NFL: One Player on Each NFL Team Most Likely to Hold Out

With the NFL lockout looking to be nearing its end (please God let it be over), it's time to focus on the typical offseason issues.

We all would love to think that when the new CBA is in place, every player will be more than ready to get back on the field.

Unfortunately, there's a chance we'll see holdouts just like we do ever year.

Let's take a look at one player from each team that's most likely to battle through a contract dispute before the season begins.

Buffalo Bills: Steve Johnson

The Buffalo Bills breakout performer of 2010 seems content in Buffalo and has potential to become a star receiver, but if he puts up better numbers in 2011, things could go sour with him and team management. 

He's still playing under his rookie contract and is set to make a base salary of 550,000 in 2011. His contract is up at the end of the year. 

If he's hauling in 10-plus touchdowns and is the go-to receiver for Ryan Fitzpatrick, he'll deserve and most likely want a more lucrative contract. 

Miami Dolphins: Kendall Langford

The Dolphins don't really have a player who looks to be ready to holdout, and I see only Kendall Langford as possibility, although it's a long shot.

He is signed through this year but is set to make only $555,000 and is an important part of Miami's defensive line.  

New England Patriots: Brandon Meriweather

Meriweather's contract is fine, for the time being, but with a Pro Bowl selection last year, he has some leverage.   

Some disagreed with him being named to the team, but he did have 68 tackles and three interceptions last year and cemented himself as one of the more intimidating safeties in the NFL.

He's on the last year of his rookie deal that will pay him $1.6 million in 2011. 

New York Jets: Jim Leonhard

Jim Leonhard isn't the biggest or fastest player on the Jets star-studded defense, but he's become one of it's more integral parts. 

Rex Ryan knows this, and if New York doesn't lock him soon, a holdout is possible. 

He's set to make a little over $1 million in 2011 but probably deserves more. 

Can the Jets find room to pay Leonhard? 

Baltimore Ravens: Ben Grubbs

Similar to the Dolphins, the Ravens don't have any players who have very unfair contracts, but if there's one player who could hold out, it's starting guard Ben Grubbs. 

Protecting Joe Flacco and blocking for Ray Rice is of the utmost importance for Baltimore and Grubbs is an underrated aspect of the offensive line. 

He is only under contract for one more year and will probably want to be locked up long term. 

Cincinnati Bengals: Chad Ochocinco

He's back to Chad Johnson next year right?

Regardless, No. 85 doesn't seem happy in Cincinnati, and if they don't offer him a long-term deal or trade him, he'll be on the sidelines.

Even if they put a lucrative deal on the table, that may not keep him in Cincinnati. 

Cleveland Browns: Ahtyba Rubin

The Browns drafted their Shaun Rogers replacement in Phil Taylor this year, but Rubin is a vital piece on their defensive line. 

He is in the final year of a contract that will pay him $555,000 in 2011. 

Pittsburgh Steelers: Lawrence Timmons

The Steelers usually give their top defensive players the money they deserve, and Timmons has a fair contract in place right now, but, it's up after this season. 

He'll get a base pay of $650,000 in 2011 but needs to be locked up long term. 

Timmons is a budding star. 

Houston Texans: Arian Foster

Foster led the NFL in rushing yards last season and is worth more than his current three-year contract that pays him under $2 million. 

The Texans need to get a deal done, or Foster could certainly hold out. 

Indianapolis Colts: Robert Mathis

After they get the Peyton Manning deal done, the Colts look good in terms of contracts, but if there was one player to hold out, it could be Robert Mathis. 

He is making $6 million per season right now but is entering the final year of his contract.

Mathis is just as important to the Colts as star Dwight Freeney. 

Jacksonville Jaguars: Marcedes Lewis

Lewis had a breakout 2010 season for the Jaguars and is entering the final year of his contract that will pay him a whopping $7.2 million. 

The current salary is good, but he needs a long-term deal. 

Tennessee Titans: Chris Johnson

As if this wasn't obvious enough, CJ2K needs a new contract and has made it known he'll hold out until he gets one. 

Come on, Titans, sign this man. 

I promise you won't regret it. 

Denver Broncos: Brandon Lloyd

Lloyd came out of nowhere last season and caught 77 balls for 1,448 yards with 11 touchdowns. 

He will make $1.4 million next season (base salary increased because he made the 2010 Pro Bowl), but 2011 is the last year of his contract. 

Definitely a holdout candidate. 

Kansas City Chiefs: Brandon Flowers

In a underrated Chiefs' defense, Flowers is a very important aspect.

He had 65 tackles and two interceptions last year but is set to make a base salary of $555,000 in 2011, the final year of his contract.

Certainly the ingredients for a potential holdout.  

San Diego Chargers: Nick Hardwick

Hardwick has been one of the centerpieces of the Chargers stellar offensive line during the 2000s and is entering the final year of his six-year, $17 million deal. 

