2001 free-agency coverage
PFW ranks the best players expected to hit the open market
By Joel Buchsbaum, Contributing editor
Updated April 4, 2000
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Bengals RB
Corey Dillon
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This is one of the weakest free-agent classes since free agency as we now know it
started. However, some teams always overpay for players who play positions at which help
is needed, despite the risk that it could be counterproductive in the long run. What those
teams forget is that paying an average player superstar money is not going to make him a
better player. Very often, the more money a player makes, the less hungry he becomes.
Quite a few of the better free agents available are restricted free agents. In most
instances, draft-pick compensation is required for these players. In many cases, with the
top restricted players, the cost could be first- and third-round picks.
What follows is a ranking of the top 101 free agents for the 2001 offseason. Players
are ranked according to ability, potential, age, importance of the position they play,
leadership and intangibles, including maturity and work ethic. Some players may be ranked
higher overall than by position because of the importance of the position they play.
Click below for players ranked ...
1-25 | 26-50 | 51-75
| 76-101
Editor's note: This information will be updated periodically throughout
the offseason |
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