Top 10 NFL Free Agents in 2011: Realistic Look at Who Will Land Best NFL Free Agents
Who Will Land the Best Cornerback & Best Defensive Lineman in the NFL?
Among the biggest names available will be Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts and Michael Vick of the Philadelphia Eagles. These two powerhouse quarterbacks will remain with their teams. With these two unofficially off the market who will be the best available NFL free agent?
Watching the NFL Playoffs this season one thing is apparent. Defense wins championships. There are strong offensive players available through free agency but they will not be the hot commodities in this years crop of free agents. Watch for the high impact defensive players to be in high demand once the labor situation is resolved.
No.10. Tyson Clabo: Offensive Tackle
Teams will have two options when it comes to shoring up a weak offensive line. Look to the NFL Draft and pray that their first round pick acclimates seamlessly to the NFL with potentially little practice time or buy a free agent veteran.
Tyson Clabo will be the hottest offensive lineman available through free agency and if the Atlanta Falcons want to keep him they will have to pay a premium. Clabo is a nimble offensive lineman that has the ability to get out in front of his runner in run blocking situations and is also versatile enough to be a strong pass blocker.
Look for NFC North teams to pursue the big man. Potential suitors: Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears. Final verdict: Green Bay Packers.
No.9. Jason Babin: Defensive End
The best available free agent defensive lineman is Jason Babin. The Tennessee Titans explosive pass rusher will bring a spark to any team. Babin is a veteran that can teach younger defensive lineman the ins and outs of pass rushing.
Babin could end up with a number of NFL teams that are drafting defensive lineman in the 2011 NFL Draft. A team that drafts an athletic pass rusher in the first round will instantly improve with a veteran along side a fresh defensive lineman. Potential suitors: Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Houston Texans. Final verdict: Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
No.8. Sidney Rice: Wide Receiver
Sidney Rice may have hurt his value with some poor decision making in 2010 but his pure athletic talent will overshadow any issues for his new team. Rice will not be welcomed back by the Minnesota Vikings and he will be pursued by a few teams looking to upgrade their offensive weapons.
The San Diego Chargers will lose Malcom Floyd and Vincent Jackson to free agency and Phillip Rivers will need a number one wide receiver in his arsenal to compliment superstar tight end Antonio Gates. Possible suitors: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions and San Diego Chargers. Final verdict: San Diego Chargers.
No.7. Antonio Cromartie: Cornerback
Antonio Cromartie arrived with the New York Jets after being tossed aside from the San Diego Chargers. Playing opposite of one of the best corners in the NFL, Darrelle Revis has improved Cromartie's game and he is now a viable commodity as an NFL free agent.
Cromartie has improved as a coverage corner and has stepped up his effort and pursuit away from the ball. Cromartie's speed is still there and he will be a solid weak side corner for any team he joins. Potential suitors: Philadelphia Eagles, Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos. Final verdict: Philadelphia Eagles.
No.6. Chad Greenway: Linebacker
There are plenty of linebackers available in the NFL free agent pool. Chad Greenway has slipped through the cracks as one of the best NFL free agent pick ups available. Greenway is healthy and is back to his old game in 2010. Greenway has quick closing speed and the instincts needed for any game changing linebacker.
Greenway will be better with another high powered linebacker in the middle which makes it a necessity to team him up with a top ten linebacker. The Houston Texans could be a good fit with Brian Cushing as well as the Oakland Raiders with a young Rolando McClain and the Dallas Cowboys. Possible suitors: Houston Texans, Oakland Raiders, Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers. Final verdict: Houston Texans.
No.5. DeAngelo Williams: Running Back
The best running back available as a free agent will be DeAngelo Williams. There are plenty of teams in the market for a big banging running back and the team that lands DeAngelo Williams will be instantly improved in the back field. The scary aspect of giving Williams a big contract is his durability.
Teams looking to improve their running game will want to either add a complimentary back along the lines of Williams or make Williams their featured back. Williams comes from a platoon situation with Jonathan Stewart and the Carolina Panthers so it will not be a stretch for him to join another strong running back. Potential suitors: Washington Redskins, Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos. Final verdict: Miami Dolphins.
No.4. Vincent Jackson: Wide Receiver
All bridges have been burned by Vincent Jackson and San Diego Chargers general manager AJ Smith for a possible return to San Diego for the free agent. With this as a foregone conclusion the pursuit of Vincent Jackson will be fast and furious.
