The Scouting Combine is all the rage right now, but it's just a steppingstone toward the late-April NFL draft. While forty times and vertical leaps are great fun, an NFL steppingstone that will impact draft results to a much greater extent than the Underwear Olympics is free agency. And it kicks off in just over two weeks.
Here is my ranking of this year's top-50 NFL Free Agents, with guesses on where each player will land, and for roughly how much.
1. Quarterback Joe Flacco -- The Ravens want it. Flacco wants it. And the amount of money is no longer a topic of debate. Flacco will average $20 million on his forthcoming extension, leaving only length and structure to be negotiated. A tag will be wielded if it comes to that, but look for Ozzie Newsome to wrap this thing up within the week, allowing the Ravens' offseason to move forward.
Free Agent Forecast: Ravens on a seven-year, $140 million contract.
2. Left tackle Ryan Clady -- VP of Football Operations John Elway has made it clear Clady isn't going anywhere. He'll be slapped with the franchise tag, and the Broncos will explore something more long term when Clady proves he's fully recovered from offseason shoulder surgery.
Free Agent Forecast: Broncos via the franchise tag.
3. Defensive end Cliff Avril -- Avril projects to break the bank in free agency because he's the top natural pass rusher available, just about to turn 27, and offers scheme versatility. He'll appeal to 4-3 and 3-4 clubs alike. With 39.5 sacks, 13 pass breakups, and 16 forced fumbles over the past five seasons, Avril disrupts offenses in a variety of ways. Indy is flush with salary cap space, and Avril's versatility-athleticism combo would be put to great use in Chuck Pagano's hybrid defense.
Free Agent Forecast: Colts on a five-year, $64 million contract.
4. Cornerback Aqib Talib -- The Patriots are rolling the dice a bit with Talib, but they could emerge looking awfully smart. They'll let him hit the market, gambling that corner-needy teams will instead focus on players with cleaner off-field histories at free agency's deepest position. Expect Talib to be disappointed with offers elsewhere and ultimately re-up in Foxboro at a team-friendly rate.
Free Agent Forecast: Patriots on a four-year, $30 million contract.
5. Outside linebacker Paul Kruger -- Kruger's free agency buzz was red hot just ahead of and following Super Bowl 47, but it's come back to Earth the past few weeks. While Kruger is a good player and will command a pretty penny, he's a complementary as opposed to franchise pass rusher. He's Brian Robison, and he's going to get paid like Jared Allen. In Cleveland, Kruger could still complete a formidable rush 'backer duo with Jabaal Sheard in Ray Horton's new 3-4 defense.
Free Agent Forecast: Browns on a five-year, $60 million contract.
6. Wide receiver Dwayne Bowe -- All signs out of Indianapolis point to Bowe getting a second straight franchise tag. Teams such as the Bills and Vikings would love to get their hands on a receiver like Bowe, but it's not happening. Look for the Chiefs to let Branden Albert walk, tag Bowe, and target a long-term extension worth roughly $11 million annually down the road. Alex Smith is going to be Kansas City?s quarterback, and an offensive tackle figures to be the No. 1 pick.
Free Agent Forecast: Chiefs via the franchise tag.
7. Wide receiver Mike Wallace -- Both the Miami Herald and South Florida Sun-Sentinel have reported that Wallace tops GM Jeff Ireland's free-agent wish list. "60 Minutes" would give Ryan Tannehill a playmaker on the perimeter capable of both catching bombs and attracting frequent double coverage. Signing Wallace could open up Miami's offense underneath.
Free Agent Forecast: Dolphins on a four-year, $50 million contract.
8. Safety Jairus Byrd -- Adept in center-field coverage and a hawk on the ball, Byrd has developed into perhaps the premier free safety in football, forcing 28 turnovers through four NFL seasons. The Bills could use the franchise tag as a steppingstone in long-term contract talks. Soon, Byrd will join Eric Berry, Troy Polamalu, and Eric Weddle as one of the NFL's highest paid safeties.
