Poole finished the season as a starter, demonstrated to people that he can still make plays, and that he has retained his quickness. The result: Poole tops the list of "sleeper" veterans who will garner surprisingly solid interest when the free-agency period starts.
In a thin market, teams will increasingly seek out bargains, and hope to find some medium-priced players capable of making contributions.
Here's a list of 25 players who won't break the bank, but who will get some early phone calls, and end up signing respectable contracts:
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ESPN.com's Top sleeper UFAs
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Player
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Team
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Years
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Comment
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CB Tyrone Poole
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Den.
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7
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Started final four games for Broncos in '02, but probably better suited to "nickel" duty. Lack of height has always been a factor, but he's resurrected career.
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WR Bobby Engram
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Sea.
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7
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The consummate possession receiver who works out of the slot and moves the chains. Good tutor for younger receivers and solid on punt returns.
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OG Doug Brzezinski
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Phi.
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4
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Has been a starter at various junctures of his career. Tough in-line blocker with a mean streak, could be a modestly-priced upgrade for a lot of teams.
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DE Brad Scioli
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Ind.
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4
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Some people feel he's nondescript but, watch him on tape, and he's better than you think. Good two-way player, will get you 5-6 sacks and play the run well.
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WR Ike Hilliard
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NYG
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6
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Came back in '02 from an injury-marrred season the year before and, until a neck injury, demonstrated he can still be a productive intermediate-range receiver.
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WR Derrius Thompson
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Was.
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4
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Teams will have to determine if he is the guy who caught 52 passes in 2002 or the one who had a mere three catches in the three previous seasons.
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RB Moe Williams
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Min.
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7
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Always a standout special teams guy, he really blossomed into a very nice situational back in '02, rushing for over 400 yards and catching the ball well.
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OLB Cornell Brown
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Bal.
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5
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Wasn't even in the league in '01, but came back to start 13 contests for Ravens in '02. Not a lot of miles on him and anchors well against the run.
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DT Michael Myers
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Dal.
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5
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Seems like a prototype "rotation" tackle, but might be able to start for a few teams. Active inside player and has some ability to get through creases and to the quarterback.
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RB Olandis Gary
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Den.
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4
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No doubt he's not the hot commodity he was a couple years ago, largely because of injuries, and inactivity. But he rushed for 1,000 yards in '99 and should be a good backup.
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QB Jake Delhomme
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N.O.
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4
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Can't figure out why he is getting so much interest, has started only two games in four years. A strong, live arm and someone might give him a chance to start.
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CB Tod McBride
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G.B.
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4
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Has some starting experience and can play the "nickel" role. The kind of size people like and he has been pretty productive when given a chance to play.
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C Todd McClure
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Atl.
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4
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A little smaller than most teams want their hub player to be, but very smart, good quickness. Gets out on linebackers and has nice recognition ability, makes blocking calls.
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OLB Jeff Posey
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Hou.
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5
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Journeyman player who found a home in the Houston defense last season and posted eight sacks. The question is, did the 3-4 system make him a better player?
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OLB Keith Newman
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Buf.
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4
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Has played the strong and weak sides and, for whatever reason, didn't live up to early career promise. Good athlete who can run, needs a change of scenery.
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OT Ryan Young
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Hou.
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4
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Career seemed on the rise until suffering through injury-plagued 2002 season. Supposed to be young star for Houston but now he might have to move on.
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TE Reggie Kelly
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Atl.
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4
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Gets flak in Atlanta because Falcons swapped a future first-round pick to get him in 1999. A lot better than critics think, but lost in the shadow of Alge Crumpler now.
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LB Mike Maslowski
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K.C.
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4
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Standout special teams player most of his early career, finally got opportunity to start in 2002. Big motor, goes hard every play, has some range.
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S Cory Hall
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Cin.
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4
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Good size and a good hitter, but Bengals did not help his career by bouncing him between strong and weak safety. Could start for some teams, no worse than No. 3 safety for others.
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DE Lance Johnstone
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Min.
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7
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Has never been an effective anchor versus the run, but he does one thing well: Rush the quarterback. Good for 6-8 sacks.
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WR MarTay Jenkins
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Ari.
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4
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Superior explosiveness at times, still has to learn to run routes better. Should be a No. 3 wideout but real value is in his kickoff return abilities.
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DT Bernard Whittington
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Cin.
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9
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Very versatile, can play tackle or end, provides plenty of backup snaps. Just a flash of pass-rush ability, stands in tough against the run.
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DE David Bowens
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Mia.
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4
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Another situational rush player. Isn't very big, but has demonstrated the ability to move inside on third down and get up through the creases. A tease, but worth a look.
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QB Shaun King
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T.B.
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4
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Really hurt his market value with awful performance against Pittsburgh on late-season Monday night game. But with so many teams needing quarterbacks, he will get some play.
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WR Germane Crowell
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Det.
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4
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Released by the Lions on Tuesday, still has never gotten over knee injury of two years ago. Big, physical guy, worth checking out, but only if he is healthy.
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