Top 50 free agents of 2013
/
The deadline has passed for teams to assign franchise tags to the impending free agents they want to keep. Those who weren't tagged and don't re-sign with their teams before 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 12 will officially enter the free agent market.
There isn't a Peyton Manning to be found in this year's crop of free agents (and really, how often is there a Peyton Manning available in free agency?), and the biggest name was taken off the market when the Ravens re-signed Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco to a six-year, 120.6 million contract. Still, though, it's a deep class with plenty of talent -- some household names, some lesser-knowns -- for teams to sort through.
Despite reports that the salary cap would stay relatively flat compared to last year's $120.6 million threshold, the cap this year has risen slightly to $123.9 million. As we've seen so often, though, it's not necessarily about spending, but spending wisely.
So, who's most worthy of teams devoting that precious cap space to? Click through to read Peter King's list of the top 50 free agents available this year.
BURKE: Potential bargains and busts | Players who hurt their value in 2012
SI.COM'S FREE-AGENT FANTASY DRAFT
50. Louis Vasquez, G, San Diego
2012: 2 sacks, 1 hit, 19 hurries allowed
Signed with: Denver
49. Greg Toler, CB, Arizona
2012:8 pass breakups, 2 interceptions
Signed with: Indianapolis
48. Phil Loadholt, T, Minnesota
2012: 4 sacks, 4 hits, 23 hurries allowed
Signed wtih: Minnesota
47. Desmond Bryant, DT, Oakland
2012: 36 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 forced fumble
Signed with: Cleveland
46. Brandon Gibson, WR, St. Louis
2012: 51 receptions, 691 yards, 5 touchdowns
Signed with: Miami
45. Anthony Fasano, TE, Miami
2012: 41 receptions, 332 yards, 5 touchdowns
Signed with: Kansas City
44. Tony Gonzalez, TE, Atlanta
2012: 93 receptions, 930 yards, 8 touchdowns
Signed with: Atlanta
43. Ed Reed, S, Baltimore
2012: 15 pass breakups, 4 interceptions
Best fit: New England
He's declining rapidly, but he can give a Super Bowl contender one strong season in 2013.
42. James Casey, TE/FB, Houston
2012: 34 receptions, 330 yards, 3 touchdowns
Signed with: Philadelphia
41. Israel Idonije, DE, Chicago
2012: 48 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble
Best fit: Dallas
The Cowboys need big people to keep litter away from DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer. Idonije is the perfect fit.
40. Victor Butler, OLB, Dallas
2012: 25 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
Best fit: Cleveland
Taking a flyer on a little-used edge guy? Cleveland can afford it. Could pay off big.
39. Jared Cook, TE, Tennessee
2012: 44 receptions, 523 yards, 4 touchdowns
Signed with:St. Louis
38. Daryl Smith, OLB, Jacksonville
2012: 6 tackles (only 2 games played)
Best fit: Jacksonville
Gus Bradley loves guys like Smith. Question is, does he think Smith can play 16 games?
37. Terrance Knighton, DT, Jacksonville
2012: 32 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
Signed with: Denver
36. Sam Baker, T, Atlanta
2012: 6 sacks, 9 hits, 37 hurries allowed
Signed with: Atlanta
35. Robert Geathers, DE, Cincinnati
2012: 30 tackles, 3 sacks
Signed with: Cincinnati
34. Danny Amendola, WR, St. Louis
2012: 63 receptions, 666 yards, 3 touchdowns
Signed with: New England
33. Martellus Bennett, TE, Giants
2012: 55 receptions, 626 yards, 5 touchdowns
Signed with: Chicago
32. Chris Clemons, S, Miami
2012: 98 tackles, 2 interceptions
Signed with: Miami
31. Kenny Phillips, S, Giants
2012: 24 tackles, 3 pass breakups (only 7 games played)
Signed with: Philadelphia
30. Connor Barwin, OLB, Houston
2012: 44 tackles, 3 sacks
Signed with: Philadelphia
29. John Abraham, DE, Atlanta
2012: 35 tackles, 10 sacks, 6 forced fumbles
Best fit: Giants
A 35-year-old pass rusher doesn't fit Giants' profile, but just turn on the tape.
28. Sean Smith, CB, Miami
2012: 12 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles
Signed with: Kansas City
27. Phil Dawson, K, Cleveland
2012: 29 of 31 (93.5 percent) field goals, long of 53 yards
Best fit: San Francisco
Replacing one 38-year-old kicker (David Akers) with another? Phil's still good from 50-plus.
26. Gosder Cherilus, T, Detroit
2012: 4 sacks, 7 hits, 27 hurries allowed
Signed with: Indianapolis
25. Reggie Bush, RB, Miami
2012: 1,278 total yards (986 rushing, 4.3 average), 8 touchdowns
Signed with: Detroit
24. Glover Quin, S, Houston
2012: 14 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles
Signed with: Detroit
23. Brent Grimes, CB, Atlanta
2012: 6 tackles (only 1 game played)
Best fit: Minnesota
The Vikings need a replacement for Antoine Winfield. Grimes gets hurt too much, but he's a good risk.
22. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Philadelphia
2012: 17 pass breakups, 3 interceptions
Signed with: Denver
21. Shane Lechler, P, Oakland
2012: 47.2 yard average, 9 touchbacks, 21 downed inside the 20
Best fit: Detroit
I keep hearing he had a bad season last year. I'll take a 47.2-yard-average bad year anytime.
20. Osi Umenyiora, DE, Giants
2012: 43 tackles, 6 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
Best fit: New England
I think the Pats will be in on a rusher, and if they fail to get Freeney (see below), Osi could be the guy.
19. Jermon Bushrod, T, New Orleans
2012: 4 sacks, 8 hits, 46 hurries allowed
Signed with: Chicago
18. Dashon Goldson, S, San Francisco
2012: 11 pass breakups, 3 interceptions, 1 forced fumble
Signed with: Tampa Bay
17. William Moore, S, Atlanta
2012: 8 pass breakups, 4 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles
Re-signed with: Atlanta
16. Chris Gamble, CB, Panthers
2012: 2 pass breakups (only played 4 games)
Signed with: Retired
15. Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis
2012: 1,363 total yards (1,042 rushing, 4.1 average), 4 touchdowns
Signed with: Atlanta
14. Sebastian Vollmer, T, New England
2012: 7 sacks, 7 hits, 26 hurries allowed
Best fit: Chicago
The Bears have money, and they've got to overpay to buck up a horrible line.
13. Michael Bennett, DE, Tampa Bay
2012: 41 tackles, 9 sacks, 3 forced fumbles
Signed with: Seattle
12. Dannell Ellerbe, ILB, Baltimore
2012: 92 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble
Signed with: Miami
11. Dwight Freeney, DE, Indianapolis
2012: 12 tackles, 5 sacks, 1 forced fumble
Best fit: Atlanta
I have a feeling the Patriots will be in on him too. He still has a 12-sack season in him.
10. Wes Welker, WR, New England
2012: 118 receptions, 1,354 yards, 6 touchdowns
Signed with: Denver
9. Greg Jennings, WR, Green Bay
2012: 36 receptions, 366 yards, 4 touchdowns (only 8 games played)
Signed with: Minnesota
8. Keenan Lewis, CB, Pittsburgh
2012: 23 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble
Signed with: New Orleans
7. Jake Long, T, Miami
2012: 4 sacks, 7 hits, 10 hurries allowed
Signed with: St. Louis
6. Andre Smith, T, Cincinnati
2012: 7 sacks, 2 hits, 25 hurries allowed
Best fit: Cincinnati
But I'd be worried about a guy with a former major weight problem.
5. Mike Wallace, WR, Pittsburgh
2012: 64 receptions, 836 yards, 8 touchdowns
Signed with: Miami
4. Andy Levitre, G, Buffalo
2012: 1 sack, 3 hits, 7 hurries allowed
Signed with: Tennessee
3. Aqib Talib, CB, New England
2012: 2 pass breakups, 1 interception (only 6 games played)
Signed with: New England
2. Paul Kruger, DE/OLB, Baltimore
2012: 42 tackles, 9 sacks, 1 forced fumble
Signed with: Cleveland
1. Cliff Avril, DE, Detroit
2012: 35 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
Signed with: Seahawks