Free Agent Forecast: Bills via the franchise tag.
9. Defensive tackle Henry Melton -- The surest way to torpedo an opposing passing game is to attack it with interior pressure. Melton does that like a rolling ball of butcher knives from his three-technique tackle position, registering 13 sacks over the past two seasons and getting better every year. The 2013 franchise number for interior defensive linemen costs a reasonable $8.306 million.
Free Agent Forecast: Bears via the franchise tag.
10. Safety Dashon Goldson -- If Byrd is the top ballhawk in the game, Goldson might be the premier pure cover safety. Toward the end of the season, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio cost the Niners some leverage by publicly acknowledging Goldson was "right up there" with Ed Reed. Goldson wanted Eric Weddle money last offseason. He may get more after a career-best year.
Free Agent Forecast: 49ers on a five-year, $42 million contract.
11. Outside linebacker Anthony Spencer -- Sporting the Cowboys' franchise tag in 2012, Spencer delivered career bests in tackles (95) and sacks (11). Despite changing its defensive alignment from 3-4 to 4-3, Dallas has made no bones about wanting Spencer back. They could clear enough space to make it happen by signing Tony Romo to an extension, which they already plan to do.
Free Agent Forecast: Cowboys on a four-year, $44 million contract.
12. Tight end Tony Gonzalez -- Gonzalez seemed dead set on retirement late in the 2012 season, but ESPN's Ed Werder has since reported the future Hall of Famer is "wavering" and may return for one more Super Bowl run. Although he is 37 years old, Gonzo has plenty of good football left, coming off a 93-reception season. Expect the allure of a championship to bring Gonzalez back.
Free Agent Forecast: Falcons on a one-year, $7 million contract.
13. Defensive tackle Desmond Bryant -- Flying under the radar only because he played on a bad team, Bryant has highly impressive game tape and possesses scheme versatility at 6-foot-6, 300. With nine sacks, two forced fumbles, and productive starts at both tackle and end the past two seasons, 27-year-old Bryant was this year's sleeper for a white-hot market before last week's arrest. Pete Carroll's forgiving Seahawks aren't afraid to take chances on players, and they were looking for an interior pass rusher like this when they signed Jason Jones last spring.
Free Agent Forecast: Seahawks on a five-year, $25 million contract.
14. Left tackle Branden Albert -- At the Scouting Combine, coach Andy Reid greased the skids for Albert's departure by calling a 2012 back issue that only cost him three games "a fairly significant injury." Significant or not, the comments were telling. Bears GM Phil Emery's team is needy at tackle, and Albert was drafted by the Chiefs in Emery?s first year as Kansas City's college scouting director.
Free Agent Forecast: Bears on a five-year, $37 million contract.
15. Offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer -- Primarily a right tackle in New England, 28-year-old Vollmer's value is enhanced by his capability of adequately protecting the blind side. Lean and athletic at 6-foot-8, 315, Vollmer would be coveted on the market even after arthroscopic knee surgery. The Pats are unlikely to let him get there, prioritizing Vollmer over Talib and Wes Welker.
Free Agent Forecast: Patriots on a five-year, $36 million contract.
16. Defensive end Michael Johnson -- In a breakout contract year, Johnson amassed 11.5 sacks -- the same amount he totaled across his first three seasons in the league. The fact that Johnson was an underachiever before 2012 suggests the Bengals would be savvy to keep him in another contract year. They could do so with the franchise tag, worth $10.98 million at defensive end.
Free Agent Forecast: Bengals via the franchise tag.
17. Wide receiver Wes Welker -- Although they eventually leaned on him due to Aaron Hernandez and Julian Edelman's injuries, the Pats opened last season essentially phasing Welker out of their offense. It's probably a sign of things to come. Welker is 32 and not under consideration for New England's franchise tag. The Patriots simply don't value him as highly as it seems like they should.
Free Agent Forecast: Bears on a three-year, $27 million contract.
