Hakeem Nicks Rtrs 1
Former Giants wideout Hakeem Nicks inked a one-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts Reuters

With the 2014 NFL Free Agency period set to begin on Tuesday, March 11, numerous high-profile players and multiple rising talents remain linked to various organizations around the always-intriguing National Football League. Consistent playoff contenders including the New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, Indianapolis Colts and San Francisco 49ers are among the major teams looking to upgrade heading into the upcoming season, a clear indication that even though a franchise may already possess strong talent up and down the roster, it’s never a bad idea to see what becomes available on the open market.

While the aforementioned teams hope to land players capable of helping them reach the Super Bowl, franchises such as the New York Giants, Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay Packers and New York Jets will also use the upcoming period to land talents in order to compete with the class of the NFL for years to come. High-profile names such as wideouts Eric Decker and Hakeem Nicks have already come off the market -- with Decker joining the Jets and Nicks landing in Indianapolis -- but other notable receiving targets including James Jones , tight end Jermichael Finley and former Dallas Cowboys target Miles Austin remain available.

In addition to the free agency period serving as a way for NFL squads to improve, the nearing NFL Draft is another primary way to enhance franchise ability. Hot quarterback names like Johnny Manziel, Blake Bortles, Teddy Bridgewater and Derek Carr are projected to come off the board quickly but teams that don’t have the immediate need for quarterback will be pleased to see a deep draft class featuring elite talent at key positions such as offensive line, linebacker and defensive back.

As fans, players and NFL organizations continue to prepare for these highly-anticipated events, here’s a look at some of the top available free agents at each position. For a complete look at each 2014 free agent, follow this link.

Quarterbacks (Previous team)

Michael Vick (Philadelphia Eagles)

Chad Henne (Jacksonville Jaguars)

Matt Flynn (Green Bay Packers)

Josh Freeman (Minnesota Vikings)

Derek Anderson (Carolina Panthers)

Running Backs

Maurice Joes-Drew (Jacksonville Jaguars)

Andre Brown (New York Giants)

Knowshon Moreno (Denver Broncos)

James Starks (Green Bay Packers)

Knowshon Moreno Reuters Pic
Knowshon Moreno will be a hot target throughout the free agency period. Reuters

Fullbacks

Greg Jones (Houston Texans)

Le’Ron McClain (San Diego Chargers)

Vonta Leach (Baltimore Ravens)

John Kuhn (Green Bay Packers)

Wide Receivers

Sidney Rice (Seattle Seahawks)

Devin Hester (Chicago Bears)

James Jones (Green Bay Packers)

Santonio Holmes (New York Jets)

Miles Austin (Dallas Cowboys)

Kenny Britt (Tennessee Titans)

Tight Ends

Jermichael Finley (Green Bay Packers)

Fred Davis (Washington Redskins)

Owen Daniels (Houston Texans)

Dustin Keller (Miami Dolphins)

Jermichael Finely Rtrs 1
Jermichael Finley hopes to land a solid contract despite suffering a neck injury last season while playing for the Green Bay Packers. Reuters

Offensive Tackles

Bryant McKinnie (Miami Dolphins)

Michael Oher (Baltimore Ravens)

Eric Winston (Arizona Cardinals)

Ryan Harris (Houston Texans)

Donald Penn (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Guards

Kevin Boothe (New York Giants)

Travelle Wharton (Carolina Panthers)

Willie Colon (New York Jets)

Centers

Alex Mack (Transition Tag, Cleveland Browns)

Brian De La Puente (New Orleans Saints)

Jonathan Goodwin (San Francisco 49ers)

Defensive Ends

Jared Allen (Minnesota Vikings)

Robert Ayers (Denver Broncos)

Corey Wootton (Chicago Bears)

Anthony Spencer (Dallas Cowboys)

Justin Tuck Rtrs 1
Justin Tuck hits the open market coming off an 11-sack season for the New York Giants. Reuters

Defensive Tackles

Henry Melton (Chicago Bears)

Alex Carrington (Buffalo Bills)

Outside Linebackers

Shaun Phillips (Denver Broncos)

Stephen Nicholas (Atlanta Falcons)

O'Brien Schofield (Seattle Seahawks)

Inside Linebackers

Arthur Moats (Buffalo Bills)

Akeem Jordan (Kansas City Chiefs)

Jonathan Vilma (New Orleans Saints)

Cornerbacks

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Denver Broncos)

Carlos Rogers (San Francisco 49ers)

Champ Bailey (Denver Broncos)

AQ
Cornerback Aquib Talib is one of the top defensive backs on the open market. Reuters

Safeties

Chris Clemons (Miami Dolphins)

Charles Woodson (Oakland Raiders)

Ryan Clark (Pitsburgh Steelers)

Kickers

Steven Hauschka (Seattle Seahawks)

Rian Lindell (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

David Akers (Detroit Lions)

Punters

Mat McBriar (Pittsburgh Steelers)

Zoltan Mesko (Cincinnati Bengals)

Sav Rocca (Washington Redskins)

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