Gregg Rosenthal

The first rule to NFL free agency: teams don’t often lose talented young players they truly want to keep. The second: exceptions to the first rule will get paid monster dollars in short order.

The NFL is much different than Major League Baseball, where young superstars like Mark Teixeira can sit on the market for months. Most difference-makers will be signed within a week of free agency’s Friday start. Before the players are all gobbled up, let’s look at the best offensive players available.

Top five quarterbacks

1. Kurt Warner: The Cardinals are reportedly offering him more than $20 million over two years. It’s unlikely another team would come close to that, so he should return to Arizona.

2. Byron Leftwich: A few nice relief appearances for the Steelers reminded GMs that Leftwich has a big arm, a top-10 pedigree, and solid pro stats. He needs the right situation, but no free agent quarterback has a higher ceiling.

3. Kerry Collins: Like Warner, Collins has far more value to his current team than any other. There have been some rumors the Jets could show interest, but Collins’ best bet is to return to Tennessee. (UPDATE: Re-signed with Titans)

4. Rex Grossman: He’s just good enough to get you beat. But you could do worse with a backup spot.

5. Dan Orlovsky: He surprisingly looked like he belonged last year for the Lions, when he wasn’t running out the back of the end zone.

Buyer beware

Jeff Garcia: He could be a one-year stopgap for a West Coast offense, but he’s injury prone and often clashes with his coaching staff.

First-round busts: There are plenty to choose from. Kyle Boller, Patrick Ramsey, J.P. Losman, and Joey Harrington are all hoping for second (or third) chances.

The sleeper

Chris Simms is off the radar, but he was a young, heady quarterback for a playoff team not so long ago.

Wild cards

INTERACTIVE Pancake Blocks blog Get the latest football news and insight from Gregg Rosenthal.

The trade market is the best chance to get a decent quarterback, not free agency. Derek Anderson should be a popular target approaching draft day. Matt Cassel is already heading to Kansas City and Sage Rosenfels is reportedly going to Minnesota. Matt Leinart and Vince Young could eventually be available at the right price.

Top five running backs

1. Derrick Ward: “Wind” is the only available three-down player who could start on many teams. Ward can catch the ball and run in short yardage situations. Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Arizona make sense as destinations.

2. Maurice Morris: BIG drop to number two on this list. Morris is an underrated jack-of-all-trades who can help teams as a backup at a low price. (UPDATE: Signed with the Lions)

3. Cedric Benson: The former Bear flashed surprising skills late last season with the Bengals, but he can’t catch or block. He’s a big man who runs small. I’d be wary of going longer than one year. Keep him motivated!

4. Fred Taylor: He can still can help you on obvious running downs, but has no receiving or special teams value. That hurts his chances of getting a backup job. (UPDATE: Signed with Patriots)

5. LaMont Jordan: He can do a little of everything as a backup, especially as a short-yardage back.

Buyer Beware

Deuce McAllister: His knees just aren’t right.

Ahman Green: Running back is a position for the young.

Rudi Johnson: Heavy dosage in Cincinnati wore his body down.

DeShaun Foster: Serviceable, but you may as well aim higher with a draft pick.

Sleepers

Correll Buckhalter: In a backup role, he can help you in a variety of ways. (UPDATE: Signed with Broncos)

Kevin Jones: Injuries have sapped this once-promising talent, but it’s worth kicking his tires.

Warrick Dunn: Could still help a team like the Colts on third downs.

Top five receivers

Free agency news, analysis Broncos sign 7-time Pro Bowl safety Dawkins Skins sign Haynesworth, Hall for $170M Curran: Redskins' big deals are big mistake Rosenthal: Pats get busy, sign Fred Taylor Rosenthal: Jets smart to sign Bart Scott Curran: Major lack of major free agent stars Rosenthal: Star defenders for big bucks Rosenthal: Few prizes await on offense Rotoworld: Leftwich best bet among QBs Houshmandzadeh best WR  |  Lewis top LB Curran: Economic woes huge  |    Video Curran: Teams face tough choices at QB

1. T.J. Houshmandzadeh: At 31, perhaps he’s not a “number one” receiver. But he’s a rock solid starter who understands how to catch the ball in traffic. Housh is also a team player and desperately wants to win. The Giants, Seahawks, Eagles, and Titans are among the many that could show interest. He’s one of the best players available at any position.

2. Laveranues Coles: A tricky case. Coles is undersized, often hurt, and has lost speed with age. But Coles is a football player; he's exceptionally tough, smart, and finds a way to produce every year. He can still help as a starter for a few more years.

3. Nate Washington: Pittsburgh’s former third receiver offers a lot of vertical ability. I’d rather make a mistake on a 25-year old.

4. Ronald Curry: Highly athletic former Raider got lost in the shuffle in Oakland, but he would make a great third receiver for someone.

5. Lance Moore (restricted free agent): The Wes Welker clone would be ranked second if he was an unrestricted free agent, but he’ll cost a second-round pick to acquire from New Orleans. He might be worth it.

Buyer beware

Marvin Harrison: He simply couldn’t separate from defenders last season with the Colts. If he couldn’t produce with Peyton Manning, why bet on a comeback now?

Joey Galloway: The “White Tiger” isn’t a good bet to stay healthy at 38.

Amani Toomer: Diminishing returns started a few years back.

Reggie Williams: Former top-10 pick can block, but that’s about it.

Jabar Gaffney: A product of New England’s system.

Devery Henderson: Big time-speed, but way too many drops.

Sleepers

D.J. Hackett: The talented former Seahawk would make a lot of sense back with his old team or another West Coast attack.

Bryant Johnson: Nothing flashy, but he can help a team as a third receiver.

Bobby Engram: Probably the only receiver over 33 we’d give a contract to. Can still move the chains.

More on: NFL free agency | NFL Draft

MORE FROM NFL

NFL Section Front

Happy Thanksgivings for Pack, ’Boys, Giants Pompei: Like it or not, Lions to stay on Thanksgiving   Fantasy Fix: No more Romo?   PFTV Video: Possible coaching change for Jets PFT: Orton, Eli probable for Thursday night game PFT: Shanahan meets with Bills, for seven hours PFT: Hester wants ‘moon’ talk behind him   PFT Extra: Should Rex Ryan be mad?   Slideshow: The Greatest traditions in sports   Vote: Do you watch the NFL on Thanksgiving? NFL Section Front   Add NFL headlines to your news reader: