NFL Free Agency: One Free Agent Each Team Should Sign, but Won't

Each NFL team still has a free agent that should be high on its radar, despite the questions that were answered during the first two days of free agency.

This article has changed significantly as a result of the reported signings. However, there are still a lot of teams with outstanding needs and high-profile free agents they could sign to fill them.

Some teams are handcuffed due to the salary cap, while others aren't willing to step up and make the needed financial commitments. Player perceptions of front offices and relative competitiveness will hamper some franchises, too. 

In the odd offseason that is 2011, teams need to step up and make gambles to round out their rosters.  

Here is where some will fall short.

Buffalo Bills: Stephen Tulloch, ILB

The Bills couldn't afford to lose Paul Posluszny, but they did. Stephen Tulloch would certainly go a long way toward filling his shoes.

Miami Dolphins: Dashon Goldson, FS

The Dolphins appear to be close to solving their concerns in the backfield: They are reportedly close to signing deals that would add Reggie Bush and Kyle Orton.

They have secondary concerns as well, and Dashon Goldson would certainly help.

New England Patriots: Shaun Ellis, DE

The Patriots desperately need to revitalize their pass rush. Their secondary was torched repeatedly last season, in part because opposing teams were often trailing and in part because they gave quarterbacks too much time.

They need to upgrade the interior of their line as well. The Patriots will most certainly look to make a small splash in signing a defensive tackle.

Adding Shaun Ellis would increase pressure from the outside. His age is a bit of a concern, but the Patriots are built to win now and Ellis should be a solid contributor for another season or two.

New York Jets: Manny Lawson, OLB

The Jets took care of their biggest need on offense by re-signing Santonio Holmes.  

They need a little more pass rush from their linebacking crew.  Manny Lawson isn't the best pass rusher, but he is the best option for the Jets now that most of the top free agents have been signed.

Denver Broncos: Brandon Mebane, DT

This is a bit of a stretch as the Broncos are pursuing Mebane to step into the middle of their new 4-3 defense. 

However, they will likely lose out, and Mebane will stay in Seattle to anchor the middle of Pete Carroll’s front four.

Kansas City Chiefs: Ryan Harris, OT

The Chiefs simply have to add some quality to their offensive line at some point. They seem content with Barry Richardson, but he is severely lacking in pass protection.

Stealing Ryan Harris may be a nice coup, but the Broncos could be done with him anyway.

Oakland Raiders: Justin Blalock, G

The Raiders have plenty of needs, one of which is replacing Robert Gallery.  

Justin Blalock should prove to be more durable and play at a solid, consistent level.  

San Diego Chargers: Manny Lawson, OLB

San Diego made their most important signing by keeping Erik Weddle in the fold.

They bolstered the inside of their linebacking crew with Takeo Spikes, but also need help on the outside.  

Could they possible dip into San Francisco's roster twice?

Baltimore Ravens: Nnamdi Asomugha, CB

The Ravens have been struggling at cornerback. Injuries left them hunting for options last season, and they used a first-round pick on Jimmy Smith.

Adding Nnamdi Asomugha would provide an immediate fix at the position. It might give them too much depth in the not-so-distant future, but that is a problem the Ravens would most surely deal with.

Cincinnati Bengals: Trade Carson Palmer

Yes, I am cheating here.

But so is the Brown family... they are cheating their fans and themselves.

Rather than forcing Carson Palmer into retirement, they should work a trade and acquire draft capital to help build their team for the future.  

Instead, they are reminding free agents why they don't want to play in Cincinnati, and why they will be hard pressed to sign high-profile players without severely overpaying for their services.

Cleveland Browns: Nate Clements, CB

The Browns are building their team, but likely need a few more seasons to bring everything together.

Nate Clements is an option at CB that Mike Holmgren is quite familiar with.  He is 31, and his longevity could be in question for a team looking long-term.  He would be an upgrade in Cleveland's pass defense, though.

Editor's Note: This slide was changed following Clements' release from the San Francisco 49ers.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Willie Colon, OT

The move the Steelers had to make was re-signing Ike Taylor.

Up next, they should be looking at... well... perhaps offensive line.  

