NFL Free Agency 2011: Top Free Agent Targets for Every NFL Team
The NFL is shutting its doors (a bit prematurely), while its the players and teams are not supposed to have contact at all if it has anything to do with football.
Therefore, we can safely expect to have a lockout.
Teams cannot give players equipment, they cannot talk football; it is simply a mess.
The NFL draft is all we have to look forward to at this point and that is still approximately two months away.
This will be a draft unlike any other, as the teams will go in reverse order (assuming we ever get to free agency) and are likely to address a lot more needs in the draft due to looming uncertainty regarding the opportunity to sign free agents.
Even so, every team has a weakness, want or need, and it does not hurt for us to go over these in the meantime.
Here is a look at top free agent targets for each team as we head into the dark days of the NFL, as we know it.
Arizona Cardinals: Jared Gaither, OT
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It is really tough for the Arizona Cardinals this season.
Their biggest need is certainly at quarterback, and trading for Kevin Kolb seems to the make the most sense at this point. However, he is not a free agent, so that does not work right now.
They also need a new tackle if they kick former first-round pick Levi Brown inside. Yet, there are not many tackles on the market to pick from and the best available will likely be Jared Gaither or Doug Free.
Both Gaither and Free are under 30 years old, and would be an upgrade to what Arizona already has and may be worth the money if they can protect whoever the Cardinal quarterback is going to be.
They could also use a pass rushing linebacker, but I think they can address this best in the draft.
With no quarterback on the market and the likely addition of a stud pass rusher coming in April, Arizona should set their sights on a tackle like Gaither.
He will command some money, but has the potential to be a big-time player and could be there for years to come if they get the right deal done.
They should go after Kolb if they are going to spend any money, though.
Atlanta Falcons: Davin Joseph, OG
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This is a good team that can still get a lot better.
Atlanta was solid at home all last season.
However, as they showed against the eventual Super Bowl champion Packers, they were not ready for the big time.
They have a lot of potential talent to lose up front and could stand for an upgrade anyway.
The Falcons did not the run ball extremely well last season and upgrading their offensive line, whether they re-sign some people or not, is going to be a priority.
Davin Joseph is a heck of a player inside and would be a nice fit for this team.
He is one of the top 10 available free agents at any position, is still very young and has the potential to be good for a long time.
Atlanta's other needs, including another weapon on the outside, whether a young tight end or upgraded No. 2 receiver, are big holes as well but could be answered in the draft, in my opinion.
Baltimore Ravens: Braylon Edwards, WR
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The Ravens tried to find another weapon opposite Anquan Boldin and it has not worked.
In fact, T.J. Houshmandzadeh dropped a really important postseason ball this season.
Joe Flacco, Ray Rice and Anquan Boldin are a nice young core of players that need just one more weapon.
They cannot seem to beat their division rival when it matters most and you also do not want to stunt the growth of Flacco at all with a lack of weapons.
Braylon Edwards is one of many free agent prospects the Jets will have to deal with and I think his running mate, Santonio Holmes (also a free agent), is more of a pressing need to have back.
The former first-round pick is a big, downfield threat that can help clear things out for Boldin underneath and could allow Flacco to let that arm fly from time to time.
The veteran presence on this squad should keep his knuckle-headed decision making to a minimum.
There are a lot of receivers that could hit the market this season and could also snag one late in the first round of the draft.
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Buffalo Bills: Kevin Boss, TE
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It has become obvious, Shawne Nelson is not the guy for the Bills.
Buffalo's different needs could certainly dabble in the tackle market and should definitely be adding SOMEONE to stop the run at some point, because giving up 169 yards per game on the ground is atrocious.
However, and I'm not going to get into the quarterback situation, a lot of those needs could be addressed in the draft.
At tight end, they could look to add a proven player and Boss is that type of guy.
The Giants certainly won't want to let him get away, and it does not look like he wants to leave.
The Bills could also look at a guy like Owen Daniels or Marcedes Lewis if Boss is not available.
Carolina Panthers: Marcedes Lewis, TE
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How about a little bit of everything?
Yes, the Panthers do need just about everything, but they will get a lot in the draft, too.
As for the free agent market, adding a playmaking tight end (for Jimmy Clausen?) is a big priority.
