Go back a half-decade and toss these names around: Jason Taylor. Chris McAlister. Edgerrin James. Jon Runyan. Derrick Brooks. Marvin Harrison.

Back then, you could build a championship team around that group.

But it's pretty evident -- since these guys are still out of work in early May -- that you can't anymore.

Can you get anything out of the old stars? In each case, the answer is, well, probably. But there are reasons each is lingering on the street and why such veterans usually do this time of year. Among them:

Veterans of 10-plus seasons -- all six of the players mentioned above are in that category -- carry a minimum salary of $875,000. The rookie minimum is $340,000. So no matter how cheap a vet signs for, he'll still cost more, though there is cap relief for signing older veterans. They count just $460,000 (equal to the minimum for a third-year player) against the limit, softening the blow.

The injury risk is exponentially higher. One team conducted a study that showed a mid-30s player is four times more likely to be seriously injured than a rookie.

There's little upside to such a signing, and the player could decline over the course of the season.

Generally, former stars have little special teams experience, meaning they almost have to start to represent proper value on the roster.

With those factors in mind, here's an update on the six big-name vets:

Jason Taylor, DE/OLB

The situation: Sources continue to indicate that New England is the front-runner for Taylor, who had his best season in a Belichick-like system under Nick Saban, would fill the Patriots' crying need for an edge rusher and has a desire to play there. The Dolphins have had lukewarm interest in bringing back Taylor, 34, and Miami is committed to giving CFL star Cameron Wake a shot opposite Joey Porter.

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Scout's take: "Under the right circumstances, he could definitely give a team something. The problem is he went through his career without injuries until last year, and they finally crept up on him. He has something left as a situational pass rusher in the right scheme. He's not a starting player in this league anymore, but assuming he stays healthy, he can be effective."

Ideal spot: New England

Chris McAlister, CB

The situation: McAlister, 31, is rehabbing from arthroscopic knee surgery in Los Angeles and is expected to be cleared for all football activities by late June. He'd like to stay near his native California. The Seahawks and Chargers have shown interest, as have the Cowboys, who intrigue McAlister very much.

Scout's take: "He's got a lot of tread on the tire. Watching him last year, he's without question a big injury risk. Athletically, while he still has the instincts, the drop-off in long speed and explosiveness were noticeable. He probably should've gone to safety a while ago. At his age, do you do it now? It'll be difficult if he doesn't get in a camp, I could see him not playing this year."

Ideal spot: Cowboys

Edgerrin James, RB

The situation: James finally got his wish, gaining his release after Arizona selected Chris Wells in the draft -- and the Saints have investigated him. At this point, he's a complementary piece -- he turns 31 in August and averaged under 4 yards per carry in each of his three years in the desert.

Scout's take: "He'll sign somewhere -- he still has something left as a complementary back. He's got good run instincts, vision, and change-of-direction skills. He's not a breakaway threat, but he really never was. I don't love how he fit in that power scheme in Arizona, but he's still talented enough, with his vision and instincts, to play well in a situation like Indianapolis, where he can take a draw handoff, slash and pick-and-slide."

Ideal spot: Saints