NFL Free Agency 2011: Is This the Worst Pool of Free Agents Ever?

The NFL lockout has continuously pushed back one of my favorites events of the calendar year—free agency.

I remember in recent years clicking the refresh button on my browns on a handful of sites to see which players were staying home and who was bolting for the money. Every year we see teams aggressively pursue free agents in hope that they will prove to be the missing link to their Super Bowl pipe dreams.

Due to the current lockout, free agency is now taking place after the NFL draft, which had quite the effect on team draft strategies this past weekend.

Still, free agency is expected to take place at some point, hopefully in the beginning of June.

A stipulation voided the contract of a once in the lifetime player, Nnamdi Asomugha. He will be at the top of every team’s wish list as he will set one lucky team apart from the rest.

As we look down a list of potential unrestricted free agents according to 2010 free agency rules, we have to wonder if this is actually the worst free agency class of all-time. What do you say?

Quarterbacks

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts while taking on the Chicago Bears in the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 16, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty

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Todd Bouman, Jaguars

Marc Bulger, Ravens

Kerry Collins, Titans

Todd Collins, Bears

Brett Favre, Vikings

Charlie Frye, Raiders

Rex Grossman, Redskins

Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks

J.P. Losman, Seahawks

J.T. O'Sullivan, Raiders

Chad Pennington, Dolphins

Patrick Ramsey, Vikings

Chris Simms, Titans

Alex Smith, 49ers

Jim Sorgi, Giants

Brian St. Pierre, Panthers

Billy Volek, Chargers

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A terrible list of quarterbacks for teams like Arizona, Seattle, Washington, Minnesota and Miami hoping to bring in a veteran to compete for the job.

Alex Smith, Matt Hasselbeck and Kerry Collins highlight the list. Of course, we can never officially rule out Brett Favre, but he’s not expected to continue his career.

Other than these Smith, Hasselbeck and Collins, there’s really nothing to look for here. I don’t buy into Grossman, Volek or Bulger being viable starters. Even worse, I wouldn’t even want Smith to quarterback my team.

Running Backs

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 12: Ronnie Brown #23 of the Miami Dolphins rushes against the New York Jets at New Meadowlands Stadium on December 12, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

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Michael Bennett, Raiders

Cedric Benson, Bengals

Ladell Betts, Saints

Ronnie Brown, Dolphins

Kevin Faulk, Patriots

Julius Jones, Saints

Mewelde Moore, Steelers

Sammy Morris, Patriots

Dominic Rhodes, Colts

Darren Sproles, Chargers

Fred Taylor, Patriots

Brian Westbrook, 49ers

Cadillac Williams, Buccaneers

Ricky Williams, Dolphins

Jason Wright, Cardinals

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Only a few names on this list can still make a real impact in the league—Benson, Brown, Sproles, Ricky Williams and Cadillac Williams.

Westbrook, Taylor, Rhodes and Faulk are just about done after successful careers.

Moore, Morris and Jones will most likely catch on with a team, but all of them would be No. 4 backs right now.

I’ve never been a fan of Benson and Brown can never stay healthy. Sproles is a spark plug as a third-down back while Ricky may actually be the most dependable all-around back on the list still.

Fullbacks

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 13: Tony Richardson #49 of the New York Jets stiff arms Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens during their home opener at the New Meadowlands Stadium on September 13, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Andrew

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Heath Evans, Saints

Vonta Leach, Texans

Tony Richardson, Jets

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Three quality fullbacks here. Each one can do everything a team asks—but Tony Richardson would have the biggest impact on this list. He is a fantastic run-blocker and an even better leader in the locker room. If the Jets didn’t have a great young fullback in the making already in John Conner, he’d make it back with the team.

