http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/nfl/42790/309/free-agency-update
1. Defensive end Elvis Dumervil -- Released Friday after a contract snafu that cost agent Marty Magid his job, Dumervil is now the top unsigned player available. He recently turned 29 and has 38 sacks to go with ten forced fumbles over the past three years. Primarily a 4-3 right end in Denver, Dumervil had his best season playing in Mike Nolan's 3-4 in 2009. The scheme versatility increases Dumervil's market appeal. Pittsburgh and Baltimore have shown preliminary interest.
2. Right tackle Andre Smith -- Smith is 26 years old and coming off a dominant season, but no substantive report has linked him to any team besides the Bengals. He's generating zero buzz. Clubs appear to be wary of Smith's history of weight fluctuation, which may be an especially big concern once he gets paid. Cincinnati still can't afford to lose him, and he'll likely re-sign there.
3. Cornerback Brent Grimes -- With virtually all of the young, healthy corners taken off the market, interest is picking up in rehabbing, 30-year-old Grimes. He visited the Dolphins on Friday and Browns on Saturday, and the Falcons remain squarely in the running. Because Grimes tore his Achilles' tendon last September, teams' initial offers probably consisted mostly of incentive-laden deals. Grimes figures to sign with the club that offers him the most guaranteed money.
4. Defensive end John Abraham -- Abraham remains one of the league's premier sack and forced fumble specialists, but the market has been lukewarm for a situational player going on age 35. So far, Abraham has visited the Patriots, 49ers, and Seahawks. He was also rumored to have shown up at the Dolphins' facility last week, but never met with team officials. Abraham's destination is difficult to predict because he seems to want more money than teams are offering.
5. Offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer -- Perhaps partially due to February knee surgery coupled with a history of back problems, Vollmer's market has been shockingly cold for one of the increasingly pass-happy NFL's top pass protectors.
Jake Long's Sunday night signing in St. Louis could quickly get the ball rolling. Long, Vollmer, and
Andre Smith are all represented by Creative Artists Agency, which had caused a conflict of interest at the top of the offensive tackle market. With Long's four-year, $34 million deal done, CAA has a contract template from which to work.
6. Defensive end Osi Umenyiora -- Like Long, Smith, and Vollmer, Umenyiora, Dumervil, and
Dwight Freeney are all repped by CAA. Osi and Freeney may have to wait for Dumervil to set the market before catching on. As of late Sunday, Rotoworld had not done a Umenyiora news blurb for eight days. It suggests teams aren't even considering Osi yet because his asking price is too high. The Giants may still be in the mix. Atlanta will have to sign a pass rusher at some point.
7. Cornerback Antoine Winfield -- Winfield was so shocked by his March 12 release that he needed a week to "decompress." He spent the last nine years in Minnesota, earning three Pro Bowl trips and grading out in 2012 as Pro Football Focus' No. 1 cornerback. Winfield can still play, though he shouldn't expect much money in an incredibly watered-down cornerback market. At 36, Winfield will be looking to sign with a Super Bowl contender. He'd make a ton of sense in Seattle.
8. Free safety Ed Reed -- Reed's decision seems to have come down to Baltimore and Houston. He took a two-day visit to Texans late last week, and brought their offer back to the Ravens, giving GM Ozzie Newsome an opportunity to match. Despite signing third safety-type
Craig Dahl, the 49ers are lurking and shouldn't be ruled out. Reed is entering his age-35 season.
9. Defensive end Dwight Freeney -- Eight of the top 11 remaining free agents will be over 30 when the 2013 season starts. Freeney falls into that boat, having recently turned 33. The Patriots and Broncos have both shown significant interest in Freeney, and New England hosted him for a club-facility visit Friday. He left without signing a contract. Following Friday's unintended release of
Elvis Dumervil, look for Denver to heat up its efforts to sign Freeney early this week.
