2011 NFL Draft: Nnamdi Asomugha and the 10 Players Who Most Impact the Draft
Teams have already started evaluating the talent on their rosters as we head into the 2011 offseason. Coaches have to find areas that were problematic, in an effort to improve through free agency, trade and the draft.
While all teams love to build through the draft, many teams will grab hold of the opportunity to improve by adding a veteran onto their rosters. This offseason in particular, a number of talented players are likely to become available prior to the draft.
The quarterback shuffle the NFL will likely see this offseason is bound to push would-be first round quarterbacks out of the first day of the draft. Let's take a look at the top players who could impact this year's draft.
DeAngelo Williams
1 of 10
The Panthers were the worst team in the NFL last season. They have a stable of talented running backs, making DeAngelo Williams' value decrease. The 27-year-old is extremely talented, injury prone and expensive.
There is a chance the Panthers will decide to lock him up with a franchise tag, but with Jonathan Stewart and Mike Goodson on roster, they could very well let him walk.
This would be great news for a team looking for a veteran back to enter any system. The addition of Williams would allow teams to hold off on bringing in a guy like Mark Ingram. Should the Dolphins choose to part ways with Ricky Williams, look for them to take a stab at DeAngelo Williams rather than pursue a running back in the draft.
Carson Palmer
2 of 10
Carson Palmer was once regarded as a top quarterback in the NFL. Up until this season, Palmer has enjoyed an outstanding career in Cincinnati. With most of his weapons heading for the exits and the team in a tailspin, Palmer announced that he wants out.
This is great news for teams in dire need of a quarterback. Every team but St. Louis in the NFC West would improve by bringing in a guy like Palmer. Teams that need a quarterback should not write off Palmer because of one shaky year.
Should Palmer carry out his threat to either leave or retire, he will likely come at a bargain price. The Bengals can't expect to get much return value for an aging, agitated quarterback coming off of the worst season in his career.
Nate Clements
3 of 10
Nate Clements may have worn out his welcome in San Francisco. With a new coaching regime in place, Clements' job is likely in jeopardy. He is overpaid and replaceable. Although he brings a physicality to the cornerback position, he does not do nearly enough in coverage to earn his keep.
Clements could benefit from a change of scenery. He flat out dominated in Buffalo and would upgrade the secondary in a number of places. If Clements becomes available, the Baltimore Ravens or Pittsburgh Steelers could take the plunge. It would be odd to see Clements passed from one Harbaugh to another, but he is leaps and bounds above the cornerbacks on the Ravens at this point.
His contract will need to be restructured, but Clements could fill a hole for a team in need of a veteran corner.
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Kyle Orton
4 of 10
Kyle Orton led one of the most pass-happy offenses in the NFL last year. He commanded a team with so-so targets and made Brandon Lloyd a Pro Bowler. Orton will never rise to elite status, but for a team in need of a temporary solution, he could be the answer.
This draft has a number of quarterbacks who will likely rise in stock due to a weak crop of signal-callers. If a team doesn't see the quarterback of the future on the board, they will be better off bringing in Orton. Teams could do a lot worse than Orton and he is a low-risk acquisition.
The Broncos have their hands tied as Tim Tebow has taken over in Denver, but Orton served his purpose for the Broncos. Teams need to look at the big picture and decide if Orton is really a step down from say...Blaine Gabbert.
Cullen Jenkins
5 of 10
Cullen Jenkins is the unsung hero of the Super Bowl-winning Packers defense. He knows how to play the defensive end position in a 3-4, excelling under defensive genius Dom Capers. Despite playing at a high level, the Packers might not have a spot for Jenkins heading into next season.
This draft puts forth a fantastic crop of defensive linemen. Teams are going to get sucked into the potential that resides in the draft, but teams that run a 3-4 and need a defensive end would benefit from adding Jenkins to the roster.
The Patriots strike me as a team that may want to take Jenkins, should he become a free agent. He is well coached and highly disciplined. The Patriots have a number of holes for a team with a 14-2 record. Jenkins not only fills a need, he fits the Patriots mold.
