NFL Free Agents 2011: Ranking the Top 10 Free Agents Over 30 Years Old

Maybe they've lost a step, maybe they're not as physical as before or perhaps they're just old and tired. Whatever the reason, the stigma is that players over 30 don't produce up to their old standards.

But every year, there seem to be at least a couple of free agents that break that mold and make an impact—look no further than LaDainian Tomlinson's newly-found pair of legs in New York.

So let's take a look at some of the potential free agents of 2011 that will be over 30 years old.

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Honorable Mention: Shaun Ellis

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Shaun Ellis #92 of the New York Jets takes the field with his teammates to play against the Indianapolis Colts during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. T

Shaun Ellis has been a disruptive force on the New York Jets defensive line since the team drafted him at the turn of the millennium. He had a productive year in 2010, but his play has dipped over the past couple of seasons.

The Jets defense is aging across the board, and it may be time for them to start getting younger. They have gotten rid of big names before, and could pick up a defensive end in the 2011 NFL Draft to help them bridge the gap.

There will be plenty of teams lining up for Ellis' services as a stout 3-4 defensive end who can impact the play of the entire defensive line.

Honorable Mention: Pat Williams

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 05: Pat Williams #94 of the Minnesota Vikings runs from the field against the Buffalo Bills at the Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on December 5, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Nick Laham/Ge

Pat Williams is the league's oldest active defensive player. He was contemplating retirement in 2010, but decided to come back for one more go. Now, after a good season, it appears he has enough left in the tank for another year before he calls it quits.

He's only ever played for two teams, and the Vikings are clearly rebuilding right now, so "Fat Pat" may make his way to a Super Bowl contender to try and get a ring before he hangs up the pads.

10. Ricky Williams

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OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 28: Ricky Williams #34 of the Miami Dolphins walks down the tunnel for their game against the Oakland Raiders at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 28, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Ricky Williams' days as a starting running back may not be over. Even though he didn't start a game for the Miami Dolphins in 2010, he played in all of them and ran well when he had chances. He only had 159 carries, but averaged 4.2 yards per carry.

He wasn't deadly, but he was effective when called upon.

It's hard to imagine Williams finishing his career in any uniform but a white, orange and teal one, but it's entirely possible—especially after he made his unpleasant feelings for coach Tony Sparano known publicly.

There will be at least a couple of teams willing to take a chance on Williams. He has re-dedicated himself to football, and could very well play for another year or two.

9. Matt Light

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SEATTLE - DECEMBER 07: Matt Light #72 of the New England Patriots gets ready to move at the snap during the game against the Seattle Seahawks on December 7, 2008 at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington. The Patriots defeated the Seahawks 24-21. (Photo by O

Matt Light has protected Tom Brady's blind side since both were baby-faced rookies. Now, at 33 years old, it appears the "hurry up and get off the stage" music is playing on his time as a New England Patriot.

Sebastian Vollmer is ready to step in, and the Patriots have plenty of draft picks to find another offensive linemen.

Light could still be a viable starter on another team, or even just a veteran backup for younger guys to look up to. He could also be a nice transitional piece for a team looking to take the next step, but needing a bridge to tie them over.

8. Ike Taylor

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Ike Taylor #24 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on against the New York Jets during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers won 24-19. (Photo by Nick Laham/G

Ike Taylor is something of a wild card in pass coverage. As most cornerbacks do, he excels when the Steelers are generating a good pass-rush up front. However, he can be exposed by better quarterbacks who take advantage of his sometimes-slow reactions.

He is, however, very reliable in run defense. He has tallied over 60 tackles in every season as a starter.

The Steelers would be foolish not to lock Taylor up, as they don't have much depth behind him at cornerback.

7. Terrell Owens

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 24: Terrell Owens #81 of the Cincinnati Bengals against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on October 24, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Terrell Owens may be the ultimate team cancer, but there is no denying his talent. Still, after seeing what happened to him in the 2010 offseason, I don't like his chances of landing anywhere in 2011.

He missed a few games due to injury, but had a very productive season on a very bad team. With 72 receptions for 983 yards and nine touchdowns, T.O. proved he can still be productive.

He also proved that he still runs his mouth at the worst times by throwing coaches under the bus.

Despite his talent, I'll be surprised if he's signed by any team this offseason.

6. Malcom Floyd

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DENVER, CO - JANUARY 2: Wide receiver Malcom Floyd #80 of the San Diego Chargers makes a one-handed 41-yard reception for a first down against cornerback Perrish Cox #32 of the Denver Broncos during the second quarter at INVESCO Field at Mile High on Jan

Floyd proved his value to the San Diego Chargers in 2010 when Vincent Jackson's holdout grew uglier and uglier. Now, with the Chargers possibly showing Jackson the door if they don't extend his contract, getting Floyd back could be a do-or-die situation for San Diego.

