2013 NFL Free Agents: Top Talents at Every Position

The 2012 NFL season has yet to reach its conclusion, but as January quickly approaches, so does the start of the 2013 free-agent spending spree. 

As is the case every March, the NFL will open up free agency for a number of players. While the 2013 class lacks the superstar names of years past, the upcoming crop of available players does not lack difference-makers.

In the following slides, we'll present the five best free agents at each position. The list is subject to change as decisions are made between now and March. 

Quarterback

1. Joe Flacco

Flacco hasn't ascended into the "elite" category of NFL quarterbacks, but the Ravens have been playoff bound in each of his five seasons, and a line of 3,783 yards, 22 touchdowns and 10 interceptions is better than most in 2012.

2. Matt Moore

Stuck behind first-round rookie Ryan Tannehill in Miami, Moore has played in just two games this season.

In his only extended action, however, Moore helped lead the Dolphins to a win in New York. 

3. Jason Campbell

Campbell was awful (107 yards, two interceptions) in his only start this season, although it did come at San Francisco in a prime-time game. Having him third on this list highlights how shallow the quarterback free-agent pool is for 2013.

4. Tarvaris Jackson

Buried on Buffalo's bench in 2012 after being sent east from Seattle in the preseason, Jackson offers nothing more than a potential backup next season. 

5. Josh Johnson

Johnson recently signed with the Cleveland Browns, but he's nothing more than a developmental guy who needs plenty of work. Jim Harbaugh coached Johnson in college and for a period in San Francisco. 

Running Back

1. Steven Jackson

Just 10 yards away from his eighth straight 1,000-yard rushing season, Jackson remains a work horse at the position.

However, he'll be 30 next season, and the carries are eventually going to catch up to him. 

2. Reggie Bush

Bush needs 40 yards to accomplish back-to-back seasons with 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his career, and few backs are as accomplished out of the backfield.

Despite being 28, Bush is still relatively young in terms of tough carries between the tackles. 

3. Rashard Mendenhall

The former first-round pick has done little to help his price tag this season. Injuries have piled up, and a one-game suspension late might turn teams off.

However, he's still only 25, with 29 rushing touchdowns under his belt from 2009 to 2011. 

4. Shonn Greene

After exploding onto the NFL scene during the 2010 playoffs, Greene has been mostly blah with the Jets. Big plays are few and far between for the 27-year-old. 

5. Cedric Benson

Before suffering the dreaded Lisfranc injury in Week 5, Benson showed he can still contribute to a good offense. What he lacks in top-end speed, Benson makes up for in vision and savvy. 

Restricted: Chris Ivory, Jonathan Dwyer

Receiver

1. Dwayne Bowe

Bowe has played with some awful quarterbacks during his time in Kansas City, but the numbers always seem to be there. Plug him into a good offense, and who knows what the 28-year-old could do?

2. Greg Jennings

An injury to Jennings' abdomen/groin earlier this season hurt his potential free-agent stock. But as one of the game's best route-runners, Jennings—who is just 30 years old—should still warrant a big deal somewhere.

3. Wes Welker

Few receivers in NFL history can match Welker's production over the last six years, which include five 100-catch seasons.

But with Welker at 32 years old, teams will have to seriously weigh his value outside of New England.

4. Danny Amendola

Some teams will wonder about chasing Welker when a younger version is available in Amendola. At just 27 years old, Amendola still has all his good years ahead of him.

In the right system, he could thrive. 

5. Brian Hartline

After three seasons in the 500-600-yard range, Hartline emerged as the Dolphins' top receiving threat in 2012 and went over 1,000 yards. He's a good fit in Miami. 

Restricted: Victor Cruz, Mike Wallace, Danario Alexander

Tight End

1. Tony Gonzalez

Will he keep playing after 2012? Gonzalez insists he won't, but we've seen elite athletes waffle in the past. Getting close to another Super Bowl could convince him to return.

2. Jared Cook

Fast, big and possessing big-play potential from any point on the field, Cook embodies the new age of the tight-end position. Throw him into a pass-heavy system, and Cook could become a Pro Bowler.

3. Fred Davis

A torn Achilles' tendon and prior drug suspensions are problems likely to scare off teams this spring. But when healthy, Davis can block and catch—the two attributes every offensive coordinator wants in a starting tight end. 

4. Dustin Keller

Injuries have hampered Keller in 2012, and a general lack of efficiency in the Jets offense has watered down his numbers. New York probably can't let him get away this spring. 

5. Brandon Myers

The best receiving tight end no one knows about, Myers has caught 75 passes for 753 yards and four touchdowns in 2012. He needs major work in his run blocking, however.

Offensive Line

1. Ryan Clady

An elite player for both Peyton Manning and Tim Tebow, Clady is in the discussion as the NFL's best offensive tackle. He could get the franchise tag if a monster deal isn't landed in Denver.

2. Jake Long

Long probably hasn't been a dominant player since 2010, but injuries have certainly played a role in that regression. When healthy, Long is one of the five best left tackles in the NFL. 

3. Andy Levitre

While not a mauler in the run game, Levitre is one of the game's best pass-blocking guards. There's a market for that kind of player, even if it isn't in Buffalo past 2012.

4. Andre Smith

Smith came into 2012 in better shape, and he's delivered arguably the top season by a right tackle this year. He's a beast in the run game and far from a liability in pass protection. 

5. Sebastian Vollmer

The one worry you have with Vollmer is a lingering back issue that has bothered him at times since college.

But the 28-year-old is strong in most areas and arguably one of the top three or four right tackles in football. 