Wide Receivers

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NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 21: Randy Moss #84 of the Tennessee Titans is introduced before a game against the Washington Redskins at LP Field on November 21, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

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Mark Clayton, Rams

Michael Clayton, Giants

Terrance Copper, Chiefs

Kevin Curtis, Chiefs

Rashied Davis, Bears

Braylon Edwards, Jets

Brian Finneran, Falcons

Mike Furrey, Redskins

T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Ravens

Greg Lewis, Vikings

Randy Moss, Titans

Santana Moss, Redskins

Terrell Owens, Bengals

Donte' Stallworth, Ravens

Brandon Stokley, Seahawks

Kelley Washington, Chargers

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Easily the deepest position of this weak free agency class.

The cream of the crop here are clearly Braylon Edwards, Randy Moss, Santana Moss and Terrell Owens. All four can still play at an extremely high level and turn a few teams into the Super Bowl favorites.

Expect Mark Clayton to re-sign with the Rams as he was excellent in his first two games. Housmandzadeh will probably catch on with a team, but he won’t do anything in the regular season, again. Stallworth can still be a deep threat, but not a viable one. Mike Furrey and Brandon Stokley could be decent slot options, but don’t expect them to make a difference.

Tight Ends

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 18: Safety Gerald Alexander #42 of the Jacksonville Jaguars tries to stop tight end Bo Scaife #80 of the Tennessee Titans during the game at EverBank Field on October 18, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty

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Desmond Clark, Bears

John Gilmore, Buccaneers

Reggie Kelly, Bengals

Randy McMichael, Chargers

Bo Scaife, Titans

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An extremely weak list highlighted by Bo Scaife and Randy McMichael. Both are fine options for the lower tier of quality receiving tight ends. They are proven veterans who will catch on. It wouldn’t surprise me if the other three don’t.

Offensive Tackles

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HONOLULU - JANUARY 30: Matt Light #72 of the New England Patriots stands on the field during the 2011 NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium on January 30, 2011 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

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Khalif Barnes, Raiders

Alex Barron, Cowboys

Jammal Brown, Redskins

Kirk Chambers, Bengals

Wayne Hunter, Jets

Matt Light, Patriots

Sean Locklear, Seahawks

Chester Pitts, Seahawks

Barry Sims, 49ers

Langston Walker, Raiders

Ray Willis, Seahawks

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This list is highlighted by Barnes, Brown, Light and Lockleaer. None of them are great options right now but will definitely be signed to bolster a few offensive lines.

Light is easily the most proven, but he is coming off a shoulder surgery.

One name who definitely should be shunned—Alex Barron. Cowboys fans everywhere are still haunted by Week 1 last year against Washington.

Offensive Guards

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 02: Robert Gallery #76 of the Oakland Raiders walks onto the field during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on January 2, 2011 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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Trai Essex, Steelers

Alan Faneca, Cardinals

Robert Gallery, Raiders

Adam Goldberg, Rams

Kyle Kosier, Cowboys

Daniel Loper, Raiders

Evan Mathis, Bengals

Reggie Wells, Eagles

Floyd Womack, Browns

Billy Yates, Browns

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Gallery, Faneca and Kosier are the best options, but that’s not saying much. This is another weak list.

I’d still give Gallery and Faneca an opportunity, especially as both would add quality depth to an offensive line.

I thought Gallery would head to Seattle, but that doesn’t look very likely anymore following the draft.

Centers

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Olin Kreutz #57 of the Chicago Bears looks on late in the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Imag

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David Baas, 49ers

Jonathan Goodwin, Saints

Olin Kreutz, Bears

Scott Mruczkowski, Chargers

Chris Spencer, Seahawks

Casey Wiegmann, Chiefs

Tony Wragge, 49ers

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Olin Kretuz is the star of this list as he has been one of the most dependable centers in the league for the most of the decade. I still think Chris Spencer would be a solid pickup by a team.

Other than that, pass.

