Cuts have begun to take place in the NFL, with teams looking to improve their salary cap situation in order to go after free agents. A number of players on this list, such as Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Jared Allen, are likely to be franchised, but can still negotiate with other teams if the non-exclusive franchise tag is put on them. This list was compiled using a multitude of factors, including production, age and position.

Ranking the top 20 NFL free agents so far (RFA = Restricted Free Agents, UFA = Unrestricted Free Agents):

1) Randy Moss (UFA) - WR, New England Patriots: Though he's 31 years old, Moss is still an athletic freak who demands double and triple teams.

2) Jared Allen (UFA) - DE, Kansas City Chiefs: Just 25 years old, Allen has 43 sacks in his four seasons, including 16 this past season. Comes with baggage after suspension for DUI arrest.

3) Albert Haynesworth (UFA) - DT, Tennessee Titans: A dominant interior player, the Titans defense was completely different when he missed time due to injury.

4) Asante Samuel (UFA) - CB, New England Patriots: Excellent cornerbacks are difficult to find, and Samuel has been one of the league's best recently, with 16 interceptions the last two years.

5) Lance Briggs (UFA) - LB, Chicago Bears: Play tailed off a bit from a season ago, but so did the rest of the Bears' defense.

6) Marion Barber (RFA) - RB, Dallas Cowboys: His age (24), Pro Bowl appearance and 14 rushing touchdowns say he should probably be higher on this list, but running backs are usually not extremely coveted in free agency.

7) Marcus Trufant (UFA) - CB, Seattle Seahawks: Had 7 picks after just 2 the last two seasons.

8) Terrell Suggs (UFA) - DE/OLB, Baltimore Ravens: 45 sacks in his five seasons in Baltimore. Team says they'll franchise him if they can't work out a deal.

9) Karlos Dansby (UFA) - LB, Arizona Cardinals: Dansby does it all, including with 99 tackles and at least 3 sacks, forced fumbles, interceptions and passes defended.

10) Jordan Gross (UFA) - OT, Carolina Panthers: Gross has been a good right tackle for the Panthers and can play the left side as well.

11) Alan Faneca (UFA) - OG, Pittsburgh Steelers: Disgruntled in Pittsburgh, Faneca will get his money despite the fact he is going into his 11th season.

12) Michael Turner (UFA) - RB, San Diego Chargers: The Burner has waited for his chance. He'll finally get it.

13) Corey Williams (UFA) - DT, Green Bay Packers: The big man helped anchor the Pack's surprisingly good defense, and had 7 sacks on the season.

14) Derek Anderson (RFA) - QB, Cleveland Browns: Question is, was he a one year wonder or the real deal?

15) Max Starks (UFA) - OT, Pittsburgh Steelers: A 25 year old behemoth, Starks is coming off a season ending knee injury.

16) Bernard Berrian (UFA) - WR, Chicago Bears: Berrian's deep speed is intriguing, and he is coming off his best season, in which he had 71 catches, 951 yards and 5 TD's.

17) Justin Smith (UFA) - DE, Cincinnati Bengals: A disappointment this season, Smith had only 2 sacks and didn't force a fumble. His stock has fallen from last season.

18) Kawika Mitchell (UFA) - LB, N.Y. Giants: Never spectacular but always solid, Mitchell is 28 and coming off an 8 tackle, 1 sack game in the Super Bowl.

19) Jamal Lewis (UFA) - RB, Cleveland Browns: Lewis proved last year he wasn't finished, but he's taken a lot of hits over the years. He should find plenty of interest.

20) Josh Brown (UFA) - K, Seattle Seahawks: I know, he's a kicker, but he's a damn good one and was franchised by the Seahawks a year ago.

(Photo: Flickr)