NFL Free Agency: 5 Playoff Teams That Will Be Hurting After Free Agency

It has been a little over two days since the NFL lockout ended and things are as crazy as ever. Free agents are being signed like crazy as teams attempt to fill the empty voids on their rosters.

Some teams are one piece away from making a deep playoff run. Other teams would need to sign every big-name free agent just to have a chance at eight wins next season.

Even teams that made the playoffs last year could be in trouble once this intense period ends. Here are five teams that made the playoffs just a year ago that could be severely damaged once the free-agency period ends.

Chicago Bears

Free Agents Already Lost

Devin Aromashodu

Possible Free Agents To Lose

Olin Kreutz, Daniel Manning

The Chicago Bears already have a pathetic group of receivers, so losing Devin Aromashodu could actually prove to be painful. Sure, they could sign a big-name free-agent receiver, but I don't see that happening.

Olin Kreutz and Daniel Manning are long shots to actually leave, but if they do, Chicago will be in trouble. Manning has been a good safety and an even better return man. Kreutz is the only stable player on a shaky line and if he leaves, Jay Cutler could literally die next season.

This is a long shot, but a losing a few key players could knock Chicago into third, or even fourth place in a deep NFC North.

Green Bay Packers

Free Agents Already Lost

None

Possible Free Agents To Lose

James Jones, Cullen Jenkins, Brandon Jackson, John Kuhn

James Jones and Cullen Jenkins are almost certain to leave, which hurts because both players were productive for Green Bay last season. However, there are players to replace them, mainly Jordy Nelson and C.J. Wilson or Mike Neal.

Another player that doesn't get very much credit is Brandon Jackson. He has been a fantastic third-down back for the Packers and played well while Ryan Grant was on the injured reserve list. John Kuhn is a fan favorite whose tough running style and goal-line play could be missed.

Green Bay should be fine, but it may take a few weeks for it to adjust without Jones and Jenkins. In the NFL, a few weeks can doom a season.

New Orleans Saints

Free Agents Already Lost

Jeremy Shockey

Possible Free Agents To Lose

Heath Evans, Lance Moore, Carl Nicks, Darren Sharper

Jeremy Shockey has had an up-and-down career, but he has been somewhat productive in New Orleans and will be missed in the red zone.

If New Orleans loses Carl Nicks, Heath Evans and Lance Moore, its high-powered offense could definitely take a hit. My gut tells me that Drew Brees will still be plenty good, but losing all these starters will have some effect on the Saints.

At this point in his career, Darren Sharper might simply be a backup, but he is a team leader and could still be valuable. 

New York Jets

Free Agents Already Lost

None

Possible Free Agents To Lose

Braylon Edwards, Brad Smith, Shaun Ellis, Antonio Cromartie

Having signed Santonio Holmes makes this a little less likely, but the New York Jets still have plenty of big-time players available to other teams. Each of the above players is a key player and could prove to be detrimental if lost.

With New York so close to having a true Super Bowl contender, Mark Sanchez needs all the weapons he can get. If he loses Edwards and Smith, he won't have many options to throw to and could struggle.

Even with Kyle Wilson on the roster, Antonio Cromartie can be one of the top cornerbacks in the league at times. Michael Lombardi of the NFL Network reports that the Jets are going hard after Nnamdi Asomugha, but if they miss out on him and lose Cromartie, their defensive secondary becomes a little shaky.

Seattle Seahawks

Free Agents Already Lost

Nate Davis, Matt Hasselbeck

Possible Free Agents To Lose

Leon Washington, Brandon Stokely

The biggest need that Seattle has is at the quarterback position, having reportedly just lost the franchise's best to Tennessee. That means that either Charlie Whitehurst or Tarvaris Jackson will be starting for the Seahawks next season. That is a scary thought.

Seattle barely crept into the playoffs last year, but without a quarterback, it has no chance.