Every August the calls for contract year players start to come in. I guess in these cynical times it would make sense that the fantasy owner seek out those players they fell will give an "extra effort" during the final year of their contract, in the hopes of a big payday the next year. The actual numbers may or may not prove this theory to be true, but for those who believe in the contract year theory you will find a list below. Keep in mind that some of those listed, like Shaun Alexander, Hines Ward or Bubba Franks, may receive a new long-term deal before the season starts or even during the season.
| QUARTERBACKS |
RUNNING BACKS |
WIDE RECEIVERS |
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Unrestricted free agents are players who will have completed four or more accrued seasons of service and whose contracts will expire. They will be free to sign with any club.
Restricted free agents are players who will have completed three accrued seasons of service and whose contracts will expire. They will be free to negotiate with any club. If a player accepts an offer from a new club, the old club will have the right to match the offer and retain the player. If the old club elects not to match the offer, it may receive draft-choice compensation depending on the level of the qualifying offer made to the player. |
| Unrestricted |
Unrestricted |
Unrestricted |
| Drew Brees, SD |
Shaun Alexander, SEA |
Hines Ward, PIT |
| Kurt Warner, ARI |
Ahman Green, GB |
Reggie Wayne, IND |
| John Kitna, CIN |
Edgerrin James, IND |
Peter Warrick, CIN |
| Jeff Garcia, DET |
Jamal Lewis, BAL |
David Givens, NE |
| Restricted |
Brian Westbrook, PHI |
Reche Caldwell, SD |
| David Carr, HOU |
Michael Bennett, MIN |
David Terrell, NE |
| Josh McCown, ARI |
Restricted |
Jabar Gaffney, HOU |
| TIGHT ENDS |
DeShaun Foster, CAR |
Joe Jurevicius, SEA |
| Unrestricted |
Chester Taylor, BAL |
Quincy Morgan, DAL |
| Randy McMichael, MIA |
|
Restricted |
| Bubba Franks, GB |
|
Nate Burleson, MIN |
| |
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Antonio Bryant, CLE |
| |
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Brandon Lloyd, SF |
| |
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Kevin Curtis, STL |
| |
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Josh Reed, BUF |
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