| Rk. |
Free agent |
Type |
2005 team |
2006 team |
Comment |
| Quarterbacks |
| 1 |
Drew Brees |
UFA |
San Diego |
New Orleans |
Proven leader for offense, if healthy |
| 2 |
Josh McCown |
UFA |
Arizona |
Detroit |
Will battle Kitna, push Harrington out the door |
| 3 |
Aaron Brooks* |
cut |
Oakland |
Oakland |
Inconsistent but talented, replaces Collins |
| 4 |
Jon Kitna |
UFA |
Cincinnati |
Detroit |
Veteran will work with McCown |
| 5 |
Brian Griese* |
cut |
Tampa Bay |
Chicago |
Bears now have solid backup for Grossman |
|
Craig Nall |
UFA |
Green Bay |
Buffalo |
Will compete with Losman, Holcomb |
| Running backs |
| 1 |
Edgerrin James |
UFA |
Indianapolis |
Arizona |
Fills a gaping hole for Cardinals |
| 2 |
Shaun Alexander |
UFA |
Seattle |
Seattle |
Scored TD of a contract; $15 mil guaranteed |
| 3 |
Jamal Lewis |
UFA |
Baltimore |
Baltimore |
He's coming back after all |
| 4 |
Ahman Green |
UFA |
Green Bay |
Green Bay |
Gave up chance for more green to stay in G.B. |
| 5 |
DeShaun Foster |
TFA |
Carolina |
Carolina |
Three serious injuries didn't scare off Panthers |
| |
Chester Taylor |
UFA |
Baltimore |
Minnesota |
Slasher fits Vikings' new offensive scheme |
| |
Michael Bennett |
UFA |
Minnesota |
New Orleans |
Insurance for rehabbing McAllister |
| |
Verron Haynes |
UFA |
Pittsburgh |
Pittsburgh |
Tweener RB-FB may have bigger role with Bettis gone |
| |
Mike Anderson |
cut |
Denver |
Baltimore |
Likely starter unless Jamal Lewis returns |
| |
Najeh Davenport |
UFA |
Green Bay |
Green Bay |
Broken ankle has not completely healed |
| |
Jeremi Johnson |
RFA |
Cincinnati |
Cincinnati |
Beefy but athletic fullback has some versatility |
| |
Fred Beasley |
UFA |
San Francisco |
Miami |
Will contend for starting FB job |
| |
Mack Strong |
UFA |
Seattle |
Seattle |
Pro Bowl lead blocker follows Alexander as he predicted |
| Wide receivers |
| 1 |
Terrell Owens* |
cut |
Philadelphia |
Dallas |
Troublesome track record didn't deter Cowboys |
| 2 |
Isaac Bruce* |
cut |
St. Louis |
St. Louis |
Looks like he'll finish career with Rams |
| 3 |
David Givens |
UFA |
New England |
Tennessee |
Provides solid WR tandem with Bennett |
| 4 |
Keyshawn Johnson* |
cut |
Dallas |
Carolina |
Possession receiver big upgrade over Colbert |
| 5 |
Nate Burleson |
RFA |
Minnesota |
Seattle |
Brings speed to Hawks' WR corps |
|
Kevin Curtis |
RFA |
St. Louis |
St. Louis |
Speedster with home-run ability |
| |
Antwaan Randle El |
UFA |
Pittsburgh |
Washington |
Jack-of-all-trades can't pass up Skins' big bucks |
| |
Antonio Bryant |
UFA |
Cleveland |
San Francisco |
Becomes 49ers' No. 1 WR with Lloyd traded |
| |
Joe Jurevicius |
UFA |
Seattle |
Cleveland |
Dependable receiver, positive influence |
| |
Brandon Lloyd |
RFA |
San Francisco |
Washington |
Redskins needed help for Santana Moss |
| Tight ends |
| 1 |
Zach Hilton |
RFA |
New Orleans |
New Orleans |
Huge target can move |
| 2 |
Matt Schobel |
UFA |
Cincinnati |
Philadelphia |
Likely replacement for Chad Lewis |
| 3 |
Jeb Putzier |
cut |
Denver |
Houston |
Pass-catching TE is reunited with coach Kubiak |
| 4 |
Chris Baker |
UFA |
N.Y. Jets |
N.Y. Jets |
Athlete, H-back type |
| 5 |
Aaron Shea |
UFA |
Cleveland |
San Diego |
Will back up Gates and may help at FB too |
| Offensive tackles |
| 1 |
Jeff Backus |
FFA |
Detroit |
Detroit |
Not a prototype, but a throwback the Lions like |
| 2 |
Jon Runyan |
UFA |
Philadelphia |
Philadelphia |
Powerful 32-year-old is a fine leader |
| 3 |
Kevin Shaffer |
UFA |
Atlanta |
Cleveland |
Thin market at OLT prompted quick signing |
| 4 |
Kenyatta Walker |
UFA |
Tampa Bay |
Tampa Bay |
His return ensures continuity of O-line |
| 5 |
Brad Hopkins |
cut |
Tennessee |
Retired |
Chose retirement over joining new team |
| |
Mike Pearson |
UFA |
Jacksonville |
