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Top 20 free agents: Colts' Sanders No. 1

In an attempt to help out those ever-faithful and their abounding optimism that '07 was simply a fluke, I've compiled a list of the top 20 unrestricted free agents on the open market. Some will get the dreaded franchise tag, while others will re-up with their teams. But still, despite the constant stream of players willing to re-up before their contracts expire, this year's list is surprisingly deep at least in the top 20 or so.

The following list also does not count restricted free agents such as Browns QB Derek Anderson, nor does it include those who will become free if their teams reject paying a roster or option bonus. This list consists of players slated to be UFAs or who can void their current deals by having already hit certain incentives.

1. Colts safety Bob Sanders A bona fide difference-maker and game-changer. Sanders is a big play waiting to happen and earlier this year seemed a lock for Defensive Player of the Year. During last year's Super Bowl run, Indy's defense couldn't stop a nose from running ... until Sanders returned from injury. Suddenly, they were a totally different ballclub. For teams unable to land him, the Giants' Gibril Wilson, Dallas' Ken Hamlin and Patriots' Eugene Wilson would add immediate impact at the safety position.

2. Chiefs defensive end Jared Allen Pass rushers are at a premium in this league and Allen has been virtually unstoppable this year. Missed two games early due to DWIs but has cleaned up his act. He says he hasn't had a drink in over a year and adamantly insists he has zero desire to ever have another drink again. Young up-and-coming pass rushers get paid in this league and Allen is on his way to a major check cashing.

3. Patriots WR Randy Moss Maybe he's not the right fit for every team out there, but when he does find a fit he's proven to be unstoppable. Moss has been the most explosive offensive weapon in the NFL this season and it's hard to imagine the Patriots will not roll out the green carpet of cash for him. By the way, his WR mate Donte Stallworth has a huge $6 million bonus due this off-season that will likely cause the Pats to either re-do him as well or set him free. The rest of this year's WRs available are far from great but they have some bright prospects like Jerry Porter, Patrick Crayton, Bernard Berrian and Devery Henderson.

4. Steelers OG Alan Faneca The best offensive lineman available via free agency, Faneca can play all over the line and has the leadership and attitude 32 out of 32 coaches would give their left arm to have. They may have to (plus sell a few other limbs) to come up with the cash that will land this stud. The offensive line as a whole is weak in this year's UFA class. Old vets like Larry Allen and Ruben Brown will be available and a guy like Miami's Rex Hadnot can play center or guard.

5. Patriots corner Asante Samuel Like pass rushers, there's a premium on cover corners in this league and in a solid group available, Samuel is the best of the bunch. Unlike some cover corners, he's also solid against the run and is never afraid to deliver a blow. The Raiders' Nnamdi Asomugha and Seattle's Marcus Trufant round out a great top three. Considering what Nate Clements made last off-season, this trio should be about to hit a whole different financial world. Brian Kelly adds to this list.

6. Titans DT Albert Haynesworth This may be a little high because of character concerns but actually a little low when talking about talent. Haynesworth has been a wrecking crew this year and when he was hurt, those around him clearly suffered.

7. Raiders CB Nnamdi Asomugha Because of his talent, potential and position he moves up the list and resides in our top 10.

8. Bears LB Lance Briggs The best LB on the open market. He's a perfect fit for a Tampa-Two defense but has the speed, athleticism and smarts to play in any system. Briggs is an explosive player, loved in the locker room and would provide an instant burst to any defense. Overall the linebackers in the open market are weak.

9. Ravens LB/DE Terrell Suggs Remember what we said about pass rushers? Suggs is a proven commodity when it comes to making the life of a QB miserable.

10. Dallas OT Flozell Adams Teams need solid tackles to protect against guys like Allen and Suggs, and Adams is the best on the list. A perennial Pro Bowler, Adams always seems like he should be more dominant but he's still more than solid. The lack of offensive line talent in the free-agent market has pushed him up our list.

