Free agency is officially one week old now, and we’re down to bargains. Here are the top 10 players still lingering on the open market. Keep in mind that lots of teams still have plenty of money to spend, and they’ll have to in order to stay on track with the cap floor.
1. Chris Clemons: The Dolphins safety isn’t a superstar, but he’s one of few reliable starting-caliber players still on the market with no major injury questions. At 28, I’m surprised he hasn’t been snatched up yet.
2. Jared Allen: He’ll be 32 in April, but Allen had 11.5 sacks last year and could be a difference-maker in the right spot.
3. Shaun Phillips: He’ll be 33 in May, but the guy had 10 sacks last season in Denver. What gives? Last we heard, he was reportedly on the Titans’ radar.
4. Corey Wootton: The versatile 26-year-old defensive tackle had a solid 4.2 Pro Football Focus grade in 2013. Problem is he underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum after the season.
5. Michael Vick: The quarterback position is too critical and Vick is too talented for him to remain on the market at this point. Looking like it could be a while, though.
6. Anthony Spencer: He’ll likely only land a one-year deal coming off microfracture surgery, but Spencer is only 30 and he was one of the best all-around 3-4 outside linebackers in football in 2012.
7. Jermichael Finley: Injury concerns here, too, but Finley was once one of the league’s best tight ends and is still only 26.
8. Knowshon Moreno: I know running backs don’t matter much nowadays, but the Moreno is only 26 and coming off a 1,000-yard season. He could start somewhere.
9. Brian De La Puente: Another versatile, starting-caliber player on the right side of 30. He’d be an upgrade at center for many teams.
10. Robert Ayers: The 28-year-old is a great run defender from that 4-3 defensive end spot. Also worthy of at least a chance to start.
