Football Wires

Extra Points: Rating the free agents

 

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9. Jared Cook, TE, Tennessee - Cook is more of a glorified slot receiver and not really an in-line option, but, boy, can he cause a Jimmy Graham-like matchup headache.

10. Sebastian Vollmer, RT, New England - A balky back pushes Vollmer down a bit, but he's a very good right tackle, just a notch below elite. Vollmer mirrors well in pass protection and is solid if unspectacular while run blocking.

11. Sean Smith, CB, Miami - The best man-coverage corner available. Smith has consistency issues and seems to be more highly regarded outside South Florida.

12. Aqib Talib, CB, New England - As fare as pure ability goes, Talib is certainly in the elite category, but his off-the-field issues have been well- documented and will certainly affect his value.

13. Connor Barwin, OLB, Houston - A real effort guy coming off a down season, but he's just one year removed from 11 1/2 sacks.

14. Paul Kruger, OLB, Baltimore - Kruger is a one-trick pony, but it's an impressive trick, a very good edge pass-rusher. That said, he's a situational type and only a fit for teams that use a 3-4 defensive alignment.

15. Louis Delmas, S, Detroit - Delmas would certainly be in the top 10 if he could stay healthy, but you are talking about a guy who has started only 18 of 36 games over the past two seasons.

16. Reggie Bush, RB, Miami - Running backs certainly aren't valued these days, but Bush's versatility will find him a home rather quickly.

17. Keenan Lewis, CB, Pittsburgh - Lewis had a bit of a breakout season with the Steelers, turning out to be their best cover corner. At just 26, he is poised to become a long-term starter.

18. Danny Amendola, WR, St. Louis - One of the best pure slot receivers in the NFL, but does he take a beating at times.

19. Martellus Bennett, TE, N.Y. Giants - Bennett turned the corner during his first year with the Giants and is one of the better all-around players at a position which is quickly becoming very specialized. He'll be just 26 when September rolls around, but his time as an underachiever in Dallas may make others leery of cutting a big check.

20. Phil Loadholt, RT, Minnesota - Perhaps the best run-blocking right tackle in football, the massive Loadholt would be a star if he could clean up the pre-snap penalties and figure out a way to slow down elite speed rushers.

21. Andy Levitre, G, Buffalo - Levitre is the best pure offensive guard available, generally a lighter paying position. He's not all that athletic, but is strong and nasty, two desirous traits in an O-lineman.

22. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Philadelphia - Rodgers-Cromartie has Pro Bowl-caliber ability, but is hitting the street because of the effort he showed during the Eagles' disappointing 2012 season. Someone will fall in love with DRC's skill-set, but the key is getting in to translate on the field.

23. William Moore, S, Atlanta - Moore has the range to be a better coverage safety, but it doesn't always show up on Sundays.

24. Glover Quin, S, Houston - A former cornerback, Quin lined up all over the field for Wade Phillips, but the Texans didn't bite with the franchise tag. That tells you something.

25. Brandon Myers, TE, Oakland - If you are looking for a pure receiving tight end, you could do worse than the 27-year-old Myers, who can get down the seam with consistency.

26. Louis Vasquez, G, San Diego - Was the best player on a bad line. In other words, he might be like a 20-point scorer on the Charlotte Bobcats.

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