18. Running back Steven Jackson -- Jackson will void his $7 million player option for 2013, but the Rams still view him as a key component in their offense. The expectation here is that S-Jax signs a deal to finish his career in St. Louis. If he doesn't, the Falcons, Packers, Steelers, and Broncos would be sensible suitors. Jackson would surely look at playoff-contending teams first.
Free Agent Forecast: Rams on a three-year, $17.5 million contract.
19. Cornerback Sean Smith -- The Miami Herald is South Florida's most plugged-in paper and vehemently insists Smith won't be franchise tagged. Look for Smith to hit the market targeting $8 million per year. In Jacksonville, new coach Gus Bradley is in pursuit of big, physical corners.
Free Agent Forecast: Jaguars on a four-year, $32 million contract.
20. Right tackle Andre Smith -- Smith would be an interesting case in free agency. He has a worrisome history of weight issues, but played like the best right tackle in football last season. While the Bengals don't always pony up for free agents, they realize Smith is critical in their offense. They may let him reach the market initially, then re-sign him if bidding is lukewarm.
Free Agent Forecast: Bengals on a six-year, $39 million contract.
The Scouting Combine is all the rage right now, but it's just a steppingstone toward the late-April NFL draft. While forty times and vertical leaps are great fun, an NFL steppingstone that will impact draft results to a much greater extent than the Underwear Olympics is free agency. And it kicks off in just over two weeks.
Here is my ranking of this year's top-50 NFL Free Agents, with guesses on where each player will land, and for roughly how much.
1. Quarterback Joe Flacco -- The Ravens want it. Flacco wants it. And the amount of money is no longer a topic of debate. Flacco will average $20 million on his forthcoming extension, leaving only length and structure to be negotiated. A tag will be wielded if it comes to that, but look for Ozzie Newsome to wrap this thing up within the week, allowing the Ravens' offseason to move forward.
Free Agent Forecast: Ravens on a seven-year, $140 million contract.
2. Left tackle Ryan Clady -- VP of Football Operations John Elway has made it clear Clady isn't going anywhere. He'll be slapped with the franchise tag, and the Broncos will explore something more long term when Clady proves he's fully recovered from offseason shoulder surgery.
Free Agent Forecast: Broncos via the franchise tag.
3. Defensive end Cliff Avril -- Avril projects to break the bank in free agency because he's the top natural pass rusher available, just about to turn 27, and offers scheme versatility. He'll appeal to 4-3 and 3-4 clubs alike. With 39.5 sacks, 13 pass breakups, and 16 forced fumbles over the past five seasons, Avril disrupts offenses in a variety of ways. Indy is flush with salary cap space, and Avril's versatility-athleticism combo would be put to great use in Chuck Pagano's hybrid defense.
Free Agent Forecast: Colts on a five-year, $64 million contract.
4. Cornerback Aqib Talib -- The Patriots are rolling the dice a bit with Talib, but they could emerge looking awfully smart. They'll let him hit the market, gambling that corner-needy teams will instead focus on players with cleaner off-field histories at free agency's deepest position. Expect Talib to be disappointed with offers elsewhere and ultimately re-up in Foxboro at a team-friendly rate.
Free Agent Forecast: Patriots on a four-year, $30 million contract.
5. Outside linebacker Paul Kruger -- Kruger's free agency buzz was red hot just ahead of and following Super Bowl 47, but it's come back to Earth the past few weeks. While Kruger is a good player and will command a pretty penny, he's a complementary as opposed to franchise pass rusher. He's Brian Robison, and he's going to get paid like Jared Allen. In Cleveland, Kruger could still complete a formidable rush 'backer duo with Jabaal Sheard in Ray Horton's new 3-4 defense.
Free Agent Forecast: Browns on a five-year, $60 million contract.