Defensive Tackles

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MINNEAPOLIS - JANUARY 17: Pat Williams #94 of the Minnesota Vikings walks off the field after defeating the Dallas Cowboys 34-3 during the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on January 17, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo

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Anthony Adams, Bears

Marques Douglas, Titans

Ron Edwards, Chiefs

Ronald Fields, Broncos

Aubrayo Franklin, 49ers

Anthony Hargrove, Saints

Chris Hoke, Steelers

Chris Hovan, Rams

Damione Lewis, Texans

Bryan Robinson, Cardinals

Craig Terrill, Seahawks

Jimmy Wilkerson, Saints

Pat Williams, Vikings

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Pat Williams, Anthony Hargrove and Aubrayo Franklin are the top options here. Williams and Franklin are much older than teams would like, but considering both would only be signed to short term deals, that’s fine.

Hargrove has the versatility to move around the line and is still young enough to sign on for a decent deal.

Defensive Ends

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Cullen Jenkins #77 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after a sack of quarterback Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears in the first half in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo

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Jason Babin, Titans

Dave Ball, Titans

Raheem Brock, Seahawks

Jacques Cesaire, Chargers

Jared DeVries, Lions

Nick Eason, Steelers

Shaun Ellis, Jets

Demetric Evans, 49ers

Jonathan Fanene, Bengals

Jarvis Green, Texans

Cullen Jenkins, Packers

Travis Johnson, Chargers

Bobby McCray, Eagles

Trevor Pryce, Jets

Robaire Smith, Browns

Shaun Smith, Chiefs

Marcus Spears, Cowboys

Gerard Warren, Patriots

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A below-average list, which will be highlighted by Shaun Ellis and Cullen Jenkins. Jenkins is coming off a Super Bowl Championship and will make a lot of money on the open market.

Ellis can still play, but he needs help on whichever offensive line he goes to. He won’t make the same impact Jenkins will, but he’ll be a solid addition for any team.

Inside Linebackers

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TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 30: Linebacker Barrett Ruud #51 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sets on defense against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium on November 30, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

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Akin Ayodele, Bills

Kevin Bentley, Texans

Chase Blackburn, Giants

Kevin Burnett, Chargers

Stephen Cooper, Chargers

Keyaron Fox, Steelers

Dhani Jones, Bengals

Niko Koutouvides, Buccaneers

Brandon Moore, Chargers

Kirk Morrison, Jaguars

Barrett Ruud, Buccaneers

Takeo Spikes, 49ers

Tracy White, Patriots

Matt Wilhelm, Packers

Rod Wilson, Bears

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A solid list of inside linebackers with Burnett, Cooper and Ruud. I still believe that Spikes, Morrison, Jones and Ayodele would make an impact on a team.

Ruud will be the most sought after free agent from the list, and perhaps in the entire class. He is a sure tackler and an even better leader in the locker room.

Outside Linebackers

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CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 14: Linebacker Thomas Davis #58 of the Carolina Panthers celebrates a fourth down stop in the final minutes of their 20-17 win over the Chicago Bears at Bank of America Stadium on September 14, 2008 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Charlie Anderson, Chiefs

Keith Bulluck, Giants

Vinny Ciuciu, Lions

Danny Clark, Saints

Thomas Davis, Panthers

Tyjuan Hagler, Colts

LeRoy Hill, Seahawks

Landon Johnson, Lions

Travis LaBoy, 49ers

Ben Leber, Vikings

Matt McCoy, Seahawks

Kawika Mitchell, Saints

Mike Peterson, Falcons

Matt Roth, Browns

Scott Shanle, Saints

David Thornton, Titans

Pisa Tinoisamoa, Bears

Mike Vrabel, Chiefs

Sam Williams, Raiders

Jamie Winborn, Titans

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Thomas Davis is the show stealer here. Everyone team could use a talent with his speed and ability to tackle from the outside. Next up is Peterson, who probably won’t be back with the Falcons if I had to guess. He’s a solid leader and tackler.

Mitchell is a solid leader in his own right but his career is dwindling fast. Same goes for Keith Bullock.