Players like Kevin Boss, Owen Daniels and Marcedes Lewis could all be on the market and for this Panther team I think Lewis could be their best fit.
He's a long, athletic playmaker that is an easily located target over the middle.
I expect new coach Ron Rivera to grab a few defensive playmakers in the draft, but he cannot neglect the league's worst offense too much, either.
Chicago Bears: Carl Nicks, OG
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If the Bears want their investment in Jay Cutler to die on the field, then they will stay away from adding help up front, but something tells me they'll address that this offseason.
Chicago would probably have loved to make a run at Logan Mankins, but he got tagged, so now they can turn their sights elsewhere.
Nicks is the best available offensive lineman available, regardless of position, and would be a rock on a line that desperately needs it.
The Bears may not be able to count on the production of a young rookie lineman to pan out, but a veteran at only 26 years old is a better investment.
Cincinnati Bengals: Mathias Kiwanuka, DE
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Well, this is a team in almost complete offensive overhaul if Carson Palmer retires and Chad Ochocinco (Johnson?), Terrell Owens and Cedric Benson all leave town.
If that goes down, then the Bengals need to start over somewhere and going after a running back like DeAngelo Williams might do the trick.
Yet, we are not sure if that will happen.
So, now they can get themselves a pass rusher to help out a unit that is still trying to figure it out.
One of the more complete prospects, with the versatility to play inside, outside or standing up, is Mathias Kiwanuka.
He's coming off a major injury and while he may demand some money, it cannot go too high with the concerns about his heath.
Cleveland Browns: Charles Johnson, DE
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The Browns are making the move to a 4-3 defense, but still need some personnel to make that move happen successfully.
The draft will certainly help them and I think they are in a great position, with the No. 6 pick, to add a top-tier player that might slip through the cracks.
If a Da'Quan Bowers, the top 4-3 defensive end, is not available, they could add Charles Johnson in free agency later.
He came on strong for the Panthers last season, but they opted to put their tag on Ryan Kalil and CJ is not fair game.
Other defensive end prospects that fit the 4-3 mold could be Kiwanuka and Ray Edwards.
Dallas Cowboys: Doug Free, OT
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Free agency certainly does not mean you neglect your own players, and the Cowboys should not do that here.
Free may be the best tackle available on the open market, the draft does not have a sure thing like a Joe Thomas or Jake Long of seasons past, and bringing back Free in free agency looks like the right move.
Dallas certainly is not as bad as their 2010 record indicates and could be competing for the 2011 NFC East crown once again (only the Redskins do not have a shot in that division).
Staying home and bringing back one of their own would be smart in this instance, because that Cowboys cannot do much better on the market or in the draft than this guy.
Denver Broncos: Charles Johnson, DE
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Denver already made their smartest decision in signing Champ Bailey back, but now they need to figure out how to fix an awful defense transitioning to a 4-3.
Johnson played for coach Fox this season in Carolina and if the Broncos do not get Da'Quan Bowers in the draft because the Panthers snag him (ironic little web of tie-ins huh?), they will need to find a defensive end off the edge.
Again, same thing as a few other teams, Kiwanuka and Edwards also make sense in this scenario.
Detroit Lions: Nnamdi Asomugha, CB
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Trust me, I don't think it will happen either, but the Lions desperately need cornerback upgrades.
Nnamdi is best available free agent and this is Detroit's top need.
They are an improving team and although he will likely command a monster salary and go to a winning team, it's not impossible.
There are other cornerbacks on the market that could fill in as well such as Jonathan Joseph, Antonio Cromartie (he's likely getting re-signed in NY), or even Brent Grimes.
If they do not get lucky in the draft with one of the top two cornerbacks, then they will have look to address it in free agency.
Green Bay Packers: James Jones, WR
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The Super Bowl champs certainly do not have a ton of needs, but bringing back James Jones might be smart.
Earlier in the season, I would consider him expendable, especially if he asked for hefty pay raise.
However, this postseason he may have "dropped the ball" on a big contract and he may be best served coming back to the team that can still use him.
As good as Donald Driver is, he is not getting younger, and let's not pretend that we expect to see Rodgers handing the ball of 30-plus times a game anytime soon regardless of who is in the backfield.
