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The best of who's still on the market in free agency

With the market settled and teams focused on draft preparation, plenty of names left on the market might be unsigned until at least after the draft, when teams begin plugging holes that the three days of picks failed to fill.

Some of the names on this list are likely to linger until after June 1, when another flurry of signings is likely to follow. For unrestricted free agents, that date represents a crucial demarcation point; after that, teams can sign UFAs and not have the acquisition count toward the disbursement of compensatory selections next year.

Street free agents -- those cut by their previous teams -- don't count toward the compensatory calculation. The market for those players changed Tuesday with reports that the Raiders will release defensive lineman Antonio Smith, who played inside in Oakland's 4-3 but has proven, recent success as a pass-rushing 5-technique defensive end in the 3-4.

Who are the best of what's left on the market among non-Broncos?

1. C STEFEN WISNIEWSKI, OAKLAND(Rank two weeks ago: No. 2)
According to a report in the Chicago Tribune, Wisniewski underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum after the season, having played through the injury last year. If he recovers, he should be effective, but for the moment, teams appear to be taking a wait-and-see approach.

2. ILB ROLANDO McCLAIN, DALLAS(Rank two weeks ago: No. 3)
He likely faces another prove-it year once he signs a contract, and if he responds as he did last year, he will be a bargain.

3. G JUSTIN BLALOCK, EX-ATLANTA(Rank two weeks ago: No. 4)
Being cut by the Falcons did not help his cause, but the 31-year-old lineman has played all but one game in the last seven years.

4. DT C.J. MOSLEY, DETROIT(Rank two weeks ago: No. 6)
Character questions are the issue for Mosley amid reports that he was sent home from the Lions' trip to London because he was found with marijuana.

5. WR MICHAEL CRABTREE, SAN FRANCISCO(Rank two weeks ago: No. 7)
With the receiver pickings slim on the market, Crabtree can take his time, but he is unlikely to get the price he wants because the draft's WR class is so deep.

6. OT JAKE LONG, EX-ST. LOUIS(Rank two weeks ago: No. 8)
Long's last four seasons ended on injured reserve, and he hasn't played a full 16-game schedule in five years.

7. DL ANTONIO SMITH, EX-OAKLAND(Unranked two weeks ago)
An awkward fit in the Raiders' 4-3 alignment, Smith functions best as a 5-technique DE in the 3-4, at which he flourished under the watch of Bill Kollar and Wade Phillips with the Houston Texans. He was able to play off the attention given to J.J. Watt on the other side to become an effective, disruptive pass rusher.

8. C/G CHRIS MYERS, EX-HOUSTON(Rank two weeks ago: No. 9)
Age is a concern, but he's a good fit for a zone-blocking scheme and should have at least a year of starting-level effectiveness in him.

9. LB BRANDON SPIKES, BUFFALO(Rank two weeks ago: No. 10) A two-down linebacker who remains effective in that role and should still start in the league.

10. RB KNOWSHON MORENO, MIAMI(Rank two weeks ago: No. 11)
A second torn ACL in three years ended his 2014 season. He recovered well from the first injury, suffered in 2011, and had his best NFL season two years later. But with an injury history that grows lengthier, he will likely be part of a platoon going forward.

  1. S Dwight Lowery, Atlanta (Rank two weeks ago: No. 13)
    1. LB Lance Briggs, Chicago (Rank two weeks ago: No. 15)
    2. WR Greg Jennings, ex-Minnesota (Rank two weeks ago: No. 16)
    3. RT Joe Barksdale, St. Louis (Rank two weeks ago: No. 17)
    4. RT Byron Bell, Carolina (Rank two weeks ago: No. 18)
    5. RB Stevan Ridley, New England (Rank two weeks ago: No. 22)
    6. TE/FB James Casey, ex-Philadephia (Rank two weeks ago: No. 24)
    7. S Dawan Landry, N.Y. Jets (Rank two weeks ago: No. 26)
      19. TE JERMAINE GRESHAM, CINCINNATI(Rank two weeks ago: No. 27)
      As with Wisniewski, surgery puts his availability on hold, Gresham underwent a procedure to repair a herniated disc March 19.
    8. Edge rusher Anthony Spencer, Dallas (Rank two weeks ago: No. 28)
    9. DT Kevin Williams, Seattle (Rank two weeks ago: No. 29)
    10. CB Charles Tillman, Chicago (Rank two weeks ago: No. 32)
    11. S Stevie Brown, N.Y. Giants (Rank two weeks ago: No. 33)
    12. WR Hakeem Nicks, Indianapolis (Rank two weeks ago: No. 35)
    13. TE Rob Housler, Arizona (Rank two weeks ago: No. 36)
    14. RB Pierre Thomas, ex-New Orleans (Rank two weeks ago: No. 37)
    15. Edge rusher Dwight Freeney, San Diego (Rank two weeks ago: No. 38)
    16. RB Ahmad Bradshaw, Indianapolis (Rank two weeks ago: No. 40)
    17. RB Steven Jackson, ex-Atlanta (Rank two weeks ago: No. 41)
    18. WR Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis (Rank two weeks ago: No. 42)
    19. OT Ryan Harris, Kansas City (Rank two weeks ago: No. 43)
    20. TE Zach Miller, ex-Seattle (Rank two weeks ago: No. 44)
    21. WR Denarius Moore, Oakland (Rank two weeks ago: No. 45)
    22. RB Chris Johnson, N.Y. Jets (Rank two weeks ago: No. 46)
    23. ILB Joe Mays, ex-Kansas City (Rank two weeks ago: No. 48)
    24. DT Red Bryant, ex-Jacksonville (Rank two weeks ago: No. 49)
      37. NT BARRY COFIELD, EX-WASHINGTON(Rank two weeks ago: No. 50)
      He may be a summer signing as teams wait to evaluate his recovery from hip surgery.
    25. OLB Geno Hayes, Jacksonville (Unranked)
    26. QB Tarvaris Jackson, Seattle (Unranked)
    27. CB Zack Bowman, N.Y. Giants (Unranked)
    28. OL Philip Wheeler, ex-Miami (Unranked)
    29. G Dan Connolly, New England (Unranked)
    30. CB Tarell Brown, Oakland (Unranked)
    31. DE Da'Quan Bowers, Tampa Bay (Unranked)
    32. QB Michael Vick, N.Y. Jets (Unranked)
    33. G Rob Sims, Detroit (Unranked)
    34. DE/OLB Mathias Kiwanuka, ex-N.Y. Giants (Unranked)
    35. RB/KR Leon Washington, Tennessee (Unranked)
    36. FB John Kuhn, Green Bay (Unranked)
    37. WR Nate Washington, Tennessee (Unranked)

The Broncos have a history of not only making some free agency splashes, but making effective free agency signings big and small. Here are just some of the best.

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