2011 NFL Trade Rumors: Setting The Odds for Every Team Landing Nnamdi Asomugha
One of the NFL's premier cornerbacks is still available.
Former Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha is probably one of the most coveted free agents on the market, and for good reason; he is considered perhaps one of the three best corners in the NFL. His stats aren't gaudy, but that's because quarterbacks just don't throw his direction. In 2009, he was targeted only 28 times, compared to 111 that year for Darrelle Revis.
The question now is where will Asomugha wind up?
Trying to gauge that is complicated, considering last year was an uncapped year and that labor negotiations are still ongoing between players and owners. If you base just on need alone, then the process gets a little easier.
I've broken it down into teams with no chance, those who have a solid setup already, ones who could be in the mix and then your contenders. See what you think.
These Teams Have No Chance
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These teams are either dreadful, or it doesn't make financial sense:
Carolina: He won't play for a bottom-feeder. The Panthers are in complete rebuilding mode.
Cincinnati: It's the Bengals. It's not that complicated.
Denver: The Broncos and Champ Bailey agreed to a new deal, and Andre' Goodman isn't a free agent until 2014.
Green Bay: Even though Asomugha said he'd love to rejoin former teammate Charles Woodson, GM Ted Thompson won't be spending this kind of money.
Oakland: That nightmare is behind him.
They're Just Fine, Thanks
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Some teams won't be in the mix just because of the situations they've got with talented corners, or another direction they're taking:
Arizona: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is pretty talented, and Greg Toler (90 tackles, two interceptions) isn't a weak spot.
Baltimore: The Ravens are leaning towards two of their young corners and could draft another.
Cleveland: The Browns have no issues here with Sheldon Brown (pictured, 63 tackles, one int) and rookie Joe Haden (64 tackles, one forced fumble, six interceptions).
Kansas City: Brandon Carr is expected to be re-signed and Brandon Flowers signed a four-year deal as a rookie. Both were drafted in 2008.
Miami: It would be crazy for the Dolphins to give up already on the two corners they drafted in 2009. Vontae Davis (54 tackles, one int) and Sean Smith (51 tackles, one int) need to keep developing.
New Orleans: Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter aren't horrible. The Saints' pass defense allowed 194 yards a game in 2010.
New York Giants: Corey Webster and Terrell Thomas (101 tackles, four forced fumbles, five interceptions) are a pretty lethal combination.
Pittsburgh: The team is in talks to keep Ike Taylor, and Bryant McFadden has a three-year, $7.5 million deal.
San Diego: Antoine Cason's locked in and Norv Turner said Quentin Jammer is staying at corner.
Tampa Bay: Ronde Barber just signed a one-year deal this week, E.J. Biggers (56 tackles) showed promise last year and the team also just drafted Myron Lewis.
Tennessee: I think the Titans are just fine with Cortland Finnegan (100 tackles, one forced fumble, two int; '06 draftee) and Alterraun Verner (101 tackles, one forced fumble, three interceptions).
Washington: The Redskins have problems, but Carlos Rogers and DeAngelo Hall aren't at the top of that list.
Don't Be Shocked If They're In The Mix
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These teams may have the wiggle room to go after the star cornerback:
Atlanta: If you watched Aaron Rodgers torch the Falcons for 366 yards and three touchdowns, then it makes sense that the Falcons may address their secondary.
Buffalo: Terence McGee signed a five-year, $27 million contract in 2009, but Drayton Florence is expendable.
Chicago: The Bears allowed 224 yards passing per game last year. You've got to figure Charles Tillman (82 tackles, 3 forced fumbles, five INT) is locked in, but Tim Jennings was signed to just a two-year contract last year.
Detroit: It is an area of need. Nathan Vasher (19 tackles, one INT) and Chris Houston (56 tackles, one INT) weren't getting the job done.
Indianapolis: The Colts were 20th in pass defense last year, allowing 215 yards per game. Kelvin Hayden just agreed to a five-year, $43 million deal, but Jacob Lacey is getting $480,000 this year and will be a restricted free agent in 2012.
Minnesota: Antoine Winfield stays, but Asher Allen could be let go. He signed a four-year, $2.476 million deal and is set to be paid $480,000 this year and $565,000 in 2012.
New York Jets: If Antonio Cromartie goes, that leaves an opening. Asomugha and Revis Island would form the most elite cornerback tandem in the NFL.
Saint Louis: I don't see Ron Bartell leaving, since he's due $5.2 million this year and $6.2 million in 2012. Bradley Fletcher was supposed to be a building block, but he is a low-cost player too ($480,000 in 2011, $565,000 in 2012).
San Francisco: The 49ers would be a longshot. Nate Clements isn't going anywhere, and Shawtae Spencer has two years left on his contract at a total of $6.3 million.
Seattle: The Seahawks may try to upgrade through the draft, but sticking with Marcus Trufant and Kelly Jennings isn't going to cut it.
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Houston Texans
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The Texans owe it to themselves to at least make a serious attempt at Asomugha.
Houston had the worst pass defense in the NFL last season, allowing 268 yards per game. Now Wade Phillips is in as the Texans' new defensive coordinator, and he should help them quickly, even though it may take another year or two for Houston to truly be transformed.
The team just drafted a cornerback last year in Kareem Jackson, who finished with 71 tackles and two interceptions as a rookie.
Glover Quin also had 85 tackles, one forced fumble and three interceptions.
New England Patriots
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The Patriots defense kept getting better as the season went on, but it still finished the regular season near the bottom of the NFL.
If I'm Bill Belichick, I've got to like Devin McCourty at left corner, but Asomugha could be an incredible upgrade opposite him, where Kyle Arrington is the starter.
There are other areas of need the Patriots need to address before cornerback, but it wouldn't surprise me if they make a run at Asomugha.
Philadelphia Eagles
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If I'm the Eagles, I address the pass protection issues first, but putting Asomugha opposite Asante Samuel would make them flat out incredible.
Samuel is one of the best corners in the league, and Dimitri Patterson finished last year with 52 tackles and four interceptions. In a division with Eli Manning and Tony Romo, this would give the Eagles just one more edge and help them remain contenders.
Jacksonville Jaguars
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The Jaguars could unburden themselves and wipe their hands of Rashean Mathis, who is owed $4.45 million this year and is set to be a free agent in 2012.
They just drafted Derek Cox in 2009, and he finished last year with 49 tackles and four interceptions.
Jacksonville allowed 250 yards passing per game last year. Jack Del Rio may want to upgrade here, or this definitely could be his final year.
Dallas Cowboys
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I don't for a second believe Jerry Jones when he says that they have no problems at cornerback.
Either A) it's a smokescreen for what they'll be drafting, or B) he's finally lost his mind and has succumbed to delusions that he is a brilliant general manager. After what happened last season, there are maybe a handful of players who are untouchable on that team.
The rest? Can you imagine the carnage that would have followed if Jimmy Johnson was still the coach? Players would've been cut left and right.
Anyone who thinks Terence Newman is a top-flight corner is kidding themself, and Mike Jenkins certainly hasn't earned the right to slack off, either.
My bet? Dallas drafts Prince Amukamara from Nebraska with the ninth pick, then Jerry works his magic and lands Asomugha.
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