Here's a look at the quarterbacks.

Most likely to annoy Matt Leinart
Kurt Warner is the most intriguing name set to hit the market, but there's virtually no chance he leaves the Arizona. It's unlikely that any other team would offer Warner $10 million-per-year, like the Cardinals reportedly are. Warner would also be setting himself up for failure in any other system, and he knows it. Warner should sniff the market, realize the Cardinals are being fair, and quickly re-sign. Leinart, who Ken Whisenhunt has never fully embraced, could wind up on the trade market.

Prediction: Cardinals, $24 million over two guaranteed years

Best Bet
Byron Leftwich would be my top free agent target at quarterback. He will come a fraction of Warner's price, and provides a high ceiling. This is former top-ten pick in his prime with a big arm and solid stats in his 46 career starts: 54 touchdowns, 38 interceptions, 24 wins, and a 6.7 yards-per-attempt average.

There are warts: his long delivery, lack of mobility, and injury history. But you don't make it to free agency without warts, and Warner also has plenty of shortcomings. Warner also has the perfect team around him who plays to his strengths. Leftwich could be successful if he was lucky enough to find a similar situation.

I just don't see one available. Chicago, Kansas City, and the New York jets are the most logical destinations, but the buzz in New York is that they'll stay out of the free agent market. Competing to start for the Bears or Chiefs looks like Leftwich's best chance for relevance.

Prediction: Bears, $4 million for 2009

Buyer Beware
Where to start? Jeff Garcia and Kerry Collins have produced recently, but do you want them learning another system at age 39? Rex Grossman and Kyle Boller are former first-round picks with undrafted quarterback instincts.

The Trade Candidates
Sage Rosenfels is reportedly on his way to Minnesota for a mid-round pick. That takes one team out of the mix for free agent quarterbacks, but the best names are still on the trade market.

Matt Cassel was traded to the Chiefs along with LB Mike Vrabel for a second-round pick. Derek Anderson could probably be acquired for a mid-to-late round pick, but he won't go anywhere until Cleveland pays his roster bonus on March 15. Matt Leinart and Vince Young could also possibly be available for the right price. If your team doesn't make any free agent moves in March, they could be gearing up for a run at a trade in late April.

Free Agent Quarterback Rankings

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1. Kurt Warner, Cardinals: Very likely to return.

2. Byron Leftwich, Steelers: Best bang for your buck.

3. Kerry Collins, Titans: There is a little buzz that the Jets will show interest, but we can't imagine anyone out-bidding the Jets, much less handing him starting job. (UPDATE: Re-signed with Titans)

4. Jeff Garcia, Bucs: A one-year stopgap-type backup on a West Coast team, and often clashes with the organization. Not worth the trouble.

5. Rex Grossman, Bears: Just good enough to get you beat. n't enough.

6. Chris Simms, Titans: I stubbornly still think he can be developed, with no evidence to back it up. Kansas City and Chicago seem like possibilities.

7. Patrick Ramsey, Broncos: Can be a competent backup, with not much hope for anything else.

8. Dan Orlovsky, Lions: Surprisingly looked like he belonged in many games if you look past his issue with end zone boundaries.

9. Kyle Boller, Ravens: Occasional moments of competence aren't enough and he's coming off an injury.

10. J.P. Losman, Bills: His miserable 2008 season saved teams from overpaying in free agency. Way more tools than natural quarterback skills.

11. Joey Harrington, Saints: The fourth straight first-round pick taken between 2002-2004 on this list. You want a higher ceiling with your backup quarterback.

12. J.T. O'Sullivan, 49ers: Only if Mike Martz gets a job.

13. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bengals: It's safe to say he'll never start 11 games in his career again. (UPDATE: Signed with Bills)

14. Charlie Frye, Seahawks: The former Brown just never showed NFL skills consistently

More on: NFL free agents | Quarterbacks

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