When lockout ends, NFL faces free agent quandary

by Dan Kadar on Jun 12, 2011 12:08 PM EDT

Which should come first, the veteran free agent or the undrafted free agent? Or both at the same time?

That's the question the league will have to consider when the lockout mercifully concludes.

Dan Pompeii of the National Football Post speculates today that UDFA players may have to wait through a period of veteran free agent signings before scoring an NFL contract.

If veterans and UDFA players can sign at the same time, it could lead to a relentless feeding frenzy by teams. As Pompeii reports, the players and agents would prefer a system where UDFA players have to wait.

It wouldn't be a surprise, though, if teams thought differently. Instead of gambling on a few high cost veteran free agents, teams could sign an innumerable amount of inexpensive rookies.

This year's most-prized veteran free agents are cornerbacks Nnamdi Asomugha and Ike Taylor, linebacker Thomas Davis, running backs Darren Sproles, Cedric Benson and Cadillac Williams, fullback Vonta Leach, wide receiver Vincent Jackson, quarterback Marc Bulger and defensive tackle Aubrayo Franklin. Jason La Canfora has a full list of potential free agents here.

Quarterbacks Peyton Manning of the Colts and Michael Vick of the Eagles are also free agents, but expected to re-sign with their current teams.

After the jump, check out my list of this year's top 25 undrafted free agents and let us know the route you'd want your team to go in.

1. Kristofer O'Dowd | 6'5, 300 pounds | C | Southern California

2. DeAndre McDaniel | 6'0, 212 pounds | SS | Clemson

3. Deunta Williams | 6'2, 210 pounds | FS | North Carolina

4. Derrick Locke | 5'9, 182 pounds | RB | Kentucky

5. Weslye Saunders | 6'5, 280 pounds | TE | South Carolina

6. Mark Herzlich | 6'4, 248 pounds | OLB | Boston College

7. Henry Hynoski | 6'2, 260 pounds | FB | Pittsburgh

8. Terrance Toliver | 6'5, 203 pounds | WR | LSU

9. Cameron Graham | 6'4, 253 pounds | TE | Louisville

10. Noel Devine | 5'8, 176 pounds | RB | West Virginia

11. Brandon Bair | 6'7, 272 pounds | DT/DE | Oregon

12. Pat Devlin | 6'4, 225 pounds | QB | Delaware

13. David Mims | 6'8, 331 pounds | OT | Virginia Union

14. Pierre Allen | 6'4, 264 pounds | DE | Nebraska

15. Jeff Maehl | 6'1, 184 pounds | WR | Oregon

16. Justin Boren | 6'3, 320 pounds | G | Ohio State

17. DeAndre Brown | 6'6, 231 pounds | WR | Southern Mississippi *

18. Tim Barnes | 6'4, 310 pounds | C | Missouri

19. Kai Forbath | 5'11, 192 pounds | K | UCLA

20. Derek Hall | 6'5, 300 pounds | OT | Stanford

21. Mario Harvey | 5'11, 248 pounds | MLB | Marshall

22. Chase Beeler | 6'3, 285 pounds | C | Stanford

23. Tejay Johnson | 6'1, 212 pounds | FS | TCU

24. Dane Sanzenbacher | 5'11, 182 pounds | WR | Ohio State

25. Zane Taylor | 6'2, 309 pounds | C | Utah

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Comments

Personally, I don’t want anyone to sign Locke. I’d love it if he has to go play in the UFL after saying he wouldn’t go there for anything.

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

Green Bay Packers: Super Bowl XLV Champions!!!!

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by Omaha Sun on Jun 12, 2011 12:20 PM EDT reply actions

I just read that the Ravens didn’t tag Ngata before the lockout if they don’t tag him after it ends & he decides to test the market I would rather go after him then Nnamdi

by The Legend on Jun 12, 2011 9:33 PM EDT reply actions

We actually did tag him before it and plan on negotiating a long term deal once it ends. Ravens have already said he is the top off-season priority and plan on making him a Raven for life. No chance he doesn’t end up back in Baltimore.

On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu

by AV23 on Jun 13, 2011 4:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Either way I expected him to end up back in Baltimore but I read on foxsports that you guys didn’t so that’s why I made that comment. I’ve always been a huge Haloti fan one reason why he’s a former Duck & was really pissed when you guys took him right before us in the draft.

by The Legend on Jun 13, 2011 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions

yeah he is amazing to watch. Freak of nature with his size and athleticism.

On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu

by AV23 on Jun 13, 2011 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions