Top 10 Free Agent Signings

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Mar 7, 2008

Top 10 Free Agent Signings

Gibril Wilson, S, Raiders

Wilson gets us started on our list of the top free agent signings of 2008. Only players who changed addresses were considered, so you won't find Randy Moss on the list. Oakland targeted the Super Bowl-winning safety, giving Wilson a six-year, $39 million contract with the hope the four-year veteran will bolster a weak passing defense.

Antwan Odom, DT, Bengals

Overshadowed by Albert Haynesworth and Kyle Vanden Bosch in Tennessee, Odom will get the chance to be the man in Cincinnati. The Bengals threw a five-year, $29.5 million deal at Odom, who started all 16 games for the Titans last season and had eight sacks.

Javon Walker, WR, Raiders

Needing to give young QB JaMarcus Russell a veteran wideout after Jerry Porter left in the offseason, Oakland swiped Walker from its AFC West nemesis, Denver. Walker received a $6 million signing bonus as part of an incentive-laden deal.

Justin Smith, DE, 49ers

With the retirement of Bryant Young, San Francisco re-bolstered its defensive line with Smith, who signed a six-year, $45 million deal. The former Bengal is expected to be an every-down lineman for the Niners, something he wasn't given the opportunity to do in Cincinnati.

Alge Crumpler, TE, Titans

Having already had success with a mobile QB in Atlanta (Michael Vick), Crumpler finds himself in a similar situation in Tennessee with Vince Young under center. The Titans struggled in the passing game last season with only nine TD passes and hope the addition of Crumpler will be a good fit in new coordinator Mike Heimerdinger's offense.

Bernard Berrian, WR, Vikings

Feeling underappreciated in Chicago, Berrian, 27, will have the chance to be a No. 1 receiver in Minnesota, which made him the fourth highest-paid WR in the NFL with a six-year, $42 million deal. Berrian's speed will help the Vikings stretch the field, theoretically giving Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson more room to run.

Donte Stallworth, WR, Browns

Cleveland liked what it saw when Stallworth was paired with a big, physical receiver in Randy Moss with the Patriots last season. With Braylon Edwards as its No. 1 threat, the Browns gave Stallworth a seven-year, $35 million contract to give recently re-signed QB Derek Anderson another weapon.

Alan Faneca, G, Jets

A 10-year veteran of the Steelers, Faneca is now the highest paid offensive lineman in the NFL after the Jets signed him to a five-year, $40 million contract. New York targeted improving its offensive line in the offseason after ranking 26th in total yards and 19th in rushing yards per game last season.

Michael Turner, RB, Falcons

Turner cited Atlanta's aggressiveness as the main reason he inked a six-year, $34.5 million contract with the team. The Falcons targeted Turner, a four-year backup to LaDainian Tomlinson in San Diego, and envision a backfield similar to the one employed in Jacksonville, with Turner being the Fred Taylor power back and Jerious Norwood playing the role of Maurice Jones-Drew. The Jags comparison is appropriate given new Falcons coach Mike Smith's experience as a defensive coordinator in Jacksonville the past five seasons.

Asante Samuel, CB, Eagles

Philadelphia landed what many consider the prize of free agency by throwing $57 million over six years to the former Patriots cornerback. Samuel, 27, had an NFL-best 16 interceptions over the past two seasons. In the Eagles' blitz-heavy schemes, Samuel's one-on-one cover skills will be a nice security blanket.<br><br>Send comments to siwriters@simail.com