NFL Free Agency Rumors: Power Ranking the Top 25 Sleeper Free Agents
Free agency in the NFL is a risky business. With injuries, the sometimes declined production caused by a big signing bonus and just the overall unpredictable nature of the NFL, free-agent contracts can be big hits or misses.
It is a far more sustainable strategy to build through the draft. Teams can then fill a hole or two via free agency. The following guys will be great fillers and available at less than a franchise price.
So if the NFL and the players ever sign their contract, these are the players that could slide under the radar while pushing teams over the hump.
The Ground Rules
1 of 26
Due to that little collective bargaining hangup, I have to note that there will be no free-agent movement until an agreement is reached.
Also, no one knows exactly who will be an unrestricted free agent versus a restricted free agent. Last year, a player had to have six years of service under his belt to be an unrestricted free agent. Prior to that, a player only had to have four years of service.
It will likely go back to four, but who knows? There is almost no possibility that it would exceed last year's six. While restricted free agents do and can change teams, it is a lot less frequent.
In light of that, there is not anyone on this list that has less than four years of service. Also, I will put in the number of years a player has been in the league for those who fall between four and six.
No. 25: Jammal Brown, OT
2 of 26
Brown has struggled through injuries. He was slowed in 2010 as he recovered from a surgically repaired hip, but he finished 2010 strong.
He is a solid right tackle when he is healthy. That is the big question mark, however.
Brown could help teams solidify the outside of their offensive line, but if they are going to sign him, they better make sure they have a solid backup.
No. 24: Stewart Bradley (Four Years)
3 of 26
Bradley has struggled with injuries. When he has been able to play, he has shown solid tackling ability and instincts in the middle of the Eagles linebackers.
If he remains with the Eagles, he will likely switch to OLB next season. Bradley is a solid linebacker with good versatility.
He won't cost much, and he may be eager to leave if he is not thrilled about the impending switch to the outside.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
No. 23: Rocky McIntosh, LB (Five Years)
4 of 26
McIntosh had a solid year in 2010. It was his first as an ILB in a 3-4 system. However, the Redskins are reported to be less than pleased with his level of commitment, and he is unlikely to return.
McIntosh has enough explosion to occasionally get to the passer, and he is a solid tackler.
He lacks the ability to shed blocks to make him an elite ILB, and he doesn't have the range to be a MLB in a 4-3 system.
No. 22: Willie Colon, OT (Five Years)
5 of 26
Willie Colon missed the entire 2010 season as he recovered from a torn Achilles tendon. It was a big loss for the Steelers.
Colon is a solid right tackle. He is a bruising run blocker and a capable pass blocker. If he has fully recovered from his injury, he is a very viable right tackle option.
No. 21: James Jones, WR (Four Years)
6 of 26
James Jones put all of his promise and frustrations on display in the Super Bowl. He is an explosive receiver with decent size but somewhat questionable hands.
He is also no longer under contract and he is due to get significant interest in the open market.
His inconsistent hands make him a risk for a No. 2 receiver, but his potential makes him a great addition to a roster.
No. 20: Harvey Dahl, G (Five Years)
7 of 26
Harvey Dahl converted from tackle to guard three seasons ago, and he really found a home.
He is a punishing interior blocker. Health will be somewhat of a concern, as he required ankle surgery at the end of his season.
Dahl is a very good run blocker and decent in the pass game. Assuming his ankle recovers, he will be a solid addition to any team.
No. 19: Barrett Ruud, LB (Six Years)
8 of 26
Ruud is a solid and consistent MLB. He had slight drop-off in 2010, and he will likely be looking for a sizable contract.
At this stage of his career, Ruud has proven that he is a just above-average MLB. He is not worth top-dollar, but he will solidify any defense that is struggling at the MLB position.
No. 18: Steve Breaston, WR (Four Years)
9 of 26
Breaston was hampered by a pesky knee injury in 2010. Well, that and horrible QB play.
Assuming he returns to health, he is an explosive receiver who is a solid No. 2 and an amazing No. 3.
He was bumped out of the starting lineup in Arizona, as he struggled with his injury, and he very likely will have a new home in 2011.
No. 17: Dawan Landry, S (Five Years)
10 of 26
Landry is a very solid, if not spectacular, strong safety. He has good tackling skills and instincts.
He has shown he can make plays on the occasional blitz. He has also had seasons in which he hauled in four and five interceptions.
He is one of the better SS options on the free-agent market.
No. 16: Paul Soliai, DT (Four Years)
11 of 26
Soliai had a 2010 season that is worthy of franchise tag consideration. The problem is it was the first season he played at that high of a level.
It could be he is just figuring out the NFL game, or it could be he was motivated by his contract year.
Soliai has the potential to be a centerpiece NT for years to come, but teams should be cautious of signing him to a long-term deal.
No. 15: Malcom FLoyd, WR
12 of 26
Floyd does not have the explosiveness required to create separation, but he has great size and solid hands.
Over the last three years in San Diego, he has used his ability to go up and get the ball to turn himself into a big-play receiver. In 2010, he averaged 19.4 yards per catch.
Floyd is definitely worth a look. He shouldn't be counted on to carry the load, but his big-play ability makes him a constant threat that defenses need to account for.
No. 14:Quintin Mikell, S
13 of 26
Mikell started his career as a DB before finding a home at safety. He has developed into one of the league's better run-stuffing safeties.
