Free Agency to Slow Down a Bit

Most of the biggest names are off the market. This is the time where some of the back-ups start to get signed. Notice the Jets and Rams have set their sights on TE Billy Bajema. Big name, huh? He'll be the blocking tight end for whomever signs him.

So let's take a look at the Top 10 Free Agents Available.

1. Kurt Warner, QB
Warner is without a doubt the best player left, but he's using San Francisco to jack up his price with Arizona. He's trying to get to 14 or 15 million a year. Right now he's at 11.5. He's going to be a Cardinal.

2. Ray Lewis, ILB
Lewis vastly overrated his value on the open market. He's not going to get ten million dollars a season from any team. You can bank it. He's going to go back to Baltimore for a 3-year deal worth 27 million, which will probably include incentives that help him get to 30 million.

3. Owen Daniels, TE (RFA)
The Texans placed the highest possible tender on restricted free agent Owen Daniels, and with good reason. Daniels is one of the best up and coming players in this league, and the Texans will be justly compensated if someone tries to sign Daniels away. Either way, expect a deal to be worked out soon between the Texans and Daniels. One that's going to pay Daniels top dollar. He may even come close to topping Tony Gonzalez's 5-year 35 million dollar deal he signed in 2006.

4. Matt Birk, C
On the original list of Top 10 best free agents, Birk was #11. He's aging and doesn't have much left, but he's got enough left for one, maybe two good years as a center. Minnesota and Baltimore are pursuing him hard, with a decision expected to come soon. Baltimore will likely acquire him, as it's believed they're offering more then Minnesota.

5. Sean Jones, SS
The lack of interest in Jones has to stem from his injury riddled 2008 season, but with Kansas City trying to lure Romeo Crennel to the organization as defensive coordinator, you could see Jones land in Kansas City.

6. Bryant McFadden, CB
The Arizona Cardinals are expected to offer McFadden a deal that pays between three and four million annually. The drop off is supposed to be because McFadden missed six games with an injury last year, but I can't imagine McFadden accepting the deal. Bartell and Foxworth each got close to seven million. McFadden should be able to find what he's looking for in Detroit, who hosted him at the start of free agency.

7. Jabari Greer, CB
Greer is supposed to be on Detroit's radar as well, and he wants exactly what Bartell and Dominqiue Foxworth got--between seven and eight million per year. If Greer can land himself in a zone scheme he could be a diamond in the rough.

8. Byron Leftwich, QB
Leftwich is visiting with Cincinnati, but I don't seriously see him signing there. Once Carson Palmer is fully healthy, there's no shot of him losing his job. I still expect to see San Francisco, Detroit, and Carolina to make some calls to Leftwich.

9. Cato June, LB
Cato June's release was a little surprising, and he's a solid player, but he's totally one dimensional. He needs to play in a Tampa 2 defense. Right now his only known suitor has been Buffalo.

10. Derrick Brooks, LB
Brooks is along similar lines as June, but while a little less one dimensional he's far older and his body more susceptible to wearing down. It's likely he's going to retire, but I won't be surprised if the Indianapolis Colts throw out a low-ball offer.


Coming Soon:
- The Jay Cutler Saga
- The Free Agents You Need (or needed) to Stay Away From
- My elusive mock draft