worse if desperate for tight end help.
62. Erin Henderson, Vikings LB: He may have more upside than his well-known older brother.
63. Reggie Nelson, Bengals S: I don’t trust him away from Bengals coordinator Mike Zimmer.
64. Tim Hightower, Redskins RB: Does a lot of things well. Hightower played a lot of quality snaps before tearing his ACL last year.
65. London Fletcher, Redskins LB: A great locker presence that can still play in his mid-30’s.
66. James Hall, Rams DE: The definition of a solid veteran defensive end.
67. Tony Brown, Titans DE: It’s hard to keep all the Titans defensive linemen straight.
68. Ronald Bartell, Rams CB: Was overpaid by St. Louis, but he can still help a team.
69. Pat Sims, Bengals DT: A decent run-stopper.
70. Levi Brown, Cardinals T: Some team will think they can turn around the former top-five back. Don’t be that team. He’s one of the worst starters in football.
71. Jeff Backus, Lions T: He should return to the Lions.
72. Adam Carriker, Redskins DL: Turned his career around in Washington.
73. Braylon Edwards, 49ers WR: How the mighty have fallen.
74. Neil Rackers, Texans K: I needed a kicker for this list.
75. Andre Caldwell, Bengals WR: He could be a nice slot receiver in the right system.
75. (tie) Marcus Trufant, Seahawks CB: Beware the over-30 cornerback again.
Bigger names than games
Steve Smith, Eagles WR: He would make a lot of sense back with the Giants.
Dallas Clark, Colts TE: His best hope is to follow Peyton Manning wherever he goes.
Cedric Benson, Bengals RB: He should be a backup, but he won’t want to be one.
Plaxico Burress, Jets WR: Not an every down receiver.
Brandon Jacobs, Giants RB: Not worth the trouble.
Jerome Simpson, Bengals WR: They don’t give you bonus points for top play nominees.
Deion Branch, Patriots WR: Only valuable to the Patriots.