Mikell ended 2010 with 88 tackles and three interceptions. He will be turning 31 for the scheduled start of the 2011 season.
However, he is coming off one of his best seasons, and he is showing no signs of slowing down.
No. 13: Mike Sims-Walker, WR (Four Years)
14 of 26
Mike Sims-Walker has shown flashes of brilliance over the course of his career. Those flashes really tapered off in 2010.
He was bumped out of the starting lineup and he will certainly be eager to explore his options with different teams.
He has the potential to be a difference-making wide receiver. He has a knack for finding the end zone. He has seven TD grabs in each of the last two seasons.
No. 12: Eric Wright, CB (Four Years)
15 of 26
Eric Wright appeared poised to become an elite corner after his 2009 season, but instead he fell off the map in 2010.
He was benched midway through the season, and it is clear he will not be back in Cleveland.
Wright could be an interesting addition for a team. If a team can motivate him and get him back to his 2009 form, he would likely be one of the best value additions of the offseason.
No. 11: Joseph Addai, RB (Five Years)
16 of 26
Addai is not the kind of back that carries an offense. He is a decent, but far-from-spectacular runner.
It is his all-around game that makes him valuable. He has good hands and he is one of the best pass-blocking running backs in the league.
Addai struggled with injuries in 2010. The Colts offense got used to life without him. Re-signing Addai is not going to be a priority for the Colts. He will be a valuable contributor wherever he ends up.
No. 10: Paul Posluszny, LB (Four Years)
17 of 26
Poslunszny has progressed each year he has been in the league. He is not an elite pass-rushing linebacker, but he is a sure tackler.
He appeared to excel as a ILB in a 3-4 system in 2010. He is decent in coverage and fairly stout against the run.
Poslunszny has said he would like to remain a Bill, which seems like a less-than-optimum negotiating tactic, but that doesn't mean another team won't lure him away.
No. 9: Robert Gallery, G
18 of 26
Robert Gallery's career is nowhere near what is was supposed to be. He was selected with the No. 2 overall selection to be a franchise left tackle. He was anything but that.
He has, however, developed into an outstanding guard. He is an average pass blocker, but he makes up for that by being one of the best run-blocking guards in the league.
The only question mark with Gallery, and it is a big one, is his health. He has suffered from various injuries throughout his career, and he cannot seem to play a full 16 games. He had back surgery after the 2009 season.
No 8: Eric Weddle, FS (Four Years)
19 of 26
Weddle is a sure-tackling free safety with solid instincts. Over the last three seasons, he is averaging over 100 tackles.
Weddle made big strides in his coverage skills in 2010. He broke up a career-high 10 passes.
He is not going to be one of the big-name safeties in the league, but he would be an upgrade for any team that doesn't have one of those big names.
No. 7: Ike Taylor, CB
20 of 26
Ike Taylor is a solid and physical corner. Pittsburgh is likely going to do their best to retain him, but he will get some enticing offers on the open market.
Taylor isn't going to get a lot of INTs, but he will provide good bump-and-run coverage and be a solid tackler in the secondary.
No. 6: Barry Cofield, DT (Five Years)
21 of 26
Cofield is a solid all-around DT. He can apply some pressure on QBs and also clog the middle against run games.
He has been in a 4-3, but he has the athleticism that may allow him to be an end in a 3-4. He plays with a lot of intensity and will add some valued punch in the trenches wherever he lands.
No. 5: Kamerion Wimbley, OLB (Five Years)
22 of 26
Kamerion Wimbley burst onto the scene with 11 sacks as a rookie in 2006. His production tapered off from his rookie year and he was traded to Oakland before the 2010 season for a third-round pick.
In Oakland, Wimbley went from being an OLB in a 3-4 to an OLB in a 4-3. He also spent time as a DE in passing situations, and this is where he flourished.
Wimbley had nine sacks last year, and they all came as a DE. He is a decent linebacker, but it is his ability to shift to DE in passing situations that makes him valuable.
No. 4: Cullen Jenkins, DE
23 of 26
It's always good to be a free agent after your team wins the Super Bowl. It's worth at least a couple million dollars on the next contract.
Cullen Jenkins will be no different. He is coming off his best season. He had seven sacks as an end in a 3-4 system. He is also stout against the run.
The Packers would love to retain him, but another team is likely to outbid them.
No. 3: Stephen Tulloch, LB (Five Years)
24 of 26
Tulloch is an inside-linebacking tackling machine. He has good range and is decent in coverage.
In the past two seasons, Tulloch has totaled 280 tackles. He is also very durable. He has never missed a game in his five-year career.
He is not going to provide a lot of pressure on the QB, but he will help solidify a run defense.
No. 2: Brandon Mebane, DT (Four Years)
25 of 26
Mebane is one of those defensive tackles that you cannot measure by statistics. He is not going to get many tackles and he will almost never get a sack.
What he does do is occupy blockers so his teammates can wrap up the ball carrier. He missed some time with injuries in 2010, but he was fully recovered by the end of the season.
Mebane would be a key piece for any team looking to solidify the interior of their line against the run.
No. 1: Doug Free, OT (Four Years)
26 of 26
Doug Free may have played himself out of the sleeper category and into the franchise territory. There are rumors that the Cowboys are going to place the franchise tag on this promising left tackle.
In the last eight games of the season, Free allowed five sacks and zero quarterback hits. He appears to be coming into his own, and he will be able to hold down the left side of the line for years to come.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")