ESPN: Lenny P. Top 30 Unrestricted Free Agents...

[WoodysGirl]

Clements heads list of free agents


By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
Archive





With free agency set to start (Friday at 12:01 a.m. ET), here are my top 30 unfettered players in free agency. The group is comprised of unrestricted players and those who were released since the end of the season. It does not include restricted free agents or players designated as franchise or transition free agents. (Editor's note: This list is as of Thursday morning and will not include any players released at a later date.)

Top 30 UFAs

Player2006 teamComment

1. CB Nate Clements
• Scouting report

Bills Not quite in Champ Bailey's class as a player yet, but as the top overall unrestricted veteran this spring, and playing a premium position at only age 27, Clements may get into his tax bracket.
Possible landing spot: Cleveland, Tennessee.

2. LB Adalius Thomas
• Scouting report

Ravens Versatile, hybrid defender has played nearly every position in 4-3 and 3-4 schemes. Had 11 sacks in 2006 and averaged 9.3 sacks over the past three seasons. Superior athlete with size and speed.
Possible landing spot: San Francisco, Cleveland.

3. OG Eric Steinbach
• Scouting report

Bengals Durable lineman who has missed only one game and two starts in four seasons. More a technician than a brawler. At least one team feels he could be a standout tackle and several contend he would be a Pro Bowl-level center.
Possible landing spot: Cleveland.

4. OG Kris Dielman
• Scouting report

Chargers A self-made player who logged very little field time in his first two seasons in the league, then really blossomed the last two years. More of an in-line mauler than Steinbach, plays with a real nasty streak.
Possible landing spot: Seattle, Miami.

5. TE Daniel Graham
• Scouting report

Patriots Often overshadowed in the two-tight end alignments utilized by the Patriots, and never caught more than 38 passes in a season. But a talented two-way player who will add yards after the catch and is much coveted.
Possible landing spot: Denver, Seattle.

6. DE Patrick Kerney
• Scouting report

Falcons Combines blue-collar toughness with ability to get to the quarterback, as evidenced by 58 career sacks. Coming off a torn pectoral muscle in 2006 that ruined his season, but well ahead of schedule in rehabilitation.
Possible landing spot: Denver, Tennessee, Minnesota.

7. LB L. Fletcher-Baker
• Scouting report

Bills At age 31, no youngster, but is still a high-energy tackling machine who will make the plays that need to be made between the tackles and add a ton of veteran leadership as well.
Possible landing spot: Washington.

8. OT Leonard Davis
• Scouting report

Cardinals Career underachiever who has never lived up to his status as the second overall pick in the 2001 draft, and probably never will. But has played every spot on the line except center and is the only viable left tackle available.
Possible landing spot: San Francisco, Miami.

9. WR Donte' Stallworth
• Scouting report

Eagles Speedster might always be hounded by injuries and inconsistency, but it's hard to overlook his big-play potential or the fact he has scored once every 8.3 receptions over the course of his career.
Possible landing spot: Tennessee, San Francisco, Washington.

10. FS Deon Grant
• Scouting report

Jaguars Never known as a big hitter, but has developed over the last few seasons into a solid two-way defender and a steadying influence in the secondary. Has 18 career interceptions and has proven very durable since missing his entire rookie season.
Possible landing spot: Dallas, New Orleans.

11. LB Cato June
• Scouting report

Colts Former college safety who evolved into a playmaking Cover 2 weakside linebacker during his Colts tenure. A bit undersized and doesn't always hold up at the point of attack, might only fit into the Cover 2 scheme.
Possible landing spot: Detroit, Carolina.

12. OG Derrick Dockery
• Scouting report

Commanders A classic "road grader" type in-line blocker with great power and the ability to knock defenders off the line of scrimmage. Not quite in the class of Steinbach or Dielman, but not too far behind, either.
Possible landing spot: Miami.

13. DT Robaire Smith
• Scouting report

Titans His performance seems to have hit a plateau over the last few seasons. He has bounced around some, but Smith is still a quality inside defender in a 4-3 front, and has something left in the tank.
Possible landing spot: Denver, Arizona, Detroit.

14. RB Ahman Green
• Scouting report

Packers Has posted six 1,000-yard rushing seasons in nine years and came back from a 2005 injury to gain 1,059 yards in 2006. Quality back and person, but he is 30 years old and isn't nearly as spry as he used to be.
Possible landing spot: Green Bay.

15. DT Ian Scott
• Scouting report

Bears Not a real standout defender, and only a part-time starter for most of his career, but has a live body and will mix things up. Still young, only 25 years old, and has made strides every season in the league.
Possible landing spot: Cincinnati, Atlanta, Kansas City.

