Top 10 available free agents
By
David Steele
Free agency in the NFL began in March, and some players were on the market before that. Others landed there unexpectedly along the way (DeSean Jackson and Brandon Flowers, among others). Now, as training camps open, there are still a number of big names available ... probably at bargain-basement prices.
As it’s often been noted, late signings on the cheap have paid off as recently as last year — John Abraham, then 34 and a cap casualty in Atlanta, was picked up by the Arizona a year ago Friday and recorded 11.5 sacks for a 10-win team. A few players in that category are still out there, but the one who most bears watching is a young Pro Bowler waiting to be cleared after a major surgery.
1. TE Jermichael Finley
The entire league seems to be waiting for Finley and the Packers to make things official, but nothing is and it’s not clear if or when it will be. Last Wednesday he was scheduled to undergo another exam on his surgically-repaired neck, and the next day he sent the cryptic Tweet: “Let’s Try This Again. #GreenBay.” The team reports for camp Friday, so stay tuned.
2. LB Jonathan Vilma
Coming off of a season in which he played just one game, Vilma, 32, was getting interest during OTAs when linebackers seemed to be an endangered species. But as camps approach, the interest seems to have waned. That doesn’t mean another team in an emergency won’t bring him on, though.
3. WR Santonio Holmes
Holmes is also haunted by injuries — two years’ worth — to his foot and hamstring. He and his trainer insisted last month that he’s back to full health and expects to play this season. Holmes is only 30, and he caught 51 passes for eight touchdowns in 2011, the last season before his Lisfranc injury.
4. DE Jason Babin
The Jaguars’ release of him last month was a mild surprise since they had just re-signed him after he voided his contract. The team is clearly going young, and Babin is 34 — although he did have 7.5 sacks last year. Pass rushers generally are at a premium, so if he has anything left, he’ll likely land somewhere as a backup.
5. S Ed Reed
A future Hall of Famer who turns 36 in September, Reed is still waiting for the phone to ring. He made it clear earlier in the offseason that he wants to play again. But after a rough year coming off hip surgery, the interest has not yet surfaced — not even from his longtime coach, Rex Ryan, and the team with which he finished last season, the Jets.
6. LB James Harrison
Speculation that the Steelers, with whom he made his reputation (and won a Super Bowl and a defensive player of the year award) remains just that — speculation. The Steelers could use depth at outside linebacker, having re-stocked the inside and having lost LaMarr Woodley to free agency. But if it’s not the Steelers, Harrison might not get a job at all.
7. T Eric Winston
It simply is a bad look that a 30-year-old, well-respected veteran lineman is still out of work. He also happens to be the new president of the NFLPA. Winston’s reputation is pristine after his years in Houston, Kansas City and Arizona, so his continued unemployment remains a puzzle.
8. TE Dustin Keller
Ever since a tryout with the Patriots in May, there has been nothing but silence on the Keller front. Considering how the Patriots could use depth there (they also worked out Jermichael Finley), it’s not a stretch to believe there is still concern around the NFL about his progress from a grotesque knee injury last preseason.
9. G Travelle Wharton
The 33-year-old, who returned to the Panthers last season after missing all of 2012 in Cincinnati with a torn ACL, hinted at retirement back in April. Nothing has been made official, and the Panthers haven’t invited him back yet. Like many, Wharton is one training-camp injury away from becoming a prospect.
10. QB Josh Freeman
It’s hard to believe that Freeman was the incumbent starter for an NFL team at this time last year, and now he may be washed up. He lasted barely a month with the Giants as Eli Manning insurance this spring. He’s still only 26 and threw for 4,000 yards just two seasons ago, but has been cut three times since. The state of quarterbacking can’t be so strong that Freeman has no place in the league.
