49. RB Cedric Benson (Bengals)

Top 50 Projected Free Agents

After a slow start to his career, Benson is coming off two straight 1,000-yard seasons. He runs hard and has a few more good years left in him, if he can stay out of trouble. Benson was higher on the list before getting arrested earlier this month. (AP Photo/David Kohl)

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2011's Top 50 NF... By Jordan Raanan, Xfinity.com Sports
Whenever this labor squabble ends, it's going to be crazy. Hundreds of players will be finding new homes during a free-for-all unlike any we've seen before. Players are going to be changing teams at an unprecedented pace, with NFL general managers running around and stuffing players into their shopping carts like it's Supermarket Sweep, and just in time for training camp.
After an uncapped season where a whole draft class missed out on free agency, there are likely to be more unrestricted free agents than ever. And it's a class loaded with talent, especially at vital positions such as cornerback and offensive line.
So in anticipation of the eventual barrage of signings, here's my Top 50 free agents. Key factors in the rankings include skill, age, position and number of productive years remaining in their careers.
Jordan Raanan has covered the NFL since 2005. Follow him on Twitter at @JordanRaanan or email him at jraanan@hotmail.com. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

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50. WR Plaxico B... He's not going to be the same player he was pre-prison. But the 34-year-old will still be able to help in the red zone. (AP Photo/David Kohl)

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49. RB Cedric Be... After a slow start to his career, Benson is coming off two straight 1,000-yard seasons. He runs hard and has a few more good years left in him, if he can stay out of trouble. Benson was higher on the list before getting arrested earlier this month. (AP Photo/David Kohl)

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48. RB Michael B... His talent indicates he should be higher on the list. But his relative lack of production (1,665 rushing yards in three NFL seasons) and offseason DUI arrest leave some questions to be answered. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

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47. TE Zach Mill... He's a reliable receiver, excellent blocker and is only 26 years old. Miller can help and start for a lot of teams. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

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46. DE Andre Car... Miscast in the 'Skins 3-4 defense last season, Carter had a down year. But he had 11 sacks in 2009. Even at 32 years of age, he can still get after the quarterback. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

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45. C Olin Kreut... The veteran is at the tail end of his career. But he still provides leadership and stability in the middle of the line. That could be especially useful in a year with no minicamps. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

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44. QB Alex Smit... If you chuckle at Matt Hasselbeck at No. 17, this one will make you hit the floor. And while Smith clearly isn't a franchise quarterback (and is likely to re-sign with San Francisco), he's good enough to hold the fort for a four or five-game stretch. That's a valuable commodity in this league. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

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43. CB Ike Taylo... Sure he's been much maligned. But he was the No. 1 cornerback on a Super Bowl champion and a runner-up. Certainly he's good enough to start (more appropriately as a No. 2) on just about any team in the league. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

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42. CB Carlos Ro... Even though he's had an up and down career so far, he's a physical corner who would be an upgrade for a lot of teams. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

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41. LB Paul Posl... A productive player … when healthy. Even though he's slightly undersized, Posluzny is still on the upside of his career and can thrive in the right system. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

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40. S Danieal Ma... He's very good in coverage and is coming off one of his best seasons yet. He also is one of the league's best kickoff returners, having led the league in return average in 2008 and finishing in the Top 10 in '09. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

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39. G Davin Jose... One of the NFL's best run-blocking guards. Despite missing the second half of the 2010 season with a broken foot, Joseph should be at full strength come training camp. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)

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38. OLB Rocky Mc... McIntosh has proven to be a quality weakside linebacker. He can excel in a 4-3 system, which eliminates going back to Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

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37. DE Jason Bab... Made his first Pro Bowl this past season. But after seven unproductive years, he's a bit of a risk. Was he a product of the now departed Jim Washburn or just a late bloomer? (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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36. CB Chris Car... Carr was the Ravens most consistent cornerback in 2010. He's proven to be a reliable coverman. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

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35. WR Steve Smi... He was a rising star before an injury-filled 2010, catching 107 passes the previous season. Microfracture surgery, however, makes him somewhat of a question mark. If he bounces back like Marques Colston did, Smith would be a pickup that pays its biggest dividends in 2012 and beyond. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

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34. G Justin Bla... Another reliable Atlanta offensive lineman on the market, Blalock has played 16 games each of the last three seasons. At 329 pounds, he uses his size and strength to open holes in the running game. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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33. DT Barry Cof... Perfect 4-3 defensive tackle does well getting to the quarterback. He's also a very good run stuffer. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

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32. G Harvey Dah... Stayed healthy in 2010 and showed the mean streak that makes him an effective run blocker. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)

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31. OT/G Marshal... Seamlessly transitioned from guard to tackle last season. Showed he's more than a competent pass blocker on the right side. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

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30. DT Brandon M... A young (26) run-stuffer who does an excellent job of collapsing the pocket. He can add muscle to a lot of defenses. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