10. Linebacker James Harrison -- Harrison turns 35 in May and his body may be breaking down, but he can still put heat on quarterbacks. The Ravens are the only team known to have contacted Harrison since his Steelers release. He'd be a nice stopgap solution on passing downs.
11. Free safety Kerry Rhodes -- Rhodes has a reputation for being soft, but he's one of the league's premier centerfield safeties. He also caused six turnovers in 2012, picking off four passes and popping loose two fumbles. Media reports have not linked Rhodes to any teams yet.
12. Outside linebacker Victor Butler -- The typical starting 3-4 rush linebacker plays roughly 1,000 snaps per year. Buried behind
DeMarcus Ware and
Anthony Spencer in Dallas, Butler has played 803 career snaps across four seasons, per Pro Football Focus. He's efficiently parlayed them into 11 sacks and four forced fumbles. Just 26, potential hidden gem Butler has been pursued by the Steelers and Jets. He really wants to reunite with
Rob Ryan in New Orleans.
13. Linebacker Karlos Dansby -- Dansby was released by the Dolphins on March 12. An apt description of his market since would be "crickets." Expect it heat up this week. Dansby has played 3-4 inside linebacker, 4-3 SAM linebacker, and 4-3 MIKE 'backer in his career. He remains a high-impact run defender and would be a savvy replacement for
Dannell Ellerbe in Baltimore.
14. Defensive lineman Richard Seymour -- The contending Falcons and Broncos "put out feelers" for Seymour when the signing period opened, but that's been the extent of it. While still an effective player when healthy, Seymour is pondering retirement unless an offer blows him away.
15. Guard Brandon Moore -- With Andy Levitre, Louis Vasquez, and Donald Thomas all off the market, Moore is the best guard left. After the Willie Colon signing, he won't be back with the Jets. Moore turns 33 in June, but remains a dominant run blocker and is adequate in pass pro.
16. Right tackle Eric Winston -- Winston is another starting-caliber right tackle who had been waiting on
Jake Long's decision. 29 years old and a high-impact run blocker for zone schemes, Winston should be on the radars of Washington, San Diego, Philadelphia, and Miami.
17. Cornerback Mike Jenkins --
There are plenty of reasons to dislike Jenkins. He's not a physical player. He's been injury prone. He didn't play much in Dallas last year. But Jenkins is a 28-year-old former first-round pick with a Pro Bowl on his resume, and enough god-given ability to rejuvenate his career in the right spot. NFL teams can never have too many talented cornerbacks.
18. Defensive end Israel Idonije -- Idonije racked up 48 tackles and 7.5 sacks as a versatile tackle/end in Chicago last season. He's 32, but still a highly effective wave lineman.
19. Wide receiver Brandon Lloyd -- Cut Saturday, Lloyd is easily the most talented wideout available, but bipolar behavior and poor production outside of Josh McDaniels offenses will depress his market. There is speculation he'll re-sign in New England on a reduced deal.
20. Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha -- Perhaps returning to the Bay Area would spark Asomugha's passion for the game. He didn't seem all in for last year's Eagles. The 49ers hosted Asomugha late last week, and he visited the Saints this weekend. Asomugha turns 32 in July.
21. Cornerback DeAngelo Hall -- Hall seems like he's been around forever, but he's still only 29. A report he'd signed with the Lions proved erroneous. Hall is generating scant interest on the open market. The Commanders would take him back, but only at a significantly reduced salary.
22. Linebacker Daryl Smith -- Smith was one of the league's most underrated linebackers from 2005-2011. Now 31 and coming off an injury-ruined season, Smith has stirred up little to no free-agent buzz. If his groin checks out, Smith could be a cheap steal for a 4-3 defensive team.
23. Wide receiver Julian Edelman -- Even if clubs aren't intrigued by Edelman's offensive potential -- they
should be -- his special teams value is a huge plus. Edelman has returned a punt for a touchdown in three straight seasons, and ranked third in the NFL last year in punt return average (15.5). Edelman turns 27 in May. He's flashed dynamic ability as a slot receiver.
