NFL Free Agency Rumors: 10 Teams in the Mix for Vincent Jackson

Vincent Jackson will be one of the more popular free agents on the market for the 2011 season.

We are assuming there will be a new collective bargaining agreement in the very near future and that the 2011 season will proceed as planned without interruption. We also are assuming the Chargers don't slap the franchise tag on him as has been rumored.

So with those assumptions in place, there will be plenty of suitors for Jackson's services in 2011. Let's take a look at who might be interested.

10. San Diego Chargers

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DENVER - JANUARY 02: The San Diego Chargers offense huddles as they face the Denver Broncos at INVESCO Field at Mile High on January 2, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Chargers defeated the Broncos 33-28. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Even if the Chargers don't slap the franchise tag on him, that could be a bargaining ploy to keep him happy.

The Chargers will make an attempt to re-sign Jackson one way or the other.

9. Seattle Seahawks

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: (L-R) Head coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks talks with Seahawks team owner Paul Allen before the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on January 16, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (P

If the Seahawks are serious about winning in 2011, especially in the NFC West, Jackson is the kind of player they need to sign.

Good receivers make average quarterbacks look better, and if Pete Carroll is stuck with Charlie Whitehurst or a transistional quarterback next year, signing Jackson makes sense since he can make the tough plays.

On the other hand, signing Jackson also makes the team more attractive for Matt Hasselbeck or another free agent quarterback to sign with.

8. Green Bay Packers

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GREEN BAY, WI - FEBRUARY 08: Green Bay Packers wide receivers Donald Driver and Jordy Nelson address the fans during the Packers victory ceremony at Lambeau Field on February 8, 2011 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matt Ludtke/Getty Images)

Donald Driver is aging, James Jones drops a lot of balls, and even Jordy Nelson had a few big drops in the playoffs.

Vincent Jackson tinkers with and upgrades an area of the team the Packers may not want to spend a draft pick on.

7. New York Jets

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Santonio Holmes #10 and Braylon Edwards #17 of the New York Jets celebrate after Holmes scored a third quarter touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011

The Jets have two top receivers that also are free agents this year in Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards. If they are unable to sign both of them, Jackson becomes another option.

If the Jets only can sign one of the two, Jackson still becomes an option.

6. St. Louis Rams

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SAN FRANCISCO - NOVEMBER 14: Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams is chased by Manny Lawson #99 of the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on November 14, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Sam Bradford needs a good receiver to throw to. There is a lot of speculation the Rams will fill this need through the draft, and that is a good idea.

But if the CBA is signed prior to the draft, signing Jackson allows the Rams to focus on other needs in April.

5. Kansas City Chiefs

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 09: Wide receiver Dwayne Bowe #82 of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up prior to playing the Baltimore Ravens in their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 9, 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Dil

Dwayne Bowe is the only quality receiver on the Chiefs offense. If they sign Jackson, that will help open up the field and spread the defense out, giving Matt Cassel another target and more time to throw.

4. New England Patriots

Wes Welker rebounded from his ACL tear about as well as any athlete, but even he'll tell you he just didn't have the kind of year he wanted.

Welker's 2011 campaign may be back to his old form now more than a year removed from the injury, but Tom Brady needs more downfield targets and Jackson would be a very formidable target for Brady to throw to.

3. Miami Dolphins

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MIAMI - DECEMBER 19: Receiver Brandon Marshall #19 of the Miami Dolphins makes a catch against the Buffalo Bills at Sun Life Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Miami, Florida. The Bills defeated the Dolphins 17-14. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

The Miami Dolphins have Brandon Marshall as their only real downfield threat, and he's not a happy camper.

The Dolphins have a lot of offensive issues to solve this offseason, and signing Jackson would solve only one of those problems. However, that would be one less problem to have and would allow the Dolphins to focus their efforts elsewhere.

2. Cleveland Browns

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CLEVELAND - DECEMBER 26: Quarterback Colt McCoy #12 of the Cleveland Browns runs the ball against the Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

The Cleveland Browns had seven wide receivers on their roster at one point this season.

Name one of them who had anything resembling a good year.

 . . . . Still waiting.

That's right, none of them had a good year and that's one of the main reasons the Browns finished 5-11 for the second year in a row and fired Head Coach Eric Mangini.

Give the Browns Vincent Jackson and Colt McCoy will start looking like Aaron Rodgers.

1. Denver Broncos

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DENVER - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos looks to deliver a pass against the San Diego Chargers at INVESCO Field at Mile High on January 2, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Whether it is Tim Tebow or Kyle Orton running the Broncos offense in 2011, Jackson gives the Broncos the kind of wide receiver they lost when Brandon Marshall left town.

Plus, there's nothing like poaching off of a team in your own division to sweeten the deal.

Jackson would be a good fit here.