Sports

Uncapped year would hurt many NFL free agents

The first in a three-part series on NFL free agents. Next Saturday: Offensive and defensive linemen.

Confusion reigns as the NFL’s free-agency period approaches.

Because of the ongoing labor dispute, 2010 will be played without a salary cap if — as expected — owners and players can’t agree to a new deal when free agency opens on March 5.

An uncapped year will blow up free agency because more than 200 players with 4-to-5 years of experience who would be unrestricted under a capped system become restricted and unlikely to change teams because of the high compensation involved.

Not only that, but the eight playoff teams — including the Jets — face severe free-agency restrictions, including the stipulation that they can sign replacements only for the players they lose and at approximately the same salary.

“It’s a lock that a lot more teams are going to look to the draft instead of free agency to fill needs this year [if there isn’t a cap],” an AFC executive told The Post.

Going on the notion that there will not be a cap when free agency begins, here is a look at the veteran options available and likely to be available at quarterback, running back and wide receiver:

QUARTERBACK

All eyes will be on Philadelphia, because the list of available quarterbacks at the start of free agency is more pitiful than you could imagine.

From Kyle Boller to David Carr to Daunte Culpepper to Charlie Batch, it’s littered with first-round busts and over-the-hill veterans.

Falcons backup Chris Redman is the best of an awful crop, with Chad Pennington — who hasn’t ruled out a return to the Jets as a backup — a close second.

That’s where the Eagles and their three-headed quarterback monster come in. Some in the industry wouldn’t be surprised if Philadelphia, finally convinced that he can’t get the job done, entertains trading Donovan McNabb to make way for Kevin Kolb. And if the Eagles keep McNabb and Kolb, they seem unlikely to hinder Kolb’s development by hanging on to Michael Vick. If Vick is released, no shortage of teams are sure to be interested in him as a starter.

Another veteran option could be Jake Delhomme if the Panthers decide to cut ties after a terrible 2009 season and make room for Matt Moore.

RUNNING BACK

This is another position that would look a lot better in free agency under the old rules.

Such promising young runners as Leon Washington, the Browns’ Jerome Harrison and Pro Bowl fullback Leonard Weaver of the Eagles all would be unrestricted under a cap. But no cap leaves mostly worn-out thirtysomethings once you get past the Vikings’ Chester Taylor and Kevin Faulk of the Patriots — two players likely to stay with their current teams.

As such, this is another position where teams are now more likely to fill needs in the draft instead of free agency.

“It’s an easily fillable position,” NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger told The Post. “Not only that, but people are OK with a rotation at running back now instead of one guy carrying the load.”

Free agency could get a lot more interesting here if several potential cuts happen that would put the Jets’ Thomas Jones on the market, as well as LaDainian Tomlinson and Brian Westbrook if the latter two decide against retirement.

WIDE RECEIVER

An uncapped year will rob this position of its depth, too, as such intriguing wideouts as the Chargers’ Vincent Jackson, Miles Austin of the Cowboys and the Broncos’ Brandon Marshall shift into the restricted category.

Marshall, though, appears to have grumbled his way out of Denver and likely will be trade bait. This also finally could be the offseason that the Cardinals deal Anquan Boldin after years of his very public demands to do so.

Troubled Donte Stallworth already is available and might be worth a low-cost flyer, but the list of unrestricted wideouts come March 5 is grim — a collection of head cases (Antonio Bryant and Terrell Owens), possession types (Kevin Walter) and graybeards (Derrick Mason).

“I don’t think you’ll see teams give big money to receivers, even in an uncapped year,” Baldinger said. “Teams have realized that wide receivers don’t win you championships, and you can get an undrafted guy like Miles Austin or a seventh-rounder to play the position just as well as high first-rounders.”

Ranking free agents

Post NFL reporter Bart Hubbuch breaks down the field

Because of the ongoing labor dispute, 2010 likely will be played without a salary cap, unless owners and players agree to a new deal by March 5.

As a result, more than 200 players with 4-to-5 years of experience who would be unrestricted under a capped system become restricted and unlikely to change teams because of the high compensation involved.

Here’s a look at those who would be unrestricted in a non-cap year:

QUARTERBACKS

Without salary cap

1. Chris Redman, Falcons

2. Chad Pennington, Dolphins

3. Charlie Batch, Steelers

4. Kyle Boller, Rams

5. Daunte Culpepper, Lions

Wild card: Will the Eagles trade Donovan McNabb or release Michael Vick?

RUNNING BACKS

Without salary cap

1. Chester Taylor, Vikings

2. Willie Parker, Steelers

3. Kevin Faulk, Patriots

4. Larry Johnson, Chiefs/Bengals

5. Chris Brown, Texans

Wild card: Will LaDainian Tomlinson and Brian Westbrook retire?

WIDE RECEIVERS

Without salary cap

1. Antonio Bryant, Buccaneers

2. Kevin Walter, Texans

3. Derrick Mason, Ravens

4. Chris Chambers, Chiefs

5. Terrell Owens, Bills

Wild card: Will Anquan Boldin and Brandon Marshall finally get traded?