Miami |
Not right since breaking leg in 2004 |
| |
Mike Williams |
cut |
Buffalo |
Jacksonville |
Underachiever may play guard or tackle |
| Offensive guards |
| 1 |
Steve Hutchinson |
TFA |
Seattle |
Minnesota |
Pro Bowler fills big need at left guard |
| 2 |
Kris Dielman |
RFA |
San Diego |
San Diego |
Tough guy is light in the butt |
| 3 |
Larry Allen |
cut |
Dallas |
San Francisco |
The question is: How much does he have left? |
| 4 |
Vince Manuwai |
RFA |
Jacksonville |
Jacksonville |
Never adjusted to run-first offense |
| 5 |
Terrence Metcalf |
UFA |
Chicago |
Chicago |
Bears keep O-line intact |
|
Derrick Dockery |
RFA |
Washington |
Washington |
Powerful and much improved |
| |
Toniu Fonoti |
UFA |
Minnesota |
Tampa Bay |
A steal if he stays focused, trims down |
| |
Andre Gurode |
UFA |
Dallas |
Dallas |
Versatile and some like him best at center |
| Centers |
| 1 |
LeCharles Bentley |
UFA |
New Orleans |
Cleveland |
Key piece in Browns' revamped O-line |
| 2 |
Jeff Mitchell |
UFA |
Carolina |
|
Old but far from finished |
| 3 |
Kevin Mawae* |
cut |
N.Y. Jets |
Tennessee |
Replaces the departed Justin Hartwig |
| 4 |
Mike Flanagan |
UFA |
Green Bay |
Houston |
Veteran should solidify shaky line if he's healthy |
| 5 |
Justin Hartwig |
UFA |
Tennessee |
Carolina |
Steady starter will replace Jeff Mitchell |
|
Seth McKinney |
UFA |
Miami |
Miami |
Youngster with ability to slide to either OG spot |
| |
Trey Teague |
UFA |
Buffalo |
N.Y. Jets |
Adds experience to thin Jets O-line |
| Defensive ends |
| 1 |
John Abraham |
FFA |
N.Y. Jets |
Atlanta |
Pass-rush specialist gives big lift to "D" |
| 2 |
Robert Mathis |
RFA |
Indianapolis |
Indianapolis |
Light at 235 pounds; 22 sacks in two seasons |
| 3 |
Darren Howard |
UFA |
New Orleans |
Philadelphia |
Pass rusher will complement Kearse |
| 4 |
Trevor Pryce |
cut |
Denver |
Baltimore |
Slight upgrade over departed Weaver |
| 5 |
Aaron Kampman |
UFA |
Green Bay |
Green Bay |
Average on paper but gets the job done |
| |
Anthony Weaver |
UFA |
Baltimore |
Houston |
Building block in new 4-3 scheme |
|
Willie McGinest* |
cut |
New England |
Cleveland |
With limited snaps, 34-year-old can start at DE, OLB spots |
| |
Kalimba Edwards |
UFA |
Detroit |
Detroit |
Maybe Marinelli can find a way to use him effectively |
| |
Kenard Lang |
cut |
Cleveland |
Denver |
Veteran pass rusher another ex-Browns DL addition |
| Defensive tackles |
| 1 |
Rocky Bernard |
UFA |
Seattle |
Seattle |
Pure three-technique tackle with some upside |
| 2 |
Gerard Warren |
UFA |
Denver |
Denver |
Broncos made room to keep Warren |
| 3 |
La'Roi Glover |
cut |
Dallas |
St. Louis |
Active interior rusher reunited with Haslett |
| 4 |
Grady Jackson |
UFA |
Green Bay |
|
A beast to block, but bum knees, age are issues |
| 5 |
Sam Adams |
cut |
Buffalo |
Cincinnati |
Provides big run stuffer for middle of line |
| |
Larry Tripplett |
UFA |
Indianapolis |
Buffalo |
Active but undersized and short; replaces Adams |
| |
Ron Edwards |
UFA |
Buffalo |
Kansas City |
Injury history (shoulder) creates red flags |
| |
Maake Kemoeatu |
UFA |
Baltimore |
Carolina |
Massive with a motor; replaces Buckner |
| |
Lional Dalton |
UFA |
Kansas City |
Kansas City |
Clogger quietly had a good year for K.C. |
| |
Russell Davis |
UFA |
Arizona |
Seattle |
Run stuffer who adds bulk, depth to Seattle's line |
| Linebackers |
| 1 |
Julian Peterson |
UFA |
San Francisco |
Seattle |
Freakish athlete adds versatility to defense |
| 2 |
Will Witherspoon |
UFA |
Carolina |
St. Louis |
Badly needed playmaker for Rams' defense |
| 3 |
LaVar Arrington |
cut |
Washington |
N.Y. Giants |
Giants hope he'll turn his career around |
| 4 |
David Thornton |
UFA |
Indianapolis |
Tennessee |
Adds much-needed speed to LB corps |
| 5 |
Cato June |