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29. LB Barrett R... The middle linebacker has led the Bucs in tackling four straight seasons. At 27 years old, he would be a nice addition for a handful of 4-3 teams, including Tampa Bay. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)

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28. S Quintin Mi... He graded out as the No. 1 safety in 2010, according to Pro Football Focus. A solid playmaker, Mikell is good against the run and pass. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

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27. OT Matt Ligh... Even though he's up there in age (32), he can still effectively protect any quarterback's blindside. Light recently finished his third Pro Bowl season. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

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26. S Mike Huff ... It took a while for Huff to hit his stride, but he's finally living up to the hype. Any team could find ways to use his immense talent. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

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25. CB Brent Gri... The fast-rising corner is coming off his first Pro Bowl season. Grimes has made progress every year, and there is no reason for the trend to reverse now. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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24. DE Cliff Avr... Pass-rushing specialists are hard to find and Avril has 19 sacks in 28 career starts. That could come in handy for a lot of teams, although it will have to come at a hefty price. Avril is likely to be a restricted free agent. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

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23. WR Braylon E... It was only a few years ago that Edwards had 16 touchdown catches. Coming off a nice season with the Jets (904 yards and 7 TDs), he proved more reliable catching the ball and a lethal threat down the field. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

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22. LB Stewart B... One year ago, many were predicting a Pro Bowl for the middle linebacker. But he struggled coming off a serious knee injury. Now, with two years to heal, Bradley is a prime candidate to bounce back in 2011 and beyond. At 6-foot-4, 258 pounds, all the physical tools are there. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)

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21. S Dawan Land... A run-stuffing safety who excels near the line of scrimmage. Landry would be a nice addition for a team looking to add a safety who is always around the ball. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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20. DE Ray Edwar... His 16.5 sacks over the last two seasons make him one of the better pass rushers on the market. Edwards is also solid against the run and, at 26, is in for a big payday. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

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19. OT Willie Co... He would be even higher on the list if he hadn't ruptured his Achilles' tendon last season. Colon is a good run-blocking tackle. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

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18. OT Tyson Cla... Reliable right tackle (started every game each of the past three seasons) who is coming off his first Pro Bowl appearance. Would be ideal for a run-first team. (AP Photo/David Richard)

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17. QB Matt Hass... Don't laugh. Hasselbeck at the very worst is one of the best backup QBs in the league at this point of his career. And we know how important backup QBs are. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

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16. RB Ahmad Bra... He's on the upswing coming off his first 1,000-yard season. Now if he could only curb the fumbling. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

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15. DE/LB Mathia... Was on his way to a breakout campaign (four sacks in three games) before suffering a neck injury. But as long as he checks out physically (a big IF even though he's a full-go for camp), he's young and has all the tools to be a dominant pass rusher. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

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14. OT Jammal Br... He's a two-time Pro Bowl right tackle with at least a handful of good seasons left. (AP Photo/Sharon Ellman)

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13. RB DeAngelo ... He ran for over 2,600 yards and 25 TDs in the two years before an injury-plagued 2010. At 27, he has a few more of those big seasons in him. (AP Photo/Rusty Burroughs)

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12. OT Doug Free... A good 27-year-old left tackle usually doesn't hit the free-agent market. Free's career is on the upswing after an impressive first year on the blind side. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

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11. CB Antonio C... He's not shutdown, but he's still better than half the league's No. 1s. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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10. WR Sidney Ri... He's still young (24) and only one year removed from a monster season. (AP Photo/Andy King)

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9. DE Charles Jo... Had a breakout season in 2010 with 12 sacks. The future is bright for the 24 year old. His market will be strong and price high. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)

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8. DE Cullen Jen... Easily the best 3-4 defensive end on the market. There aren't many DEs who get after the quarterback like Jenkins. Only question is whether he can stay healthy. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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7. CB Brandon Ca... He's 24, led the NFL in passes defended last season and is only getting better. Teams fawn over that type of combination. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

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6. S Eric Weddle... Despite fewer interceptions than Troy Polamalu and Ed Reed, Weddle, 26, is one of the better safeties in the NFL. Pro Football Focus graded him as the third-best safety in 2010, ahead of Polamalu and Reed. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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5. G Carl Nicks ... A 26-year-old dominant offensive lineman who opens big holes and protects the quarterback well. What is not to like? (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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4. LB Stephen Tu... He's a still blossoming tackling machine who would look nice in the middle of any defense. (AP Photo/John Russell)

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3. WR Santonio H... Put him in a pass-heavy offense and his numbers will be off the charts. Holmes, soon to be 27, can do it all, including run precise routes. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

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2. CB Johnathan ... Not quite as well known (or good) as Asomugha, but Joseph is a Pro Bowl-caliber player at the hardest position on the field. Plus, he's only 26. (AP Photo/David Kohl)

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1. CB Nnamdi Aso... It's not often that a cornerback of his caliber even hits the market. Asomugha can do it all and just turned 30 earlier this month. He has a lot of good years left in him. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

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