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Sporting News’ top 99 potential free agents, broken down by position. (Note: Including unrestricted (U) and restricted free agents (R), the designation “CBA” is for free agents who will become unrestricted if a new collective bargaining agreement is reached between players and owners by March 5.)

OFFENSE

Quarterbacks
 
Jason Campbell, Redskins (CBA). Has a shot to resurrect career in right offense.
Tarvaris Jackson, Vikings (CBA). Won’t go anywhere if Brett Favre retires.
Matt Moore, Panthers (R). Strong finish will lead to interest.
Kyle Orton, Broncos (CBA). Track record as a starter can’t be ignored.
 

Jerome Harrison’s late surge put him in position to land a big contract

Running backs
 
Jerome Harrison, Browns (CBA). Came on strong to show promise as feature back.
Jerious Norwood, Falcons (CBA). Oft-injured; best suited in committee role.
Willie Parker, Steelers (U). Ideally, a speed complement to a power back.
Jason Snelling, Falcons (R). Makes a solid backup to Michael Turner.
Darren Sproles, Chargers (CBA). San Diego must keep electric cog in backfield.
Chester Taylor, Vikings (U). Vet’s value primary on third downs, relief duty.
Pierre Thomas, Saints (R). Valuable, versatile heart of team’s running game.
Leon Washington, Jets (CBA). Dynamic triple threat but coming off knee injury.
LenDale White, Titans (CBA). Phased-out power back might need new home.
Cadillac Williams, Buccaneers (CBA). Flashes feature back ability, but can’t stay injury-free.
 
Fullbacks
 
Le’Ron McClain, Ravens (R). Is the league’s best combo power runner/blocker.
Leonard Weaver, Eagles (CBA). Versatility makes him very attractive.
 
Wide receivers
 
Miles Austin, Cowboys (CBA). Dallas should give No. 1 receiver a long-term deal.
Steve Breaston, Cardinals (R). Is primed and ready for a starting role.
Antonio Bryant, Buccaneers (U). Is gifted but an underachiever.
Nate Burleson, Seahawks (U). History of injuries has derailed natural talent.
Chris Chambers, Chiefs (U). Still has good hands, leaping ability.
Braylon Edwards, Jets (CBA). Playoff feats might keep him as the No. 1 in New York.
Malcom Floyd, Chargers (CBA). Rising player with size and athleticism.
Vincent Jackson, Chargers (CBA). Coming off dominant, breakout Pro Bowl year.
Brandon Marshall, Broncos (CBA). Carries some baggage along with elite skills.
Derrick Mason, Ravens (U). Keeps defying age (36) by racking up tough catches.
Lance Moore, Saints (CBA). Had great ‘08 before injuries hit in ‘09.
Brad Smith, Jets (CBA). Former college QB is a versatile cog.
Terrell Owens, Bills (U). A good pickup for aggressive contender.
Kevin Walter, Texans (U). Good value as potential No. 2 receiver.
 
Tight ends
 
Owen Daniels, Texans (CBA). Team unlikely to let ‘08 Pro Bowler walk.
Anthony Fasano, Dolphins (CBA). Figures to be back as a starter in Miami.
Bo Scaife, Titans (CBA). Vince Young’s safety net likely will be back.
Tony Scheffler, Broncos (CBA). Skilled receiver doesn’t fit in Denver’s offense.
David Thomas, Saints (CBA). Shows potential but will be seen as backup.
Benjamin Watson, Patriots (U). Nothing spectacular but solid all-around.
 
Offensive tackles
 
Jammal Brown, Saints (CBA). Top left tackle missed ‘09 with sports hernia.
Jermon Bushrod, Saints (R). Held up pretty well in Jammal Brown’s absence.
Tyson Clabo, Falcons (CBA). Is an adequate but unexceptional right tackle.
Chad Clifton, Packers (U). Has been solid but has a lot of mileage at 33.
Ryan Cook, Vikings (CBA). Backup who could start at right tackle.
Jared Gaither, Ravens (R). Ravens figure to move him from left to right tackle.
Charlie Johnson, Colts (CBA). Had good year protecting Peyton Manning’s blind side.
Marcus McNeill, Chargers (CBA). Shook off ‘08 injuries to be solid at left tackle.
 