RFA |
Indianapolis |
Indianapolis |
Mid-level tender discouraged suitors |
|
Derek Smith |
UFA |
San Francisco |
San Francisco |
Team's leading tackler stays in San Fran |
| |
Akin Ayodele |
UFA |
Jacksonville |
Dallas |
Big ’backer will be boon to Dallas' depleted LB corps |
| |
Nick Greisen |
UFA |
N.Y. Giants |
Jacksonville |
Fills need after loss of Ayodele |
| |
Bart Scott |
UFA |
Baltimore |
Baltimore |
Accepted less money to return to Ravens |
| |
Scott Fujita |
UFA |
Dallas |
New Orleans |
Supersmart; at 6-5, can be headache to block |
| |
Hunter Hillenmeyer |
RFA |
Chicago |
|
Only one of Bears' 22 starters on the market |
| Cornerbacks |
| 1 |
Ty Law |
cut |
N.Y. Jets |
|
At 32, might not get the money he's seeking |
| 2 |
Nate Clements |
FFA |
Buffalo |
Buffalo |
Staying in Buffalo to form 1-2 with McGee |
| 3 |
Charles Woodson |
UFA |
Oakland |
Green Bay |
Potentially a big playmaker for Packers |
| 4 |
Ike Taylor |
RFA |
Pittsburgh |
Pittsburgh |
Steelers not about to let him go |
| 5 |
Will Allen |
UFA |
N.Y. Giants |
Miami |
Will compete for starting job with Madison gone |
| |
Ricky Manning |
RFA |
Carolina |
Chicago |
Should win nickel CB job, replacing Azumah |
| |
Brian Williams |
UFA |
Minnesota |
Jacksonville |
Gets big bucks after transition tag is lifted |
| |
Sam Madison |
cut |
Miami |
N.Y. Giants |
Old pro may start alongside Corey Webster |
| |
Andre Dyson |
cut |
Seattle |
N.Y. Jets |
If healthy, speedy CB will replace Law |
| |
Deshea Townsend |
UFA |
Pittsburgh |
Pittsburgh |
Very opportunistic but nothing special |
| |
Ahmed Plummer |
cut |
San Francisco |
|
Would be better off moving to safety |
| Safeties |
| 1 |
Chris Hope |
UFA |
Pittsburgh |
Tennessee |
Solid free safety/center fielder is only 25 |
| 2 |
Adam Archuleta |
UFA |
St. Louis |
Washington |
Hybrid LB-SS can be special if he stays healthy |
| 3 |
Tank Williams |
UFA |
Tennessee |
Minnesota |
Will replace Chavous at SS, alongside FS Sharper |
| 4 |
Corey Chavous |
UFA |
Minnesota |
St. Louis |
Smart, natural leader fits best as free safety |
| 5 |
Will Demps |
UFA |
Baltimore |
N.Y. Giants |
Will replace Shaun Williams if knee is OK |
| |
Lawyer Milloy |
cut |
Buffalo |
Atlanta |
First of several additions needed to upgrade secondary |
| |
Marlon McCree |
UFA |
Carolina |
San Diego |
Joins fourth team in six seasons |
| Punters |
| 1 |
Dave Zastudil |
UFA |
Baltimore |
Cleveland |
Browns add top-rated free-agent punter |
| 2 |
Kyle Richardson |
UFA |
Cleveland |
|
Been around the block |
| 3 |
Sean Landeta |
UFA |
Philadelphia |
|
No one has played in more consecutive games |
| 4 |
Tom Rouen |
UFA |
Seattle |
Seattle |
Old as the hills but has great touch |
| 5 |
Jason Baker |
UFA |
Carolina |
Carolina |
Pro Bowl alternate in first year with Panthers |
| Placekickers |
| 1 |
Adam Vinatieri |
UFA |
New England |
Indianapolis |
Colts replace Vanderjagt with Mr. Clutch |
| 2 |
Mike Vanderjagt |
UFA |
Indianapolis |
Dallas |
Fills troublesome spot for Cowboys |
| 3 |
Josh Brown |
RFA |
Seattle |
Seattle |
Very strong leg; best football is ahead of him |
| 4 |
Ryan Longwell |
UFA |
Green Bay |
Minnesota |
Replaces Edinger, stays in NFC North |
| 5 |
Joe Nedney |
UFA |
San Francisco |
San Francisco |
Deal to return to Niners is as good as done |
| Return specialists |
| 1 |
Eddie Drummond |
UFA |
Detroit |
Detroit |
Had his best season in 2004 |
| 2 |
Dominic Rhodes |
UFA |
Indianapolis |
Indianapolis |
May get shot at starting RB job with James gone |
| 3 |
Michael Lewis |
UFA |
New Orleans |
New Orleans |
Big-play returner does little else |
| 4 |
Chad Morton |
UFA |
N.Y. Giants |
N.Y. Giants |
Little man is best taking back punts |
| 5 |
Tim Dwight |
UFA |
New England |
N.Y. Jets |
Backup WR and punt returner capable of big plays |