24. Running back Ahmad Bradshaw -- Adam Schefter reported Sunday that the Packers and Steelers have reached out to Bradshaw. Easily the best back left, Bradshaw's market has been slow to develop because he's undergone three surgeries on his right foot, in addition to a left foot operation and surgeries on both ankles. His latest foot surgery took place in early February.
25. Tight end Fred Davis -- Davis would be signed by now if not for Achilles' surgery. The Browns have made inquiries, but the Commanders fully expect to retain Davis as their 2013 starter.
26. Wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey -- Heyward-Bey is purely a finesse wide receiver, but he's only 26 years old and can flat-out fly. DHB can help a team as a situational deep threat.
27. Left tackle Bryant McKinnie -- McKinnie's superb postseason protection of
Joe Flacco was instrumental to the Ravens' Super Bowl run. They want him back on an incentive-laden deal.
28. Strong safety Quintin Mikell -- Despite releasing him on March 10, the Rams are open to re-signing Mikell after whiffing on
Louis Delmas in free agency. Mikell is a one-trick pony "box" safety going on age 33, but racked up 101 tackles, three sacks, and four forced fumbles last year.
29. Safety Charles Woodson -- Woodson was a liability in Green Bay's defense last year before and after fracturing his collarbone in October. He'll still find a new home because of his versatility and leadership. The Texans and 49ers have flirted with Woodson, who is 36 years old.
30. Free safety Michael Huff -- Despite being shuttled between safety and cornerback last year, Huff remained one of the Raiders' most solid defenders. He was released on March 12 in a salary cap move. Huff is 30 years old now, but can cover the deep middle and that is important.
31. Free safety Ronde Barber --
After dropping a five-year, $41.25 million blockbuster contract onDashon Goldson, the Buccaneers would only take Barber back as a sub-package defender. He does want to continue his career. Barber, 38, has spent all 16 of his seasons in Tampa Bay. He could return as a slot corner and nickel back, but would not be a 2013 starter.
32. Strong safety Bernard Pollard -- When Ozzie Newsome releases you over a $500,000 payment, it's never a good sign for your NFL future. Pollard, 28, is another box-only safety lacking coverage skills. He has a big name, but must be hidden by the scheme on all passing downs.
33. Quarterback Kevin Kolb -- Kolb was a megaflop in Arizona, but he's only 28 years old and very capable of moving an offense with sound pass protection. He'd be one of the better backup quarterbacks in the league. The Jets, though, want to give Kolb an opportunity to start. The marriage makes sense because new OC Marty Mornhinweg coached Kolb in Philadelphia.
34. Cornerback E.J. Biggers -- Still developing, 25-year-old Biggers ran a 4.32 forty at Western Michigan's 2009 Pro Day. He's long and lean at 6-foot, 185, and graded out in 2012 as a top-20 cover corner in Pro Football Focus' ratings. Biggers has been getting no free-agency love.
35. Nose tackle Sione Pouha --
Pouha was one of the league's premier run stoppers as recently as 2011, and the Jets rewarded him with a three-year, $15 million contract. After an injury-plagued 2012 campaign, Pouha was cut. He's 34 now and figures to be far more affordable.
36. Linebacker Brad Jones -- Jones, 27, is capable of playing both inside and outside linebacker. He flourished on the inside with Green Bay last year. Cronies of Packers GM Ted Thompson are scattered throughout NFL front offices. Expect Jones to catch on this week.
37. Linebacker Antwan Barnes -- Barnes is a situational player only, but he has special teams value and 14 sacks over the past two years. He's going on age 29. To this point in free agency, Barnes has drawn the most interest from the Jets. The Dolphins have also reached out.
38. Outside linebacker Shaun Phillips -- Phillips' 2012 statistics look gaudy on paper -- 50 tackles, 9.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles -- but he is a fading, 32-year-old player drawing scant free-agent interest. The Broncos, Cardinals, and Browns have been floated as potential suitors.
