2011 NFL Free Agency: One Free Agent Each NFL Team Refuses to Overpay

Once the NFL lockout is finally lifted, teams will scramble to re-sign their players before they even begin to receive offers from other teams.

However, there are some players that teams may wish to allow them to test the free agent waters—simply because they'll refuse to overpay them.

Here is a list of free agents, one from each team, that they'll refuse to overpay for. 

 

This article was first seen at PatriotsPlus.net. Be sure to follow Tony Santorsa on Twitter @   TonySantorsa.  

Arizona Cardinals: Early Doucet

Wide receiver Early Doucet may have a promising future in the NFL, but the Arizona Cardinals will likely refuse to overpay for him.

Doucet, who's set to become a restricted free agent, has only played in 26 games over the course of his three-year career with the Cards. 

I'm sure that if another team jumps in and offers Doucet a huge chunk of change, the Cardinals will gladly take the draft pick in return. 

Atlanta Falcons: Mike Peterson

Linebacker Mike Peterson, who's one of the Atlanta Falcons' defensive leaders, is set to become a restricted free agent, and many clubs may show interest despite him being 35 years old.

Peterson, who had a relatively down year in 2010, would be best served to stay with the Falcons; however, it won't be for a large contract.

If a large enough offer is placed on the table from another team, the Falcons will likely let the 35-year-old walk.

Baltimore Ravens: T.J. Houshmandzadeh

T.J. Houshmandzadeh may have expressed his interest in re-signing with the Baltimore Ravens, but it will certainly have to be at a low cost considering his poor production last season.

The chances of Houshmandzadeh staying with Baltimore are slim; however, if he's willing to take a significant pay cut, the Ravens likely welcome him back.

Buffalo Bills: Donte Whitner

Donte Whitner, who's arguably the top safety available, will definitely receive plenty of offers that include a very large contract—something that the Buffalo Bills will refuse to match. 

Carolina Panthers: DeAngelo Williams

The Carolina Panthers, who are in an obvious state of rebuilding, will definitely not go the extra mile to keep DeAngelo Williams a Panther.

Williams, who has been the team's top running back over the years, will be turning 28 years old and is arguably the top running back available.

The Panthers already have Jonathan Stewart under contract, and has shown signs of greatness and the ability to be the team's lead-back. 

Chicago Bears: Olin Kreutz

Veteran center, Olin Kreutz, who just turned 34 years old, is likely on his way out of Chicago.

Kreutz, who has a great deal of experience, will likely gather multiple offers from potential suitors that will believe he could anchor the team's offensive line next season. 

Cincinnati Bengals: Terrell Owens

Terrell Owens proved in his one-year stint with the Cincinnati Bengals that he could still produce at 37 years old will likely not return next season due to his ACL injury.

Owens, who will likely not retire but will not be ready for the start of next season, could possibly receive other offers, but if he plans on staying in Cincy, it will have to be at a very low-cost. 

Cleveland Browns: Eric Wright

Cornerback Eric Wright has been a rather disappointment for the Cleveland Browns, as he stands at 25 years old, and will likely only return to the Browns at low cost.

Wright, who definitely has potential, could gather a handful of offers once the lockout is lifted. 

Dallas Cowboys: Marcus Spears

Marcus Spears, who has all the tools to be a great defensive end, will likely be on his way out of Dallas once the lockout is lifted.

Spears has yet to develop into a quality defensive end and the Cowboys will refuse to overpay for him—quite frankly, they'll probably just let him walk.  

Denver Broncos: Ryan Harris

Ryan Harris will likely no return next season as a Denver Bronco, according to the Denver Post.

However, there is always a chance that Harris could possibly end up staying with the Broncos, if it's at the right price. 

Detroit Lions: Drew Stanton

Quarterback Drew Stanton has proven to be a quality NFL back-up and should receive some intriguing offers once he enters the free agent waters.

The Detroit Lions will probably show interest in re-signing Stanton, but with Matthew Stafford as the team's future at quarterback, they'll refuse to overpay for Stanton. 

Green Bay Packers: John Kuhn

The Green Bay Packers have already taken care of most of their players that they wanted to re-sign prior to the lockout, however fullback John Kuhn is one that they did not sign.

Kuhn, who's one of the league's best fullbacks, should receive a lot of contract offers from other teams. 

Houston Texans: Jacoby Jones

Jacoby Jones had a breakout season last year for the Houston Texans is set to become a restricted free agent once the lockout is lifted.

Jones, who's been rather inconsistent over his career, has loads of potential, which could cause many teams to offer him a large chunk of change—something that the Texans may refuse to match.  

Indianapolis Colts: Clint Session

Clint Session, who only suited up for five games last season for the Indianapolis Colts, is one player that they'll definite refuse to overpay.

Indianapolis placed a a tender on Session, will likely let him walk if another team decides to overpay the linebacker. 

