2011 NFL Free Agency Speculation: Ideal Undrafted FA for All 32 NFL Teams

Who are the best available undrafted free agents waiting for the NFL lockout to wrap up? We've taken a look back at the 2011 NFL draft and identified the best players who were not drafted.

Now, it's time to determine which players make the most sense for each team in the NFL.

Here's a look at which undrafted free agent would be an ideal signing for every team in the NFL.

Buffalo Bills

Steven Friday, Outside Linebacker, Virginia Tech

The Buffalo Bills were not able to draft outside linebacker Von Miller with the No. 3 pick overall. So instead, they ignored the position all-together in the 2011 draft.

They'll have a second chance of sorts in the undrafted free-agent market.

Steven Friday, at 6'2" and 240 lbs, was too small to receive consideration as a defensive end in a 4-3 defense, but he has great size for an outside linebacker in the 3-4. With a 4.56 in the 40-yard dash, Friday also has the speed to turn the corner.

The Bills need a pass rush, and Friday is the best of the undrafted free agents.

Miami Dolphins

Josh Portis, Quarterback, California (PA)

The Dolphins were expected to contend for a quarterback early in the 2011 draft, which they did not do, but there is speculation they want to bring in both a veteran quarterback and a developmental player for the 2011 season.

Portis, the former Florida star recruit, has legal issues to answer to, but he also has amazing athletic ability and could be worth stashing on the practice squad as a developmental guy.

New England Patriots

Armon Binns, Wide Receiver, Cincinnati

The Patriots traded Randy Moss away last season, and while he can be considered a long-shot to return, the Pats need to find a young option as an outside receiver, because it's clear that Brandon Tate is not that guy.

If anyone can take an undrafted free agent and turn him into a starter, it's Bill Belichick.

New York Jets

Kendric Burney, Cornerback, North Carolina

The Jets have two Pro Bowlers and a former first-round pick at cornerback with Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie and Kyle Wilson on the roster. While Cromartie is a free agent and may leave, New York isn't hurting for cornerbacks.

That doesn't mean they should not make a move to sign the best of the undrafted free agents, Kendric Burney.

Burney may be undersized, but he plays with a tenacity and aggression that is undeniable.

Baltimore Ravens

Derrick Locke, Running Back, Kentucky

Baltimore has one of the best young running backs in the NFL with Ray Rice, but what do they have behind him?

Willis McGahee is likely to be cut, and he could be re-signed, but is he a legitimate long-term answer as a complementary or backup running back?

Locke is an excellent runner/receiver threat and could make impact plays on third down and special teams immediately.

Cincinnati Bengals

DeAndre McDaniel, Strong Safety, Clemson

The Cincinnati Bengals have a roster loaded with young players waiting to burst on to the scene. One area of weakness is at strong safety.

Roy Williams has settled into a decent starter, but he is a liability in coverage and is still overrated. Bringing in an excellent college safety like DeAndre McDaniel would be a post-draft steal for Cincinnati.

Cleveland Browns

Martin Parker, Defensive Tackle, Richmond

The Browns used their first pick in the 2011 NFL draft on Phil Taylor, a big-bodied tackle from Baylor. They should make their first post-draft contract a defensive tackle as well.

Martin Parker is a small school stud. He has the make-up to become a Cinderella story in the NFL as an undrafted-to-starter story.

Pittsburgh Steelers

David Mims, Offensive Tackle, Virginia Union

One position where you can generally find a good player on the undrafted market is along the offensive line.

In the 2011 market, the best of the best is Virginia Union tackle David Mims.

The offensive line, particularly at tackle, has been weak in Pittsburgh. The team did spend a draft choice on Marcus Gilbert, but he may be better at guard.

Signing Mims to a contract once the lockout ends would be a brilliant play for the Steelers.

Houston Texans

Mario Harvey, Linebacker, Marshall

As the Houston Texans make the move from a conventional, or perhaps traditional, 4-3 defense to a 3-4 set, they must add as many linebackers as possible.

And that means signing the best undrafted linebacker, Marshall's Mario Harvey.

Harvey has the look and ability of an inside linebacker in the 3-4, a spot where depth is a major need now that two inside 'backers will be on the field together.

