NFL players age like bread, not like wine, but sometimes a good sandwich is more important than a good buzz. So while younger will always be better when it comes to free agency, there are still a select few older players capable of providing exceptional value. The following is a look at the top five pending free agents over the age of 30.

RB Frank Gore (31), San Francisco 49ers

Teams tend to shy away from running backs in their 30’s, but Gore figures to be a strong exception. His body shows no signs for breaking down despite his physical style of play, as evidenced by the fact he has started all 16 games each of the last three seasons. He has topped 1,100 rushing yards in seven of the past nine seasons, including each of the last four.

Gore appears ready to transition into the next phase of his career, where he will be part of a rotation that will limit his snaps and maximize his effectiveness. He can be a dangerous change-of-pace back, especially because he is so strong in pass protection, and is a classic closer who can still grind out wins in the fourth quarter.

The 49ers want Gore to return, according to GM Trent Baalke.

“Just as all players get up there in age, they can’t do some of the same things that they were able to do when they were younger, but they find ways to compensate,” Baalke said. “Frank is still one of the best inside runners, in terms of finding creases and setting up his blocks, as there is in the National Football League. He’s always been a tremendously instinctive football player, and he hasn’t lost that.”

OT Doug Free (31), Dallas Cowboys

Free does not hit the market at the best time, as he missed Dallas’ final seven games (including the playoffs) with a foot injury. But he played well before the injury, as he was a key cog in a Cowboys offensive line that dominated opponents for most of the season. It was Free’s second consecutive strong season; he really came on strong in 2013 after a rough go of things in 2012. Additionally, he has emerged as a superb leader in the clubhouse.

Dallas is in a bit of a bind, as Free and his backup (Jermey Parnell) are both scheduled to hit the open market. The Cowboys only have room in the budget to keep one of them, especially if they have any hopes of retaining high-end free agents Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray. So although Free grades out as the better player, Dallas may opt to re-sign the more affordable Parnell instead.

“We’ll have to make a tough decision there with Doug and Jermey,” Cowboys executive VP Stephen Jones told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “Hopefully we’ll at least keep one of them.”

CB Antonio Cromartie (30), Arizona Cardinals

Although no longer the superstar he once was with the Chargers, Cromartie has proven himself to be one of the better No. 2 cornerbacks in the game. He showed that in New York when he played with Darrelle Revis and he proved it again last season in Arizona when he lined up opposite Patrick Peterson. He picked off three passes in 2014 (plus one more in the playoffs), his sixth consecutive season with at least three interceptions.

It will be an interesting offseason for Cromartie, who could be pursued heavily by each of his former employers. The Cardinals would like him to come back, but he will also draw considerable interest from the Jets, who are now coached by former Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles.

“My house is [in New York], so it’s attractive,” Cromartie said.

The Chargers could also be interested in a reunion, depending on whether Brandon Flowers and Shareece Wright leave as free agents. Another team to keep on eye on is Carolina, as head coach Ron Rivera worked with Cromartie in San Diego and has always been an admirer of his game. The Panthers will have money to spend this offseason and will aggressively look to rebuild their secondary.

That being said, it will be a surprise if Cromartie ends up anywhere other than New York.

NT Alan Branch (30), New England Patriots

Branch did a nice job of reestablishing his value after joining the Patriots midway through last season. He appeared in 11 games (including the playoffs) and started the final two games of the regular season. He finished with 13 tackles and a pass breakup, but more importantly, he clogged running lanes and kept offensive linemen away from the Patriots linebackers.

Branch was once considered a blue-chip defensive lineman, but after signing a rich three-year extension with the Bills in December 2013, he essentially mailed it in. A failed conditioning test and a DUI led to his sudden release in Buffalo, but the Bills’ loss was the Patriots’ gain (what’s new?).

Teams will not throw a lot of guaranteed money at Branch, given how he fell off last time that happened, but he should secure some decent coin on a one- or two-year deal. It helps that he has some versatility, as he can play defensive tackle in a four-man front of anywhere along the line in a 3-4 scheme. He has experience in each capacity, and no matter the role, he has always rated highly as a run defender.

OLB Darryl Tapp (30), Detroit Lions

Tapp is not a dominant player — far from it. But he is one of those players whose versatility and intangibles make him extremely difficult to cut. His listed position is outside linebacker, but at this point in his career, his work on special teams is just as important as what he does on defense. And that is why he will draw attention on the open market — he is a Swiss Army Knife who will cost only a hair above the league minimum.

Although he hasn’t had multiple sacks in a season since 2011, Tapp still has good speed off the edge and can be a nice contributor as a situational pass rusher. He is a former second-round pick with a four-sack game on his resumé, so he can certainly provide depth on defense if nothing else.

His willingness to cover kicks and his experience in multiple schemes (playing as a 4-3 defensive end or a 3-4 outside linebacker) make him even more desirable. That should be enough to get him a contract and a shot in someone’s training camp. Once there, his leadership and drive will serve as a reminder why he has lasted nine years in the league.

Who are this offseason’s most intriguing free agents? Talk about it with Michael Lombardo during his weekly NFL Chat on Friday at 2pm EST. But you don’t have to wait until then … ask your question now!