NFL Free Agency: Predicting the First 11 Free Agent Deals To Get Done

Free agency is upon us any day now (hopefully), and when it begins, a whole lot of action will ensue.

Each team will have a flurry of moves to make in a very short amount of time, and because of that, we will likely see the most exciting offseason in some time.

Overall, this is not a deep group of free agents as some of the best players have already been taken off the market with the franchise tag, but there are still some big names out there that should command some big paydays.

Here is a look at the first 11 free agents deals that will likely get done.

1. Matt Hasselbeck Re-Signs with the Seahawks

There has been plenty of speculation that Hasselbeck may not return to the Seahawks once free agency begins, and once Kerry Collins retired, the Titans became one of the hottest names to land the veteran signal-caller.

Seattle would be left with just Charlie Whitehurst on their roster if they were to let Hasselbeck go, and they would have to go in search of at least two quarterbacks on the market.

If Hasselbeck doesn't return to the Seahawks, it will be because the team will have moved in another direction, not because No. 8 does not want to return to Seattle (because he does).

2. DeAngelo Williams Signs with the Broncos

DeAngelo Williams is coming off a 2010 season in which he played in just six games due to injury, and while that will have an effect on his free-agency stock, he should have no problem finding work this season.

Look for Williams to reunite with his former coach in Carolina, John Fox, as the Broncos could use another runner in their backfield, and Williams will be the best one available.

3. Ray Edwards Signs with the Falcons

Edwards has put together back-to-back solid seasons at just the right time, and since he is one of the top pass-rushers available in free agency, he should be able to command a good-sized salary.

The Falcons have all of the pieces on offense to make a deep playoff run, but they are just a few pieces away on defense from making a Super Bowl run a reality.

Defensive end is one of those missing pieces, particularly another pass-rushing defensive end, and Edwards looks to be a near lock to head to the Falcons this offseason.

4. Nnamdi Asomugha Signs with the Texans

Asomugha is going to be the prized free agent of this year's class, and many teams will be bidding for the top corner's services.

Philadelphia will likely make a hard run at the shutdown corner, but I believe the Texans will ultimately land Asmougha to help shore up their porous pass defense as they will make a big turnaround on defense this season.

5. Barrett Ruud Re-Signs with the Buccaneers

Ruud is the best defensive playmaker on the Bucs roster, and Tampa Bay will likely want to keep it that way by re-signing their star middle linebacker once free agency begins.

Ruud led the team in tackles last season with 118, which marked the fourth straight year that the former Cornhusker registered over 100 tackles in a season.

Tampa Bay appears to be a team on the rise (even though I don't believe they will duplicate their success this season, more like 8-8 in 2011), and they need to retain their top defender to keep trending in the right direction.

6. Charles Johnson Re-Signs with the Panthers

Johnson has done a great job stepping into the role that was vacated by Julius Peppers as the Panthers top pass-rusher, and the team will need to re-sign the young defensive end to keep their team playing well on the defensive side of the ball.

The 25-year-old had a career high 11.5 sacks last season for Carolina, and he looks to be entering the prime of his career as just the right time.

7. Matt Light Signs with the Chiefs

The connection here is an obvious one as the Chiefs continue to do things the "Patriot way" with general manager Scott Pioli at the helm.

New England is likely to move on without their veteran offensive tackle, and the Chiefs have a need at the position which would make Light a great fit.

Light could step in and play right tackle for Kansas City or stay at left tackle, and the team would then likely slide Branden Albert to the right tackle spot.

8. Robert Gallery Signs with the Seahawks

Seattle is in the process of revamping their offensive line after a 2010 season that saw the Seahawks struggle to keep players healthy in the trenches.

Gallery is likely to leave Oakland during free agency, and the Seahawks new offensive line coach is Tom Cable, who was Gallery's head coach for the Raiders.

Cable will almost certainly want to bring Gallery with him to the Emerald City, and the Seahawks could use a veteran guard of the caliber of Gallery.

9. Antonio Cromartie Signs with the Eagles

If the Eagles fail to land Asmougha, then I believe they will turn their attention to another of the top corners on the market, and that will be Antonio Cromartie.

The Jets have Kyle Wilson who can step into the corner spot opposite of Darrelle Revis, and so, they will likely let the soon-to-be expensive Cromartie go elsewhere.

Philly would be a good fit for Cromartie as he could team with another of the league's top corners in Asante Samuel.

10. Santonio Holmes Re-Signs with the Jets

The Jets are going to have to decide which receiver they want to bring back during free agency as they have Holmes, Braylon Edwards and Brad Smith all on the free-agent market, and there is no way they will bring back all three.

Holmes is the most likely receiver to return to New York next season as Mark Sanchez will need a solid target to keep the Jets offense moving in the right direction.

11. Peyton Manning Re-Signs with the Colts

This one is pretty cut and dry.

Manning is a Colt, and he will stay a Colt.