Shawne Merriman: Ranking Odds of Every NFL Team Landing Him Off Waivers
Shawne Merriman has hit the waiver wire, and like Randy Moss, the world awaits his next port of call.
Merriman made a huge impact in the league his first few years, earning the nickname "Lights Out." But the linebacker has been bitten by the injury bug the last few years and served a four-game suspension for allegedly using steroids in 2006.
Merriman blamed his positive test for a banned substance on a supplement, but along with the injuries, his play declined, and now the Chargers are moving on.
Merriman will be awarded to the first team who puts a claim in on him based on the team's standing in the league, which for purposes of the waiver wire goes in reverse order.
Any team that claims the linebacker will owe him the remainder of his $3.269 million 2010 salary.
There are 31 other NFL teams who might want his services. Here's a look at what each team may be thinking.
31. Buffalo Bills
1 of 31
Level Of Interest: High. The Bills need help at every position. The team is ranked dead last versus the rush and they have only 11 total sacks as a team.
Playoffs?: Merriman won't help them make the playoffs, but he will make them a better team.
Odds of Getting Him: Low. Owner Ralph Wilson probably has no interest in paying his salary in a lost year.
30. Dallas Cowboys
2 of 31
Level Of Interest: Medium. Owner Jerry Jones always will take a look at a player like Merriman.
Playoffs?: Not a chance. The Cowboys' season is over no matter who they bring in.
Odds of Getting Him: Low. While money isn't an issue, Demarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer aren't the big issues on the Cowboys right now.
29. Carolina Panthers
3 of 31
Level Of Interest: High. Like the Bills, the Panthers have to look at a guy like Merriman seriously.
Playoffs?: No. Too many holes, too many issues for Merriman to make a difference.
Odds of Getting Him: Low. The money issue also will keep the Panthers out of the conversation.
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28. Denver Broncos
4 of 31
Level Of Interest: Medium. The Broncos are 2-5 and don't have a lot of playmakers on the defense.
Playoffs?: Probably not, but the defense has been Denver's problem this year.
Odds of Getting Him: High. Kevin Alexander is a rookie and the Broncos need depth out there.
27. San Francisco 49ers
5 of 31
Level Of Interest: High. The Niners claimed Thaddeus Gibson off of waivers earlier in the week, so it's a position the team wants to see immediate improvement in.
Playoffs?: Only in head coach Mike Singletary's mind.
Odds of Getting Him: Medium. With Gibson on the roster, the Niners may pass, but they might decide if Merriman is available that it's worth a shot.
26. Cincinnati Bengals
6 of 31
Level Of Interest: Medium. The Bengals are not where they want to be and are going to have to make some roster decisions no matter what.
Playoffs?: Not in the AFC North, not this year.
Odds of Getting Him: Medium. Rey Maualuga and Keith Rivers aren't lighting the place up, but they're not the sole reason the Bengals defense is giving up points.
25. Cleveland Browns
7 of 31
Level Of Interest: High. The Browns have no dedicated pass rusher they turn to week after week.
Playoffs?: As with the Bengals, not in the AFC North.
Odds of Getting Him: Medium. The Browns linebackers all have been having pretty decent games lately, but if Merriman comes in, no one should feel like they're being slighted.
24. Detroit Lions
8 of 31
Level Of Interest: Medium. The Lions are a rebuilding team and would have to see how Merriman fits into their development plans.
Playoffs?: In the NFC North? It's not outside the realm of possibility, but highly unlikely.
Odds of Getting Him: Low. The Lions have this guy on their line named Ndamukong Suh who does a great job of disrupting plays and getting to the quarterback.
23. Minnesota Vikings
9 of 31
Level Of Interest: Medium. The Vikings could use the help, but if they end up on the hook for Randy Moss' salary, that could torpedo any interest they have in Merriman.
Playoffs?: No. The Vikings' season is over, they just don't want to admit it yet.
Odds of Getting Him: Low. Even if money weren't an issue, this team has other things they're worried about at the moment.
22. Arizona Cardinals
10 of 31
Level Of Interest: Medium. Will Davis isn't exactly a Pro Bowl candidate.
Playoffs?: In the NFC West, anything is possible.
Odds of Getting Him: Medium. If the front office thinks Merriman will make a big difference on their defense, they'll put in a claim for him.
21. Jacksonville Jaguars
11 of 31
Level Of Interest: Medium. The Jaguars defense is awful statistically in every area.
Playoffs?: A Wild Card push is not out of the question at this point.
Odds of Getting Him: Low. The Jaguars may have no interest in paying Merriman's salary.
20. Oakland Raiders
12 of 31
Level Of Interest: Low. The Raiders defense is emerging as a well-oiled unit.
Playoffs?: The way the Raiders play has been improving each week, they don't need Merriman to make the playoffs.
Odds of Getting Him: Low. The Raiders are doing just fine without Merriman.
19. Washington Redskins
13 of 31
Level Of Interest: High. The Redskins have been high on the speculation list since the whole discussion started.
Playoffs?: While the Redskins would like to think playoffs, the team has fallen apart in the last few weeks, and they're not going to get back into the playoff race whether Merriman arrives or not.
Odds of Getting Him: High. The Redskins are on of the few teams speculated to actually put a claim in on him, and they're still high enough on the list to have a reasonable expectation of getting him.
18. St. Louis Rams
14 of 31
Level Of Interest: Medium. The Rams have a middle-of-the-road defense that only could be improved by Merriman.
Playoffs?: As previously stated, this is the NFC West, so anything is possible.
