NFL Free Agent Rumors: Projecting Landing Spots for Top 10 NFL Free Agents

The 2011 NFL free agency period is off and running—in some respects—and rumors are flying everywhere.

Teams have begun to sign undrafted rookie free agents and have also begun cutting veterans in attempts to save money.

Big name players like Dallas' Marion Barber and Leonard Davis, Green Bay's Nick Barnett—who the Packers are trying to trade—New England's Tully Banta-Cain and New York Giants' Rich Seubert have all been told they will be released, and this is just the first wave of moves we expect to see.

If today's actions are any indication of what is to come, including the moves on the trade market, we are in for a process even more frantic and exciting than this year's NFL Draft.

Of the aforementioned players, only Barnett jumps onto this list and joins the list topped by Nnamdi Asomugha, but all these players will find homes this season.

Things are heating up extremely quickly, and before we know it, all of these players will be in new—or the same—uniforms, and training camp will be underway.

Here is a look at the top 10 free agents and where I think they'll ultimately land when all is said and done.

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10. Eric Weddle, S

Weddle is arguably the least-heralded player on this list, but make no mistake about it, the safety is a heck of a football player. 

He's started in every game he has played since his second season in the league, is only 26-years old and still has a lot of good football ahead of him.

San Diego has a knack for not holding onto their own players in contract years, and Weddle, who just saw the Chargers sign former Defensive Player of the Year Bob Sanders to a one-year deal, could opt to go elsewhere for more money and a safer future.

Sanders' injury history is obviously an issue, but when healthy there is no denying the impact he makes on the game.

Weddle, though, can take this opportunity to find a safety-needy team willing to spend good money on him and cash in on a big contract where teams are forced to spend a certain amount of money.

One such team is the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jacksonville had two of the worst starters in the league last season at the position, saw a steep decline in their pass defense overall and know that nailing down a legitimate safety for the next few years is important.

With a spending floor imposed I expect to see Jacksonville put in good money for players they want.

Landing Spot: Jacksonville Jaguars

9. Nick Barnett, LB

The Green Bay Packers are set to look for trade partners for their former starting linebacker—they won't find any—and will ultimately cut him free to save $5.5 million.

The eight-year veteran has seen his season end in injury in two of the last three years and now looks toward a new future with a new franchise. Barnett, when healthy, is a tackle machine and can still play at a high level.

There are a number of teams looking for linebacker help, but the Buccaneers, Giants and Chargers are the most obvious.

Philadelphia also deserves a shout out and, ironically enough, those four teams were mentioned by Barnett himself on the radio today. All four have legitimate playoff hopes, and Barnett could be a big help to all of them.

San Diego could use him in a 3-4 and the Giants could use him in the 4-3, and these two teams would be the front-runners in my mind.

New York has already released two starting offensive lineman in what they are calling "salary cap" moves, and the Giants' biggest need this offseason is easily at linebacker.

If they can get safely under the cap (which it looks like they are working towards), they can only hope they have the same success they did with Antonio Pierce (although he was much younger) when he joined the team after starting his career elsewhere. 

Landing Spot: New York Giants

8. Braylon Edwards, WR

Braylon Edwards will have no shortage of suitors ... after Santonio Holmes and Sidney Rice are signed that is.

The former Browns receiver could still wind up back in New York, but Gang Green will likely have to choose between Braylon and Santonio Holmes, and unfortunately, the latter of the two is more important to the Jets.

Braylon won't be forgotten though, and although he's not a world class receiver that the league anticipated when he came out of Michigan, he is still a big play receiver that can absolutely dominate when on top of his game.

Again, his market will depend on what Holmes and Rice do, but the Jets, Redskins, Bears and possibly the Vikings all stand out as possible suitors. 

Obviously, the Jets thing hinges on Holmes, as the Vikings does on Rice, and if either of them go elsewhere, I expect to see Braylon as the backup plan.

But if they return then Washington has the clear edge over Chicago in terms of money, but the Bears are a better team.

That said, I'd expect to see Braylon jump for big money from Washington if the offer comes through, regardless of who is playing quarterback.

Landing Spot: Washington Redskins

7. DeAngelo Williams, RB

The 28-year-old running back still has a few years before reaching the witching age for running backs, 30 years old, and has shown to be a dominant running back when healthy.

The Miami Dolphins desperately want DeAngelo Williams to replace their two expected departures, Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, but they'll have competition.

Early in the lockout it was expected by many that Williams would definitely be leaving, but now, especially under the new CBA with a spending floor, the Panthers are the front-runners to land Williams.

As part of two-headed monster behind rookie Cam Newton, Williams and Jonathan Stewart are ready to re-take the NFC South.

Well, that won't happen quickly, but Williams stands to get as a good a shot as any at staying healthy and still getting carries in Carolina as he does anywhere else.

The Panthers will also be in position to offer him a great deal financially, and that always is a major factor.

Miami will make a run at him, but Carolina is the best fit.

Landing Spot: Carolina Panthers

6. Johnathan Joseph, CB

Johnathan Joseph is ready to cash in, but he also wants to a chance to compete for a winning team.

The Bengals will do everything they can to keep him in Cincinnati, but that team is going nowhere fast, and Joseph can certainly do better in free agency if he wants.

The five-year veteran has recorded nine interceptions in the last two seasons and has a lot of good football still in front of him.

It is interesting to view his situation this summer as he is the No. 2 corner on the board, but there are so many teams looking for help at the position that he should get a better-than-expected deal once Nnamdi Asomugha comes off the board.

Cincinnati will be involved, but I expect to see the Detroit Lions and Houston Texans get involved early once Nnamdi is gone.

Joseph would be an immediate upgrade for both teams, but it is Houston that should ultimately win out.

