NFL Free Agency: The Top Guys on Every Wannabe Contender's List For Next Year

Plenty of NFL teams are getting in their shopping after the holidays. They've got problems and the free agent market has solutions.

Some of those solutions come with a hefty price tag. Finding the right bang for the buck in the free agent market has made the difference in many seasons over the years.

Here are the 15 best free agents available to be signed for the 2011 season. Let the bidding begin.

15. Tamba Hali, LB. Kansas City

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 02: Linebacker Tamba Hali #91 of the Kansas City Chiefs rushes the quarterback in a game against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Tim Umphrey/Getty Images)

Tamba Hali broke into his own in 2010, notching 14.5 sacks, the second highest total in the NFL.

He was about the only player to show up for Kansas City in their playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens, getting two more sacks. Why wasn't  he selected for the Pro Bowl?

At 27 years old, Hali has at least five more good years in him.

14. Zach Miller, TE, Oakland

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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 19: Zach Miller #80 of the Oakland Raiders in action during their game against the Denver Broncos at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 19, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Zach Miller hit the ground running as a rookie in 2007 with 44 grabs. That's his career low in four seasons. He became Jason Campbell's security blanket this season.

A good tight end goes a long way for a struggling offense. Miller is going to have plenty of suitors this off-season.

13. Pat Williams, DT, Minnesota

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 14: Pat Williams #94 of the Minnesota Vikings works against Brandon Manumaleuna #86 of the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on November 14, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Vikings 27-13. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty I

Pat Williams is proving that being 300 pounds and having the ability to create leverage along with an immovable attitude can overcome age.

At 38, Williams is going to the Pro Bowl again. With only 30 tackles, his impact isn't felt in statistics. But at 38, it's not likely that Williams will garner a long deal.

But if a contender needs help in its run defense next season, they'll sign their name on a blank sheet of paper for a one year deal and let Williams fill in the rest.

Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, New York Giants

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 19: Ahmad Bradshaw #44 of the New York Giants runs against the Philadelphia Eagles during their game on December 19, 2010 at The New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Ahmad Bradshaw established himself as the No. 1 back for the New York Giants this season. His combination of speed and power is rare.

The other extremely attractive attribute that Bradshaw possesses is youth. At 24 years old, Bradshaw is just getting started. The Miami Dolphins are probably calling Bradshaw at this very moment.

11. Santonio Holmes, WR, New York Jets

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 21: Santonio Holmes #10 of the New York Jets scores a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the third quarter of their game on November 21, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo

In only  12 games this season, Santonio Holmes caught 52 passes for 746 yards, scoring six times. When he's not in off the field trouble and on the field, Holmes is one of the league's best wide receivers.

Holmes is fast, shifty and showed his spectacular hands in Super Bowl XLIII with the game winning catch. Character issues will be brought up, but that won't stop most teams from signing him for his talent.

10. Carl Nicks, G, New Orleans

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - SEPTEMBER 27: Carl Nicks #77 of the New Orleans Saints moves on the line during the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on September 27, 2009 in Orchard Park, New York. The Saints won 27-7. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Get

New Orleans has one of the NFL's most potent offenses. There are plenty of skill position players to thank, but those players all thank Carl Nicks and the rest of the offensive line.

Nicks has turned himself from a 2008 fifth round pick into a 2010 Pro Bowler. In only his third season, Nicks has perennial Pro Bowl potential.

9. Jason Babin, DE, Tennessee

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NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 21: Jason Babin #93 of the Tennessee Titans reacts after sacking quarterback Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins during the first half at LP Field on November 21, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Grant Halverson/

Talk about good timing. Just before Justin Babin's contract expired this season, he went off for 12.5 sacks. He's a Pro Bowler this year.

Suddenly Babin is one of the premier defensive ends in the NFL. The most he's ever made in a season was $735,505. He'll make over $1 million next season, thanks to cranking out 7.5 more sacks than his previous career high.