11. Colts TE Dallas Clark A solid weapon in the Colts offense, Clark is not a conventional tight end, which means he doesn't fit every system. However, in the systems he does fit in, he can cause fits for defensive schemes. The ultimate cover-2 buster, he'd be a huge loss to the Colts if he bolted. The Eagles' L.J. Smith is the best of the rest on this list.

12. Chargers QB Philip Rivers Rivers is able to void his deal due to playing-time incentives he reached last year. There is a huge void of good QBs in this league and despite an inconsistent season, Rivers has shown enough to be a solid starter. Considering guys like Rex Grossman and Daunte Culpepper highlight, or lowlight, the list of UFAs at the position, Rivers' stock soars on our list.

13. Cowboys RB Julius Jones Proven featured running backs are hard to come by for some teams.

14. Cincy DE Justin Smith He made our list last year and despite the Bengals' struggles he's still a stud on the defensive line.

15. Seattle CB Marcus Trufant See above talk of corners. William James and Drayton Florence add depth to this group and Denver's Dre Bly has a $9 million option which means he'll likely get cut free as well.

16. Dallas WR Patrick Crayton He was tremendous this year filling in for the injured Terry Glenn and showed he's certainly worthy of a starting role.

17. Chargers RB Michael Turner L.T.'s backup is held in very high regard by many personnel people throughout the league. Tennessee and Green Bay were interested him as an RFA and more should show him love as a UFA. The Browns' Jamal Lewis rounds out the RBs.

18. Giants safety Gibril Wilson Michael Strahan once called Wilson "the best rookie I've ever played with." He wasn't a one-hit wonder and has been a very solid safety ever since. The Patriots' Eugene Wilson adds depth to this list along with the Browns' Gary Baxter.

19. Browns RB Jamal Lewis He's shown he can still make noise, especially in cold-weather games. He's a bit older and obviously had off-field issues but he's still reliable down the stretch.

20. Eagles TE L.J. Smith He's a young tight end who needs to stay healthy but has the talent to be a solid player for a long time.

[DaBearsrule4ever]

I have a gut feeling the Colts will use the franchise tag on Bob Sanders and I wouldn't be shocked if Asante Samuel and Lance Briggs signed elsewhere in the offseason.

[eaglesrule4ever]

I would love for the eagles to some how get dallas clark and gibril wilson but the eagles probably wont put up big money for clark so a man can dream!

[Bears 88]

Give me Michael Turner please.

[Crowned]

Steelers wont spend any money.. again

[n1gbpackfan]

The Packers have plenty of room under the cap. I would like to see them restructure sume of their own players contracts, but they sure could use another corner. Welcome to GB Asante Samuel!

[dolphindude13]

Bring Asante Samuel and either Jared Allen or Justin Smith to the Fins and I'll be happy.

[ncnvader]

Don't see too many of these guys moving, i think most will be tagged, matched to stay, or re-signed. But... would'nt mind seeing: Eagles TE L.J. Smith , Giants safety Gibril Wilson , Dallas WR Patrick Crayton, Cincy DE Justin Smith, Colts safety Bob Sanders, o Randy Moss coming to carolina. any one of these guys would be great. We really need alot of positions this off season, starting with a 2nd WR to compliment smith. Then we need a DE to replace retiring rucker, and a S because of Minter retiring, and someone to compliment Harris. Then a good TE would be pretty sweet to have, to give us an edge in the passing game. i don't really see these guys coming, or us making offers, but, big bob in carolina.... man, what a day that would be.

[Inclulbus]

I figure Moss is in N.E for one thing, and that's a ring... if he gets that this year, He will go to whoever pays him the most, idc whether he said he wasnt playing for the money at the beginning of the season... thats bs, lol.. He's going to go straight top dollar. While Julius is prolly not going to be re-signed.. I wish we would, I know he's not the most productive, but he's consistent in not turning the ball over when he is in there, and that's very hard to come by. He doesn't have that amazing of stats, but they don't keep him in there for long enough to get a steady rhythm goin, in order to get big time yardage, though he's shown he can... And For christ sakes, get Crayton re-signed lol

[ncnvader]

noooo! don't re-sign crayton, let the panthers steal another cowboys reciever! please!