A few years ago the New England Patriots identified a restricted free agent they truly liked -- thanks to a recommendation from a friend of Bill Belichick named Nick Saban -- and they went after the player.
No, they didn't end up signing Wes Welker as a restricted free agent. But they did work out a trade for him with the Miami Dolphins.
That was 2007. Restricted free agency has seen precious few players changing teams since then despite the success Welker has had with New England. The fact is as draft picks have become more valuable (based on the fact rookies now make less) fewer teams are willing to give draft pick compensation for players that will also come with new contracts.
Nonetheless, the NFL Players Association collects the list of players that do not have four years in the league but are out of contract as restricted free agents.
Here is that list:
TEAM PLAYER NAME POSITION ACCRUED (includes 2012 season)
AF Palmer, Michael TE 3
AF Smith, Antone RB 3
BB Brown, Colin OL 3
BB Jones, Donald WR 3
BB Nelson, David WR 3
BR Cox, Morgan OL 3
BR Dickson, Ed TE 3
BR Harewood, Ramon OL 3
BR Jones, Art DT 3
BR Pitta, Dennis TE 3
BR Reed, Brandon WR 3
CHB Collins, Nate DT 3
CLB Ogbonnaya, Chris RB 3
CLB Williams, Eddie RB 3
CNB Miles, Jeromy S 3
CNB Quinn, Richard TE 3
CP Neblett, Andre DT 3
CP Ness, Nate S 3
DB Ball, Lance RB 3
DB Clark, Chris OL 3
DB Colquitt, Britton P/K 3
DB Gronkowski, Chris RB 3
DC Costa, Phil OL 3
DC McCray, Danny S 3
DL Fox, Jason OL 3
DL Spievey, Amari S 3
DL Young, Willie DE 3
GBP Crabtree, Tom TE 3
GBP Dietrich-Smith, Evan OL 3
GBP Francois, Rob LB 3
GBP Shields, Sam CB 3
GBP Zombo, Frank LB 3
HT Gardner, Andrew OL 3
IC Edds, A.J. LB 3
IC Linkenbach, Jeff OL 3
IC Olsen, Seth OL 3
IC Vaughn, Cassius CB 3
JJ Bolen, Brock RB 3
JJ Bosworth, Kyle LB 3
JJ Estes, John OL 3
JJ Potter, Zach TE 3
JJ Selvie, George DE 3
JJ Shipley, Jordan WR 3
KCC Rucker, Martin TE 3
MD Amaya, Jonathon S 3
MD Mastrud, Jeron TE 3
MD McCann, Bryan CB 3
MD Moore, Marlon WR 3
MD Spitler, Austin LB 3
MV Jefferson, A.J. CB 3
MV Kropog, Troy OL 3
NEP Fletcher, Dane LB 3
NEP Hoomanawanui, Michael TE 3
NOS De La Puente, Brian OL 3
NOS Drescher, Justin OL 3
NOS Galette, Junior DE 3
NOS Ivory, Chris RB 3
NYG Brown, Andre RB 3
NYG Brown, Stevie S 3
NYG Cruz, Victor WR 3
NYG Pascoe, Bear TE 3
NYG Torain, Ryan RB 3
NYJ Cumberland, Jeff TE 3
NYJ Howard, Austin OL 3
NYJ Mauga, Joshua LB 3
NYJ Purdum, Tanner OL 3
OR Adams, Phillip CB 3
PE Anderson, Colt S 3
PS Dwyer, Jonathan RB 3
PS Kapinos, Jeremy P/K 3
PS McLendon, Steve DT 3
PS Redman, Isaac RB 3
PS Sanders, Emmanuel WR 3
PS Sylvester, Stevenson LB 3
SDC Ajirotutu, Seyi WR 3
SDC Alexander, Danario WR 3
SDC Brinkley, Curtis RB 3
SDC Windt, Mike OL 3
SF Brock, Tramaine CB 3
SF McBath, Darcel CB 3
SLR Cole, Justin LB 3
SLR Cudjo, Jermelle DT 3
SLR Stewart, Darian S 3
SS Butler, Deon WR 3
SS Gresham, Clint OL 3
SS Maragos, Chris S 3
SS McDonald, Clinton DE 3
TBB Blount, LeGarrette RB 3
TBB Cutrera, Jacob LB 3
TBB Te'o-Nesheim, Daniel DE 3
TT Velasco, Fernando OL 3
WR Baker, Chris DT 3
WR Banks, Brandon WR 3
WR Jackson, Rob DE 3
WR Paulsen, Logan TE 3
WR Sundberg, Nick OL 3
WR Young, Darrel RB 3
