Continuing with our look at the top potential 2009 free agents in the NFL, here is 6-10…

6.       LB Ray Lewis - Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are getting the word out that they think Lewis is declining.  That he really isn’t the same player he once was.  That his play regressed quite a bit at the end of this season.  Don’t believe it.  Lewis isn’t a top 10 free agent athlete anymore.  But he’s still very lose and his competitive spirit is the finest this league has ever seen.  Any team lucky enough to sign Lewis will upgrade its entire defense with his leadership abilities alone.

7.       LB Terrell Suggs - Baltimore Ravens
Suggs is a younger, bigger version of Lewis—a high passion guy who makes everyone around him better.  I don’t suspect BAL will allow Suggs to escape their clutches for the reasons noted above.  But if he avoids being tagged, Suggs is a perfect 3-4 outside backer—capable of rushing the passer, covering speedy Tight Ends and everything in between.

8.       OT Jordan Gross - Carolina Panthers
Gross is a seasoned veteran at the Tackle position, who has been named to the Pro Bowl once during his six-year career in Carolina.  While more of finesse guy instead of a road-grader, he’s played at the Right Tackle position most of his career.  Gross isn’t an elite offensive lineman but he’s well above average and at a position that rarely sees quality talent become available in free agency.

9.       WR Antonio Bryant - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
A career under-achiever, Bryant really put it together upon his arrival in Tampa Bay this season.  Despite a lack of quality QB play for the majority of the season, Bryant played like a man among men—arguably as well as any WR in the league over the final couple of months.  While you hate to give big money to a one-year-wonder, Bryant’s eye-popping numbers can’t be overlooked.  And for that reason I expect TBY to hold on to him.

10.       RB Darren Sproles - San Diego Chargers
Don’t get me wrong, Sproles is not the type of RB you can give the ball 20-25 times a game.  But he’s prototypical of the type of secondary back that a lot of teams are using with great success.  Standing only 5’ 6”, Sproles is hard to spot and even harder to catch.  Get him into the open field and he’s likely going for 30+.  Get him the ball 8-10 times a game, use him as a constant decoy, toss in a few nice returns and he’ll have a big impact on any game.  Just don’t expect him to be your starter.