5 Most Valuable NFL Players Likely to Hold out

Their contract disputes are exhaustive, but are getting increasingly more serious. 

As minicamps begin across the league, and with the deadline to ink long-term deals nearly a month away, a handful of NFL stars are approaching a critical period in their futures with their current clubs. 

The franchise players don't have as tremendous a leverage, with a lucrative one-year deal sitting on the table waiting to be signed. However, these players will likely be defiant in an attempt to receive the multi-year deal. 

The threat of a holdout always looms, and the following valuable players could potentially stay away from team facilities until a new deal is agreed upon. 

Cliff Avril, Detroit Lions

Avril has increased his production every year as a professional. After a respectable 8.5 sacks in 2010, the former Purdue Boilermaker totaled 11 sacks with six forced fumbles. 

As a key cog on the Lions' aggressive defensive line, the 26-year-old Avril wants to get paid. 

He played on a one-year, $2.6 million deal in 2011 and was designated as the team's franchise player this offseason. 

Per ESPN.com, Avril won't be at the Lions minicamp this week in an attempt to show his displeasure with the franchise tag that would pay him $10.6 in 2012.

He won't have much leverage after July 16th, but he seems resolute in his stance against signing the franchise tender. 

Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City Chiefs

Bowe is the Chiefs' franchise player, and he's set to make $9.5 million in 2012 if he signs the tag. 

However, that's not ideal for the team's unquestioned No. 1 receiver. The Kansas City Star reported the following on Bowe's situation and got a quote from head coach Romeo Crennel:

"

Crennel didn’t sound as if he expected Bowe to arrive any time soon. “We’re going to win with whoever we have,” Crennel said. “If he’s with us, we’d like that to happen. If he’s not, then we’re going to work with the guys we’ve got here.”

"

He's another one who'll lose leverage after July 16th, but there's no telling if and when he plans to report to Kansas City's team facilities. 

Bowe does understand how vital he is to the Chiefs offense, especially with the oft-shaky Matt Cassel behind center. After witnessing less productive wideouts like Laurent Robinson and Pierre Garcon get big pay days, the former LSU Tiger believes he deserves a lucrative, multi-year contract. 

Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens

Ray Rice will make $7.7 million as the Baltimore Ravens' franchise player this year. 

That is, if he chooses not hold out. 

Per the Baltimore Sun, Rice expects the situation to "work itself out," and he's staying in proper shape, but there have been no reports of any progress being made in the contract talks. 

Rice is far from a diva or egomaniac, but he deserves a multi-year deal, and it's reasonable for him to want long-term financial security with the short shelf life of NFL running backs. 

Forte is purposely being left off this list, because after being disgruntled with his contract situation for an extended period of time, he'll likely just play on the $7.7 million salary and look to hit the open market in 2013. 

Darrelle Revis, New York Jets

Revis is at it again. 

After holding out in 2010, reports surfaced (via CBSSports.com) that the elite cornerback is looking for an extension on the four-year, $46 million deal he signed two years ago. 

Jenny Vrentas of the Newark Star-Ledger sent out the following tweet that sparked the thought Revis could holdout again: 

"

Darrelle Revis at big bros + sis event in NYC says he "doesn't know" if he'll hold out. "That time hasn't come," he said. #nyj

— Jenny Vrentas (@JennyVrentas) April 23, 2012"

Fortunately for the Jets, Revis has reported to the team's minicamp today.

He hasn't said he's definitely not going to holdout, but participating in minicamp certainly lets Gang Green's front office and their fans breathe a collective sigh of relief. 

Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

Brees' contract fiasco has been the most highly publicized this offseason. After terrorizing secondaries at a record pace in 2011, a campaign in which he set the single-season passing yard record, the Saints haven't offered him a multi-year deal. 

He rightfully doesn't want to sign the franchise tender, after experiencing a nightmare as the franchise player for the San Diego Chargers when he shattered his shoulder and instantly was without a job or a paycheck. 

After battling through an agonizing offseason that included the despicable bounty program saga, one would think the Saints would sign their franchise QB simply as an attempt to boost their image. 

It hasn't happened yet. 

Brees is extremely steadfast in the way he's approaching this stalemate, and as crazy as it sounds, he may hold out from the $14.4 million salary he'd receive in 2012 if he signs the franchise tag.