2011 NFL Free Agency: Power Ranking the Top 20 Offensive Players Available
Any NFL team looking for an offseason boost to its offense has options in 2011. Premier players abound at quarterback, running back, tight end and more.
With so many names out there possibly looking for new homes—and bigger pay checks—there will be some serious restructuring on depth charts around the league.
The only logical thing to do at this point is rank the potential impact of the 20 best free agents. So here are the rankings.
20. Peyton Manning, QB, Colts
1 of 20
Truthfully, Peyton Manning should be much higher on this list. He should be No. 1. But is he really a free agent?
I mean, come on. There is now way that the Colts let him leave town. And Peyton doesn't want to go anywhere. He'll get nice, cushy contract that keeps him in Indianapolis for the rest of his career.
19. Randy Moss, WR, Titans
2 of 20
The saga of Randy Moss continues. There are more questions than answers about his career at this point. Does anyone want him? Is he willing to play for less than he ever has before? And most importantly: Does he have anything left to give?
It's strange to think that just last year he had more than 1200 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. He spent 2010 disappointing three teams.
Whoever signs him better save money for either Advil or champagne. He'll either drive your team into the ground or make it a contender.
18. Brett Favre, QB, Vikings
3 of 20
Yes, this is necessary.
Brett Favre is unbelievably addicted to football which makes him forever a free agent. Until he sits out for a full two, consecutive seasons, he can't be counted out.
Many teams have quarterback questions but whether any of them are desperate to drag Favre off the Wrangler commercial set is unknown.
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17. Michael Bush, RB, Raiders
4 of 20
Michael Bush has been playing second fiddle in the Raiders backfield for three seasons now. His production makes one wonder if he has what it takes to be a primary back.
Even if a team doesn't see that in him, he sufficiently fills the role as the bruiser in a two-back system. Having a reliable back in short yardage situations with the ability to do much more is a great tool.
16. Braylon Edwards, WR, Jets
5 of 20
Braylon Edwards had his second best season as a pro in terms of yardage (904) and touchdowns (7) in 2010. He's also made some important catches so far in the playoffs.
Edwards has good speed and ideal size. His hands are suspect but he usually comes up with enough big plays to make up for it. He's a legimate No. 1 receiver and a coup as a No. 2.
15. Cedric Benson, RB, Bengals
6 of 20
Cedric Benson is finally looking like the running back the Bears expected when they drafted him No. 4 overall in 2005.
Benson has posted back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons, the only two of his career.
It may not be best to sign Benson and think of him as the lone back for an offense, but he can be relied on for plenty of production.
Hey Ced, I hear Miami's nice.
14. Owen Daniels, TE, Texans
7 of 20
Injuries have plagued Owen Daniels the past two seasons, limiting him to 18 games in that period. When healthy, he's as productive as just about any tight end.
At 28, a long term deal still makes sense. That is, if a team can get beyond the perceived injury worries.
He had 63 catches 2007, 70 in 2008 and 40 in eight games in 2009. Talk about being a quarterback's best friend.
13. Sidney Rice, WR, Vikings
8 of 20
Sidney Rice is a bit of a wild card. He had one magical season in 2009 with 83 catches for 1,312 yards and eight touchdowns. Then he spent much of 2010 injured.
Teams looking for a big play threat will look in Rice's direction. He averaged 16.5 yards per catch in 2010 and 15.8 yards per catch in 2009.
12. Tyson Clabo, OT, Falcons
9 of 20
Tyson Clabo has gone from being undrafted out of Wake Forest in 2004 to being a Pro Bowl tackle in 2010.
Now that he's near the top of his profession, he should receive top dollar on his next contract. Clabo had plenty to do with quarterback Matt Ryan and running back Michael Turner being named to the Pro Bowl.
11. Zach Miller, TE, Raiders
10 of 20
Recently added to the Pro Bowl roster to replace Antonio Gates, Zach Miller is on top of his game. He's been the Raiders' leading receiver for three straight seasons.
He's one of a handful of tight ends in the NFL that are true difference makers. Need a first down? Look Miller's way.
10. Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, Giants
11 of 20
In his first season as New York's primary back, Ahmad Bradshaw delivered with a 1200-yard season.
Bradshaw possesses a rare combination of power and speed. However, fumbling was a big concern in 2010 as he coughed the ball up seven times.
Any team looking for a back should get into talks with Bradshaw's agent. He's young and ready to break into the elite level of running backs.
9. Carl Nicks, G, Saints
12 of 20
Carl Nicks is a premier interior lineman that has been a part of one of football's most prolific offenses for two seasons.
Nicks made the Pro Bowl this season. It's likely the first of many selections for the third-year player.
The Saints will likely sign Nicks long term but he'll have plenty of offers to choose from.
8. DeAngelo Williams, RB, Panthers
13 of 20
DeAngelo Williams suffered from injury in 2010 and teams will be very interested in his health. When healthy, he's a dynamic runner with a nose for the endzone. He had 20 total touchdowns in 2008.
He catches the ball pretty well out of the backfield and has only fumbled six times on 1,763 touches in his career.
7. Santonio Holmes, WR, Jets
14 of 20
Santonio Holmes is dynamite. He's fast and shifty with terrific hands.
Holmes is developing quite the reputation for coming up with spectacular plays in the biggest moments. In the biggest games, Holmes plays his best.
Holmes does come with baggage. Arrests and suspension dot his past.
6. Logan Mankins, G, Patriots
15 of 20
Logan Mankins is one of the best three or four guards in football. He's a three-time Pro Bowl selection and was an All Pro in 2007.
If the Patriots let him getaway, another team is going to have to pay big money to make it happen. Mankins has at least five more good seasons ahead of him.
5. Marcedes Lewis, TE, Jaguars
16 of 20
Marcedes Lewis blew up into a premier tight end in 2010. He blew away his previous career highs with 58 receptions for 700 yards and 10 touchdowns.
As long as Lewis' 2010 isn't a flash in the pan—solid seasons beforehand would say it isn't—he's primed to be a perennial Pro Bowler.
4. Doug Free, OT, Cowboys
17 of 20
The Cowboys have made it clear that retaining Doug Free is a priority. That's sound thinking considering he is one of the best players in the league at offensive tackle.
He's only 27 and should garner a long term deal with plenty of cash from somebody. Tackle is one of the most important positions in football and Free plays it as well as just about anybody.
3. Vincent Jackson, WR, Chargers
18 of 20
When he's not sitting in his living room watching the games because he's in a contract dispute, Vincent Jackson is one of the most dynamic wide receivers in the NFL.
He's always a big play threat and gets to the endzone. He's a perfect fit for San Diego considering Philip Rivers' monster arm. But whether they can get a deal done is questionable.
2. Arian Foster, RB, Texans
19 of 20
Arian Foster introduced himself to the world this season by leading the NFL in rushing with more than 1,600 yards and 18 total touchdowns.
It's up to the Texans to sign him back and make a commitment to the running game in the future. Other teams will come calling with luscious bids. This will be one of the more interesting free-agency chases of the offseason.
1. Michael Vick, QB, Eagles
20 of 20
If Michael Vick can play at the level he played at this season for years to come, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady have company in the Best Quarterback In The NFL conversations.
Vick showed incredible maturity in his pocket passing. He's obviously dedicated to the film room.
On top of that, he still has that same explosion that makes opposing fans hold their breath.
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