Indianapolis Colts

Pat Devlin, Quarterback, Delaware

The Colts enter the season with a 35-year-old quarterback who is "cautious" after two neck surgeries and the very unproven Curtis Painter behind him.

Uh oh.

Signing a quarterback in the undrafted market is the smartest move Bill Polian and co. can make this offseason.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Deunta Williams, Safety, North Carolina

When you have the worst secondary in the NFL, every little signing can help.

The Jaguars traded away most of their 2011 draft class in moving up to draft quarterback Blaine Gabbert, leaving their weakness as safety untouched through the draft.

Deunta Williams entered the 2010 preseason as our No. 1 safety in college football. So, we know he has talent; he just needs to put it all together on the field.

Tennessee Titans

Darren Evans, Running Back, Virginia Tech

If Chris Johnson's contract is going to cause problems in Tennessee, the team needs to have a solid back-up plan in place.

Javon Ringer is a fine running back and could probably handle the load, but he'll need help.

Darren Evans is a productive and talented running back who could be had on the cheap.

And let's not forget the NFL's leading rusher in 2010 was the undrafted Arian Foster.

Denver Broncos

Ian Williams, Defensive Tackle, Notre Dame

Take a quick look at the Denver Broncos roster, and it's pretty easy to see that they need defensive tackles in the worst way.

Denver will move to a 4-3 defense under John Fox, who built defenses in Carolina with strong zero-technique tackles and good defensive ends.

In Denver, he needs that zero-tech badly.

Ian Williams played nose tackle at Notre Dame, and while a little small, is ready to step in to a defensive line rotation.

Kansas City Chiefs

Courtney Smith, Wide Receiver, South Alabama

The Chiefs, like the Bengals, have a roster chock-full of promising young players who need to be given a full season of evaluation before deciding where weaknesses are.

One area that we know needs help is at wide receiver, even with the addition of first-round pick Jonathan Baldwin.

The Chiefs have Dwayne Bowe and Baldwin, but if they expect much from Chris Chambers in 2011, they are sadly mistaken.

Signing the steady Senior Bowl favorite Courtney Smith would give Kansas City a developing prospect and someone who can contribute as a fourth or fifth receiver this season.

Oakland Raiders

Adam Froman, Quarterback, Louisville

Raider fans will be quick to defend Jason Campbell, but the truth is he's just an average quarterback, and Oakland has no one on the roster today worth developing behind him.

It's always smart to have a good backup quarterback, no matter who your starter is, whether to play them or trade them.

Oakland should sign Louisville's smart and savvy Adam Froman.

San Diego Chargers

Jeron Johnson, Safety, Boise State

One player destined to benefit most this offseason as an unrestricted free agent is safety Eric Weddle. On the roster waiting to replace him is...well, no one.

San Diego would be smart to sign the jaw-shaking Boise State safety Jeron Johnson—a player I was shocked to not see drafted through seven rounds of the 2011 draft.

Dallas Cowboys

Jake Kirkpatrick, Center, TCU

The Dallas Cowboys have assembled a very good offensive line, but they are ill-prepared for the aging process among their interior offensive line.

Signing a local product at center, TCU's Jake Kirkpatrick, would give Dallas a smart player to begin developing for the future without Andre Gurode.

New York Giants

Mark Herzlich, Linebacker, Boston College

A one-time All-American player at Boston College, cancer was the only thing that could slow down Mark Herzlich. But it did, costing him millions of dollars as he went from a potential first-round pick to an undrafted free agent.

The Giants are expected to lose Mathias Kiwanuka and could use additions for both starting and depth positions.

Philadelphia Eagles

Kendric Burney, Cornerback, North Carolina

The Eagles are rumored to be interested in cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha to line up opposite Asante Samuel in what would be an almost unbeatable secondary.

While signing Asomugha may be a reach, the Eagles should look to add help at cornerback through the free-agent market.

Washington Redskins

Mike Hartline, Quarterback, Kentucky

Any team considering entering the 2011 season with John Beck as their starter needs to make immediate changes.

Mike Hartline, even as a backup, would give Mike Shanahan an athletic and lively quarterback to develop if the team signs a veteran to compete with Beck.

Chicago Bears

Jeff Maehl, Wide Receiver, Oregon

Jeff Maehl is exactly the kind of receiver that Mike Martz can take from college superstar and undrafted free agent to an All-Pro.