They spent a few draft picks here, but need starting talent now. They need to continue to do what makes them good, and that is keep their talent in-house.

Houston Texans: Nnamdi Asomugha, CB

The Texans need to upgrade their secondary, and Nnamdi Asomugha is the top free agent of 2011. They have the cap room, and Asomugha would help push them towards the playoffs.

He is interested in playing for a winner and will likely require the Texans to pay him well above what the New York Jets are able to scrape together.

Indianapolis Colts: Matt Moore, QB

The Colts are yet to create a transition plan for Peyton Manning. He doesn't have many years left, and there has to be a question as to how long he can go without missing time due to injury.

Moore would be a quality backup that could cover Manning during an absence. With some work and the right talent around him, Moore could be a quality NFL starter.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Mathias Kiwanuka, DE

The Jaguars need a pass rush and an upgrade for Aaron Kampman, who just can't seem to stay healthy.  

Mathias Kiwanuka is an every-down defensive end that should be able to provide an immediate boost for the Jaguars.

They pulled the trigger on Paul Posluszny, but can they do the same with Kiwanuka? 

Tennessee Titans: Chris Chester, G

The Titans signed Matt Hasselbeck, as expected. He needs a viable top target to throw to, though.

Sidney Rice would have been a great acquisition. 

The Titans will instead look to make their mark on the offensive line, as they need to add a guard and center. They don't need to sign the biggest names available, but should be looking for quality.

Chris Chester fits this need, and Hasselbeck would certainly welcome all the help he can get on the offensive line.

Dallas Cowboys: Johnathan Joseph, CB

The Cowboys managed to re-sign tackle Doug Free, solving a major concern on the offensive line.

The Cowboys secondary surrendered a lot of yards last season and failed to properly address the issue on draft day. They need to add some talent in order to have any opportunity to compete in 2011.

They also need some room under the salary cap, and they don't have it. It is still unclear how they freed up the money to pay Free.

New York Giants: Olin Kreutz, C

The Giants are looking at a major overhaul on their offensive line. They need to add an LT and two interior linemen.

They already added David Baas, who can play guard or center.

Olin Kreutz is a better option at center; Baas could slide over to play left guard.

Philadelphia Eagles: Mathias Kiwanuka, DE

The Eagles look close to wrapping up a cornerback and need some additional help on the offensive line.  

Doug Free was my initial thought here, as signing him would add a great player and put a little more room between the Eagles and the Cowboys.

Mathias Kiwanuka would provide an upgrade for the Eagles. He has become expendable for the Giants, and with Brandon Graham questionable for the 2011 season, the Eagles need to find a quality starter. 

Editor's Note:

Eagles sign Jason Babin, filling need at DE position.  He is a decent option, but older than Kiwanuka and has just one season of solid sack production.

Washington Redskins: Willie Colon, OT

There doesn't seem to be much that Dan Snyder won't do relative to signing free agents.

Once again, he signed a 4-3 defensive tackle to play in his 3-4 system. He also signed the undersized Josh Wilson to bolster a struggling secondary.

Matt Hasselbeck would have made this list had he not signed with the Tennessee Titans; quarterback is a huge area of need, but one the Redskins seem content to gloss over.

If they aren't going to bring in a quality signal caller, they at least need to improve their offensive line.

Willie Colon is a Pro Bowl right tackle and would be a nice replacement for Jammal Brown.

Arizona Cardinals: Harvey Dahl, G

This slide has changed almost as often as John Clayton's Twitter followers.  

Doug Free was the initial entry, followed by David Baas. It was then Robert Gallery for a few minutes, but he has since signed in Seattle... to the surprise of nobody.  

Offensive line is the major issue facing the Cardinals, and they need to re-sign Lyle Sendlein and Deuce Lutui. They also need to replace Alan Faneca and could use upgrades at tackle.

To go along with them, Harvey Dahl would give them a chance to salvage some protection for the anticipated arrival of Kevin Kolb.  

Dahl wouldn't hurt in the ground game, either.

San Francisco 49ers: Lyle Sendlein, C

On Tuesday I had Sidney Rice as the player that could most help the San Francisco 49ers, but also the move they would fail to make.