Houston Texans: Antonio Cromartie, CB
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We can expect him back in New York, but we just never know with the Jets and what they are capable of.
The Texans had the worst pass defense in the league last season and while their young corners got hit bad, they did not have much of a pass rush to help, either, outside of Mario Williams.
New defensive coordinator Wade Phillips will bring in a 3-4 and draft at No. 11 overall, but I do not expect one of the top two cornerbacks to be available.
A pass rushing outside linebacker could work very well in the first round for them, and if the cornerback is on the market he could be the veteran presence in a young secondary (we know how responsible Daddy Cro is already...).
Indianapolis Colts: Eric Weddle, S
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It is a real shame what happened to the Bob Sanders era in Indianapolis, but it is now over.
The Colts need some reinforcements on both the offensive and defensive line, but I would expect to see that come via the draft.
Eric Weddle is likely to be tendered rather high by the Chargers but A.J. Smith always seems to screw something up.
Indianapolis does not have a whole lot behind Sanders, and Weddle is a proven starter and playmaker.
He, like Sanders, is smaller but knows how to get the job done.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Barrett Ruud, LB
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The Jaguars have needs at almost every linebacker position but there are not a ton of available players.
Ruud is a nasty, tackling maching of linebacker that has recorded over 100 tackles in each of the last four seasons.
Jacksonville has to figure a lot of things out for the future after an ugly late-season crumble.
Expect the Jags to use free agency and the draft to bolster their roster.
Kansas City Chiefs: Malcolm Floyd, WR
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The Chiefs won the division but actually have a lot of holes to fill if they want to repeat.
Both the offensive line and defensive front seven could use some help but I think the draft would be best served for that.
Dwayne Bowe had a great year on the outside with Matt Cassel but they still need someone else if they wish to repeat in 2011.
Bowe will see increased coverage if the Chiefs do not add another weapon on the outside, and Floyd is a young yet experienced player that could fit in seamlessly.
The Chargers will likely try to retain him, so there are a number of other wide receivers the Chiefs could look to.
Miami Dolphins: Jeremy Shockey, TE
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I think this is an absolutely tremendous fit.
The Dolphins can use a weapon at the tight end position and while Shockey is not the weapon he once was, this could be the change of scenery he needs.
Every offseason he returns south to work out at the "U," and it will be like a homecoming of sorts.
There is no telling what type of revitalizing shock this could give to Shockey.
Minnesota Vikings: Nnamdi Asomugha, CB
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The Vikes need to re-sign Sidney Rice, yes, but Nnamdi is a seriously large upgrade for this team.
They are not as good as they were two years ago but they could certainly become a Wild Card team in that division if they can find a quarterback.
Asomugha would be another star on a team has two big ones already, and could lock down half the field and help a defensive line that was not at its best this past season.
New England Patriots: Randy Moss, WR
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Before you get all up in arms about this, just hear me out.
The Patriots may not want to deal with it all again, but they desperately need a vertical threat in that passing game, or defenses (with the capable players of course) will do what the Jets did in the postseason all year long.
Moss was controlled and effective with Brady and is like a child that was scolded, sent to his room for nonsense and now comes back with the knowledge of not messing around in dad's desk anymore (expect he went away for a season).
If it is not Moss then the Pats still need to find a vertical weapon somewhere; that's the important addition.
DeAngelo Williams at running back may also be an option.
New York Giants: Steve Smith, WR
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He's simply too valuable to the Giants and Eli Manning to get away from New York.
His absence was one of the major flaws in the Giants offense this season and he needs to be back for the Big Blue.
New York has a lot of players they need to worry about, including Kiwanuka, Barry Cofield and Kevin Boss, but Smith has to be top priority.
New York Jets: Santonio Holmes, WR
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Like Smith and the Giants, Holmes is too valuable to the Jet offense and Mark Sanchez's development.
The Jets have a ton of free agents to worry about but Santonio Holmes has to come back for them.
They have so many players potentially going that they may only focus on their own players.
And there is still that small outside chance they try and do something crazy for Asomugha.
New Orleans Saints: Charles Johnson, DE
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The Saints need help rushing the passer from the outside and the inside.
By the time their selection in the first round rolls around they may not get a shot at the playmaking defensive end they want, and free agency can solve it.
