NFL Free Agency 2011: Top 10 Destinations for Braylon Edwards

Players always seem to have their best years in contract years, and Braylon Edwards has done just that this season with the New York Jets. Edwards has caught 53 balls for 904 yards and seven touchdowns this season and is looking to sign a contract that will have him "set for life."

Before the season, Edwards—the third overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft—made it clear that he would be happy to stay with the Jets, that is, if they were willing to sign him to a long-term deal.

His play this season has certainly given Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum something to think about. Despite getting a DWI this season, the 27-year-old receiver has been an asset to the Jets offense.

He has cut-down on his drops, stretched the field and blocked well in the run game. He and Santonio Holmes have given sophomore quarterback Mark Sanchez some nice options, and if they stay together, that certainly bodes well for the Jets offense, long-term.

But at the end of the day, Edwards is a guy that's gonna get his. He isn't a guy after rings. He's a guy after money, and a burning desire to put up numbers—to get more money.

That said, check out the top 10 likely destinations for Edwards this offseason.

10. Buffalo Bills

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 26: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Buffalo Bills readies to pass against the New England Patriots at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Nobody can predict what the Buffalo Bills do. The Bills front office might not even know who Braylon Edwards is, but they might also sign him the first day he is available.

Buddy Nix is like a watered down East Coast version of Al Davis.

Buffalo needs help in a lot of areas before it needs a wide receiver (namely the offensive line). Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick looked like an above average player on a below average team. Adding a guy like Edwards, along with some new offensive linemen and the Bills might be able to get out of the AFC East basement in a few years.

The Bills signing Terrell Owens didn't go as terrible as everyone anticipated, so that bodes well for the possibilities of Edwards, though the odds are still very slim.

9. Atlanta Falcons

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 02: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons reacts after a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers at Georgia Dome on January 2, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Falcons are one of the NFL's best teams, without question. Quarterback Matt Ryan and wide receiver Roddy White hooked up 115 times this year for 1,389 yards. Tight end Tony Gonzalez is the team's second leading receiver with 70 receptions for 656 yards, and he is on the verge of retirement.

Atlanta already has a great running game with big back Michael Turner running through defenses.

If the Falcons could somehow make a play to get Edwards for the money he wants, the results could be a few Super Bowl rings.

Having a legitimate threat opposite Roddy White would be borderline cheating, and if the Falcons could swing it, look out.

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws the ball during the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on January 2, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty

Sophomore quarterback Josh Freeman is looking better and better with every game, and rookie receiver Mike Williams has been incredible this season. LeGarrette Blount ran for over 1,000 yards this season. The core of the Bucs is extremely young, talented and underpaid.

Braylon Edwards would be a great weapon for Freeman, but the Bucs are a cheap franchise, and Braylon is looking for money.

It would be a perfect fit if he was willing to mentor some of the guys, but that just doesn't seem like Edwards.

If he can sing a different tune, and the Bucs don't go go after some guys for the defense, then this is a possibility, but not very likely.

7. Chicago Bears

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 26: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears throws a pass as Shaun Ellis #92 of the New York Jets rushes at Soldier Field on December 26, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Jets 38-34. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Image

The Bears need so much help on the offensive line that I don't know if they will sign another position this off-season (kidding). But they are building around quarterback Jay Cutler, who did incredibly well behind a line that was average at best this year.

The Bears have legitimate threats in Johnny Knox, Earl Bennett and Greg Olsen—not to mention the Devin Hester project is finally getting some results. But the Bears are willing to spend some dough, and I wouldn't be shocked to see them go after Edwards.

Edwards can play well in the cold and wants the football. The Bears could make him their primary receiver and it would seemingly work for everyone, as long as he doesn't start dropping the ball again, because Bears fans will let him hear about it, and so will Cutler.