Jacksonville Jaguars: Mike Sims-Walker

Mike Sims-Walker will certainly test the free agent waters once the lockout is lifted, as many speculate, including myself, that he's set to receive a handful of contract offers.

Sims-Walker, whose only 26 years old, is a wide receiver that's on the rise, and the Jacksonville Jaguars may not want to overpay for his services. 

Kansas City Chiefs: Mike Vrabel

Veteran linebacker Mike Vrabel may be a defensive leader for the Kansas City Chiefs, but his production is definitely on the decline.

The Chiefs will definitely not go the extra mile to re-sign Vrabel, as some other teams may offer the former great pass rusher a nice chunk of change. 

Miami Dolphins: Ronnie Brown

As the Miami Dolphins drafted Daniel Thomas during this year's draft, the chances of Ronnie Brown returning next season take a significant drop. 

Brown, who should gather some intriguing offers this off-season, is likely not in Miami's plan for their future—meaning that the Dolphins simply don't want to pay him.  

Minnesota Vikings: Pat Williams

It's definitely likely that another team will swoop right in and offer the 38-year-old Pat Williams a large contract that the Minnesota Vikings will refuse to match.

Williams, who's at the the tail end of his career, is one player that the Vikings will refuse to overpay simply because of his age. 

New England Patriots: Matt Light

The New England Patriots will likely let Matt Light walk, as they recently selected Nate Solder with their 17th overall pick in this year's draft.

New England could possibly re-sign Light, but it will have to be at a low-cost contract, as he's not in the future plans for the team's left tackle position. 

New Orleans Saints: Roman Harper

Roman Harper, who's will likely field other offers from other teams, is one player that the New Orleans Saints will refuse to overpay.

Harper, who's had solid production, is definitely replaceable which is the main reason why the Saints will not enter a biding war for him with another team. 

New York Giants: Ahmad Bradshaw

The New York Giants probably have enough money to keep Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw, but Bradshaw could certainly receive much better offers from other teams once free agency begins.

Bradshaw is a quality running back but the Giants would likely not overpay for his services, as there are a plethora of other running backs available via free agency. 

New York Jets: Antonio Cromartie

If the New York Jets want to keep Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes, then they'll simply going to have to left Antonio Cromartie walk.

Cromartie will certainly receive many offers that include large amounts of money, and the Jets will probably refuse to match any offers. 

Oakland Raiders: Robert Gallery

Robert Gallery may have been a bust at left tackle, but has become one of the league's top offensive guards.

The Oakland Raiders will not overpay Gallery if they want to have any chance at re-signing cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. 

Philadelphia Eagles: Quintin Mikell

Quintin Mikell's time as a Philadelphia Eagle is likely over as he'll enter free agency as one of the top safeties available and should receiver many intriguing offers from other teams. 

Pittsburgh Steelers: Ike Taylor

Ike Taylor will definitely gather many contract offers that include a large chunk of change once free agency begins, and the Pittsburgh Steelers will refuse to overpay for Taylor once it reaches a certain point.  

San Diego Chargers: Darren Sproles

Running back Darren Sproles' days as a San Diego Charger is likely done once free agency begins.

Sproles, who's one of the top change-of-pace running backs in the NFL, will receive many offers this offseason, and the Chargers will probably refuse to overpay for the scat-back. 

San Francisco 49ers: Alex Smith

Many may consider that Colin Kaepernick is the future in San Francisco, but Alex Smith will likely receive a contract offer, according to multiple sources. 

However, if another team swoops in and offers Smith a lot of guaranteed money, than the 49ers will refuse to match the other and Smith will probably take that offer in a heartbeat. 

Seattle Seahawks: Brandon Mebane

Brandon Mebane will be one of the most sought after defensive linemen once free agency begins.

The Seattle Seahawks have tried to reach a long-term deal with Mebane, but will probably refuse to overpay the 26-year-old. 

St. Louis Rams: Laurent Robinson

Laurent Robinson is a young wide receiver that may have a bright future in the NFL, but the St. Louis Rams may have seen enough to believe that he's not worth a large contract.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cadillac Williams

Cadillac Williams could potentially return as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer in 2011, but it will have to be at a low price.

Williams, who's expressed interest in returning with the Bucs, could field some other intriguing offers which may result in the Bucs refusing to overpay the 29-year-old. 

Tennessee Titans: Kerry Collins

Kerry Collins has proven to be a serviceable quarterback in the NFL, but due to his age he is probably not in the Tennessee Titans' plans for the future.

Collins would be a nice mentor for rookie Jake Locker, but there are many other teams in the league that will be searching for veteran presence at the quarterback position. 

Washington Redskins: Santana Moss

Wide receiver Santana Moss had a career year last season with the Washington Redskins as he reeled in 93 balls while scoring six touchdowns and accumulating 1,115 yards.

However, the Redskins may refuse to overpay for him.

The Redskins are in a rebuilding state, and may decide to save as much money as possible, but would gladly have Moss return for a decent price.