Odds of Getting Him: Medium. The Rams paid Sam Bradford a lot of money, and there's no guarantee they keep Merriman after this season.
17. Miami Dolphins
15 of 31
Level Of Interest: Low. OLB is not a position of need for the Dolphins at this point.
Playoffs?: Merriman wouldn't make a difference to the Dolphins at this point.
Odds of Getting Him: Low. The Dolphins aren't going to pay that kind of money for someone who isn't a top priority right now.
16. Chicago Bears
16 of 31
Level Of Interest: Low. The defense has not been the big issue for the Bears.
Playoffs?: Merriman does not help keep Jay Cutler upright.
Odds of Getting Him: Low. The Bears need a new offensive line, some wide receivers, and possibly a new offensive coordinator before they get to OLB.
15. Houston Texans
17 of 31
Level Of Interest: High. The Texans pass rush this season has been pretty bad.
Playoffs?: While Houston is done playing the Colts for the year, Merriman could be the difference-maker on that unit.
Odds of Getting Him: High. There's still plenty of season left, and the Texans could see Merriman as money well spent if they make the playoffs.
14. Philadelphia Eagles
18 of 31
Level Of Interest: Medium. While the Eagles pass defense isn't awful, some of the production from their line can be questioned.
Playoffs?: Yes. Merriman definitely can help the Eagles lock up a playoff spot.
Odds of Getting Him: Low. If the Redskins think the Eagles are going to put in a claim, that will clinch their decision on whether or not to grab Merriman off the wire.
13. Seattle Seahawks
19 of 31
Level Of Interest: Medium. The Seahawks could use the help on their defense.
Playoffs?: Yes. Merriman can be a big enough impact to get the Seahawks into the playoffs.
Odds of Getting Him: Low. The Seahawks may be focused on getting Randy Moss.
12. Tennessee Titans
20 of 31
Level Of Interest: High. Jeff Fisher always is interested in potential impact players.
Playoffs?: Yes, although the Titans probably are going to the playoffs anyway.
Odds of Getting Him: Low. The price tag is a bit high, and the Titans defense is pretty solid.
11. Green Bay Packers
21 of 31
Level Of Interest: High. The Packers defense has been riddled with injuries.
Playoffs?: Yes, Merriman makes enough of an impact in the playoff race to be considered.
Odds of Getting Him: Medium. Cost is an issue, but the Packers could use a playmaker like Merriman to team up with Clay Matthews.
10. New Orleans Saints
22 of 31
Level Of Interest: High. The Saints lost a great pass rusher when Scott Fujita signed with the Cleveland Browns in the offseason.
Playoffs?: Merriman won't do anything to hurt the Saints playoff chances.
Odds of Getting Him: Low. The Saints aren't desperate enough to pay the price tag at this point. If they go after him, they'll wait for him to clear waivers.
9. Kansas City Chiefs
23 of 31
Level Of Interest: Medium. The Chiefs could use Merriman's talent.
Playoffs?: Yes, Merriman keeps the Chiefs high in the playoff mix.
Odds of Getting Him: Medium. Once again, the Chiefs will have to weigh the salary issue.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers
24 of 31
Level Of Interest: Low. The Steelers have one of the best defenses in the league.
Playoffs?: Pittsburgh will make the playoffs no matter what at this point.
Odds of Getting Him: Low. The Steelers have no interest in Merriman at this price point.
7. New York Jets
25 of 31
Level Of Interest: Medium. Production from the Jets OLBs is nothing to get excited about.
Playoffs?: It's possible Merriman could make a real difference.
Odds of Getting Him: Low. The Jets are focused on fixing their offensive problems at the moment.
6. Indianapolis Colts
26 of 31
Level Of Interest: Medium. The Colts pass defense is pretty good, but overall, the defense gives up too many yards to the run.
Playoffs?: Merriman makes little difference to the Colts playoff chances.
Odds of Getting Him: Medium. The Colts have too many offensive injuries to address. If Merriman clears waivers, though, the Colts definitely would make an offer.
5. Atlanta Falcons
27 of 31
Level Of Interest: High. The Falcons defense is not where they need it to be to make going deep into the playoffs likely.
Playoffs?: Merriman will give their defense a needed boost for the postseason.
Odds of Getting Him: Low. The Falcons are too high on the waiver wire to consider paying his salary.
4. Baltimore Ravens
28 of 31
Level Of Interest: High. The Ravens defense has been lacking the pass rush it used to be feared for. All the usual players are in place, but production is down this season, even though overall the Ravens unit still is very good.
Playoffs?: Merriman adds another layer to what already is a playoff-bound team.
Odds of Getting Him: High. The Ravens have to compete against the Steelers, and Merriman becomes another defensive weapon in that war.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
29 of 31
Level Of Interest: Medium. The Buccaneers are a team on the rise and Merriman will make the team better.
Playoffs?: Merriman would be considered a difference-maker on this team.
Odds of Getting Him: Low. Merriman's cost is prohibitive for the Bucs.
2. New York Giants
30 of 31
Level Of Interest: Medium. The Giants have a great defense, but there's no doubt discussions are taking place internally.
Playoffs?: Giants are in the dance with or without Merriman.
Odds of Getting Him: Low. While the Giants have room for Merriman, they'll wait and see if he clears waivers before even considering him.
1. New England Patriots
31 of 31
Level Of Interest: High. The Patriots defense has a lot of room for improvement.
Playoffs?: Merriman would make an impact on the Patriots playoff chances in a tightly-contested AFC East.
Odds of Getting Him: Low. The Patriots won't make a claim—they will bring Merriman in on their own terms if they decide they want him.
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