6. Wide receiver Dwayne Bowe -- All signs out of Indianapolis point to Bowe getting a second straight franchise tag. Teams such as the Bills and Vikings would love to get their hands on a receiver like Bowe, but it's not happening. Look for the Chiefs to let Branden Albert walk, tag Bowe, and target a long-term extension worth roughly $11 million annually down the road. Alex Smith is going to be Kansas City?s quarterback, and an offensive tackle figures to be the No. 1 pick.
Free Agent Forecast: Chiefs via the franchise tag.
7. Wide receiver Mike Wallace -- Both the Miami Herald and South Florida Sun-Sentinel have reported that Wallace tops GM Jeff Ireland's free-agent wish list. "60 Minutes" would give Ryan Tannehill a playmaker on the perimeter capable of both catching bombs and attracting frequent double coverage. Signing Wallace could open up Miami's offense underneath.
Free Agent Forecast: Dolphins on a four-year, $50 million contract.
8. Safety Jairus Byrd -- Adept in center-field coverage and a hawk on the ball, Byrd has developed into perhaps the premier free safety in football, forcing 28 turnovers through four NFL seasons. The Bills could use the franchise tag as a steppingstone in long-term contract talks. Soon, Byrd will join Eric Berry, Troy Polamalu, and Eric Weddle as one of the NFL's highest paid safeties.
Free Agent Forecast: Bills via the franchise tag.
9. Defensive tackle Henry Melton -- The surest way to torpedo an opposing passing game is to attack it with interior pressure. Melton does that like a rolling ball of butcher knives from his three-technique tackle position, registering 13 sacks over the past two seasons and getting better every year. The 2013 franchise number for interior defensive linemen costs a reasonable $8.306 million.
Free Agent Forecast: Bears via the franchise tag.
10. Safety Dashon Goldson -- If Byrd is the top ballhawk in the game, Goldson might be the premier pure cover safety. Toward the end of the season, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio cost the Niners some leverage by publicly acknowledging Goldson was "right up there" with Ed Reed. Goldson wanted Eric Weddle money last offseason. He may get more after a career-best year.
Free Agent Forecast: 49ers on a five-year, $42 million contract.
11. Outside linebacker Anthony Spencer -- Sporting the Cowboys' franchise tag in 2012, Spencer delivered career bests in tackles (95) and sacks (11). Despite changing its defensive alignment from 3-4 to 4-3, Dallas has made no bones about wanting Spencer back. They could clear enough space to make it happen by signing Tony Romo to an extension, which they already plan to do.
Free Agent Forecast: Cowboys on a four-year, $44 million contract.
12. Tight end Tony Gonzalez -- Gonzalez seemed dead set on retirement late in the 2012 season, but ESPN's Ed Werder has since reported the future Hall of Famer is "wavering" and may return for one more Super Bowl run. Although he is 37 years old, Gonzo has plenty of good football left, coming off a 93-reception season. Expect the allure of a championship to bring Gonzalez back.
Free Agent Forecast: Falcons on a one-year, $7 million contract.
13. Defensive tackle Desmond Bryant -- Flying under the radar only because he played on a bad team, Bryant has highly impressive game tape and possesses scheme versatility at 6-foot-6, 300. With nine sacks, two forced fumbles, and productive starts at both tackle and end the past two seasons, 27-year-old Bryant was this year's sleeper for a white-hot market before last week's arrest. Pete Carroll's forgiving Seahawks aren't afraid to take chances on players, and they were looking for an interior pass rusher like this when they signed Jason Jones last spring.
Free Agent Forecast: Seahawks on a five-year, $25 million contract.
14. Left tackle Branden Albert -- At the Scouting Combine, coach Andy Reid greased the skids for Albert's departure by calling a 2012 back issue that only cost him three games "a fairly significant injury." Significant or not, the comments were telling. Bears GM Phil Emery's team is needy at tackle, and Albert was drafted by the Chiefs in Emery?s first year as Kansas City's college scouting director.
Free Agent Forecast: Bears on a five-year, $37 million contract.
15. Offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer -- Primarily a right tackle in New England, 28-year-old Vollmer's value is enhanced by his capability of adequately protecting the blind side. Lean and athletic at 6-foot-8, 315, Vollmer would be coveted on the market even after arthroscopic knee surgery. The Pats are unlikely to let him get there, prioritizing Vollmer over Talib and Wes Welker.
Free Agent Forecast: Patriots on a five-year, $36 million contract.
16. Defensive end Michael Johnson -- In a breakout contract year, Johnson amassed 11.5 sacks -- the same amount he totaled across his first three seasons in the league. The fact that Johnson was an underachiever before 2012 suggests the Bengals would be savvy to keep him in another contract year. They could do so with the franchise tag, worth $10.98 million at defensive end.
Free Agent Forecast: Bengals via the franchise tag.
17. Wide receiver Wes Welker -- Although they eventually leaned on him due to Aaron Hernandez and Julian Edelman's injuries, the Pats opened last season essentially phasing Welker out of their offense. It's probably a sign of things to come. Welker is 32 and not under consideration for New England's franchise tag. The Patriots simply don't value him as highly as it seems like they should.
Free Agent Forecast: Bears on a three-year, $27 million contract.
18. Running back Steven Jackson -- Jackson will void his $7 million player option for 2013, but the Rams still view him as a key component in their offense. The expectation here is that S-Jax signs a deal to finish his career in St. Louis. If he doesn't, the Falcons, Packers, Steelers, and Broncos would be sensible suitors. Jackson would surely look at playoff-contending teams first.
Free Agent Forecast: Rams on a three-year, $17.5 million contract.
19. Cornerback Sean Smith -- The Miami Herald is South Florida's most plugged-in paper and vehemently insists Smith won't be franchise tagged. Look for Smith to hit the market targeting $8 million per year. In Jacksonville, new coach Gus Bradley is in pursuit of big, physical corners.
Free Agent Forecast: Jaguars on a four-year, $32 million contract.
20. Right tackle Andre Smith -- Smith would be an interesting case in free agency. He has a worrisome history of weight issues, but played like the best right tackle in football last season. While the Bengals don't always pony up for free agents, they realize Smith is critical in their offense. They may let him reach the market initially, then re-sign him if bidding is lukewarm.
Free Agent Forecast: Bengals on a six-year, $39 million contract.
21. Left tackle Jake Long -- This year's free-agent tackle class is incredibly deep, and there are three top-ten left tackle picks in the draft. The result is a buyer's market, where veterans perhaps past their primes like Long will receive disappointing offers. Expect Long's price tag to drop after waiting a day or three in free agency, and the Dolphins to re-sign him at a club-friendly rate.
Free Agent Forecast: Dolphins on a five-year, $37.5 million contract.
22. Cornerback Brent Grimes -- Before Grimes tore his Achilles' early last September, he had quietly emerged as a top-five NFL corner. By all accounts, Grimes' recovery has gone smoothly and he's now performing strenuous workouts on land. Turning 30 this July, Grimes remains a red-light injury risk and will probably have to accept a short-term, incentive-laden deal. The Falcons know Grimes best and could clear enough cap space to re-sign him by cutting Dunta Robinson.
Free Agent Forecast: Falcons on a one-year, $7.5 million contract.
23. Guard Andy Levitre -- Levitre and Louis Vasquez are the cream of the crop in a top-heavy free-agent guard class, and Levitre is better than Vasquez. 27 in May, Levitre is young and versatile, capable of starting at any of the three interior line spots as well as tackle in a pinch. Ex-Bills offensive coordinator Curtis Modkins is now on the Lions' staff, and Detroit is needy at guard.
Free Agent Forecast: Lions on a six-year, $38 million contract.
24. Cornerback Derek Cox -- Despite his client's laundry list of durability woes, Cox's agent expects a "vigorous" market for the 26-year-old corner. Per the agent, Cox permitted a 69.0 passer rating last season, better than more heralded CBs Talib (98.7), Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (87.7), and Sean Smith (85.1). Cox and his agent may be slightly disappointed, but they'll get a solid deal. Broncos DC Jack Del Rio knows Cox well from their Jacksonville days.
