2011 NFL Free Agency: Where Sidney Rice and 8 of the Top Free Agents Will Land

As the 2011 free-agent singing period finally approaches, now is as good of time as any to predict where some of the top free agents will end up playing in the 2011 NFL season.

With a talent-heavy list of free agents on the market, teams looking to add that final piece to push them to the next level in the playoffs and teams that are rebuilding and looking for a piece or two to be the anchor of their developing team can do so.

Without further ado, here are eight of the top free agents and where I feel are their most likely landing spots for the 2011 NFL season.

1. Braylon Edwards

Due to the New York Jets having cap space issues and a heavy load of their team's core up for free agency, it's expected that wide receiver Braylon Edwards will don another team's jersey this season.

With so many teams in need of a solid wide out, I feel Edwards is going to go play for a team that has a quarterback who is as reliable as he is. He will end up playing for the Jets' AFC East rival the New England Patriots.

The pairing of Tom Brady and Edwards would make for a dynamite combination and could get the Pats back in to serious contention for another Super Bowl.

2. Santonio Holmes

Santonio Holmes is another piece on the New York Jets roster with a strong possibility of leaving the team in free agency. The Jets are expected to concentrate on their defensive free agents, as they are the bread and butter of the team's success.

The Washington Redskins are expected to make a strong run at Holmes, which could lead to a less than successful team than Holmes might hope for. But the opportunity to sign a hefty contract should be enough to persuade Holmes to go to Washington.

The Redskins have a number of question marks, including the quarterback position. Donovan McNabb is expected to exit and inexperienced John Beck is at the helm to take over the team at the moment. A established, veteran wide out will be a top get for the Redskins.

3. DeAngelo Williams

Coming off an injury-shortened season, Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams is all but out of Carolina after the emergence of Johnathan Stewart this past season.

The Denver Broncos are in desperate need of a solid running back in the backfield to complement expected starter Tim Tebow. Williams would fit in well with Tebow and his ability to spread the field due to his own running game. I feel the two would complement each other well—like a Michael Vick, LeSean McCoy type of relationship.

Before his shortened 2010 season, Williams ran an average of 1,300 yards and 12.5 touchdowns during the 2008 and 2009 seasons. Williams is primed to make a return to those types of numbers this season. The Broncos need as much help as any team in the backfield, which makes this free-agent scenario a no-brainer.

4. Plaxico Burress

Plaxico Burress' two-year prison stint is over. He is now looking to get back into the NFL and play for a team that's a contender right out of the gates.

Burress will fit best on a team with a speedy wideout opposite him and where he will be used specifically on third-down attempts and red-zone opportunities.

The Philadelphia Eagles fit the bill and have been rumored off and on to be interested in Burress ever since the first day Burress got out of prison sporting a Philadelphia Phillies baseball hat. The pairing of the Eagles and Burress is too good to pass up, in my opinion, and makes the most sense out of any of the other rumored teams to be hot on Burress' trail.

If the Eagles were to land Burress, they would have more offensive weapons than any other team in the NFL and would just need a tweak or two on their offensive line to get them to advance further in the playoffs than last year.

5. Reggie Bush

Reggie Bush is not technically a free agent as of now, but he is expected to be once the lockout lifts. The free-agency frenzy will begin since the New Orleans Saints used their first-round draft pick on star college running back Mark Ingram.

While there is a bevy of teams looking to add a back who can be a valuable playmaker for their respective clubs, the St. Louis Rams seem to be a logical team for the 26-year-old running back to end up.

Bush will thrive on a team that has a grind-it-out type of running back already. The Rams have Steven Jackson to share the rushing load with Bush.

Of course, the other perk of having Bush on your squad is his return-game ability, which would drastically improve the Rams so-so special teams play.

A possible two-headed monster in the team's running game will do wonders for Sam Bradford and his continued improvement at quarterback.

6. Antonio Cromartie

Antonio Cromartie is coming off a fairly productive year, compiling 42 tackles, 17 pass deflections and three interceptions, but he is looking to get his last huge contract of his career. The New York Jets are not sure they want to break the bank on the 27-year-old defensive back.

One team that is not afraid to dish out the big bucks and will be in need of a quality defensive back is the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders are poised to lose Nnamdi Asomugha to free agency and will be looking for someone to fill his void.

The Raiders are poised to be a factor in the AFC this year. Cromartie would be a nice addition to take over where Asomugha left off.

7. Nnamdi Asomugha

Nnamdi Asomugha is ready to test the free-agency market after being with the Oakland Raiders for the past eight seasons.

There is a hefty list of teams eagerly wanting to add the 30-year-old defensive back, who is regarded as one of the top free agents on the market, to their squads.

I think the team that is willing to dish out the cash and sign Asomugha will be the Dallas Cowboys.

Their defense is in need of a boost, and Asomugha will provide a substantial one. Asomugha should have at least three to four high-quality seasons left, so signing him to a contract during that time frame will be crucial for the Cowboys.

8. Sidney Rice

Sidney Rice has chosen to test the free-agency waters this year, and his addition to any team makes them  better, with his game-changing abilities.

The Seattle Seahawks are in the process of Charlie Whitehurst taking over as the team's starting quarterback. Adding Rice to the mix will help Whitehurst ease into being a solid starter in the NFL.

Rice would an ideal addition for Whitehurst and the Seahawks as they look to improve their passing game, which was the 19th best in the NFL least season. Adding Rice to the mix as the No. 1 receiver will help improve that number almost instantly.