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Between now and midnight Friday, some players will re-sign and be removed from this list, and some will be released and added to this list. But as of Thursday afternoon, here is a look at some of the top players — restricted free agents and franchise players are not included — heading into free agency.

QUARTERBACKS
Kurt Warner, Cardinals — Just a question of Warner and Cardinals finalizing a deal.
Kerry Collins, Titans — No team can offer the full package that Tennessee can.
Jeff Garcia, Buccaneers — Would be a perfect stop-gap quarterback for San Francisco.
Byron Leftwich, Steelers — As much as he would like the chance to start, it’s going to be tough to land that promise.
Rex Grossman, Bears — Good enough to win an NFC championship.
Sleeper: J.P. Losman, Bills — With a change of scenery, maybe his talent can flourish.

RUNNING BACKS
Derrick Ward, Giants — Hoping to find more of a market than there was last year for his services.
Fred Taylor, Jaguars — Cut last week, he already has visited Buffalo and New England.
Maurice Morris, Seahawks — Seattle would like to keep him and have him compete for starting job.
Cedric Benson — Emerged from the scrap heap to become a possibility for a running-back needy team.
Warrick Dunn — Still produced for Tampa Bay last year and will help some team this year.
Sleeper: J.J. Arrington, Cardinals — As an added bonus, can help as a return man.

WIDE RECEIVERS
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Bengals — Cincinnati is making a last-ditch effort to re-sign him.
Laveranues Coles, Jets — Would be a nice fit with the Dolphins.
Nate Washington, Steelers — Proved to be enough of a downfield threat that he will be attractive to somebody.
Michael Clayton, Buccaneers — Never blossomed the way many thought he would after his rookie season.
Marvin Harrison, Colts — At 36, not what he once was, but still could be a solid No. 3 wideout.
Sleeper: Devery Henderson, Saints – Comes up with deep catches and occassional drops.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Jason Brown, Ravens (C-G) — Would not be surprising to see the Dolphins make a major push for him.
Jon Stinchcomb, Saints (T) — The top tackle free agent has been a full-time starter for Saints.
Jeff Saturday, Colts (C) — Colts already have informed him they don’t expect to bring him back.
Stacy Andrews, Bengals (T) — The Bengals’ franchise player last offseason, he suffered a serious knee injury this season.
Khalif Barnes, Jaguars (T) — It’s rare that 26-year-old starting left tackles hit the market.
Sleeper: Ray Willis, Seahawks (T) — Pay attention to his name; the contract he lands is going to be eye opening.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Albert Haynesworth, Titans (DT) — If it goes the way he wants, he will become football’s first $100 million defensive player.
Chris Canty, Cowboys (DE) — Dallas can’t afford him, and other teams are after him.
Antonio Smith, Cardinals (DE) — High-motor pass-rushers always are going to have a market.
Colin Cole, Packers (DT) — With so many teams switching to the 3-4, Cole will be in demand.
Bertrand Berry, Cardinals (DE) — An oldie but goodie, Berry still can rush the passer.
Sleeper: Kevin Carter, Buccaneers (DE) — A good player to have on the line and in the locker room.

LINEBACKERS
Ray Lewis, Ravens — Make no secret, he’s going to the highest bidder, either the Ravens or the Jets.
Bart Scott, Ravens — Wherever Lewis doesn’t wind up is where Scott likely will.
Jonathan Vilma, Saints — New Orleans would love to be able to afford to bring him back.
Michael Boley, Falcons — With the emergence of the 3-4, Boley will have plenty of suitors.
Derrick Brooks, Buccaneers — A trusted veteran of Tampa’s defense could help team on run downs.
Sleeper: Angelo Crowell, Bills — Good enough to help somebody.

DEFENSIVE BACKS
Bryant McFadden, Steelers — The only unrestrictred free agent starter off Pittsburgh’s championship defense.
DeAngelo Hall, Redskins — Washington determined not to let him get away.
Ron Bartell, Rams — Rams been trying for days to re-sign him before free agency.
Jabari Greer, Bills — Has been waiting to test the free-agent market.
Jermaine Phillips, Buccaneers (S) — Packs a wallop.
Sleeper: Sean Jones, Browns (S) -– A former second round pick who can make plays.

OTHER NOTABLES
TIGHT ENDS: L.J. Smith, Philadelphia; Chris Baker, Jets.
FULLBACKS: Lorenzo Neal, Ravens; Tony Richardson, Jets.
SPECIALISTS: Mike Nugent, Jets (K); Jay Feeley, Jets (K); Matt Stover, Ravens (K); Justin Miller, Raiders (returner)

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