NFL Free Agency 2011: 10 Potential Destinations For Sidney Rice

With the future unclear for Sidney Rice it will be interesting to see if he is going to suit up for the Vikings next season; or whenever NFL football is being played.

The Vikings used the franchise tag on Chad Greenway; which could in fact spell the end of Rice's days in Minnesota. It is probably expected that Rice will not be allowed to make it very far in restricted free agency, but it would not be overly surprising to see a team trade for such a supreme talent in his prime.

Injuries aside, Rice is a player that could be the #1 wide out on many teams, and could prove to be one of the better wide receivers in the league.

10. Cincinnati Bengals

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DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 04: Chad Ochocinco of the Cincinnati Bengals asks NFL commissioner Roger Goodell a question during a press conference at the Super Bowl XLV media center on February 4, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. The Green Bay Packers will play the Pitts

No one is quite sure what the Bengals offense will look like going forward. One would expect that Cedric Benson could would be the running back, but even that is not certain.

Terrell Owens and Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson look like they have played their last games in Bengals uniforms. That leaves Jordan Shipley as the main guy for a new quarterback under center to throw to. That could put the Bengals in position to look at a player like Rice.

9. Atlanta Falcons

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Roddy White #84 of the Atlanta Falcons smiles during warm ups against the Green Bay Packers during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty I

The team with the best record in the NFC last season was not lacking much on the offensive side of the ball. With Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, and Roddy White this is a team that will be good for quite awhile.

Sidney Rice is a player that plays much like White, and would make that combo one of the best in the league. Not many cornerback units would be able to account for those two for an entire game. Plus, Tony Gonzalez doesn't hurt either.

8. Denver Broncos

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LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 31: Eddie Royal #19 of Denver Broncos in action during the NFL International Series match between Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers at Wembley Stadium on October 31, 2010 in London, England. This is the fourth occasion wher

It will be a new era of Broncos football come next year with John Fox as the main man calling the shots under John Elway.

Tim Tebow looks to have the confidence of his coach's, but simply put he will need the threats to make an impact and be successful. Brandon Lloyd had a once in a lifetime year last year, and that cannot be expected again. Eddie Royal has not been the same since Jay Cutler left. Sidney Rice could be a Tebow favorite in Denver.

7. Washington Redskins

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LANDOVER, MD - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Rex Grossman #8 of the Washington Redskins throws a pass in the fourth quarter of a game against the New York Giants at FedEx Field on January 2, 2011 in Landover, Maryland. The Giants won the game 17-14. (Photo by

The Redskins will be a team that is going to have alot to prove next season. With a new quarterback who has not been named yet; it could be a long season under Mike Shanahan.

With no Donavan McNabb it is still unknown who is going to be throwing the passes for Washington. With that said, quarterback is not the only area that needs improving. Wide receiver is of supreme importance as Washington does not have any impact players.

6. Oakland Raiders

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 02: Wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey #85 of the Oakland Raiders runs down field in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Tim Umphrey/Getty Images)

Many football fans are still curious why the Raiders took Darius Heyward-Bey as high as they did a couple seasons ago. Perhaps that will never be answered, but the Raiders can take a step of atrition by bringing in a player like Sidney Rice.

The Raiders should be a team in contention next season as they took some good steps last year. Jason Campbell had some games where he showed he could get it done. Sidney Rice would add to that excitement for the Raiders.

5. Arizona Cardinals

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 25: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 25, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Cowboys 27-2

Like a couple teams already mentioned; the Cardinals have some quarterback questions that they will need to answer before the beginning of next season. One person that no one will ever question is Larry Fitzgerald.

Fitz' did not have a counterpart that he had for the entirety of his career last season in Anquan Boldin. Since no one was able to pick up the slack left behind from Anquan; a player like Rice would provide a deep threat.

4. New York Jets

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Santonio Holmes #10 and Braylon Edwards #17 of the New York Jets sit dejected after being defeated 24 to 19 by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsy

No team is going to have to take a look at wide receiver as much as the Jets are going to. With choices that must be made with Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes; it could leave the Jets with getting a player that some have under the radar because of the injuries in Sidney Rice.

The Jets have an affinity for getting the big time free agents and making deals. So, it would come as no shock if Holmes would join the J-E-T-S.

3. San Fransisco 49ers

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GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 29: Wide receiver Michael Crabtree #15 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after scoring a 38 yard touchdown reception against the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on No

The team that has already had a wide receiver make a play or two in his day also went by the last name Rice. Yes, the greatest wide receiver of all time will always be in the hearts of Niners fans, but Sidney Rice might be a player they need here and now.

New coach Jim Harbaugh will look to hit the ground running much like he did with Stanford. And, with Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis he has some weapons already.

2. Houston Texans

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HOUSTON - OCTOBER 17: Andre Johnson #80 of the Houston Texans catches a pass during warm ups before playing the Kansas City Chiefs at Reliant Stadium on October 17, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

This would be wishful thinking for fans of the Texans. It would also be somewhat greedy on their part. Not only would they have Andre Johnson who is widely regarded as the best wide receiver in the game, but adding Rice would make them a top offense by a large margin.

Adding Sidney would not automatically put the Texans in position to leap over the Colts in the divison, but it would certainly not hurt.

1. Minnesota Vikings

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 28: Joe Webb #14 and Sidney Rice #18 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrate after a play against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 28, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Ima

It is fun to entertain ideas of Sidney Rice going to your favorite team, but odds are he will be staying in Viking country for years to come.

The Vikings would be dumb to give up on a first-round pick that has proven to be one of the most dangerous deep threats when healthy. If he can stay healthy for a full season he will no doubt show he is a top wide out for Minnesota.