since this was in a topic here is a list of UFA

[AGrizzlyBaer]

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5050462

The top 10

Colts RB Edgerrin James — MVP of the first half of this season. How much of that is his desire to get paid? Probably not much, as he's always played with solid consistency. He's an annual Pro Bowl threat.

Jets DE John Abraham — Can play DE in a 4-3 or LB in a 3-4 scheme. Abraham is one of the league's best pass rushers, always a premium.

Chargers QB Drew Brees — Best player at the team's most important position. In another year he probably wouldn't rate this high but teams looking for a veteran QB don't really have any other options.

Saints OG LeCharles Bentley — This guy is a complete beast and has shown great versatility by starring at center and guard. He's also got that great mean streak that the great offensive linemen possess.

Seattle RB Shaun Alexander — Seattle has had serious talks recently with Alexander and even exchanged contract proposals. Positive: Alexander is the best red-zone back in the NFL. Negative: Shows little interest in blocking and receiving.

49ers' LB Julian Peterson — Doubtful the Niners let him get away again but he, like Abraham, has shown great versatility.

Seahawks' G Steve Hutchinson — The second-best lineman on the open market. He's a true Pro Bowl player a solid team guy.

Ravens RB Jamal Lewis — Lewis has struggled this year. Still, he may end up being the most enticing option. Most of his problems this year were due to his lack of rehab time and work due to incarceration and a putrid offensive line. Put this tank on another team and he's back to Pro Bowl form.

Eagles RB Brian Westbrook — Westbrook and the Eagles have been in very serious contract talks recently, but if they can't get something done, he'll have a decent market in a crowded class.

Patriots K Adam Vinatieri — Mariano Rivera of the NFL.

UFAs by position

Offense

RBs — This is the deepest position in free agency, even with two of the top five in serious contract talks right now. The RB group is highlighted by Colts' Edgerrin James, Seattle's Shaun Alexander, Baltimore's Jamal Lewis, Philly's Brian Westbrook and Green Bay's Ahman Green. Carolina's DeShaun Foster has had durability concerns but should get some love on the open market as well. Green's stock will take a hit with his latest injury.

QBs — This is an abysmal group. One man and o

ne man only will hit like he's nailed the triple Tabasco sauce in a Vegas progressive slot and that's the Bolts' Drew Brees. One way or the other he'll get a massive payday in 2006. The Bengals' Jon Kitna may be the best option in this group after Brees. After Brees and Kitna it drops down to the Cards' Josh McCown, who has actually lost his job to Kurt Warner. After McCown comes the Panthers' Chris Weinke and Lions' Jeff Garcia. Jamie Martin and Anthony Wright round out a poor list.

WR — Looking for a top-flight burner? Better look in the draft. Pitt's Antwan Randle-El is tops on another weak list. Indy's Reggie Wayne and New England's David Givens round out the top three. After this trio, however, we get into guys who have already been castoff elsewhere, like Joe Jurevicius (who may be a nice pickup for a team with a burner on one side) and then, well, the list really goes south (i.e. Peter Warrick, Rod Gardner).

TE — Not a bad group but nothing that would dazzle anyone either. The Cowboys' Dan Campbell is a great team guy and does the little things that often go unnoticed. The Jets' Chris Baker is a solid receiver and New England's Christian Fuaria is a legitimate red-zone target. Pittsburgh's Jerame Tuman, San Diego's Justin Peele and Matt Schobel of the Bengals round out a pretty good group.

C — This is highlighted by the Saints' Pro Bowler LeCharles Bentley. The Packers' Mike Flanagan is a proven, solid vet who recently had a sports hernia surgery. He's not a star like Bentley but he's an upgrade to many rosters and great with the QB. Carolina's Jeff Mitchell and Miami's Seth McKinney, Justin Hartwick of Tennessee and Buffalo's Trey Teague finish the list.

OT — The Lions' Jeff Backus, Falcons' athletic tackle Kevin Shaffer and New England's Tom Ashworth and Jon Runyan of the Eagles highlight this group. Backus is clearly the cream of this crop. Runyan is 33 years old and won't get paid like in the past. Then it drops down to a guy like Green Bay backup Kevin Barry, a massive body who is used as the team's third tackle and the Jags' Mike Pearson.

OG — One name stands out and that's Steve Hutchinson of the Seahawks. After the strong former first-round pick comes guys like the Pats' Steve Neal and the Bears' Terrance Metcalf. Neal isn't bad but Metcalf isn't exactly what one would call the athletic type. Ouch, rough group.

