Peter King's Top 50 Free Agents

SI Staff | Aug 1, 2011

Peter King's Top 50 Free Agents /

Peter King's Top 50 Free Agents

CB Nnamdi Asomugha

For the first time in years, teams will be able to fill one of the game's most important positions through free agency. (The signing period begins at 6 p.m. ET on Friday.) "I haven't seen this many good corners on the market in a long time," one veteran pro personnel man said on Sunday. By my count, nine of the top 50 free agents are cover men, including Nnamdi Asomugha, the best free-agent corner since Deion Sanders in 1995. Look for him to leave the Raiders and get paid $1 million a game by a cornerback-needy team such as the Texans or the Cowboys. Here's where I see the top 50 free agents landing. UPDATE: The Eagles have signed Asomugha, considered the NFL's top free agent, to a five-year, $60 million deal.

RB DeAngelo Williams

Panthers use their ample cap space to keep one of their best. UPDATE: Agreed to a five-year, $43 million ($21 million guaranteed) deal with Panthers

DE Cullen Jenkins

UPDATE: The Eagles have reportedly inked Jenkins to a five-year, $25 million contract.

NT Aubrayo Franklin

Top nosetackle in this class and, at 30, still in his prime.

WR Sidney Rice

Rice joins former teammate Tavaris Jackson with the Seahawks, who landed the type of big wide receiver Pete Carroll loves. UPDATE: Agreed to a five-year, $41 million ($18.5 million guaranteed) deal with Seahawks

DE Jason Babin

Led all free-agents-to-be with 12 1/2 sacks in 2010. UPDATE: Agreed to a five-year, $28 million deal with Eagles

WR Santonio Holmes

Has two strikes against him in player discipline. UPDATE: Agreed to a five-year, $50 million ($24 million guaranteed) deal with Jets

T Matt Light

Only proven above-average left-tackle starter available.

CB Antonio Cromartie

Al Davis? Overpay for a cornerback? Yup. He always does. UPDATE: Cromartie agreed to re-up and stay with the Jets.

DE Ray Edwards

Rush end to complement the underrated Trent Cole. UPDATE: Agreed to a five-year, $30 million deal with Falcons

CB Johnathan Joseph

Good, aggressive Pittsburgh-quality cornerback. UPDATE: Agreed to a five-year, $48.75 million ($23.5 million guaranteed) deal, including a $12.5 million signing bonus with Texans

QB Matt Hasselbeck

Tennessee outbids Vikings on best quarterback in crop. UPDATE: Agreed to sign multi-year deal with Titans

G-T Marshal Yanda

The highly coveted lineman decides to stay in Baltimore. UPDATE: Agreed to five-year, $32 million deal with Ravens

T Doug Free

Dallas ponies up for rising star who'll protect Tony Romo. UPDATE: Agreed to a four-year, $32 million ($17 million guaranteed) deal with Cowboys

RB Ahmad Bradshaw

New York wants to keep him, but not at silly money.

FS Eric Weddle

Emerging player now the highest-paid safety in history. UPDATE: Agreed to five-year, $40 million ($19 million guaranteed) deal with Chargers

Charles Johnson

It made no sense for a team with cap space to lose him. UPDATE: Agreed to six-year, $72 million deal with Panthers

DT Brandon Mebane

John Fox needs interior-line beef to bolster run defense. UPDATE: Seahawks agree to deal with Mebane.

G Harvey Dahl

Miami has to get better up front. UPDATE: Dahl will be protecting Sam Bradford for years to come after signing a four-year contract with the Rams.

LB Barrett Ruud

Tackling machine UPDATE: The Titans signed Ruud to a one-year deal.

CB Ike Taylor

Has strengths and weaknesses; Pittsburgh knows both. UPDATE: Agreed to four-year deal with Steelers

SS Melvin Bullitt

Overshadowed by top safeties, but a solid NFL starter. UPDATE: Agreed to a three-year deal with Colts

WR Braylon Edwards

Will want too much money. Al will likely give it to him.

T Willie Colon

Missed 2010 (Achilles tendon); still best T option for Pitt. UPDATE: Colon re-signed with Pittsburgh for a five-year, $29 million deal

WR Malcom Floyd

San Diego can't afford to lose Floyd and Vincent Jackson.

FS Dashon Goldson

San Francisco has made retaining him a high priority.

CB Josh Wilson

Baltimore's big loss is Washington's gain. UPDATE: Agreed to a three-year, $13.5 million deal with the Redskins

T Ryan Harris

Denver wants to keep its young tackle combo intact.

LB Paul Posluszny

Perfect MLB for desperate Jags -- and he's only 26. UPDATE: Agreed to sign with Jaguars; six years, $45 million ($15 million guaranteed)

CB Carlos Rogers

Cincinnati is going to have to spend money on someone.

WR Steve Breaston

Arizona has to have an option opposite Larry Fitzgerald. UPDATE: Agreed to a five-year deal with Chiefs

SS Quintin Mikell

Should have been a star by now -- and could be in St. Louis. UPDATE: Agreed to a four-year, $27 million ($14 million guaranteed) deal with Rams

RB Ronnie Brown

Bill Belichick loves depth and versatility at running back.

SS Bernard Pollard

Amazing that this physical playmaker is only 26.

RB Cedric Benson

When not in trouble with law, he's good for 1,000 yards. UPDATE: Agreed on a one-year deal to stay in Cincinnati.

G Robert Gallery

A big upgrade to Seattle's revolving door at left guard in '10. UPDATE: Agreed to a three-year deal with the Seahawks

SS Dawan Landry

Dallas will make a move for either Landry or Abram Elam. Jaguars agree to deal with Landry to bolster secondary.

CB Richard Marshall

UPDATE: Agreed to a one-year deal with the Cardinals.

CB Kelly Jennings

No kidding: Rex Ryan wants four starting-caliber CBs.

SS Abram Elam

Physical upgrade for porous Houston secondary.

LB-S Thomas Davis

Coming off two injury-plagued years. Only 28, though. UPDATE: Agreed to a five-year deal with the Panthers

G Davin Joseph

Part of Tampa Bay's protection plan for Josh Freeman. UPDATE: Agreed to a seven-year, $52.5 million ($29 million guaranteed) deal with Bucs

TE Kevin Boss

Eli Manning would sorely miss one of his favorite targets.

T Jermon Bushrod

The Saints will value him more than other teams. UPDATE: Agreed to a two-year deal with Saints.

LB Kirk Morrison

Expect the Giants to also go after Posluszny.

SS Roman Harper

Don't expect New Orleans to let this key contributor leave. UPDATE: As expected, the Saints re-signed Harper, locking down the safety for another four years.

T Jared Gaither

Enigmatic lineman wore out his welcome in Baltimore. UPDATE: Gaither agrees to deal with Oakland Raiders.

WR James Jones

UPDATE: After lobbying by Aaron Rodgers, the Packers and Jones agreed to a three-year deal.

CB Chris Carr

Good nickel insurance for aging cornerback group. UPDATE: Ravens' most consistent corner stays in Baltimore.

DE Matt Roth

Rush DE-OLB could flourish in New England's scheme.

Published Aug 1, 2011

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