Free agency is here, the most active period leading up to the NFL Draft. It's a time for talent evaluation and cash allocation. And for fans, hope springs eternal. Expect an active week. The huge increase in the salary cap means every team can be a player. Here are the five storylines you should be following this week:

Willis McGahee earned a Get Out of Jail Free card last week when the Buffalo Bills pulled the trigger on a trade that sent the running back to Baltimore for a pair of third-round picks (including one in 2008) and a seventh rounder. The Ravens then locked up McGahee to a seven-year, $40 million deal, according to ESPN. But is this situation any better than Buffalo for the outspoken back? McGahee missed two games to injury last season and has a rep for lagging production as the season wears on. Coach Brian Billick is known for riding running backs. If you believe McGahee can handle the load, then pick him early. Otherwise, stay away.

The New England Patriots continued their high-priced shopping binge — is Lindsay Lohan running the front office? — by signing receiver Donte' Stallworth over the weekend. With the addition of the fleet Stallworth, who signed a six-year, $33 million deal, and the possession-oriented Wes Welker, who the Patriots added via trade from Miami, quarterback Tom Brady has finally has solid options in the passing game again. The Patriots shed both Deion Branch and David Givens following the 2005, and the hole in the receiving corps was noticeable. This could be a brilliant move for the up-and-down Stallworth. Career year, anybody?

The New York Giants had to replace retired running back Tiki Barber this off-season. Consider that mission accomplished after the Giants traded for 1,000-yard rusher Reuben Droughns. The Cleveland Browns traded Droughns, who became expendable after they signed running back Jamal Lewis, in exchange for receiver Tim Carter. He'll share the workload with Brandon Jacobs, and according to Newsday (N.Y.), the Giants will look to add another young running back in the upcoming NFL Draft.

The Oakland Raiders replenished their backfield last week and gave one rookie quarterback — whether it be LSU's JaMarcus Russell or Notre Dame's Brady Quinn — some weapons to help jump-start the offense. Former Indianapolis running back Dominic Rhodes signed a two-year deal with the Raiders. He'll likely share carries with LaMont Jordan, who was limited by a knee injury a year ago. Oakland also added fullback Justin Griffith, who spent the last four seasons in Atlanta. Both Rhodes and Griffith are good receiving targets, a great insurance policy for any young quarterback. Don't expect miracles fantasy owners.

The NFL carousel continues. The Miami Dolphins added fullback Corey Schlesinger to a potentially potent backfield that includes Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, who is expected to return from a one-year suspension. Schlesinger, one of the league's best blockers in 12 seasons with Detroit, signed a two-year $2 million deal. Meanwhile, the Lions inked beefy running back T.J. Duckett to a one-year deal worth $1.5 million, according to ESPN. Duckett is more than an insurance option for injury-prone Kevin Jones. The Detroit Free Press said Duckett could be a short-yardage bruiser. UPDATE! would recommend him as a touchdown machine — but this is Detroit. Schlesinger has limited fantasy value too. Yet his presence in South Florida could pay dividends to both Brown and Williams.