NFL Free Agents 2011: Evaluating Top 20 Players as Entering, in or Past Prime

There is no set thing for a player's prime. Each player, heck each person, has limitations that another does not. Every player's potential is different. Some players will be stars, some will be role players.

The only thing consistent about a person's prime is that each person has one.

Here is my take on what stage each of the top 20 free agents are in relation to the prime of their careers.

Serial tweeting about NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAA, Soccer and Rugby    @Cianaf

I also write for Irish Central and Fantasy Football Life.

Brandon Mebane

Brandon Mebane has been described as the best 4-3 defensive tackle available by some analysts. At 26 years of age he has somewhat been carrying the flag alone in Seattle for the past few years.

Should he leave Pete Carroll's side, whatever team signs him will be expecting a sustained level of quality over the next four to five years. He may have struggled since his 5.5 sack season three years ago but a lot of that can be blamed on the overall quality of the defense.

Mebane was only a second year player when he eclipsed a five sack season, there is no reason that in a better situation his best years are ahead of him.

Entering Prime.

Davin Joseph

Davin Joseph was a big loss to the Buccaneers when he went on IR last year. At 27 years of age he is a leader for that very young roster.

I fully expect him to return to the Buccaneers and don't see any reason why his level of play should drop off. Joseph is a strong run blocker who should get every chance he can to blow open holes over the next few years for the tenacious LeGarrette Blount.

In Prime.

Zach Miller

While the whole world knows about his teammate, the Raiders will be hoping that Zach Miller remains the best kept secret in Oakland during free agency.

Miller is a fantastic tight end with great hands who's only major limitations have been a product of the carousel at quarterback. With a better signal caller pitching passes his way Miller could be one of the best tight ends in the league.

At 25 he has plenty of time to take that step but maybe a change of scenery is what he needs.

Entering Prime.

Jared Gaither

Okay, here's the deal.

On talent alone Jared Gaither is a top five free agent. He makes my top 20 because not many players offer the upside that he does. He may have only played the best part of two seasons but he was stellar during that time.

Whenever I've watched this guy on the field he has been outstanding. It's no coincidence that the Ravens offensive line struggled so vastly last season. There is no doubt in my mind that the Ravens would have gone back to Gaither at left tackle midway through last season had he been healthy.

Entering Prime.

Barry Cofield

Do the Giants have any bad defensive linemen? I mean besides Osi...

Four sacks from a nose tackle in a contract year is only going to lead to one thing: a big contract! I tend not to care much for defensive tackles statistics but the inconsistency in Cofields is worrying. To me he could easily have played with greater motivation this past season because of the potential for a big contract which is worrying.

It's because of the inconsistency in his statistics that makes me think you won't see last season's production again save for maybe when his new contract comes to an end.

Past Prime.

Carl Nicks

Carl Nicks is 26 years of age and for my mind entered his prime two years ago before the Saints made the Super Bowl.

As a starting guard Nick can expect to have a long career. He is incredibly talented and versatile which will mean that determination and mental toughness will determine how long he can sustain his current level of play. Both Nicks and teammate Jahri Evans epitomize the Saints offense in my mind.

Both players are brilliant as run blockers and pass blockers. Unlike an Alan Faneca or Steve Hutchinson neither is significantly better at one facet of the game. Nicks needs to be somewhere where his talents can be capitalized on and New Orleans is the perfect offense to do that in.

In Prime.

Santonio Holmes

The 2008 playoffs really propelled Santonio Holmes to become the elite receiver that he is today. Ever since that punt return in the playoffs of that year against the Chargers, his career has gone from strength to strength.

When you consider that Holmes has for the most of his career been a second choice receiver on a conservative run first team, then his statistics are given better context. He may not have the numbers but he was easily the best player on the Jets offense last season despite only playing in 12 games.

Holmes is in the best position of any top free agent to help a team now, as well as in the future. At 27, he has at least four years left in his prime.

In Prime.

Cliff Avril

Most people are shocked by my belief that Cliff Avril is one of the best free agents available in the NFL. That's probably because unlike most people I tend to value potential a lot because of the investment that comes with free agents these days.

I believe Avril is set to break out this season should he stay with the Lions.

Entering Prime.

Stephen Tulloch

I think the major attraction to Stephen Tulloch is his consistency. He's by no means a star but he is very reliable.

I don't expect him to ever become an elite player but I think what you saw last season is what you will see for the best part of the rest of his career. Tulloch is in danger of being overpaid because this is a poor linebacker class which may lead to him being referred to as a bust but teams signing him should know what to expect.

In Prime.

Braylon Edwards

See that guy in the background? Yeah that's Braylon.

There is a reason why the Jets care more for Santonio Holmes than Braylon Edwards, it's because Edwards is a luxury on offense. It doesn't take a scout to tell you that Edwards will never have another 16 touchdown season.

He will remain that inconsistent and often frustrating player that does something miraculous every so often to remind you why you keep him around but there's no doubting he is...

Past Prime.