Vincent Jackson is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL and he is the best available wide receiver free agent. Jackson will fit any team with a strong armed quarterback and an offensive coordinator that loves to air it out. Potential suitors: Oakland Raiders, Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys. Final verdict: Oakland Raiders.
No.3. Tamba Hali: Linebacker
14 and a half sacks is an impressive number for the hard hitting linebacker that can fit in with many different NFL lineups. Tamba Hali is fast, has incredible instincts to the ball and has the ability to pump up his team in the huddle. Leadership is a tangible quality that will make Hali a heavily pursued NFL free agent.
Teams that are in need of a player the caliber of Hali are similar in their mission. Most teams that will pursue Hali will be looking for a linebacker to compliment a great linebacker or a linebacker that is developing into a great NFL linebacker. Potential suitors: Oakland Raiders, Carolina Panthers and Houston Texans. Final verdict: Oakland Raiders.
No.2. LaMaar Woodley: Linebacker
Many in the Pittsburgh Steelers front office do not believe LaMaar Woodley is going anywhere. Woodley is considered a lifer with the Steelers but the front office did not renew his contract before the season. Without locking up Woodley the door is open for other teams looking to upset the balance of the Steelers empire.
Woodley could be a great fit on many teams as a free agent and he may garner the biggest and most surprising signing of the entire free agent signing period. An out of conference rival and a team that loves to pick up veteran talent has their eye on Woodley and it will be a shocker if they pull off the signing. Potential suitors: New York Jets, New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns. Final verdict: New York Jets.
No.1. Namdi Asomugha: Cornerback
Shut down corners in the NFL are a rare commodity and if Al Davis let's Asomugha head into free agency without attempting to sign him it is another sign Davis has reached the point of no return. Asomugha will be the free agent at the top of every NFL coaches wish list. Where he lands may be in the same league as the Oakland Raiders.
Teams that love veterans will be all over Asomugha as the free agent season begins. There will be teams looking to improve their pass defense and close up some serious holes on the outside. The Houston Texans were the worst pass defense in the NFL as were the Washington Redskins and the New England Patriots. Potential suitors: Houston Texans, Washington Redskins, New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. Final verdict: Houston Texans.
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Published by Todd Jacobs
Todd Jacobs is from Anaheim, California and resides in the city of Las Vegas. Todd worked for Orange Coast Magazine as News Editor in the 80s and recently began writing for several online sites including:... View profile
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5 Comments
Post a CommentNorv if you are a fan of the Houston Texans than you already know there will be no negotiating with Foster until after the 2011 season if there is one. Also Kubiak will push for a made over defense and they will have to add a few center pieces to the defense. Now is your name Norv or James my favorite Houston Texans fan that started Adrian Foster in every week of fantasy football? Wither way I enjoy fans that are passionate for a young team like the Houston Texans. I would like to see them succeed finally also.
Arian Foster is almost surely going to want a new contract after leading the league in rushing this year. I estimate his new contract will get him about 7 million a year. The Texans aren't exactly a prime destination for free agents, and with Gary Kubiak entering another season of uncertainty, I expect them to continue to build via the draft and add solid but not top tier free agents. PS you changed Babin, last night it said Final Verdict: Houston Texans.
Great work! Thanks for sharing =0)
Seriously--can't you attch your name to the comment. I have the Houston Texans interested in several defensive players. I have them grabbing two key free agents. Babin I have going to Tampa Bay. Thanks for skimming the article though. BTW how much is Adrian Foster contracted for in 2011? He is scheduled to make $395,000. I don't consider this a big contract does anyone else? I will admit Asomugha to Houston may be a stretch (it is their biggest need)but Greenway is a quick study and there is some history that will come to light later.
Logan Mankins will be much more sought after than Tyson Clabo first of all, and he will be a free agent.
The next thing is that you have picked the Texans to sign Babin, Greenway, and Asomugha. That's probably somewhere near $30 million annually for 3 free agents, when they are still paying guys like Mario Williams, Andre Johnson, Matt Schaub, and soon Arian Foster big money. They will build mostly through the draft, and maybe add a few 2nd tier solid free agents. The Texans will not spend big money, especially with Gary Kubiak on the hot seat. Plus Greenway and Babin are 4-3 players and the Texans have already signed Wade Phillips, who is going to use the 3-4 scheme, which has no use for Babin or Greenway's abilities. They don't fit the scheme.
There is nothing realistic about any of these predictions. The guys I could see moving are Babin, Asomugha, Rice, Greenway, and Vincent Jackson. Those are all guys on losing teams who will take a big payday and a chan