NFL Rankings: The Top 5 Things to Keep Your Eye on This Offseason

As the Super Bowl approaches, most of us have to come to terms with the brutal reality that the offseason is quickly approaching. One more football game until we all have to search deep within ourselves to find some sense of purpose.

Perhaps that may be going a bit far, but with the lockout looming, this could be the longest offseason ever. Luckily for everyone, we are unlikely to see Favre Watch on the ticker for the entire summer on ESPN.

Here is a list of five things to keep your eye on that might make this offseason more bearable.

#5: Nnamdi Asomugha

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 14: Randy Moss #81 of the New England Patriots runs against Nnamdi Asomugha #21 of the Oakland Raiders during an NFL game on December 14, 2008 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/

Nnamdi Asomugha is an unrestricted free agent this offseason. It is not very often that an elite lock-down cornerback in his prime enters free agency, but such is the case this offseason.

The last cornerback that was even close to the level of Asmougha to enter free agency was Nate Clements, who drew a monster contract without nearly the skill set.

Asomugha has the cover corner skills that make teams salivate. He can run the gauntlet of routes backwards and wipes out half of the field by himself. Asomugha has proven he can be effective even with a lackluster pass rush.

He is going to come at a high price, as he is easily going to be the most coveted free agent this offseason. Expect an Albert Haynesworthesque contract.

#4: The Lockout

Mike Stobe/Getty Images

NEW YORK - JULY 27: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell answers questions from the media after reinstating Michael Vick on a conditional basis on July 27, 2009 at the InterContinental Hotel in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

I'm putting this at number four, though if this list were being done in order of magnitude it would easily be number one. Lockout. The word that makes you cringe like hearing your child say a choice four letter word.

It is unclear how talks are actually progressing. There is a lot of uncertainty, but one thing is evident. A lockout is beneficial for noone. Billions of dollars are going to be lost by everyone. The players lose out, the owners lose out, the league loses out, and most importantly, the fans lose out.

Hopefully the league is able to renew the CBA without any further delays, as we certainly don't want to see the strike eating into the regular season. The lockout will undoubtedly take precedence in coverage over all else. If you aren't tired of lockout coverage, you certainly will be.

#3: Quarterback Limbo

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 21: Quarterback Vince Young #10 of the Tennessee Titans scrambles away from H.B. Blades #54 of the Washington Redskins at LP Field on November 21, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Redskins won 19-16 in overtime. (Photo by Grant

There are 11 or so teams next season who will likely have a new quarterback under center. In such a year, there would likely be a run on quarterbacks early on in the draft, but this draft class does not present any quarterbacks who warrant anything better than a mid-first round grade, in my opinion.

Luckily for the Cardinals, 49ers, Bills, Bengals, Raiders, Redskins, Dolphins, Vikings, Panthers, Jaguars, and Titans, there are an increasing amount of quarterbacks who appear to be on the move. six starters this season, Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb, Alex Smith, Vince Young, Kyle Orton, and Carson Palmer look like they are going to be available either through free agency or trade.

Some of these 11 teams will view one of these six quarterbacks as the future to their franchise. Another may want to snag a guy like McNabb to suffice as a temporary fix to a glaring hole. In any case, the 2011 season will feature many veteran signal callers in new uniforms.

#2: Defensive Players in The Draft

Eric Francis/Getty Images

LINCOLN, NE - SEPTEMBER 04: Prince Amukamara #21 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers knocks down a pass intended for Tristan Jones #33 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers during second half action of their game against at Memorial Stadium on September 4, 2010 in

Every single draft class takes on it's own identity. Sometimes running backs dominate the top of the draft. Other times there are an overabundance of elite tackles. Multiple Hall of Fame quarterbacks have come out of certain drafts.

It is becoming more and more evident that of the first fifteen picks, there may be only a handful of offensive players chosen. There aren't any real standout franchise left tackles worthy of a top 5 pick. There could very well be no quarterbacks selected in the top ten.

This class could be the deepest defensive class in recent memory. The 2011 draft class is loaded with talent at the top. Nick Fairley is at the forefront at the defensive tackle position. There are two highly touted lock down corners who will likely soar in projections as the draft nears.

Da'Quan Bowers has all of the tools to be an elite pass rusher in the NFL. Now it is going to be up to teams to justify paying defensive players top three money. Don't be surprised if teams try to trade back. Teams in the 7-10 range can still score a big time impact player.

#1: New Coaches

Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

ENGLEWOOD, CO - JANUARY 14: Denver Broncos head coach John Fox addresses the media at Dove Valley on January 14, 2011 in Englewood, Colorado. Fox was named the 14th head coach in Broncos history yesterday after spending the last nine seasons as head coac

It seems like every year there is more and more turnover at head coach. It appears the firing may not be over, as teams like the Dolphins look as though they could make a move before the offseason ends. As it stands, at least seven teams will be under a new head coach next season.

If you are a fan of one the aforementioned teams, you are in for a spectacular offseason. The Broncos know what to expect from John Fox, while the 49ers are virtually in the dark as far as Jim Harbaugh's personnel strategy is going to be at the NFL level.

One thing remains consistent in all of the change, and that is change itself. That may sound more philosophical and laden with ambiguity than it actually is. Each coach has a particular style he operates with. How he conducts himself in his first offseason will be very telling of where the team is headed in the future.

Some coaches like to gut rosters and start over, others might not be so quick to press the reset button. Regardless, seeing the personnel moves on the roster and in the front office is an enticing part of the offseason every year.