Defensive Line

1. Cliff Avril 

After signing the one-year franchise tender this summer, Avril has produced 9.5 sacks and two forced fumbles this season.

The 26-year-old has 29 sacks over the last three seasons and should be one of the top defenders available in 2013. 

2. Osi Umenyiora

The likelihood of Umenyiora leaving New York appears to be growing as the 2012 season is coming to an end.

Six sacks this year won't be a strong bargaining chip, but Umenyiora has been one of the game's better pass-rushers over the last five-to-seven seasons.

3. Henry Melton

Teams are always looking for ways to beef up the pass rush, and Melton can provide a quick, explosive player inside at defensive tackle.

Over the last two seasons, Melton has 13 sacks for the Bears. He's disruptive. 

4. Dwight Freeney 

The Colts' switch to a 3-4 defense hasn't suited Freeney well, which has made it likely that he'll be on his way out after 2013. In a traditional 4-3 front, Freeney can still be an effective pass-rusher. 

5. Jason Jones

Like Melton, Jones is an explosive inside pass-rusher.

While more of a situational player, Jones is still young and has the ability to play any position along the defensive line. 

Linebacker

1. Anthony Spencer

DeMarcus Ware gets all the press in Dallas, but Spencer has arguably been the better player in 2012. According to Pro Football Focus, Spencer is the best run-stopping outside linebacker in football. He also has 10 sacks. 

2. Connor Barwin

Just three sacks in 15 games won't have teams lining up to give him a monster deal, and Barwin isn't an elite player against the run.

But he's sound overall, and there's still an 11.5-sack season in 2011 to salivate over. 

3. Daryl Smith

A groin injury landed Smith on the designated-to-return IR list this season, and he returned and started in Week 16. In 2011, Smith was one of the better 4-3 outside linebackers in the NFL. 

4. Shaun Phillips

The Chargers have continued to get younger at outside linebacker, so Phillips' time on the West Coast might be coming to an end. The numbers (9.5 sacks in 2012, 69.5 career) will land him a good deal somewhere. 

5. Paul Kruger

Brian Urlacher nearly held this spot, but his star is declining fast.

Kruger, 26, has 7.5 sacks in 2012 and is a natural pass-rusher. He could end up back in Baltimore. 

Cornerback

1. Brent Grimes

A torn Achilles' tendon ended Grimes' 2012 season before it even started. But despite being just 5'10" and 183 pounds, Grimes might be one of the most underrated cover cornerbacks in the NFL. He'll get a big-money deal from someone. 

2. Aqib Talib

New England sent a fourth-round pick to Tampa Bay for Talib, so chances remain high that the Patriots take a run at signing him long term.

While better suited to be someone's No. 2 corner, Talib will likely be treated like a No. 1 this spring. 

3. Sean Smith

Miami has stuck Smith, a 6'3" cornerback, on opposing teams' best receivers all season. His size is so intriguing at the position. With Smith at just 25 years old, the Dolphins can't afford to let him get away.

4. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

After a strong start in coverage, DRC and the rest of the Eagles secondary fell off the map. He's been penalty prone (11 in 2012) and spotty all-around.

His situation with Philadelphia is worth watching. 

5. Chris Houston

There is plenty of competition for the No. 5 slot at cornerback, but Houston gets the nod despite playing on a suspect secondary in Detroit. He's the Lions' best cover man, and his play gets lost in a unit terrible personnel-wise.

Restricted: Sam Shields

Safety

1. Jarius Byrd

Few really good players get as little respect as Byrd, who is PFF's No. 2 safety in 2012. The 26-year-old safety has 18 career interceptions while not giving up a touchdown pass this season. 

2. Dashon Goldson

As the effect of physical, hard-hitting safeties diminishes, so does the value for a player like Goldson.

A true tone-setter, Goldson is good against the run and unafraid to lay the wood to unsuspecting receivers traversing the middle of the field. 

3. Ed Reed

Reed is still one of the most cerebral safeties in football, but the skill set is regressing, and injuries are still a worry despite a healthy 2012 season.

If he isn't back in Baltimore next season, Reed might decide to just hang up the cleats.

4. William Moore

Moore has provided the Falcons defense a little bit of everything in 2012, intercepting four passes, playing the run well and providing a willing blitzer. At the end of his rookie contract, Moore will be a priority for Atlanta this offseason. 

5. Louis Delmas

Delmas is athletic and talented, but injuries have kept him off the field for long stretches. Availability in the NFL is much more important than most realize.

But at just 25 years old, Delmas is still worth a look. 

Restricted: Stevie Brown

Specialist

1. Shane Lechler

Lechler has a case for being the greatest punter in NFL history. However, he's pricey (coming off a four-year, $16 million deal), and his averages are down in 2012. 

2. Lawrence Tynes

Tynes has connected on 33-of-39 kicks in 2012, and his career percentage of 81.5 is good enough. He's made enough big kicks in his career for coaches to feel confident in him during the biggest moments. 

3. Pat McAfee 

McAfree's punting average of 48.3 is third in the NFL this season, but it's his net that will land him a deal this spring. A 40.6 net in 2012 will break the franchise record in Indianapolis, a mark he just set last season. 

4. Donnie Jones

With averages of 47.1 yards overall and 40.5 net, Jones represents one of the better punters in 2012. He bounced around from Seattle to Miami to St. Louis before landing in Houston this season. 

5. Rob Bironas 

Bironas will soon be 35 years old, but he's made 80 percent of his kicks in 2012 and 85.5 in his career.

He's consistently gotten it done as an NFL kicker.