NFL Free Agency 2011: The Top 10 Landing Spots for DeAngelo Williams
For those teams not involved in this year's postseason, the top off-season priorities are the NFL Draft and the 2011 free agent class.
Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams will be one of the top names to hit the free agency market this year. There are a number of teams that are searching for running backs, especially with the recent trend towards two-back systems.
Lets take a look at the top 10 potential landing spots for Williams this offseason.
10. San Diego Chargers
1 of 10
It was no secret that the Chargers struggled with their running game this season. When first round draft pick Ryan Mathews suffered an injury that kept him out of the lineup for extended time, Phillip Rivers and the Chargers became pretty one dimensional, relying heavily on their passing game.
Both backup running backs, Mike Tolbert and Darren Sproles, are eligible for free agency this year, which could leave a void in the Chargers backfield. Adding Williams would give them a proven No. 1 back and would certainly benefit Phillip Rivers and the passing game as well.
Williams could also be used to groom Mathews, who did not convince everyone that he is ready for a starting role on this team.
9. Buffalo Bills
2 of 10
The Bills offense was one of the worst in the NFL this season, averaging just over 100 yards-per-game on the ground. Rookie C.J. Spiller is a nice player, but he can not be looked upon to carry the ball 20-25 times a game. His primary role should be as a return specialist and to carry the ball around 10 times per game.
Fred Jackson is a solid backup, but adding Williams would give this team the No. 1 back they have been searching for. If the Bills could add Williams via free agency, and then draft a quarterback or top receiver with their draft pick, they could have the makings of a very capable offense.
8. Carolina Panthers
3 of 10
It is always an option that the Panthers could re-sign Williams. He was plagued with injuries throughout 2010, which is why his numbers were down so much this year.
His backup, Jonathan Stewart, has shown signs of greatness at times, but he does not have the type of consistency teams would like to see with a No. 1 running back. Williams knows the offense and has excelled in it.
If the Panthers can add some talent via free agency and through the draft, Williams is more likely to stay with the club. But don't count on it.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
7. Miami Dolphins
4 of 10
Ricky Williams has said on the record that he wants out of Miami. Add that to the fact that Ronnie Brown will be a free agent and the Dolphins are in need of a big-name running back.
Williams would be a nice fit here, playing in an offense with a run-first philosophy. It's either they draft a running back, and there aren't that many great ones in this year's draft, or they go out and sign one from free agency. All signs point to Williams being a top target.
6. New Orleans Saints
5 of 10
The Saints ranked 28th in the league in rushing this season, primarily using a running back by committee system. Both Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory have suffered season-ending injuries, leaving Reggie Bush to carry the load.
Thomas is a free agent, and Bush is primarily used as a return man and someone who receives 5-10 carries a game.
Adding Williams would give the Saints their first true No. 1 running back since Deuce McAllister retired. Williams and Bush would be a nice 1-2 backfield combo that would take some pressure off of Drew Brees and the passing game.
5. Denver Broncos
6 of 10
The days of Denver being a run-first, hard-nosed football team are long gone. They have gone away from the run in the past couple of years, and their record has suffered because of it.
Knowshon Moreno is a solid running back, but his inability to stay healthy has been a problem. He would make a nice fit in a third down back role behind Williams.
With the emergence of Tim Tebow at quarterback and a high first-round draft pick, adding Williams would be a nice addition that could be a good fit in Denver.
4. Indianapolis Colts
7 of 10
The Colts rushing offense has been nothing short of pathetic the past couple of years. Joseph Addai was hurt again this year, and Donald Brown did not show anything that would make people think he is capable of being an NFL running back.
Adding Williams and having the ability to establish a running game would be huge for Peyton Manning. The Colts are arguably the most one dimensional team in the NFL. If they can add some help on the offensive line and in the backfield, the Colts are right back to being a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
3. Washington Redskins
8 of 10
The Redskins need help wherever they can get it, but with Clinton Portis getting up there in age and constantly being sidelined with injuries, Mike Shanahan has to address his backfield.
Shanahan is known as a run-first coach, which makes one believe that Williams would be an ideal fit in the Redskins offensive system. He would have a chance to rejuvenate his career in Washington and get back to the DeAngelo Williams that NFL fans came to know and love three years ago.
2. Green Bay Packers
9 of 10
With the loss of Ryan Grant, the Packers rushing offense suffered greatly this season. It is anyone's guess how Grant will be able to rehab and come back after his week 1 season-ending injury, which makes Williams valuable here.
The Packers are one good running back away from a Super Bowl contender, and Williams could be that guy. Signing him would allow the Packers to focus on continuing to build their defense through the draft, as this year's draft has a weak running back class.
1. Arizona Cardinals
10 of 10
The Cardinals offense really struggled this season, ranking last in the NFL in rushing offense, averaging just 87 yards per game. Running back is a position that they must address in the offseason, especially with Tim Hightower hitting the free agent market.
Beanie Wells has not been the type of productive running back that the Cardinals had hoped he would be, so adding an explosive back like Williams would give Wells the freedom to be a short yardage and goal line back.
The Cardinals will not use their high draft pick on a running back, so signing a guy like Williams should be top priority if they want to get back to relevance any time soon.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