Cornerbacks

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OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 15: Nnamdi Asomugha #21 of the Oakland Raiders warms up before their game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 15, 2009 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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Nnamdi Asomugha, Raiders

Phillip Buchanon, Redskins

Chris Carr, Ravens

Antonio Cromartie, Jets

Travis Daniels, Chiefs

Drayton Florence, Bills

Ellis Hobbs, Eagles

Roderick Hood, Titans

William James, 49ers

Jonathan Joseph, Bengals

Karl Paymah, Texans

Keiwan Ratliff, Bengals

Carlos Rogers, Redskins

Lito Sheppard, Vikings

Ike Taylor, Steelers

Frank Walker, Vikings

Fabian Washington, Ravens

Brian Williams, Falcons

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We finally get to the elite superstar. Nnamdi Asomugha is one of the best players in the entire league—he’s probably already one of the best cornerbacks of all-time. Teams will be lining up to give him a monstrous contract, which he deserves. He’ll help lead one contender to the top of the mountain as Super Bowl favorites.

Rogers and Taylor are the next best options, followed by Hobbs, Sheppard, Buchanan and Carr.

This entire free agency period is still all about Asomugha.

Free Safeties

Matthew Sharpe/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 31: Darren Sharper #42 of the New Orleans Saints in action during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Louisiana Superdome on October 31, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Matthew Sharpe/Getty Images)

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Jordan Babineaux, Seahawks

Sean Considine, Jaguars

Aaron Francisco, Colts

Ken Hamlin, Colts

Brandon McGowan, Patriots

Jon McGraw, Chiefs

Darren Sharper, Saints

Gibril Wilson, Bengals

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Despite being on the downside of his career, Sharper could still put a team over the top. He has enough left in the tank for one last Super Bowl run. He is an excellent ball hawk and the man I’d give the money to from this list.

After last season, Francisco may have the most upside along with Considine. Wilson started his career off well in New York but he’s clearly not the player many envisioned at the beginning of his career.

Strong Safeties

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: Lawyer Milloy #36 of the Seattle Seahawks looks down as teammate Marcus Trufant #23 is injured on the field in the third quarter against the Chicago Bears in the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 16, 2

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C.C. Brown, Lions

Josh Bullocks, Bears

Tyrone Carter, Chargers

Matt Giordano, Saints

Deon Grant, Giants

Michael Lewis, Rams

Quintin Mikell, Eagles

Lawyer Milloy, Seahawks

Donnie Nickey, Titans

Brodney Pool, Jets

Pierson Prioleau, Saints

Gerald Sensabaugh, Cowboys

Nick Sorensen, Browns

Matt Ware, Cardinals

Roy Williams, Bengals

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This list is highlighted by the Brodney Pool and a few aging veterans hoping to catch on with a team. Grant, Mikell, Milloy and Williams still have the ability to play and make an impact in a couple of games per season. Of them, Milloy is the best one, but not many want to be tackled by Deon Grant.

No team should sign C.C. Brown, though.

Kickers

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Adam Vinatieri #4 of the Indianapolis Colts kicks a successful 50-yard field goal in the fourth quarter against the New York Jets during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in India

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David Akers, Eagles

Matt Bryant, Falcons

Shayne Graham, Patriots

Ryan Longwell, Vikings

Olindo Mare, Seahawks

Jeff Reed, 49ers

Adam Vinatieri, Colts

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The kicker list may be the deepest of any position in this class. All of them are solid kickers, but the top of everyone’s list should be Vinatieri. He is the most clutch kicker of all-time and will prove to be an invaluable piece for a contending team.

Even Akers, Bryant, Reed and Longwell are solid consolation prizes. Graham and Mare are at the bottom of the list, but should find a home at some point.

Punters

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 11: Michael Koenen #9 of the Atlanta Falcons against the Baltimore Ravens at Georgia Dome on November 11, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

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Ben Graham, Cardinals

Michael Koenen, Falcons

Brad Maynard, Bears

Matt Turk, Texans

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A fine list as far as punters goes. All four are fine punters, but Koenen’s versatility sets him apart from the rest in my eyes. Graham has a big leg, while Maynard and Turk are also respectable punters.