Now, that might be like winning the lottery, but Martz and Maehl are a match made in heaven.

Detroit Lions

Kyle Hix, Offensive Tackle, Texas

The Detroit Lions have been a pipeline to the NFL for many Texas Longhorns, why not make it one more?

Kyle Hix isn't just a Texas product, he actually fills a need for depth and youth at left tackle in Detroit.

Green Bay Packers

Ben Chappell, Quarterback, Indiana

The Green Bay Packers are primed to lose one heck of a backup quarterback when Matt Flynn's contract ends after the 2011 season.

What are their plans for life after Flynn as the first-in-line should Aaron Rodgers suffer injury?

As of now, the Packers have no plans, which is why signing the gun-slinging Chappell is an unexpected but brilliant move.

Minnesota Vikings

Cedric Thornton, Defensive Tackle, Southern Arkansas

Losing Pat Williams and Ray Edwards off the defensive line could really hurt what Minnesota is able to do in 2011, no matter how well Brian Robison plays as a rookie.

Adding depth and a speedy defensive tackle, through the undrafted free-agent period would be a great play for the Vikings present and future.

Thornton could be a hot commodity on the market, as he is an ideal fit for both the 3-4 and 4-3 defense.

Atlanta Falcons

Pierre Allen, Defensive End, Nebraska

The Falcons' offseason hopes are pinned on signing a marquee free agent to play opposite John Abraham at defensive end.

If the Falcons are unable to sign a Ray Edwards or Mathias Kiwanuka, it could be an unknown from the undrafted free agent ranks who makes the impact.

Allen is a great fit for the left defensive end position in Mike Smith's 4-3 defense.

Carolina Panthers

Andrew Lewis, Defensive Tackle, Syracuse

The Carolina Panthers had the NFL's worst record in 2010, and the roster isn't much better today than it was then. The team needs all the help they can get.

Lewis is a squatty, powerful defensive tackle who can line up in a gap and control the line of scrimmage. He has some potential and could make a weak Carolina roster.

New Orleans Saints

Terrence Toliver, Wide Receiver/Returner, LSU

The New Orleans Saints really have everything you could imagine them needing, so expecting an undrafted free agent to make an impact as a rookie is a stretch.

One area where they could get a little better is at returner, where a player like Terrence Toliver, an in-state product, could produce.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Ryan Jones, Cornerback, Northwest Missouri State

The Buccaneers are facing an offseason where one cornerback may go to prison (Aqib Talib), and the other is 34 years old.

Not good.

Adding depth and young players worth developing is a key to the Buccaneers' future.

Arizona Cardinals

Scott Tolzien, Quarterback, Wisconsin

The last time the Cardinals signed an undrafted free agent at quarterback, Max Hall, he wound up starting during the regular season.

Luck, if you want to call it that, could strike twice as Arizona is still searching for a legitimate solution at quarterback.

We don't expect Scott Tolzien to be an NFL starter any time soon, but he has a good makeup for the position if developed.

St. Louis Rams

Mario Fannin, Running Back, Auburn

One player I tabbed before the draft as a sleeper pick was Auburn's running back Mario Fannin.

Apparently NFL general managers didn't get the memo, as they let him slide through the draft without being claimed.

Fannin will have a second chance at an NFL roster in the undrafted process, and we expect him to be a much-sought after player this time around.

San Francisco 49ers

Kristofer O'Dowd, Center, USC

The news that 49er center Eric Heitmann will miss the 2011 NFL season indicates the team will be looking early to add a center with experience in a pro-style offense.

That's Kris O'Dowd to a "T."

O'Dowd is familiar with an NFL blocking scheme, and he's faced up against new 49er coach Jim Harbaugh enough times for both men to respect the other.

Seattle Seahawks

Jerrod Johnson, Quarterback, Texas A&M

The Seahawks did not plan well for Matt Hasselbeck's contract ending or the fact that he's due to retire any day now.

Charlie Whitehurst is the team's hope at quarterback, unless you have a JP Losman obsession or think Matt Leinart could be the answer in Seattle.

One player the team should take a flier on as the No. 3 quarterback is the athletic Johnson, a dual threat who tore apart the Big 12.