If the Chargers don't lock him up, it's possible Hardwick could hold out. 

Oakland Raiders: Tyvon Branch

The Raiders surprisingly seem to be set with their current contract situations. 

Starting safety Tyvon Branch is the lone player with any leverage for a hold out. 

He had 104 tackles in 2010 and is entering the final year of his contract.  

Dallas Cowboys: Bradie James

James makes $4 million a season year, and that matches his production. 

But he's a veteran that's critical to the Cowboys defense and is entering the final year of his contract. 

Not likely, but if there's one Dallas player who could hold out, it's James. 

New York Giants: Mario Manningham

The Giants have one of the most young and exciting receiving corps in the NFL. 

Hakeem Nicks has the potential to be a perennial Pro Bowler, Steve Smith is a fantastic possession target and Mario Manningham is the wild card that can take a bubble screen to the house or burn a safety on a go-route. 

Unfortunately for Manningham, he's only set to make $555,000 in 2011, which is the last year of his rookie deal. 

Philadelphia Eagles: DeSean Jackson

Something isn't right. 

DeSean Jackson, the scariest deep threat in the NFL, is set to make a base salary of $550,000 in 2011. 

The Eagles need to pay this man, as soon as possible. 

Washington Redskins: LaRon Landry

Landry is entering the final year of his five-year, $41.5 million rookie contract. 

He has lived up to all the hype after coming out of LSU as a top safety but will be looking for a fresh deal this season. 

Not a likely hold out candidate, but if there's one player on the Redskins with leverage, it's Landry. 

Chicago Bears: Israel Idonije

Israel Idonije had one of his best seasons as a professional in 2010 and will make $2.4 million in 2011, the last of his current contract.

He seems content in Chicago, but that's the recipe for a holdout.  

Detroit Lions: Bryant Johnson

The Lions are in a good spot in terms of contracts, but if Bryant Johnson wanted to make a bold move he is the lone guy who could hold out. 

He is set to make more than $3 million next year, but it's the last year of his contract. 

Unfortunately Johnson doesn't have a ton of leverage. 

Green Bay Packers: Jermichael Finley

As you can probably imagine, the Super Bowl champs are in a great position with their big name players. 

The one player who could get into a contract dispute is the Jermichael Finley, who has the size and speed to become the best tight end in the game. 

He suffered a season ending injury last season, but when he returns, the Packers offense will be nearly impossible to stop. 

Finley is set to make $1.2 million in 2011, the last year of his contract. 

Minnesota Vikings: Visanthe Shiancoe

Shiancoe will make a base salary of $3 million in 2011, but it's the final year of his contract. 

He hasn't quite emerged as a top flight tight end, but he's close and could want a more lucrative deal. 

Arizona Cardinals: Calais Campbell

Campbell is a sound defensive end for the Cardinals who's play warrants more than his three-year, $3.4 million contract. 

He is entering the final year of that deal and will be looking for a long-term deal. 

Seattle Seahawks: Mike Williams

After flopping with the Detroit Lions, Mike Williams found new life with his former coach at USC Pete Carroll in 2010. 

He's due to make $545,000 in 2011 and is the one player with leverage to hold out on the Seahawks.

San Francisco 49ers: Frank Gore

Frank Gore is the do-it-all running back for the 49ers and has become the backbone of their offensive attack. 

He will make nearly $3 million in 2011, but it is the last year of his deal. 

A prime candidate for a holdout. 

St. Louis Rams: Donnie Avery

The Rams are in great shape when it comes to their current contract situations. 

The only player that has any shot of holding out is wideout Donnie Avery. 

He is set to make $638,000 in 2011, the last year of his rookie deal. 

Atlanta Falcons: Kory Biermann

The Falcons are another team without a ton of contract issues on their roster. 

Kroy Biermann is far from a top-flight defensive lineman, but he came on strong at the end of the last season and is entering the final year of his rookie contract. 

New Orleans Saints: Marques Colston

Colston is Drew Brees' favorite target in the Saints pass happy offense and has the perfect combination of size and speed to continue his emergence as a top-10 wideout in the NFL. 

The Saints need him if they want to make another Super Bowl run, so he has all the leverage to hold out and entering the final year of a contract that will pay him a mere $3 million. 

Carolina Panthers: Jon Beason

The leader of the Panthers defense, Beason is in the ideal spot to hold out. 

He is a vet the team counts on and is only set to make $1.3 million in 2011, the last year of his current deal. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jeremy Zuttah

Another team to have no real contract issues, the Buccaneers only real candidate for a holdout is starting interior offensive lineman Jeremy Zuttah. 

He will make only $555,000 in 2011 the last year of his contract. 

Not a certainty to hold out, but it could happen.