NFL Free Agency Rumors: 8 Players With the Most to Gain in 2011

Adam Schefter of ESPN dropped a much-needed bombshell on the football world today when he reported that the NFL will go back to the pre-2010 rules when a new CBA is signed this summer.

Translation: Players with four, five or six years of service with an expired contract will be unrestricted free agents and are free to sign anywhere they want.

This is great news for fans, players and owners—as the free-agent market will be hotter than expected.

Which players stand to gain the most from today's news? We break down eight players who earned a lot of money today.

Doug Free, Tackle, Dallas Cowboys

Veteran left tackles with starting experience rarely enter free agency. When they do, they are usually pretty expensive.

Doug Free seems like a lock to re-sign in Dallas but may have to move to right tackle to open up a spot for 2011 first-rounder Tyron Smith. If Free wants to stay at left tackle, where the money is better, he may have to leave town.

The market for Free will be solid, as team's are desperate for left tackles who can pass-protect and run-block as well as he can.

Steve Smith, Wide Receiver, New York Giants

The 2011 free-agent class will feature many talented wide receivers, Steve Smith of the Giants being one of them.

Smith, the No. 1 receiver for the Giants, is a legitimate playmaker and a threat to put points on the board in any offensive system. With many receiver-needy teams like the Rams, Browns and Steelers hoping to score big on the open market, Smith's name will be one we hear mentioned over and over again.

With just four years in the NFL, Smith would not have been a free agent under 2010 rules.

Davin Joseph, Guard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Just call him the "$8 Million Man" because that's what Davin Joseph will see per year once he hits the open market.

While Joseph is not quite in the class of Carl Nicks or Logan Mankins, he is a dominant right guard and is young enough to still improve in the NFL.

One thing to note is that many playoff teams from 2010 need help along the offensive line and could be enticing to a player like Joseph. The Bears, Steelers, Saints and Falcons could all need help at guard, depending on how free agency breaks.

Sidney Rice, Wide Receiver, Minnesota Vikings

With a group of wide receivers entering the market featuring Santonio Holmes, Terrell Owens, Randy Moss and Braylon Edwards, it is Sidney Rice who just may be the best of them all.

Rice missed a large part of 2010 to injury, but when healthy, he has shown the talent as a No. 1 wide receiver to excite general managers into paying dearly for his services.

Rice must prove to suitors that he is healthy, but once a physical is done, you can bet that Rice will walk away with the richest contract of any free agent this summer.

David Harris, Linebacker, New York Jets

The New York Jets placed their franchise tag on David Harris before the 2010 season began. In 2011, depending on the new CBA, they may not be able to again.

There is a possibility that in this new CBA, teams are not able to designate a player as their "franchised" free agent two years in a row. If so, Harris will hit the open market with the potential to see serious money.

Harris is a stout, run-stuffing, inside linebacker who is a perfect fit in the 3-4 defense. If he were allowed to leave or even negotiate with other clubs, the price tag would go through the roof.

Johnathan Joseph, Cornerback, Cincinnati Bengals

We were shocked when the Bengals failed to use their franchise tag on cornerback Johnathan Joseph and a little more shocked when they ignored the cornerback position in the draft.

The Bengals either feel really good about Adam Jones as a starter, or they feel they can re-sign Joseph once he hits the open market.

Unless they are willing to match any and all offers, they should not be so sure. Joseph might be in the top 10 best free agents on the market this summer.

Zach Miller, Tight End, Oakland Raiders

It is possible the Oakland Raiders will try to re-sign star tight end Zach Miller this summer, but I am still not sure why they used their franchise tag on draft bust Kamerion Wimbley instead of their sure-handed tight end.

Miller will be the best tight end on the market and will be a commanding presence in negotiations. Playoff contenders like the Rams would love to have a redzone target like Miller in their huddle, and they have the money to pay him like one of the NFL's best.

Haloti Ngata, Defensive Tackle, Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens placed their franchise tag on the league's best defensive lineman, Haloti Ngata. What remains to be seen is if the franchise tag will still exist under the new CBA and what conditions apply to it.

Until then, we will assume that Ngata is a free agent.

The Ravens know they must lock up Ngata, and in good faith, they plan to negotiate a long-term contract with him as soon as the lockout ends. Ravens fans should hope the line is not busy when Ozzie Newsome calls Ngata with his contract offer.