Free Agent Forecast: Broncos on a four-year, $28 million contract.
25. Strong safety William Moore -- Defensive coordinator Mike Nolan made Moore a featured player in his first season with Atlanta. Moore responded with a breakout year, setting a career high in tackles (75) and intercepting four balls. While the Falcons seem unlikely to slap Moore with the franchise tag, re-signing him is an obvious priority and they are likely to get a deal done. At $6.65 million annually, Tyvon Branch's 2012 contract figures to be a starting point in negotiations.
Free Agent Forecast: Falcons on a five-year, $33.5 million contract.
26. Wide receiver Greg Jennings -- If Jennings truly believes he's worth $14 million annually -- as has been reported -- he'll be sorely disappointed. Going on age 30 with 11 missed games the past two seasons, Jennings would do well to surpass Reggie Wayne's three-year, $17.5 million deal. He probably will, but not by much. Minnesota is desperate for an established, playmaking receiver.
Free Agent Forecast: Vikings on a four-year, $25 million contract.
27. Defensive end Osi Umenyiora -- Still an effective situational pass rusher at age 31, Umenyiora registered six sacks and two forced fumbles last season while playing 61 percent of the Giants' defensive snaps. The Bucs are starving for an improved pass rush, and Osi is familiar with Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan from his five-year stint (2005-09) on the Giants' staff.
Free Agent Forecast: Buccaneers on a three-year, $20 million contract.
28. Defensive end Michael Bennett -- Bennett is a complementary-type pass rusher, but will be coveted by teams that run 4-3 defenses because he can affect the offense from both left end and tackle. At 6-foot-4, 274, he's like a poor man's Justin Tuck. 27-year-old Bennett is coming off career bests in tackles (41), sacks (9), and forced fumbles (3). The cap-rich Bucs not only need to re-sign Bennett, they need to add another outside-edge rusher to join him. (See Umenyiora.)
Free Agent Forecast: Buccaneers on a five-year, $36 million contract.
29. Left tackle Will Beatty -- Gifted athletically and 28 years old, Beatty graded out as a top-ten left tackle in Pro Football Focus' 2012 ratings and is in the midst of his prime. The Giants aren't willing to pay Beatty franchise-tag money, but do want to complete a long-term deal. Look for the G-Men to get Beatty re-signed without breaking the bank. About $6.5 million annually ought to get it done.
Free Agent Forecast: Giants on a five-year, $32.5 million contract.
30. Wide receiver Danny Amendola -- If Amendola hits the market, expect the Broncos and Patriots to show interest. More likely, the Rams will identify him as a core offensive player and make a competitive offer closer to the eve of free agency. Amendola is St. Louis' only reliable on-field receiver, and his 20 missed games over the past two seasons should bring down his price.
Free Agent Forecast: Rams on a three-year, $18.5 million contract.
31. Right tackle Phil Loadholt -- Vikings GM Rick Spielman realizes Loadholt's worth. Minnesota plays run-first offense, and Loadholt is a crucial puzzle piece as a 343-pound mauler. The sides have discussed an extension off and on since last fall. 27 and coming off a career-best season, Loadholt may use Doug Free's four-year, $32 million deal as a jump-off point in negotiations.
Free Agent Forecast: Vikings on a three-year, $27 million contract.
32. Free safety Ed Reed -- Reed played last season on a $7.2 million salary. If he really wants another Super Bowl ring, he'll have to take less. Going on 35 and entrenched in his decline phase, Reed may only have a year or two left. A mutual admirer of Pats coach Bill Belichick, Reed spoke of signing with New England in January and there's a good chance that dream will become reality.
Free Agent Forecast: Patriots on a one-year, $5.5 million contract.
33. Defensive tackle Randy Starks -- Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland conceded at the Combine that he's "likely" to wield the franchise tag ahead of next Monday's deadline. Sean Smith won't get it, and neither will Jake Long. At $8.306 million, the defensive tackle franchise number would be more cost effective than Smith and Long's positions, and a sensible way of retaining 29-year-old Starks.
