NFL teams are scrambling now to find the best value on the free-agent market. All of the big names are gone, but there is still plenty of time for search for players that will settle for low-risk contracts, yet some of these players can be productive in the league and add a lot to a team.
These are the 10 best remaining free agents – and where they are most likely to land.
10. Thomas DeCoud, FS, Atlanta Falcons
DeCoud had a disappointing 2013 season, but he's just one year removed from making a Pro Bowl in 2012 with the Falcons. That year, he had six interceptions and 76 combined tackles.
Since starting out mainly as a special teamer his rookie year in Atlanta, DeCoud started all 16 games in 2009, and since then, has recorded at least 65 tackles each season. DeCoud just turned 27, so he still has some quality time left in the league.
The Falcons could resign him, but the Cowboys and Rams could also make a play for him. Both Dallas and St. Louis need help in their secondaries, and DeCoud, despite his down 2013, deserves to be a starting safety.
9. Josh Freeman, QB, Minnesota Vikings
Let’s all hope that no NFL team signs Freeman to be their starting quarterback. Freeman showed last year that he really needs to improve on the mental side of the game, and frankly everything about the game.
The year after he threw for over 4,000 yards and 27 touchdowns, he only played four games and managed to get cut by two different teams in the same year. Still, Freeman could turn out to be a valuable backup quarterback for pretty much any team in the league.
There aren’t any strong rumors about him, but he was just 50 yards away in 2010 from having three-straight years of 3,500 yards, so there are definitely worse backups to have. Freeman will find a home before the season starts.
8. Andre Brown, RB, New York Giants
After re-signing Peyton Hillis and brining in Rashad Jennings, it’s clear the Giants are no longer interested in Brown’s services. After starting out very slow in Denver, Brown found a role in New York as a power back, scoring 11 touchdowns in two years, despite missing six games in 2012 and eight last year.
He’s an obvious injury risk, but could still be a second running back for a team.
The Minnesota Vikings seem like a good spot for Brown to land. They lost power back Toby Gerhart to the Jaguars, and Brown could spell Adrian Peterson. The touchdown opportunities obviously won’t be there with Peterson in the backfield but Brown could still be a good backup and could start in the event that Peterson is injured (take note, fans of fantasy football handcuffs).
7. Michael Bush, RB, Chicago Bears
Although Bush is 30 (the dreaded age for running backs) it’s pretty surprising that he hasn’t gotten more interest. Bush was passed over in the Bears’ offense last season, only carrying the ball 63 times.
But in 2012, he had 411 yards and five touchdowns. And, when he was with the Oakland Raiders for the first four years of his career, he almost hit 1,000 yards in 2011, and scored 16 total touchdowns combined during the 2010 and 2011 seasons.
Like Brown, Bush is a very capable backup running back. Right now, the Patriots seem like the most likely team for Bush, after they lost out on LeGarrette Blount to the Steelers.
6. Brett Keisel, DT, Pittsburgh Steelers
With 13 years of football experience, it’s understandable why teams are staying away from Keisel. His age is obviously a factor, and he’s only played in all 16 games once in the last six seasons.
Because he spent all 13 of those years with the Steelers, it’s most likely Pittsburgh will bring him back, just later in the offseason. But another team could swoop in to grab him at a value. He still has talent left, and could serve as a space filler on any defense, if nothing else.
Despite missing four games last season, Keisel still recorded four sacks and forced one fumble, and in 2012, he recorded 46 total tackles. Plus, who doesn’t love his beard?
5. Owen Daniels, TE, Houston Texans
Because he was hurt for most of 2013, Daniels is getting passed over by most teams. But it looks like he’s going to find a home with the New England Patriots (or at least they’re the only team talking to him right now).
It makes sense. Rob Gronkowski is injury-prone, and the Zach Sudfeld experiment failed miserably, so the Pats are in the market for a No. 2 tight end.
Prior to last season when Daniels only appeared in five games, he had nine touchdowns in the previous two years combined, and caught 62 passes for 716 yards in 2012. Daniels isn’t the fastest tight end around, but he has pretty reliable hands and could at least bring back some of what the Patriots used to have with the Gronkowski/Aaron Hernandez combo.
4. Miles Austin, WR, Dallas Cowboys
Like Daniels, Austin is getting passed over because of his injury history, which is understandable. But like Daniels, it looks likely at this point that Austin could end up in New England.
The Patriots have a history of missing on wide receivers, but if Austin can stay healthy he can be a productive NFL pass catcher. Seattle would also make sense, if for no other reason than they have almost no other receivers.
He is only one year removed from catching 66 balls for 943 yards and six touchdowns. In the three years before that (2009-2011) Austin had 35 touchdowns.
Although he’s pushing 30, Austin could really benefit from the Tom Brady factor and try to return to his 2010-Cowboys ways (again, if he can stay healthy).
3. Champ Bailey, CB, Denver Broncos
Bailey only played five regular-season games for the Broncos last season, but the guy is still a future Hall of Famer, and if he is willing to play, someone needs to sign him.
The former Redskin and Bronco has already said he wants to switch to safety because of his declining athleticism, but Bailey still has the ability and instincts to be a starter. So far, Bailey has only gotten any real interest from the Saints.
New Orleans already signed Jairus Byrd this offseason, but who doesn’t love the thought of having Byrd play with a guy who has 52 career interceptions?
2. Jermichael Finley, TE, Green Bay Packers
We are still a month or two away from Finley getting signed because of his health, but when he can pass a physical he will find a new team easily.
The Seahawks showed interest before we all really found out how hurt Finley was, but Seattle still seems like the most logical landing spot for him. The Seahawks are in serious need of a receiving option (whether it be at the wide receiver or tight end spot), and if he can stay healthy Finley can be one of the 10 best tight ends in the league.
In the last three years, Finley has 13 touchdowns, averaging just over 11 yards per catch. At 27, Finley still has one more legitimate contract left in him, and he could make an impact on the defending Super Bowl champs.
1. Alex Mack, C, Cleveland Browns
Mack has been one of the more disappointing free agents this offseason, in that he has hardly gotten any offers. The Browns slapped him with the transition tag, which still makes him a free agent, but allows the Browns to match any offer given to him.
And despite his agent saying that he would get Mack an offer the cap-rich Browns couldn’t match, there haven’t been any takers. Two of Mack’s possible suitors: Indianapolis and Baltimore, both found other options at center, and it looks like Mack will be back in Cleveland this season.
Still, it’s not too late for another team to make a play on him, as he is one of the five best centers in the league, it would be dumb for a team in need of offensive line help to not offer him at least something.