Defense

DE — This position is much, much deeper than the interior linemen who are free. The Jets' John Abraham leads the list followed by New Orleans' Darren Howard. Both were hit with the franchise tag last year. The Colts' Raheem Brock also helps to round out a pretty clear top three. Green Bay's rough, workmanlike and underrated Aaron Kampman as well as the solid Anthony Weaver of Baltimore comprise the next level. A wild card in this bunch is Tennessee's Kyle Vanden Bosch. When healthy his gas tank is always full. But teams will always be concerned with his injury history.

DT — Very bad group. There is no A-list name at this position. List is highlighted (although this is probably not the proper word) by guys like the Colts' Larry Triplett, the Rams' Ryan Pickett and Damione Lewis, rejuvenated Buc Chris Hovan and Packers' mammoth Grady Jackson. Lional Dalton of the Ravens rounds out the list.

OLB — The 49ers' Julian Peterson has rebounded well from his Achilles' injury and it's doubtful they'll let him bolt but he leads this group. The Panthers' Will Witherspoon isn't a huge name but he's a very good player. The Colts' David Thornton and Chargers' Ben Leber are also thrown into the mix. The Giants' Nick Griesen is a guy who can play inside and outside and in his first year as a full-time starter has helped the first-place Giants D.

ILB — Worst group on the board. Earl Holmes of Detroit, the Browns' Andre Davis and Niner Derek Smith lead the way.

CB — The Bills' Nate Clements is a bona-fide No. 1 corner as is Charles Woodson but he's hurt, which will surely hurt his stock.. The Giants' Will Allen and Bears' Jerry Azumah are next. 'Zum is also a Pro Bowl special teams player and when healthy he's a true threat to make a play. The Broncos have pretty much already parted ways with Lenny Walls, who should cash in considering his size. More third corners on this list than No. 1s.

S — This is a pretty decent group highlighted by the likes of Tank Williams of the Titans, the Rams' Adam Archuleta and Steelers' Chris Hope. Corey Chavous of the Vikings is also a solid player; he's followed by the Ravens' Will Demps and Fins' Lance Schulters.

K — Adam Vinatieri, one of the greatest closers in sports history, Neil Rackers and Mike Vanderjagt highlight this group.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Colts RB Edgerrin James — Will not be a free agent. He will be resigned or tagged but will not be allowed to leave Indy.

Jets DE John Abraham — Another likely candidate to be tagged.

Chargers QB Drew Brees — As if we need a QB.

Seattle RB Shaun Alexander — Do we really need another RB even if he isn't tagged or signed to Seattle?

49ers' LB Julian Peterson — Doubtful the Niners let him get away, and do we really need another linebacker?

Ravens RB Jamal Lewis — He will go somewhere. NOt here.

Eagles RB Brian Westbrook — He will stay in Philly, TO will not.

Patriots K Adam Vinatieri — Shane is good enough for us.

DE — The only ones I see worth looking at are Kampman and Vanden Bosch. Frankly, the draft looks much better and I don't see us adding a free agent DE.

DT — No help here. Fortunatley there is help in the draft.

S — Archuleta is too old. Williams isn't very good. The Steelers won't let Hope leave. Nooneelse is worth having.

The fact is, we will resign our own players in the offseason and build from the draft, the same as always. Some idiot fans will cry that we don't pick up some old guy like Archuleta for a year at a salary far too high and then say that the next Madieu Williams/Odell Thurman type pick cant' get it done as a rookie and we are screwed. So, get ready.

[Kirkendall]

Expect James and Alexander to have long term deals before FA period opens and Westbrook already signed a five-year extention.

Brees stays IF S.D. goes to the playoffs. But this is interesting, b/c S.D. should have traded him if they had no desire to re-sign him. Think Rivers will get traded this off-season? It wouldn't be a typical NFL off-season without a little QB controversy in S.D.

Julian Peterson - tagged AGAIN.

Abraham - Done. He was thinking retirement before he went on his hold-out before this season. Anyway, he held out and finally signed a $6.7 million tender -- which is awfully high for an injury-ridden end.

Vinatieri - I'm with Big Thing, Graham is the MAN!

The fact is, we will resign our own players in the offseason and build from the draft, the same as always. Some idiot fans will cry that we don't pick up some old guy like Archuleta for a year at a salary far too high and then say that the next Madieu Williams/Odell Thurman type pick cant' get it done as a rookie and we are screwed. So, get ready.

Well said.

[AGrizzlyBaer]

honestly i dont really see anything to get too excited about. i could see some team that needs a qb wining and dining kitna though

[ShulaSteakhouse]

Oooh I could only imagine Freeney in stripes.

Maybe the Colts would take Justin and a draft pick for him.