39. Running back Felix Jones -- Jones is annually among the most disappointing players in the league, but he's only 26 and has a career yards-per-carry average of 4.79. He's also strong in the pass game. Cap-strapped clubs in need of a change-of-pace back ought give Felix a look.
40. Right tackle Ryan Harris -- Harris has a worrisome injury history, but stayed healthy in Houston last season and just turned 28 years old.
Mike Shanahan needs a right tackle and has long been a Harris fan. He should also be available for around the league's minimum base salary.
41. Return specialist Josh Cribbs -- Cribbs may be close to signing with the Cardinals; as of late Sunday, he was at club headquarters taking a physical. Although 30-year-old Cribbs offers marginal offensive and defensive value, he still balls out on special teams. In 2012, Cribbs ranked eighth in the league in kickoff return average and seventh on punts. He also made nine tackles.
42. Linebacker Justin Durant -- Durant is a stout, downhill defender coming off a 103-tackle season in Detroit. He's 27 and capable of playing all three linebacker positions. The Giants are rumored to have some interest. Durant also played for Bears DC Mel Tucker in Jacksonville.
43. Wide receiver Domenik Hixon -- 28-year-old Hixon can be an asset on punt and kickoff returns, and he's typically held his own in spot starts at receiver. Hixon has started 12 career games, in them catching 41 balls for 613 yards (15.0 average) and a pair of touchdowns.
44. Cornerback Pacman Jones --
Although Jones held up well as Cincinnati's nickel back last season, playing right corner in all sub-packages, he doesn't have many friends left in the NFL. Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is one of the few and wants to bring Pacman back.
45. Linebacker Rey Maualuga -- The Bengals want to re-sign Maualuga, ideally to play the strong side as
Vontaze Burfict takes over in the middle. Maualuga, 26, did make a free-agent trip to Arizona and is also on the Giants' radar. He'll probably stay in Cincy on a one-year pact.
46. Cornerback Tracy Porter -- Still only 26 years old and 37 months removed from Super Bowl stardom, Porter's career is at a crossroads after seizures, a knee injury, and a concussion wrecked his lone season in Denver. He will be worth adding on a cheap, one-year, prove-it deal.
47. Defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks -- The 62nd pick in the 2009 draft, Marks is 26 years old and was a 14-game starter in Tennessee last season. He'd be better off as a reserve.
48. Guard Lance Louis -- Louis visited the Dolphins last week. 28 years old, his market would be stronger had Louis not torn his left ACL last November. The Bears want to keep him.
49. Defensive tackle Vance Walker -- Walker is a 26-year-old 4-3 defensive tackle who stuffs the run and has five sacks the past two seasons. He'd be a nice No. 3 tackle somewhere.
50. Inside linebacker Brian Urlacher -- Urlacher's tank is nearing "E" as knee problems are sapping his athleticism and burst at 35. He still seems likely to finish his career in Chicago.
More Free Agents of Note: Defensive tackle
Dwan Edwards, Linebacker
D.J. Williams, Cornerback
Terence Newman, Defensive tackle
Corey Williams, Fullback
Greg Jones, Wide receiver
Laurent Robinson, Cornerback
D.J. Moore, Defensive end
Lawrence Jackson, Running back
Beanie Wells, Tight end
Dallas Clark, Wide receiver
Randy Moss, Quarterback
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Cornerback
Brice McCain, Nose tackle
Casey Hampton, Wide receiver
Austin Collie, Linebacker
Michael Boley,
Wide receiver Ramses Barden, Tackle
Max Starks, Cornerback
Quentin Jammer, Safety
Gerald Sensabaugh, Guard
Eben Britton, Running back
Michael Turner, Quarterback
Jason Campbell, Running back
Cedric Benson, Quarterback
Josh Johnson, Running back
Peyton Hillis, Wide receiver
Braylon Edwards, Nose tackle
Aubrayo Franklin.