Free Agent Forecast: Dolphins via the franchise tag.
34. Guard Louis Vasquez -- The Chargers made overtures to Vasquez at the Combine, identifying him as a priority to keep on an otherwise poorly-assembled offensive line. Expect the sides to hammer out a deal worth over $6 million annually. San Diego can't afford to let him get away.
Free Agent Forecast: Chargers on a seven-year, $44 million contract.
35. Tight end Martellus Bennett -- Bennett fit the Giants well in 2012, flashing Pro Bowl-caliber ability when he was healthy and the offense clicked. John Carlson's $25 million over five years should be a baseline in negotiations. Bennett is only 26 and could bet on himself in the short term.
Free Agent Forecast: Giants on a three-year, $16 million contract.
36. Wide receiver Brian Hartline -- Hartline falls into tier two of this year's receiver free-agency class; in the Danny Amendola group behind Bowe, Wallace, and Jennings. Teams around the league realize Hartline is only a competitive No. 2 receiver, but his $6 million-per-year target price is not unreasonable. The Dolphins want Hartline back, and they have ample money to keep him.
Free Agent Forecast: Dolphins on a three-year, $18 million contract.
37. Tight end Dustin Keller -- The Jets can't afford to retain Keller, and he's destined for the open market. Last year's injuries may depress Keller's value some, even if he'll be the premier seam-stretching tight end available with Jared Cook returning to Nashville on the franchise tag. Reunited with Brian Schottenheimer, the Rams could pair Keller with Lance Kendricks in two-tight end sets.
Free Agent Forecast: Rams on a four-year, $22 million contract.
38. Defensive end Dwight Freeney -- 33 and best suited for a specialist's role on limited snaps, Freeney can still bring heat on passing downs as a "wave" rusher. He could be a short-term fix for a Seattle team needing pass-rushing reinforcements as Chris Clemons recovers from a torn ACL.
Free Agent Forecast: Seahawks on a two-year, $10 million contract.
39. Running back Reggie Bush -- Although Bush didn't embarrass himself as the Dolphins' feature back the past two seasons, NFL teams still envision him as a "space" player who's at his best on limited touches, mostly in the pass game. The Lions badly need to add juice to their backfield, and Bush's fit would be ideal in the league's pass-heaviest offense. He's not going to break the bank.
Free Agent Forecast: Lions on a four-year, $16.5 million contract.
40. Left tackle Sam Baker -- Baker is coming off a career year, but past back issues will concern tackle-needy clubs, and his value will be further depressed by a rich market at his position. The Falcons would be smart to let Baker reach free agency unsigned, because he'd likely come back willing to take less money. It's safe to say the Sam Baker "sweepstakes" would not be fierce.
Free Agent Forecast: Falcons on a five-year, $27 million contract.
41. Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie -- Rodgers-Cromartie is a maddeningly poor tackler and returning from an inconsistent year in coverage, but he oozes talent and is only 27 years old. "DRC" had the best season of his career in 2009 under then-Cardinals defensive coordinator Billy Davis. Davis just so happens to be running Chip Kelly's defense in Philly now.
Free Agent Forecast: Eagles on a three-year, $17 million contract.
42. Cornerback Keenan Lewis -- Lewis took off in 2012, playing physical and consistent coverage and tackling efficiently opposite Ike Taylor for the Steelers' top-ranked pass defense. Pittsburgh now lacks the financial means to retain Lewis, who entered the league when Ray Horton was the Steelers' defensive backs coach. Horton is now coordinating the division-rival Browns defense.
Free Agent Forecast: Browns on a five-year, $36 million contract.
43. Cornerback Chris Houston -- Much better suited as a No. 2 than No. 1 corner, Houston has nevertheless spent the past three seasons in the latter role with Detroit. Unfortunately for Houston, he's another middling option in a free-agent cornerback class full of No. 2s. Expect him to re-sign affordably with the Lions, and GM Martin Mayhew to target a future No. 1 in April's draft.