Santonio Holmes
6 of 10
Santonio Holmes was brought in with a number of free agents to take the Jets to the next level. New York opened the wallets and bought big-name free agents to win a Super Bowl. Holmes stepped up in a big way to help the Steelers bring home a Lombardi Trophy, but his character issues made him expendable in Pittsburgh.
Holmes did well at times, but he grossly underachieved overall. The Jets brought in highly-touted receivers to put around Mark Sanchez, but none of them reached the level of play they were capable of. Holmes has big play potential that would make him desirable for a lot of teams.
The St. Louis Rams would likely jump at the chance to bring him in if he became available. Holmes would have to appeal to their better nature, as the Rams have a strong group of character guys. The move would benefit both sides. Holmes would get to play with an up-and-coming quarterback and be the unquestioned No. 1 receiver on a fringe playoff team. A guy like Julio Jones might slide if a team takes a stab at Holmes.
Vince Young
7 of 10
Vince Young has had his fair share of issues. Between the fights at training camp, the rift with head coach Jeff Fisher and the mental meltdown he suffered, his stay has been anything but easy in Tennessee. When given the choice between Young and Fisher, the Titans chose neither.
Young has struggled, being seen as a borderline starter for most of his stay with the Titans. When it all comes down to it, Young is still one of the best dual threat quarterbacks in the league. He might not have worked out with the Titans, but Young is a proven winner. His competitive attitude and explosive play could help a team with limited weapons forge an offense.
Cam Newton has followed a path similar to Vince Young. There are teams that are going to seriously consider taking Newton. If teams appear willing to reach for Newton, why not take a chance on Vince Young without having to sacrifice so much money while bypassing talent at the top of the draft?
Chad Ochocinco
8 of 10
Chad Ochocinco is loud and a serious distraction. That aside, he is also a Pro Bowl-caliber receiver. He makes a lot of noise, but Ochocinco rarely speaks ill of his own team, unlike ex-teammate Terrell Owens. He suffered along with the Bengals offense, but with a change of scenery, Ochocinco could dominate again.
There are plenty of teams in need of a wideout and Ochocinco looks like he is going to be hitting the market. There has been a recent war of words between he and head coach Marvin Lewis. Ochocinco could go in and be a sure-handed target for a young quarterback. He could also join an elite wide receiver to make up the best tandem in the league.
A team like the Cardinals could put Ochocinco across from Larry Fitzgerald, filling the Anquan Boldin void that has had an adverse effect on Fitzgerald and the Cardinals as a whole. If all else fails, the Jets love players who speak their minds.
Kevin Kolb
9 of 10
Kevin Kolb is widely regarded as the best backup quarterback in the league, aside from perhaps Curtis Painter. Kolb was a major reason why the Eagles were originally willing to part ways with Donovan McNabb.
One Kolb injury later, Michael Vick was able to come in and showcase his talents. Kolb is too valuable to be sidelined. It is time for him to come into his own and become a franchise quarterback. There are those who question his arm and leadership abilities, but Kolb is the real deal.
Kolb is leaps and bounds above every quarterback prospect in the draft. He is still at the beginning of his career, so spending surplus money at the top of the draft for a lesser talent seems illogical. Kolb could be the starter on 15 or so teams in the league. At worst, he is average. Teams like the Cardinals and 49ers would love to have an average quarterback on their roster.
Nnamdi Asomugha
10 of 10
When you talk about lockdown corners in the NFL, Nnamdi Asomugha is one of the first players brought up in the discussion. Perhaps the best corner in the league, Asomugha can single-handedly eliminate top-flight receivers.
This year features two cornerbacks, Patrick Peterson and Prince Amukamara, who are likely to go in the top 10. Asomugha is an unrestricted free agent. If a team is in need of a corner, they may find that grabbing an elite corner in free agency could be a more appealing route than selecting a cornerback who will probably be great.
If Asomugha gets picked up by a team at the top of the draft, a player like Amukamara could slide in the draft. If a team is able to select Amukamara anywhere beyond the 10th overall pick, they are getting outstanding value for him. The future of every corner in the draft could be predicated off of the landing place of Asomugha.
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