Of course, Philip Rivers proved last year that he can throw to anyone, but the Chargers need to keep as many talented targets around him as possible.

If he's not re-signed by the Chargers, he'll be a highly-sought after free agent, even though he turns 30 in the offseason.

5. Aubrayo Franklin

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HERTFORD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 27: Franklin Aubrayo of San Francisco 49ers looks on during a training session at The Grove Hotel on October 27, 2010 in Hertford, England. The San Francisco 49ers will meet the Denver Broncos in the NFL International Series r

As one of the league's top nose tackles, Aubrayo Franklin could be one of the top free agents of the 2011 offseason. There will be many teams in the market for another option at nose tackle, and Franklin performed well in 2010.

He failed to register a sack, but had 38 solo-tackles on the season. He held out in 2010 after being slapped with the franchise tag, so he'll be looking for his long-term contract this offseason.

There is, of course, the possibility that the team could franchise him once again.

4. Cullen Jenkins

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 01: Cullen Jenkins #77 of the Green Bay Packers addresses the media during Super Bowl XLV Media Day ahead of Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 1, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. The Pittsburgh Steelers will play the Green B

As one-third of the incredibly talented 3-4 defensive line in Green Bay, Cullen Jenkins notched seven take-downs of opposing quarterbacks in the 2010 season.

With an increasing number of defenses employing the 3-4 alignment, Jenkins would be of great value to many other teams in the league. Still, with the Packers on a Super Bowl run largely due to his play on the end of that line, I highly doubt Green Bay will allow him to walk in free agency.

If they do, though, he could instantly upgrade many defensive lines, including the Patriots', Browns' and Texans', among others.

3. Richard Seymour

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SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 5: Richard Seymour #92 of the Oakland Raiders smiles from the sidelines in the closing minutes of his team's 28-13 win over the San Diego Chargers during their NFL game at Qualcomm Stadium on December 5, 2010 in San Diego, Califor

At 31 years old, Richard Seymour will probably be receiving the final contract of his NFL career. He isn't the dominant defensive end he once was, but he can definitely contribute to a number of teams in a number of ways.

Richard Seymour seemed to like being a member of the Raiders, but does the team want him back? Al Davis is no stranger to spending a pretty penny to keep his free agents around.

This is a situation that definitely bears watching.

2. Champ Bailey

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DENVER - OCTOBER 24: Cornerback Champ Bailey #24 of the Denver Broncos runs onto the field before taking on the Oakland Raiders at INVESCO Field at Mile High on October 24, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Although Champ Bailey wants to remain a Denver Bronco, he may not get an extension.

Injuries have limited him in the past, but he had a good year in 2010, and teams didn't have much success throwing in his direction.

He will be 33 by the time the 2011 football season kicks off, though, and there's no denying he's not the same cornerback he once was. But, like the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Broncos don't have much depth behind their No. 1 cornerback.

If they don't re-sign Bailey, he will certainly find a home elsewhere as a free agent.

1. Nnamdi Asomugha

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OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 28: Nnamdi Asomugha #21 of the Oakland Raiders stands on the sidelines during the closing minutes of their loss to the Miami Dolphins at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 28, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra S

This is a big year for cornerbacks in free agency. Asomugha is undoubtedly the biggest name available.

It's hard to believe that Nnamdi Asomugha will be over 30 by the time the 2011 season kicks off. I doubt that will keep him from landing a big-time deal as a free agent.

He might do better with more talent and better coaching around him, but his production has noticeably dipped in the past few seasons. He didn't log a single interception and recorded only 19 total tackles in 14 games last year.

What If? Peyton Manning

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts gestures a she calls signals out at the line of scrimmage against the New York Jets during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indian

Now that the Indianapolis Colts and their golden-boy quarterback have finally entered negotiations, it appears Manning won't be a free agent.

Still, he hasn't signed yet, and he's definitely the best free agent over 30 years old.

On the .0001 percent chance that Manning doesn't re-sign with the team that drafted him first overall more than a decade ago, he could instantly make almost any team a contender.

Just let him call the plays.

Your Thoughts?

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 07: Saftey Darren Sharper #42 of the New Orleans Saints warms up on the field prior to Super Bowl XLIV against the Indianapolis Colts on February 7, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Elsa/Getty I

It should be an interesting offseason—with or without a new Collective Bargaining Agreement—and it's always fun to speculate on where the free agents might land.

So I welcome your thoughts in the comments section below.

Did I leave someone off the list? Who do you think will make the biggest impact for a team in 2011?

Thanks for reading!