8. Marcedes Lewis, TE, Jacksonville

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 18: Marcedes Lewis #89 of the Jacksonville Jaguras runs for yardage during the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on December 18, 2008 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty

Antonio Gates has competition at the top of the list of the NFL's best tight ends. Marcedes Lewis has the frame and athleticism of a premier tight end.

Now he's got the production. Lewis put together a Pro Bowl season in 2010 and is set to get paid this off-season. What quarterback wouldn't want to toss the ball up to him in the end zone?

7. Logan Mankins, G, New England

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 20: Logan Mankins #70 of the New England Patriots against the New York Jets at Giants Stadium on September 20, 2009 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

The New England Patriots spent a first round pick on Logan Mankins in 2005 and haven't regretted it for one second. He' a Pro Bowl guard for one of the best offenses in the league.

Mankins is up for bidding this off-season. New England is known to not shelling out big bucks on free agents, allowing other teams to outbid and possibly overpay. Mankins will have to decide whether championships or paychecks are more important.

Or is there a way he can get the best of both worlds?

6. Doug Free, OT, Dallas

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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 19: Tackle Doug Free #68 of the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on September 19, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Doug Free's maturation over the past two seasons has people in Dallas asking, "Flozell Adams who?"

He's a Pro Bowler in his first full-season as a starter on the left side of the Dallas Cowboys' offensive line.

Free is one of the best there is and plenty of teams will have him on speed dial in hopes of landing him for 2011.

5. Vincent Jackson, WR, San Diego

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SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Wide receiver Vincent Jackson #83 of the San Diego Chargers scores a touchdown on an 11-yard pass in the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Phot

Although Vincent Jackson held out for the first 10 games of the season, he showed his worth down the stretch.

He's one of the most explosive players in the NFL and he has almost a full season of not taking hits under his belt.

Jackson has shown that he's a tough negotiator. If a team can get him in a reasonable deal, he'll make them happy they did.

4. Arian Foster, RB, Houston

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HOUSTON - JANUARY 02: Running back Arian Foster #23 of the Houston Texans rushes past linebacker Kirk Morrison #52 of the Jacksonville Jaguars at Reliant Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Remember before the 2010 season when Arian Foster was considered a fantasy football sleeper? Well, 1,600 yards and 16 touchdowns later, nobody's going to be sleeping on him next year.

Foster led the NFL in rushing this season. He'll garner plenty of offers with so many teams in need of a running back.

3. Nnamdi Asomugha, CB, Oakland

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SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 17: Nnamdi Asomugha #21 of the Oakland Raiders breaks up a pass intended for Michael Crabtree #15 of the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on October 17, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The NFL has put a premium on shutdown corners. There are few to go around. There's Darrelle Revis, Champ Bailey and...Nnamdi Asomugha.

Asomugha is considered one of the two best in the league with Revis.

Oakland may try to retain him but the Raiders will have competition for Asomugha's services.

2. Haloti Ngata, DT, Baltimore

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 13: Haloti Ngata #92 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after a play against the New York Jets during their Jets home opener at the New Meadowlands Stadium on September 13, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by J

Haloti Ngata is considered by many to be the NFL's Most Valuable Player this season. He's a force at defensive tackle that dramatically changes any opponent's rushing attack.

Normally, a player that spends so much time eating up blocks to free up teammates doesn't produce stats. But Ngata managed 63 tackles and 5.5 sacks this season.

Ngata is considered one of the five most important players in the NFL.

1. Michael Vick, QB, Philadelphia

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 28: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles in action against the Minnesota Vikings at Lincoln Financial Field on December 26, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

When Michael Vick is your quarterback, your team is never out of a game. That is especially true with his newly found complete game. He's every bit as dangerous in the pocket as he always has been out of it.

Add to all of that the incredible need for quarterbacks around the NFL this coming season and Vick is set to be paid plenty.

With all of his financial woes from his time spent in prison for sponsoring and/or conducting dog fighting crimes , it's good news for Vick.