Pros and Cons of This Year's NFL Free Agent Crop

Free agency begins on Tuesday, and, as always, there will be a flurry of activity, with teams both gaining and losing valuable pieces. Big names will get paid big money, and some not-so-big names will, too. 

Some teams will sign a plethora of big names, and others will remain relatively quiet. Most teams will be somewhere in between, signing a few players to address needs. 

But how does this free agent class fit your team's needs? What are its strengths and weaknesses?

Pro: Defensive Back

Any team in need of a starting defensive back is in luck. Whether it's at cornerback or safety, there is a multitude of potential starters.

At cornerback, Brent Grimes, Sean Smith, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Aqib Talib, Chris Houston, Chris Gamble, Keenan Lewis and Derek Cox are all legitimate starters. There are even more borderline starters and good depth players.

At safety, there are also many options. Dashon Goldson, Louis Delmas, Glover Quin, William Moore, Ed Reed, Kenny Phillips and LaRon Landry are all valuable pieces along a defense.

Con: Quarterback

With Joe Flacco and Matt Moore both signing extensions, there is not a single possible starting quarterback available. Even Moore isn't that great, and he was easily the best option.

In fact, teams will be hard pressed to even find good backups in free agency. Jason Campbell might be the best option, and few would call him a great backup.

Teams looking for a quarterback will have to look to either the draft or trades.

Pro: Offensive Tackle

Jake Long is the best-known offensive tackle in free agency, but he is just one of many starters available. Joining Long are Sebastian Vollmer, Andre Smith, Sam Baker, Eric Winston, Phil Loadholt, Bryant McKinnie and Gosder Cherilus. 

A few of these can play left tackle, and all can start on the right side. The sheer volume of players here could result in a couple teams getting bargain starters along the offensive line. 

Con: Top Talent

There is a distinct lack of elite talent available in free agency. Mike Wallace might be the best player available, and few would consider him one of the NFL's best wide receivers.

Other big names available are Cliff Avril, Brent Grimes and Jake Long. None of these is a truly dynamic player worthy of a huge contract. Regardless, all three will get paid in a big way.

Pro: Pass-Rushers

Though there isn't a top pass-rusher available, there are several solid starters. Cliff Avril, Paul Kruger and Connor Barwin are solid players capable of racking up double digit sacks in a single season.

Michael Bennett is also a solid starting defensive end, and Dwight Freeney, John Abraham and Osi Umenyiora are well-known. Shaun Phillips is another aging but decent pass-rusher.

Con: Linebacker

Outside of the pass-rushing linebackers, there isn't much here. Dannell Ellerbe is clearly the best linebacker available. Brad Jones and Philip Wheeler are the only other decent options.

There are plenty of aging linebackers like Brian Urlacher and Bart Scott available, but they are available for a reason. Teams needing linebackers are essentially looking at depth options only.

Pro: Running Back

A team in need of a starting running back actually has a few options in free agency. Steven Jackson is aging, but he's still a good player who can gain yards and carry an offense.

Reggie Bush may not be great, but he can start, and if used correctly, is a dynamic option. Ahmad Bradshaw is also capable of starting.

Then, as backups, Jonathan Dwyer, Chris Ivory, Rashard Mendenhall and Shonn Greene are available. None of these players should start, but as change-of-pace guys, they are more than adequate. 

Con: Interior Offensive Line

The lone "big name" interior lineman is Andy Levitre. Even he isn't a top guard talent like Carl Nicks was last year.

After Levitre, the position is especially weak. There are a couple possible starters like Louis Vazquez and Brandon Moore, but the pickings are slim.

Pro: Depth

At just about every position, there are plenty of depth guys available. Some positions are so deep that even the 10th best player is a capable starter. 

This depth is perfect for teams changing schemes. Several teams are switching to 3-4 defenses under new coaches, and the Cowboys are transitioning to a 4-3. These teams need to revamp their backups, and this year's free agency class is perfect for it.

If a team needs backups along the offensive line, there are options. If it needs wide receivers, take your pick. The only issues arise when a team needs starters.

Con: Kickers

There are but two starting (like there are backups) kickers available in free agency. Phil Dawson is 38 years old, and Jason Hanson is 43. 

Either one of these players could drop off at any time, and Hanson isn't anything special right now. After these two, though, there is not a single player who should be on an NFL roster.