Top five cornerbacks

1. Bryant McFadden: This sometime starter, sometime nickel back in Pittsburgh will probably get overpaid. But he’s an above average cornerback in his prime than can play every down and avoid mental mistakes. Look for him to leave the Steelers.

2. Ronald Bartell: Like McFadden, Bartell offers good size and tackling ability. He doesn’t have great speed, but he can play safety and has a knack for big plays. He’ll get huge money.

3. DeAngelo Hall: He helped resurrect his career in Washington, but there were few players more overrated over the last five years. He’ll make a handful of big plays every year for you, but he’ll give up more. He’s a very risky signing. (UPDATE: Re-signed with Redskins)

4. Leigh Bodden: Once considered a surefire future Pro Bowler, Bodden’s stock has fallen the last two years due to questions about his attitude. He displayed awesome cover skills early in his career, though. He’s worth the gamble because his ceiling remains high at age 28.

5. Philip Buchanon: I worry about what he’ll look like without Monte Kiffin schooling him, but there’s no denying he was the best corner on a good pass defense last season. Just keep him on a zone team!

Buyer beware

Dre Bly: A total bust with Denver by last season, there’s no reason to think this undersized corner will turn it around.

Jabari Greer: An average nickel back who wound up starting for the Bills, and will now get paid like an above average starter.

Patrick Surtain: A cornerback on his third contract is almost always a bad bet.

Wild cards

Pacman Jones: By his second year, Pacman was one of the best-five corners in the league. That guy wasn’t on the field last year, but I wouldn’t close the book on his career yet.

Chris McAlister: There is no way to tell if he’s healthy. But this three-time Pro Bowler isn’t that far removed from excellent play. He could be worth the gamble at the right price.

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Andre Goodman: Had a quietly nice season for the Dolphins, but he’s 31 years old without exceptional skills.

Top five safeties

1. Sean Jones: The perfect storm for free agent value. Jones has Pro Bowl quality talent, but his market value will be low after missing most of 2008 with a knee injury. Jones remains an injury risk, but he’s a big hitter who could be used in a variety of ways. He looks unlikely to return to Cleveland.

2. Jim Leonhard: Flash in the pan? System player? This sudden star of the Ravens may be a little of both, but he’s a smart leader who can quarterback a defense from the safety position. He seems destined to help implement Rex Ryan’s system with the Jets.

3. Jermaine Phillips: He’s a stat stuffer, but his tackling is inconsistent. Still, he understands Cover two schemes well and can make big plays.

4. Brian Dawkins: He’s worth a lot more to the Eagles than anyone else. (UPDATE: Signed with Broncos)

5. James Butler: Started for the ’07 Super Bowl Champion Giants at safety, but got pushed out in a numbers crunch.

Buyer beware

Lawyer Milloy: Safeties age better than most positions, but Milloy has been a liability in pass coverage for a while.

Mike Brown: Great player when healthy, but he’s rarely healthy.

Darren Sharper: Helps your pass defense, hurts your run defense.

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