11. G Carl Nicks (New Orleans)- Signed with Tampa Bay for 5 years 47.5 million with 31 million guaranteed
Nicks was rated the 2nd best guard in the league by ProFootballFocus and doesn’t turn 27 until May. He wants to be paid as such and wants to use teammate Jahri Evans’ 7 year 56.7 million dollar deal as a starting point for negotiations. With Drew Brees and Marques Colston also to resign, that could price Nicks out of New Orleans. Dallas is known to be very interested.
12. WR Wes Welker (New England)- Franchise tagged
Since the Patriots traded for him in 2007, Welker has caught 554 passes for 6104 yards and 31 touchdowns, which makes him the most productive receiver in the league over that time and that’s even though he tore his ACL and MCL at the tail end of the 2009 season, which sapped his production in 2010. Welker turns 31 this offseason, which makes him older than most who are rated high on this list. I also wonder how productive he’d be outside of New England’s system and without Tom Brady throwing him the ball. But we won’t find out. Welker is expected to be franchised and it would be in his best interest to sign a team friendly deal and give a hometown discount.
13. MLB Stephen Tulloch (Detroit)- Resigned 5 years 25 million with 11 million guaranteed
Over the last 3 seasons, Tulloch has 392 tackles. Despite 160 tackles in 2010, Tulloch had to take a small one year deal in Detroit last offseason. He won’t come as cheap this offseason. Tulloch has played his whole career in a wide 9 scheme, starting in Tennessee and then in Detroit last year. For this reason, Philadelphia seems like the leader to sign him, though he could stay in Detroit.
14. RB Marshawn Lynch (Seattle)- Resigned for 4 years 32 million with 18 million guaranteed
Marshawn Lynch was one of the most productive and entertaining running backs in the league last year, rushing for 1204 yards and 12 touchdowns on 285 carries, but I would be worried about giving someone known as an underachiever with character issues a big, long term deal after finally living up to his potential in a contract year. The 2007 11th overall pick, Lynch may stop giving 100% as soon as he gets paid. However, he doesn’t turn 26 until April and he is a former 1st round pick. With 1137 career carries, a 4 year deal should be safe for him, but I do have some worries.
15. WR Vincent Jackson (San Diego)- Signed with Tampa Bay for 5 years 55.5 million with 26 million guaranteed
It looks like Vincent Jackson is finally going to get his money. After sitting out most of the season in 2010 to holdout and then almost holding up the lockout to ensure he couldn’t be franchise tagged before the 2011 season (unsuccessfully), Jackson is not expected to be franchise tagged this offseason, which would free him up to sign a long term deal anywhere. He could be back in San Diego, but I give him a 50/50 shot to leave. In his last 3 non-holdout seasons, Jackson has 187 catches for 3371 yards and 25 touchdowns, though having Philip Rivers at quarterback certainly helps. Jackson is one of the older players in the top 15, but he is only 29.
16. WR Marques Colston (New Orleans)- Resigned for 5 years 40 million with 19 million guaranteed
Colston was a mere 7th round pick in 2006, but he had the last laugh as he and Drew Brees have combined for 449 catches, 6240 yards, and 48 touchdowns in 6 seasons. In every season in which he’s played more than 14 games, Colston has caught at least 70 passes for 1000 yards and 7 touchdowns, including 80 catches for 1143 yards and 8 touchdowns this season. You have to wonder how he’d do without Drew Brees, however. With New Orleans needing to resign Drew Brees and Carl Nicks as well, Colston could go elsewhere in search of more money. He turns 29 in June.
17. CB Cortland Finnegan (Tennessee)- Signed in St. Louis for 5 years 50 million with 24 million guaranteed
A 6 year starter in Tennessee, Finnegan could go elsewhere this offseason unless he’s franchised, possibly to St. Louis to reunite with Jeff Fisher. This season, he allowed just 5.6 YPA and 2 touchdowns all season, though he did so while picking off a mere 1 pass. In 6 years, Finnegan hasn’t displayed a lot of ball skills, picking off only 14 passes, just over 2 per season. The 5-10 cornerback just turned 28.
18. C Chris Myers (Houston)- Resigned 4 years 25 million with 14 million guaranteed
ProFootballFocus ranked Chris Myers as the top center in the league last year and rightfully so. He’s the leader of one of the best offensive lines in the league. The two questions with him are how good he’d be outside of Houston’s system and his age, 31 in September. Myers is worth more to Houston than any other team and should be their priority to resign, even if it means losing Mario Williams. Their defense was fine without Williams last year, but losing one offensive lineman can derail a whole line. Just ask Atlanta how much they miss Harvey Dahl.
19. MLB/OLB Curtis Lofton (Atlanta)- Signed with New Orleans 5 years 33.5 million
A 2nd round pick in 2008, Lofton has emerged has one of the best middle linebackers in the league. 26 in June, Lofton has 398 tackles over the last 3 years and has been the vocal leader of Atlanta’s defense.
20. NT/DT Sione Pouha (NY Jets)- Resigned for 3 years 15 million with 9.5 million guaranteed
Not much of a pass rusher, but Pouha was ranked by ProFootballFocus as the 2nd best run stuffing defensive tackle in the league last year and the best overall defensive tackle. 33 years old, Pouha has good value for at least 2-3 years as a 2 down run stuffer in a 3-4 or a 4-3 defense. The Jets will push to resign him.
Football Fan Spot 