Guards
 
Harvey Dahl, Falcons (CBA). Among the league’s nastiest interior linemen.
Jahri Evans, Saints (CBA). Has become an elite right guard.
Logan Mankins, Patriots (CBA). Remains a very good left guard.
Stephen Neal, Patriots (U). At 33, is considering retirement.
Marshal Yanda, Ravens (R). Injury-prone yet serviceable backup.
 
Centers
 
Kevin Mawae, Titans (U). Still effective, but age (39) is a drawback.
Chris Spencer, Seahawks (CBA). ‘05 first-round disappointment is a marginal starter.

DEFENSE

The annual Julius Peppers watch begins.

Defensive ends

Marques Douglas, Jets (U). At 32, can still make plays as 3-4 starter.
Ray Edwards, Vikings (CBA). Got hot down the stretch opposite Jared Allen.
Jarvis Green, Patriots (U). Would be savvy pickup for 3-4 rotation.
Adewale Ogunleye, Bears (U). At 32, best pass-rushing days behind him.
Julius Peppers, Panthers (U). Change of scenery might rev him up again.
Richard Seymour, Raiders (U). Still can be a disruptive force vs. run and pass.
Marcus Spears, Cowboys (CBA). Ideal end in a 3-4 scheme.
Kyle Vanden Bosch, Titans (U). Won’t shortchange in terms of hustle, effort.

Defensive tackles
 
Barry Cofield, Giants (CBA). Still only 25 and a solid 4-3 tackle.
Casey Hampton, Steelers (U).At 32, Pittsburgh still covets him as its nose.
Tony Brown, Titans (CBA). One of the game’s best inside pass rushers.
Daniel Muir, Colts (R). He’s the run-stopping difference in Indy’s D-line.
Ryan Pickett, Packers (U). Coming off big season as Packers’ nose.
Vince Wilfork, Patriots (U). Remains a dominant interior presence.
 
Outside linebackers

Keith Bulluck, Titans (U). Remains sound despite being 32 and coming off injury.
Karlos Dansby, Cardinals (U). Is a premier playmaker, especially against the pass.
Thomas Davis, Panthers (CBA). Former safety offers great athleticism.
Elvis Dumervil, Broncos (CBA). Dolphins would love to reunite him with Mike Nolan.
Tyjuan Hagler, Colts (CBA). A good, speedy defender for a cover-2 scheme.
Thomas Howard, Raiders (CBA). Has potential to be a playmaking star.
Aaron Kampman, Packers (U). Might be better off switching back to 4-3 end.
Rocky McIntosh, Redskins (CBA). Covers a lot of a ground from the edges.
Shawne Merriman, Chargers (CBA). Is only 25, but hasn’t returned to pre-injury form.
Jason Taylor, Dolphins (U). Still has value as situational pass rusher.

Inside linebackers

Gary Brackett, Colts (U). Exceptional tackler with good leadership skills.
D’Qwell Jackson, Browns (CBA). Had promise before injuries derailed ‘09 season.
Derrick Johnson, Chiefs (CBA). Demoted to backup in 3-4 scheme, but can start in a 4-3.
Kirk Morrison, Raiders (CBA). Unsung, hardworking, rangy tackler in 4-3 defense.
DeMeco Ryans, Texans (CBA). Excels at cleaning up against the run, racking up tackles.
Barrett Ruud, Buccaneers (CBA). Is a tackling machine with good instincts.
Stephen Tulloch, Titans (CBA). Solid middle man who plays the run well.

Cornerbacks

Leigh Bodden, Patriots (U). Found a good home in Bill Belichick’s scheme.
Marlin Jackson, Colts (CBA). Team missed his size, speed in secondary.
Richard Marshall, Panthers (CBA). Rising star is ready for big jump.
Dunta Robinson, Texans (U). If he can stay healthy, he has shutdown potential.
Carlos Rogers, Redskins (CBA). A good No. 2 corner for many teams to consider.

