Top 12 NFL Players with New Teams in 2009

This is a list of the top 12 NFL players with new teams this upcoming season. Most of these were done via free agency and are based upon how much they will improve the team that they were just added to.

There are definitely some players that I left off of this list—I know—but I didn't want it to be the top 25 or 30, so I tried to narrow it down to the top dozen.

Not all of these things work out. There have been many moves that have actually made the team worse or a player didn't live up to expectations in their new home. Time will tell what kind of effect these players will have on their new teams.

12. Lito Sheppard (Jets)

Sheppard is going to be another piece of the new Jets defense. New coach Rex Ryan is implementing defensive stars into his team, which is really creating a buzz around New York. Sheppard wasn't exactly happy in Philadelphia, and he will finally get the playing time he wants.

11. Nate Washington (Titans)

Washington is a huge pickup for the Titans, who, for years, have had a team with no star wide receivers. They have had no-name receivers catching balls for them for quite some time now.

Many people think that with a proven wideout now in a Titans uniform, he will give Kerry Collins/Vince Young even more confidence going into this season.

10. Brian Dawkins (Broncos)

Dawkins has been a beast in the Eagles secondary throughout his long career. It was hard for Eagles fans to accept that he is now gone.

This addition will be a major one for a Denver defense that was near the bottom in every category last year. With the new offense they have going, it will definitely help them to have a stable defense to rely on.

Dawkins still has some good years left, and he is always fun to watch.

9. Derrick Ward (Bucs)

Ward was part of an elite running back trio last year. Now, he finds himself playing home games in the pirate ship, where he will have the chance to become a breakout player in the NFL this year.

Ward is a big running back and is hard to take down. The Bucs offense looks to be good this year with the many additions they have made on that side of the ball. Ward could be the best addition of all of them.

8. Bart Scott (Jets)

Scott has proven himself as a defensive leader and a dominant linebacker in this league. Playing alongside Ray Lewis in Baltimore, he has really excelled at his position.

He is going to be leading a new defense in New York, and Jets fans are counting on him to be the star he was in Baltimore.

The newly-revamped Jets defense should prove to be one of the best this year, and Scott will be one of the main reasons why.

7. Kellen Winslow (Bucs)

Winslow has seemed to mature since his early days in Cleveland. He finds himself in a better offense down in Tampa and should be able to excel more than he did with the Browns.

If he plays up to his talent potential, he could be a breakout tight end this year.

He's proven that he has great hands, and he can run well after the catch. The only thing he needs to continue to improve on is his blocking, which will be important if the Bucs decide to go with a rookie at quarterback this year.

6. Terrell Owens (Bills)

This should be interesting to watch.

Owens has finally realized that he is on the downward side of his career. This isn't the Owens of the Cowboys days, the Eagles days, or even the 49ers days.

That could be a good thing.

If Owens can somehow manage to keep his mouth shut and just play to his ability, he can still be one of the best receivers in the league.

Trent Edwards is still growing, but with Lee Evans on the other side of Owens, he should be able to see a lot of balls thrown his way.

5. Albert Haynesworth (Redskins)

Haynesworth has proven to be the best player at his position over the past few years. He was highly sought after during the offseason, and the Redskins spent a pretty penny on this guy, hoping he can shore up their defensive problems.

If Haynesworth is finally matured and able to repeat his recent success, the Redskins could definitely improve a defense that was one of the worst last season.

4. Tony Gonzalez (Falcons)

Gonzalez is finally out of Kansas City. He knows his career is almost over and just wants to play for a contender.

Adjusting to the new offense shouldn't be a problem, and he should make plenty of plays in the new dynamic Falcons offense.

He has proven himself to be one of the best tight ends ever, and he will most likely continue to have success with his new team. As one of the best role models in the game, he will have plenty of support the whole way.

3. Matt Cassel (Chiefs)

The question is—can Cassel repeat what he did last year for the Patriots? There is no Randy Moss with this team, but they are close with Dwayne Bowe.

Cassel might struggle early with the new offense, but he will be playing in a weaker division and will have decent targets to throw to.

There will be a lot of pressure on him to turn this franchise around, but with Kansas City giving him the keys to the offense, they sure look like they are in good hands.

2. T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Seahawks)

T.J. had been picking up Chad Johnson's (yes, I still call him that) slack in Cincy over the past few seasons. Even without Carson Palmer last year, he put up some impressive numbers.

Now in Seattle with Matt Hasslebeck, he should continue to put up big numbers with other good receivers on the field with him. He shouldn't see too many double coverages, and the fans will finally be able to appreciate a great receiver that can stay healthy for an entire season.

1. Jay Cutler (Bears)

Cutler got what he wanted; whether or not he did it the right way is a different debate. The fact is, he has proven that he can throw the deep ball and has a strong arm, which should help him in the Windy City.

He (probably) won't have a target like Brandon Marshall in Chicago, but he will finally have a defense that will help out the team. With Hester and Forte alongside him, he should be able to carry that offense very well.

Cutler was the most-talked-about pick-up of the offseason, and he looks to make good on the trade he wanted, and finally got.