16. DE Dewayne White
• Scouting report

Bucs Situational pass rusher for much of his career, but has 14 sacks over the past three seasons, and some team is going to spend big money betting that he can become a double-digit sacker if he plays full-time.
Possible landing spot: Cleveland, Minnesota, Detroit, Denver.

17. WR Drew Bennett
• Scouting report

Bills Only two years removed from a 2004 season in which he posted 80 catches, 1,247 yards and 11 touchdowns, but has suffered through some injuries. Long, angular guy with deceptive deep speed and motivation to prove he's healthy again.
Possible landing spot: Tennessee.

18. CB Nick Harper
• Scouting report

Colts For years, the Colts kept trying to replace him, and every year found out he was their most consistent cornerback. Plays the run tough, has 15 career interceptions and gets his hands on the football a lot, as evidenced by 42 pass deflections. Possible landing spot: Arizona, Minnesota.

19. RB Jamal Lewis
• Scouting report

Ravens Off-field issues and ankle problems have taken a toll, and he's averaged just 1,014.6 yards per season since rushing for 2,066 yards in 2003. Over past two years, has averaged only 3.5 yards per carry and hasn't demonstrated much burst.
Possible landing spot: Baltimore.

20. QB Jeff Garcia
• Scouting report

Eagles Snubbed by the Eagles, despite leading the team to the playoffs in Donovan McNabb's absence in 2006, three-time Pro Bowl performer will be a comforting insurance policy for some other team in 2007. Possible landing spot: Denver, Oakland.

21. OT Tony Pashos
• Scouting report

Ravens Only has 23 career starts, but has developed nicely over the past two seasons and teams really like his upside. Not a real strong technician, but uses his hands well to redirect defenders and shows some push off the line of scrimmage.
Possible landing spot: Miami, Tampa Bay.

22. SS Ken Hamlin
• Scouting report

Seahawks Overcame serious head injury sustained in 2005 to reclaim his starting spot last season and played well, especially versus the run. A big hitter with limited range and is always going to be most effective playing close to the line.
Possible landing spot: Houston, Carolina.

23. WR Kevin Curtis
• Scouting report

Rams Although he's averaged just 12.6 yards per catch over his career, teams love his deep speed and quickness and he fits really well in certain offensive schemes. Playing time was severely reduced in 2006.
Possible landing spot: Detroit.

24. ROT Luke Petitgout
• Scouting report

Giants Hard to overlook broken leg from 2006 or chronic back problems, but the eight-year veteran has logged 106 career starts and is a guy who always gives an honest effort. Released by Giants two weeks ago.
Possible landing spot: Tampa Bay.

25. DT Anthony Adams
• Scouting report

49ers An undersized but active interior lineman who was not served well by the 49ers' defensive changes of the past couple seasons and probably needs to get to a team with a one-gap system. Can be disruptive at times.
Possible landing spot: Chicago, New Orleans.

26. LB Napoleon Harris
• Scouting report

Vikings Steady, versatile 'backer, has started in the middle and on the strong side and, for the most part, has been productive. Moves well laterally and can chase plays to the sideline, not bad in pass defense, either.
Possible landing spot: Minnesota.

27. SS Michael Lewis
• Scouting report

Eagles Obvious physical limitations in coverage and dropped out of favor with Eagles coaches in 2006 after having been a starter since his rookie season. Has to get to a scheme that allows him to play "in the box" and which can camouflage his other deficiencies.
Possible landing spot: Carolina.

28. FB Ovie Mughelli
• Scouting report

Ravens Has touched the ball only 36 times in his career, including just 12 rushes, but his skills as a powerful lead blocker are going to make Mughelli a lot of money. Could land one of the best deals ever for a blocking fullback.
Possible landing spot: Carolina, Arizona, Miami.

29. OT Jon Stinchcomb
• Scouting report

Saints Played in only 10 games his first three seasons. Earned a starting berth in 2006 and performed well in the Saints' resurgent season. Not the most physical blocker around and might actually be better playing the left side for some teams.
Possible landing spot: Miami, Tampa Bay.

30. FS Kevin Kaesviharn
• Scouting report

Bengals Little more than a spare part for much of his career, but has emerged the past two seasons as a very solid nickel defender and a guy some team is going to want to have around. Had six interceptions in 2006.
Possible landing spot: Dallas, Detroit.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

LINK

 

[Bryan8284]

What happened to Dockery's head? It's squeezed tight.

 

[Jimz31]

Looking at the menu....I'll take an Adalius Thomas with Tabasco...Kris Dielman with fires....Patrick Kerney with Ketchup, with a Deon Grant on the side....

Now my pockets are empty.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Grant and Kaesviharn are the only guys we got associated with? No Davis or anyone else?

Kevin K might not be a bad nickel safety. The ball does seem to find him.

 

[fanfromvirginia]

Well, it may not be the most talented crew of FAs in recent memory, but it is collectively butt-ugly.