Seeing him land in Seattle will hurt even more.  

Wide Receiver is a glaring need, as Michael Crabtree hasn't become the target they had hoped.

The 49ers may not realize it, though.

On Wednesday the 49ers saw their center leave in favor of the New York Giants. San Francisco needs to replace him, and Lyle Sendlein is one of the best options on the free-agent market.  As he is also an integral piece from a division rival, they would get the rebound effect of hurting the Arizona Cardinals. 

Seattle Seahawks: Stephen Tulloch, MLB

At this point it is hard to imagine that there is any move Pete Carroll and John Schneider won't make.

While they did miss out on Barry Cofield, there are other options to fill in at defensive tackle. At this point, Pat Williams and Ray Edwards could be confused enough to believe they have to follow several of their former teammates to Seattle.  Mathias Kiwanuka is another option for their defensive line.

Seattle also needs to improve the middle of their defense. Lofa Tatupu has been a star, but injury issues have left him a shadow of his former self.  

Pete Carroll will likely give him one last season to prove his worth, but it is time to let Tatupu follow Matt Hasselbeck and replace him with a young star.

Stephen Tulloch would fit the mold needed in Seattle.

St. Louis Rams: Brandon Mebane, DT

The St. Louis Rams are in dire need of just a few things this offseason. Fortunately for them, they aren't at critical positions.

Their biggest need could be a backup running back, and Willis McGahee almost made the title on this slide. They could also be looking for an upgrade at guard. 

The Rams' most important upgrade is at defensive tackle. Barry Cofield was my original entry, and Brandon Mebane slid nicely into his place. There are a few other options available, but no player with Mebane's versatility in the ground and passing games.

The Rams will likely fall short of offering the money needed to lure Mebane from Seattle... and they will eventually regret it.

Chicago Bears: Harvey Dahl, G

Sidney Rice was a logical pick, as the Bears need to add a quality wide receiver, and there is a significant drop-off after Rice in the stock of free-agent receivers.

The offensive line for the Bears was brutal last season.  

If Jay Cutler is going to survive his tenure in Chicago, he'll need some help. In addition to re-signing Olin Kreutz, they need to add a guard.  

Harvey Dahl is the best of the available options, but Leonard Davis or Justin Blalock would be great additions as well.

Detroit Lions: Johnathan Joseph, CB

Cornerback is the Lions' biggest area of need, and Joseph is as good an option as they can get.

Green Bay Packers: Jason Babin, DE

The Packers have plenty of talent and depth on their roster. Getting better just wouldn't be fair.

That said, they could use some help at defensive end. There isn't much to pull from for the Packers 3-4, but Jason Babin could make the transition.

It won't happen, though, as he will likely command too much salary for the Packers to pull the trigger.

Look for Green Bay to focus on getting the talent they already have under the salary cap. 

Editor's Note:

Babin signed by the Philadelphia Eagles.

Minnesota Vikings: Ray Edwards, DE

Sidney Rice was the original entry for the Vikings. Since he has been signed by Seattle, Ray Edwards is the next logical choice.

Rice and Edwards have a few similarities: They both played for the Vikings last season, and both are targets of the Seattle Seahawks.  

It will be surprising at this point if Edwards doesn't become part of the western migration and the next casualty of the curse of the poison pill.

Atlanta Falcons: Tyson Clabo, OT, Justin Blalock and Harvey Dahl, OG

The Falcons simply need to keep their talent in-house.

Carolina Panthers: Aubrayo Franklin, DT

Yes, they signed Ron Edwards, but it isn't enough. The Panthers need to improve in the middle.  

Aubrayo Franklin is talented and should be able to make the adjustment from the 3-4 and fit in well with the Panthers.

New Orleans Saints: Tyson Clabo, OT

The Saints could use an upgrade at RT, and what better way to improve their standing in the division than by stealing Tyson Clabo from their biggest threat?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jonathan Goodwin, C

While there are a few better centers available, Jonathan Goodwin makes sense for the Buccaneers. For an explanation, see the notes on the Saints' page.