Johnson has big-play potential, fits the system and can get after the quarterback in a hurry.
Other defensive ends include Kiwanuka and Edwards.
Oakland Raiders: Nnamdi Asomugha, CB
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I just have trouble with a team letting one of the best cornerbacks in the league, in his prime, get away.
It does not make sense to me and they should do anything and everything they possibly can to get him back in Silver and Black.
They have a few other needs, including adding some guys to the line, and if Nnamdi goes they will most certainly need to find another cornerback.
Philadelphia Eagles: Jared Gaither, OT
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The Eagles like to go after the trenches early in the draft, but if they do not get the player they desire then they could make a move for someone on the market.
Gaither is going to be on many teams' radars if he is free and the Eagles have one of the bigger needs for a tackle in the league.
They could also conceivably make a run at Nnamdi if they wanted to, and there is no doubt they need another corner opposite Samuel.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Antonio Cromartie, CB
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The Steelers made their big move getting Woodley to sign the tender and will likely go after a lineman at the end of the first round this year.
Pittsburgh could definitely use an upgrade at the cornerback position going into next season and Ike Taylor is on the open market as well.
If Asomugha is not available then someone like a Brandon Carr or Brent Grimes could be a decent addition.
The second-best cornerback to possibly hit the market is Cromartie, though, and that is a position the Steelers need to upgrade at some point.
Rookie corners will not get it done, especially if a veteran like Taylor walks.
St. Louis Rams: Marcedes Lewis, TE
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I am going to expect the Rams to address the wide receiver position in the first round of the Draft (possibly more than once) but they also have other needs, too.
Sam Bradford likes to get comfortable with his tight ends and there are a few that could hit the open market this year ready to make an impact.
Lewis is the type of target that Bradford could find very easily over the middle for the foreseeable future and would be a huge help to this offense.
San Diego Chargers: Eric Weddle, S
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Weddle is a solid, playmaking safety that should not be allowed to get away from San Diego this offseason.
The Chargers let talent go too frequently and I would expect them to hold on to him, or least put a high tender on him, in an effort to keep him.
The safety could find a new home easily if he gets away.
San Francisco 49ers: Nnamdi Asomugha, CB
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The 49ers are a team that could look into acquiring a quarterback like Kevin Kolb, a rookie or stick with Alex Smith.
They could also use the services of a cornerback to help vault them to the top of the NFC West, and there is one guy at the top of every team's list at the cornerback position: Nnamdi.
He may not want to stay by the Bay, but if they make a good enough offer then it would be hard to pass up.
San Francisco isn't too far away from taking the division, and this addition would certainly help.
Seattle Seahawks: Davin Joseph, OG
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The unlikely winner of the NFC West has a long way to go if they want to stay on top.
The Seahawks need help in a few different places but could certainly use help on the both the offensive and defensive lines.
Davin Joseph is still a young, starting guard with the potential to be good for years down the line.
Seattle needs to be able to protect whoever their quarterback is, and adding Joseph would be a good start.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ray Edwards, DE
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The Bucs are getting closer and this season they could look to add some firepower off the edge.
There is a lot of talent at this position in the draft, especially early, but if Tampa misses out, or opts to go elsewhere, there are some talented players in free agency for the picking.
Ray Edwards is still a very disruptive force off the edge and would be an immediate upgrade to the Bucs roster.
There are a number of other defensive ends, as well, and if the Bucs do miss in the draft they can almost assuredly find one on the market.
Tennessee Titans: Stephen Tulloch, LB
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The Titans obviously need a quarterback but they may not find what they want in the free agent market.
They could use some help on the interior line as well, hopefully getting Chris Johnson back on track, but they also should not give up on one of their defensive prospects.
Stephen Tulloch would be one of the top linebackers on the market if the Titans let him get away, but that would leave them with a big hole.
Tullouch is still young and could be the anchor for many years.
Washington Redskins: Mike Sims-Walker, WR
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The Redskins need some help at the wide receiver position regardless of who is under center.
There are a lot of bigger name receivers out on the market but Sims-Walker might have the most affordable price tag.
Washington has had plenty of bad luck with big-name players but Sims-Walker is still young enough, and has flashed the talent, to be a solid wide receiver.
It may not be the biggest name, but he could bring the biggest bang for their buck.
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