The Texans will be involved with the Nnamdi chase, and if they lose, they'll turn their sights to Joseph over a cornerback like Antonio Cromartie.

Houston has a new defensive coordinator, Wade Phillips, and was the worst secondary in all of football last year. Joseph is a great fit for their system, and they have the money to land him.

Landing Spot: Houston Texans

5. Charles Johnson, DE

It isn't often that a superstar defensive end leaves a team and his teammate then decides to turn in his career season, but that is exactly what Charles Johnson did.

Without Julius Peppers commanding double teams and running wild on the other side, Charles Johnson erupted for 11.5 sacks in 2010 and now stands to make a good chunk of money on the free agent market.

The four-year veteran is only 25 years old and is still coming into his own as a player; every team has noticed.

Teams like Cleveland, who is switching to the 4-3, Seattle and Detroit come to mind as possible landing spots, but Carolina has just as much of a shot at landing him than any other team.

With the Panthers forced to spend a minimum amount of money, and also desperately in need of an impact pass rusher, it is not hard to think that they'll re-sign him soon.

Other teams will get involved, but much like the situation with DeAngelo Williams, Carolina is the best place for him.

Landing Spot: Carolina Panthers

4. Sidney Rice, WR

Sidney Rice might be more heavily pursued than Santonio Holmes, and that wouldn't shock me at all.

The soon-to-be 25-year-old is entering the prime of his career, just tapped into his ridiculous potential at 6'4", and although he has only had one dominant year in the NFL, teams are willing to throw a lot of money his way.

Obviously Minnesota wants him back, but Seattle, the New York Jets (depending on what happens with their two receivers), Tennessee, Washington and St. Louis could all get involved with the receiver as well.

Coach Pete Carroll would love to have another big target on the outside, the Jets could get heavily involved if they lose Holmes and/or Braylon Edwards, Tennessee's star receivers spends more time in handcuffs than football gloves, Washington desperately wants a top-flight receiver and St. Louis is in the same boat as well.

In short, Sidney Rice can virtually go wherever he wants.

But Minnesota has a lot to offer as well, even with a rookie quarterback likely starting for them. With Percy Harvin and Adrian Peterson, and hopefully Kyle Rudolph, Rice is the final piece to what could be a great offense force.

Landing Spot: Minnesota Vikings 

3. Ray Edwards, DE

At only 26-years-old Ray Edwards is a forgotten entity among NFL free agents this offseason.

The Viking defensive end has 26.5 sacks in his four seasons as starter and 16.5 in the last two seasons.

He is still coming into his own as a football player, has great athleticism and height for the position and will be an instant starter wherever he goes.

The Vikings are obviously still in play, but the Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Atlanta Falcons all need help, too.

Atlanta would be an ideal fit for team and player, but the Falcons have a lot to worry about with their own free agents first. If Atlanta loses Tyson Clabo while in pursuit of Edwards, it could kill their entire season.

Seattle is interested in just about every player on the market, Edwards included, and they have a legitimate shot at landing with good money and an immediate opportunity to start.

But I like Detroit for two reasons.

One, they have a phenomenal group of young defensive lineman to play with Edwards.

And two, Kyle Vanden Bosch is getting older and between him, Cliff Avril and Edwards, along with Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley inside, this defensive line could rival that of the New York Giants in 2007.

Edwards would be part of an up-and-coming team almost anywhere he goes—except for Atlanta—but Detroit has a unique appeal to in the situation.

Landing Spot: Detroit Lions

2. Santonio Holmes, WR

Santonio Holmes loves taking flight after making a big play for the Jets, so why would he ever want to leave?

The five-year veteran is one of the biggest playmakers in all of football and has the potential to make an entire offense better when on his game.

The Jets know this and know they cannot afford to lose him in free agency, and he will be their top priority.

Washington is the one team that may stand in the way though, and as we said earlier with Sidney Rice and Braylon Edwards, they want to add a serious playmaker to their offense.

But the Redskins don't offer nearly the chance at success the Jets do, and playing for Rex Ryan also has some appeal to it.

Expect the Redskins to be involved, but the Jets would be foolish to let him stay on the market longer than five minutes.

Landing Spot: New York Jets 

1. Nnamdi Asomugha, CB

Nnamdi Asomugha can go anywhere he wants, literally, anywhere.

Every team in the league has a need for the top cornerback in the game—even the team with his rival for top player at the position—and it is hard to rule out any team right now. Well, any team with money that is.

The teams that want him the most are the Jets, Texans, Cowboys, 49ers, Ravens and Buccaneers.

I don't think Baltimore or San Francisco are legitimate contenders for him, though, for a number of reasons.

That leaves us with the Jets, Cowboys, Texans and Bucs.

The Cowboys' biggest need is at safety, and while they will address that position as well, they have cleared an incredible amount of room so far by cutting Mario Barber, Roy Williams and Leonard Davis.

But the Cowboys also plan on keeping Terrence Newman, and I think the two of the three teams, Houston and Tampa, will outbid Dallas anyway.

The one team that won't do so is the Jets, but they might offer all they can and still land him. The idea of Nnamdi lining up opposite Darrelle Revis is scary, and reports today indicated he may, in fact, be willing to take a pay cut to play in New York.

Houston has the money to go all out for Nnamdi. I think he'll definitely consider them, but Tampa Bay has even more money and a better team.

The Bucs have to spend upwards of nearly $55 million this summer to reach the cap minimum, and they are in the best position to land the league's top free agent financially.

Tampa is also on the upswing and could easily find themselves in the playoffs—some place Nnamdi's never been—and he could be the last piece of the puzzle for them.

It won't be an easy decision for him, but I like Tampa's money and talent to be ultimate factor.

Landing Spot: Tampa Bay Buccaneers