Johnathan Joseph

Joseph will likely be the fall back option for the team's that lose out in the Nnamdi Asomugha stakes. This should make for a big payday for the talented corner. He has been wasted for the most part in Cincinnati as neither he or Leon Hall has received enough credit for being the best corner tandem in the league.

Being three years younger than Asomugha, Joseph probably is a better longterm option than his more celebrated colleague.

The Bengals have never had a very strong pass rushing group during Joseph's time there. He could flourish as part of an overall better defense for the best part of the next decade if he lands with one.

In Prime.

Sidney Rice

As far as Sidney Rice being an elite receiver, I'm not sold. I don't buy into players after one season of production even if there was substantiating circumstances.

Rice very well could be an elite receiver, he is definitely a jump ball specialist and will get a big offer in this free agency period. Whether he can carry an offense on a consistent basis is debatable.

There is no debate however about the fact that he is entering his prime. At only 24 years of age and with so little experience Rice has plenty of ways to improve and understand the game at this level ahead of him.

Entering Prime.

Antonio Cromartie

Do I think Antonio Cromartie is a good football player? Yes, obviously as I have him listed in my top 20 free agents.

However will he repeat his best performances of the past? No.

At only 27 years of age Antonio Cromartie is past his prime. He had one stellar season in 2007 and was very good for the Jets last year. He is still a very good cornerback but he's never reaching his prime again. He's been found out as a weak tackler but overcomes that with strong coverage skills.

Until he shows signs of becoming a better tackler or excels even greater than he did last season he is certainly past his prime. It's not that he's a bad player but he has set the bar higher because of his level of talent.

Past Prime.

Charles Johnson

This one is so simple I shouldn't have to even type it.

Johnson broke out last year and if I were the Panthers I'd throw a lot of money his way to keep him. Unlike Basketball, you cannot pad your stats in football if you play for a bad team. The fact that Johnson posted 11.5 sacks last year in his first full season as a starter tells you that he is entering his prime.

At 25 years of age he has a stellar career ahead of him, even if it is wasted on a poor team. Not that I think it will be.

Entering Prime.

Steve Smith

I am a big Steve Smith fan. He and Danny Amendola of the Rams are set to take over the reigns from Wes Welker as the best slot receivers in the league.

You know what you get with Smith: reliable hands, good route running and an overall consistency. Smith broke out two years ago and was the Giants best receiver. The emergence of Hakeem Nicks has made him the team's second best option but should he return will aid him in returning to that level.

He only struggled last season because of injury.

Entering Prime.

Eric Weddle

Eric Weddle isn't a big reputation guy but he is a great football player. Weddle is the kind of player that is a coaches dream. He's very intelligent, consistent and a leader.

At 26 years of age Weddle does have his best days ahead of him. Last season was only his fourth in the league, the next four should be even better. He's already a brilliant player so that is a mouthwatering statement.

Entering Prime.

Nnamdi Asomugha

This is very very difficult to do. How do you evaluate a guy that is rarely even involved in the game?

Asomugha has been thrown at 98 times in the past three seasons.

I could easily sit here and bang on for a paragraph or three to tell you exactly why Asomugha is past his prime at 30 years of age but that would be a lie. There is no evidence unless you spend hours watching Asomugha's game tape—that only coaches and high profile scouts would even have—of how he shadows receivers when they don't even get the ball.

Inconclusive.

DeAngelo Williams

These days running backs' careers are so short that some could be past their prime after their rookie training camp. DeAngelo Williams however may be benefiting from his injury riddled career to this point.

Despite playing for five seasons Williams only has 841 career carries. A big reason for this is injuries but also Jonathan Stewart's contribution to the two back system that Carolina has predominantly used during their time there has lessened the beating on him.

Williams is an abrasive runner who is always going to get nicked up because of the way he plays. Nonetheless, even at 28 years of age, Williams should still have one or two seasons before his level of play begins to drop off.

Unfortunately a running back's prime doesn't typically ease away a la Ladanian Tomlinson, the brick wall may appear for Williams within two/three years but until then he is definitely in his prime.

In Prime.

Ray Edwards

I'm not a big Edwards fan. He's solid. I wouldn't be offering him anything close to big money nor would I consider him if your team is in desperate need of a leading pass rusher.

Edwards is the kind of player that will complement a stud rusher well but can't be that leader himself. He will improve over the coming years but I don't see him ever being a star in the league. He's been part of a good defensive line and I don't hold that against him because he was still a starter at a young age but he didn't show enough flashes to tell me he can be a game changer.

Entering Prime.

Cullen Jenkins

Cullen Jenkins has always been a situational player with injury problems. He's missed 19 career regular season games and is on the back end of his career at 30 years old. Generally, those two factors would tell me that a player is past their prime.

However, the fact that he has always been a bit part player and struggled with injuries tells me that is what you should expect when signing him. Each player's prime is relative to their capabilities. Jenkins posted a career high in sacks last season with seven which is startling considering he only played 11 games.

For me, the downturn is maybe a year or two away but I can't say he's past his prime just yet.

In Prime.

Serial tweeting about NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAA, Soccer and Rugby    @Cianaf

I also write for Irish Central and Fantasy Football Life.