Free Agent Forecast: Lions on a two-year, $11.5 million contract.
44. Defensive tackle Jason Jones -- Jones never really found a home in Seattle's 2012 defense, playing under 30 percent of the defensive snaps and notching three sacks as an interior pocket pusher off the bench. If he's healthy, Jones is capable of injecting explosive rush ability into a defensive front seven. Old Seattle defensive coordinator Gus Bradley is now Jacksonville's head coach, and the Jaguars are desperate for pass rushers both inside and off the outside edge.
Free Agent Forecast: Jaguars on a three-year, $12 million contract.
45. Right tackle Gosder Cherilus -- Cherilus was arguably Detroit's best offensive lineman in 2012, but he's a right-tackle only with a long history of knee problems and no longer part of the Lions' long-term plans. Cherilus will likely be viewed on the open market as a short-term fix. The Texans make sense as a landing spot because their primary weakness up front is right tackle.
Free Agent Forecast: Texans on a two-year, $10.5 million contract.
46. Free safety Louis Delmas -- Delmas would be much higher on this list if not for persistent injuries. A difference maker when in the lineup, Delmas has missed 13 games the past two seasons due to knee and groin surgeries. Delmas hasn't yet turned 26, so he could pursue a one-year, prove-it deal to display durability before re-testing free agency in 2014. The Chiefs are needy at free safety across from Eric Berry and should be willing to give Delmas a shot.
Free Agent Forecast: Chiefs on a one-year, $5 million contract.
47. Defensive tackle Terrance Knighton -- Knighton never met expectations in Jacksonville, but he's a 340-pound 26-year-old long on run-clogging potential. A one-year, prove-it deal with the 2014 market in mind might serve Knighton best in the big picture. Denver needs an anchor for its defense, and coordinator Jack Del Rio was Knighton's head coach for three years with the Jags.
Free Agent Forecast: Broncos on a one-year, $4.75 million contract.
48. Linebacker Daryl Smith -- Smith is coming off a lost season due to injury, but should have quality football left at age 31. His "SAM" linebacker position is also critical in new coach Gus Bradley's 4-3. Look for the sides to reunite and career Jaguar Smith to finish things up in Jacksonville.
Free Agent Forecast: Jaguars on a three-year, $15 million contract.
49. Tight end Jared Cook -- Cook played roughly 60 percent of his 2012 snaps lined up in the slot or out wide. He wants to be franchise tagged at the wide receiver number of $10.5 million. The Titans prefer him at the tight end number ($5.962 million), and the sides figure to agree to meet somewhere in the middle. Tennessee's coaches and front office seem dead set on keeping Cook.
Free Agent Forecast: Titans via the franchise tag.
50. Cornerback Antoine Cason -- Although susceptible deep, 26-year-old Cason can make plays on the football and offers impressive corner size at 6-foot-1, 195. Indianapolis is rich on salary cap space and in the market for a bookend across from Vontae Davis. Cason is young, should be relatively affordable, and fits defensive-minded coach Chuck Pagano's press coverage scheme.
Free Agent Forecast: Colts on a three-year, $16.5 million contract.
Best of the Rest Free Agents: Kenny Phillips, Connor Barwin, Israel Idonije, Rashard Mendenhall, Bradley Fletcher, Glenn Dorsey, Jermon Bushrod, Bryant McKinnie, Cary Williams, Richard Seymour, Matt Moore, Fred Davis, Ahmad Bradshaw, Mike Jenkins, James Casey, Brandon Moore, Ronde Barber, Shaun Phillips, LaRon Landry, Leodis McKelvin, Pat Chung, Charles Woodson, Jerome Felton, Dannell Ellerbe, Jerraud Powers, Victor Butler, Glover Quin.
Source: http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/nfl/42620/309/top-50-free-agency-forecast
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