Some restricted free agents might be worth the gamble.(Brief Article)

Sifting through restricted free agents has become almost forgotten as a personnel tool. Most front office men resign themselves to the idea that teams with the right of first refusal will match any offer extended to a restricted player, so they tend not to bother with the process. Instead, they shift their focus and resources to true free agents.

Over the past four years, only 11 restricted free agents have switched teams, mostly because general managers are unwilling to part with cherished draft picks that usually must be included as compensation.

Clubs can extend one of three qualifying offers to their own restricted free agents. This year, the league has set the low tender at $519,000, which allows a team to match any offer or receive a draft choice in the player's original draft round--if the player was drafted. A middle tender of $1.130 million increases the compensation for losing a player to a first-round pick. The high tender of $1.508 million raises compensation to first- and third-round selections.

But the fear of losing restricted players already has prompted the Packers, who locked up line-backer Nate Wayne to a long-term deal, and the Broncos, who are trying doggedly to do the same with right tackle Matt Lepsis, to take a proactive approach.

In past years, elite players such as Panthers wide receiver Patrick Jeffers and Jets running back Curtis Martin switched teams as restricted free agents. Here are some players worthy of signing as restricted free agents in exchange for late-round picks this year. Not included are players such as 49ers fullback Fred Beasley, Rams line-backer London Fletcher and Vikings center Matt Birk. Though Beasley and Birk were taken in the sixth round and Fletcher wasn't drafted, it's safe to assume each of their teams will tab them with the middle- or high-tender offers, which essentially takes other clubs out of contention.

* Pat Tillman, Cardinals. He was overlooked coming out of Arizona State became many scouts thought he wouldn't make a successful transition from linebacker to strong safety. It took Tillman only three years to prove scouts wrong. Tillman took advantage of Tommy Bennett's injury situation this season and finished with an astounding 153 tackles. That statistic was inflated became of the team's inadequate front seven, but it reflects rare productivity from a defensive back.

* Lional Dalton, Ravens. Most Super Bowl teams have quality reserves on the defensive line who are capable of sustaining a starter's level of play, and Dalton has been that player the last two years for the Ravens. Dalton is impressive in his consistency against the run and shows a little pass-rushing flair. Few teams are willing to shell out more than $1 million for portly backup defensive tackles, and with Sam Adams and Tony Siragusa firmly entrenched in the starting lineup, look for general manager Ozzie Newsome reluctantly to offer Dalton the low tender. Bemuse Dalton wasn't drafted, he would ...