5. Baltimore Ravens

Larry French/Getty Images

BALTIMORE - SEPTEMBER 26: Anquan Boldin #81 of the Baltimore Ravens scores one of his three touchdowns against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Browns 24-17. (Photo by Larry F

Last year was a step in the right direction for the Baltimore Ravens when they signed Anquan Bolden. He instantly brought more balance to the offense and opened things up for the Ray Rice to run the ball like everyone knows he can.

Derrick Mason is not getting any younger, and Todd Heap can only do so much from the tight end spot.

So signing a big body receiver who can stretch the field would give Joe Flacco another target besides Bolden, and open things up underneath for Heap.

I think this would be a great move for the Ravens.

6. Dallas Cowboys

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - AUGUST 21: Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones during preseason game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on August 21, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

The Cowboys never-ending chase for big-name receivers is what got them to the sixth spot for me. Roy Williams has underperformed, but Miles Austin and Dez Bryant make the future extremely bright for Dallas' receiving corps.

I just don't know if Jerry Jones would be able to pass on Braylon Edwards.

The smart thing would be for him not to take Edwards, but as Jones' desperation for another Vince Lombardi Trophy grows, so does the amount of irrational personnel moves he makes.

4. Tennessee Titans

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 05: Chris Johnson #28 of the Tennessee Titans runs against Courtney Greene #36 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half at LP Field on December 5, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

The Tennessee Titans have some bigger worries right now at the quarterback position, and the head coach for that matter. But they have to be happy with the play of Kenny Britt this season. Britt ended the season with 42 receptions for 775 yards and nine touchdowns. Nate Washington also caught 42 balls for 687 yards and only six scores.

Adding a receiver like Braylon Edwards would be a great fit for this team due simply to the fact that they have the best back in the league in Chris Johnson. Stretch the field as much as possible, and the defense cannot cover it all. That was their thinking with the Randy Moss signing, but we know that didn't work out.

The Titans are going to need to get some leadership from the quarterback position before they can go after a guy like Edwards though. I think it would be a great fit though.

3. Carolina Panthers

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 24: Steve Smith #89 of the Carolina Panthers against the San Francisco 49ers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on October 24, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Andrew Luck is going to need someone to throw to, and Steve Smith just cannot do it anymore. Smith put up very average numbers this year (46 receptions, 554 yards, two touchdowns), although quarterback play was not at a high level at any point for the Panthers this year.

But Edwards has worked with a young quarterback in Mark Sanchez, and if the Panthers are willing to pay, long-term, I'm sure he would be more than willing to do it again, playing opposite Smith.

2. New York Jets

Al Bello/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - JANUARY 02: Braylon Edwards #17 and Santonio Holmes #10 of the New York Jets celebrate Edwards' third quarter touchdown against the Buffalo Bills at New Meadowlands Stadium on January 2, 2011 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo

Braylon Edwards has been one of the Jets' biggest assets on offense this year. He leads the team in reception yards and has been a model teammate. His DWI was definitely a step in the wrong direction, but the team didn't seem to be too worried when they let him play against the Dolphins the following week.

Edwards has made big catches, blocked hard for his teammates and said all right things, so far. He seems like a New York kind of guy, and has made it clear that he would love to stay with the Jets, for the right price.

I think it is extremely likely we'll see him and Mark Sanchez hooking up for years to come.

1. Kansas City Chiefs

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 26: Receiver Dwayne Bowe #82 of the Kansas City Chiefs carries the ball after making a catch on a 75 yard touchdown play during the game against the Tennessee Titans on December 26, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mis

Dwayne Bowe is a man-child. He proved that by going for nearly 1,200 receiving yards this year on 72 catches. The Chiefs are certainly on the rise with a stellar running game and a great rookie tight end in Tony Moeaki.

To say the Chiefs are lacking a second receiver is an understatement. The second leading receiver, Chris Chambers has 22 catches.

Moeaki and running back Jamaal Charles are the other two leading receivers on the team. Edwards would be a great second (or 1-B) option at receiver for quarterback Matt Cassell. Edwards is from the Midwest, and could go to KC and put up some monster numbers opposite Bowe.

Perfect fit.