NFL Free Agency: 5 Signings That Could Lift Teams to Super Bowl XLVI

Andrew KulhaJul 31, 2011

It seems like the free agency frenzy of 2011 might end up being one of the most impactful free agent periods that the NFL has ever seen.

Not only have some big names and big time players hopped around the league to new teams, but a few of those teams were already looking pretty good to contend for a Super Bowl; now their chances are even better.

That being said, there are also a few teams out there that need to make that impact signing that can put them over the top.

I’ve broken down three signings and two potential signings that I think could carry their respective teams all the way to Super Bowl XLVI.

Sidney Rice: Seattle Seahawks

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Right off the bat let me come out swinging for the fences with a bold prediction here.

I've always liked Sidney Rice. I think he is slightly underrated as a receiver and injuries have definitely hindered his overall effectiveness.

He's going to a good offensive system and a good coach in Seattle. The running game is strong and they have a good defense. And even with the new additions, they also play in a division that is arguably the weakest in the NFL.

It's hard for me to trust Tarvaris Jackson, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the change of scenery and better receivers will lead to a good year from him.

We all saw that anything is possible with Seattle in the playoffs. Perhaps they have a shot.

Chad OchoCinco: New England Patriots

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Tom Brady can lead a team of nobody's to the Super Bowl.

Adding Chad OchoCinco to this offense makes the Patriots the favorites to come out of the AFC in my opinion.

He's not a world beater superstar, but he is more than serviceable and I think that playing alongside Brady will actually make him better.

I expect that OchoCinco will have his best year in the NFL in his first year as a Patriot. He's going to be rejuvenated and motivated knowing that he has a great shot to win it all.

I expect the Pats to be one of the big factors in the Super Bowl discussion.

Nnamdi Asomugha: Philadelphia Eagles

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The second the Philadelphia Eagles signed Nnamdi Asomugha they became the favorites to win the Super Bowl.

Their bandwagon also got so heavy that it stopped moving.

Seriously though, if you can't see the potential the Eagles to make it happen this year, then I don't think there is anything I can tell you.

They have the most explosive offense in the NFL in my opinion, and now they have a shut down defense to go along with it.

The Eagles are going to be scary good. I'm not writing this from the bandwagon either; I'm writing it because it's true.

Braylon Edwards: Chicago Bears

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This is the first of my two free agent signing speculations.

I think the Bears are going to make a strong push for Braylon Edwards now that he is officially out on the market and looking.

Chicago just added Roy Williams. Though Williams isn't anything special at this point of his career, he is still serviceable.

Putting Edwards on that roster would be a huge boost to an offense that is just dying to be explosive.

Jay Cutler would really thrive with the additional target in Edwards, and I think the Bears would be poised to make a run.

Antonio Cromartie: New York Jets

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The Jets made a hard push for Nnamdi Asomugha, so some are speculating that Cromartie may be a little disgruntled and check out other teams in free agency.

But, now that Asomugha's fate is settled, it looks like the Jets are going to try to do all they can to make things right with Cromartie—which would mean a big contract for the corner.

He plays well across from Darrelle Revis, and the two make a very formidable secondary.

Cromartie is also still a factor in the special teams game.

I've liked what the Jets have done on offense and now they need to solidify their defense. If they can re-sign Cromartie, I like their chances of contending.