Safeties

O.J. Atogwe, Rams (CBA). Good hitter and playmaker needs better teammates to shine.
Antoine Bethea, Colts (CBA). Has proved valuable in Bob Sanders’ absence.
Atari Bigby, Packers (CBA). Always hits hard, but is an inconsistent.
Tyrone Carter, Steelers (U). Serviceable backup who can play either safety spot.
Ryan Clark, Steelers (U). Best suited to contribute at free safety.
Nick Collins, Packers (CBA). Has a great nose for the ball and big plays.
Roman Harper, Saints. Was a Pro Bowler next to Darren Sharper.
Dawan Landry, Ravens (CBA). Solid starter for run support and tackling.
Darren Sharper, Saints (U). Proved age (34) doesn’t keep him from making big plays.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kickers

Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots (CBA). Reliable leg might turn into hot commodity.
Sebastian Janikowski, Raiders (U). Still booming leg should draw good short-team deal.
 
Punter

Michael Koenen, Falcons (CBA). Excels at getting hang time and limiting returns.

This list appears in Jan. 28’s edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today for free.

Vinnie Iyer is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at viyer@sportingnews.com.

With the news that Kurt Warner may be retiring on Friday, it’s a good time to look at his legacy, and ask…

Jacoby Ford is improving his draft stock at Senior Bowl practice this week.

MOBILE, Ala. — Sporting News draft expert Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts were on hand for the South and North practices Tuesday and came away with a notebook full of analysis:

North Squad

Clemson WR Jacoby Ford clearly has established himself as the most polished receiver on the North roster. He runs precise routes and shows the acceleration to separate out of cuts. We also were impressed with his ability to escape jams, using his quickness to get cornerbacks to open their hips early.

Michigan DE Brandon Graham had another solid day and showed impressive upper-body strength and hand usage when taking on blocks. He showed great acceleration coming off blocks, too.

UMass G Vladimir Ducasse struggled a bit to get good leverage because of his long legs. He lacks the quickness to play tackle in the NFL but mostly got reps there Wednesday. He has a strong hand punch and is able to hold his ground against bull rushers. He gets a good push off the snap and shows the short-area quickness to be a highly productive NFL guard.

South Squad

West Virginia QB Jarrett Brown was the best of the three South quarterbacks Wednesday, but he struggled to read the safeties and identify their coverages. He was able to get away with multiple throws into coverage with good arm strength and poor defensive awareness.

The Citadel WR Andre Roberts continued to impress Wednesday. He consistently separated out of breaks, using his quickness to throw cornerbacks off-balance. He showed natural hands to pluck balls easily and softly. He did struggle against aggressive, physical cornerbacks, although he was able to burn Florida State CB Patrick Robinson three times.

Texas DT Lamarr Houston showed a quick burst off the snap but did not play with good technique or leverage Wednesday. He also was undisciplined, jumping offside at one point on back-to-back plays. He must improve his lower-body strength because he fails to get any push once engaged.

For much more on Tuesday’s Senior Bowl practices, visit SN’s Pro Football War Room. You’ll also find player profiles for hundreds of potential pros, draft dishes by Russ Lande and SN’s exclusive Super 99, ranking the best players headed for the 2010 NFL draft.

Greg A. Bedard, of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, reports a polling of about five NFL scouts revealed that none of them believe University of Oklahoma OT Trent Williams can play left tackle in the NFL.

Defensive tackle Vince Wilfork says he wants a long-term deal from the Patriots or is ready to move on.

Anthony Carter was a member of the Massachusetts Football Coaches Association “Super 26” All-State team as a senior and Scout.com learned on Tuesday night that he’ll be attended San Diego at the next level.

Colts owner Jim Irsay says the team will comply with the
NFL’s Pro Bowl rules — even if it means players must make a roundtrip flight to
Miami on Sunday.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner will hold a news conference Friday to announce whether he will retire from football.

Former Detroit Lions wide receiver Tommie Boyd faces another criminal sexual conduct charge after authorities say the high school track coach had sexual contact with a third teenage student. The 38-year-old was arraigned in the latest case Wednesday in Roseville. He was arraigned last week on charges of criminal sexual conduct and accosting a child for immoral purposes in two other cases.