NFL Free Agency 2011: Where Will Clinton Portis Land Next Season?

In a move that came to the surprise of no one, Clinton Portis was released on Monday by the Washington Redskins. He joins a slew of releases by other teams desiring to get them in before the collective bargaining agreement expires, and among those cut include other injury-riddled talent such as defensive tackle Kris Jenkins.

Despite the injuries Portis has had, when healthy he had been a very productive back in the NFL, rushing for 1,000 yards multiple times for the Redskins. He is also just shy of the 10,000-yard mark, so he'll gladly join any team that may be interested in his services.

The question is what team would like to have him. There are a few that are very good fits, and a couple that are outside possibilities. Here are 10 teams that could make a play for Portis.

10. Carolina Panthers

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 02: Jonathan Stewart #28 of the Carolina Panthers against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on January 2, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

There is a chance that DeAngelo Williams, now a free agent, will not be returning to Carolina. If he does and the Williams/Stewart combination remains intact, a Portis signing won't happen.

Should Williams decide to leave, however, Portis could fit right in, splitting carries with Jonathan Stewart; even a 30-70 split could work if Portis doesn't feel he can go that frequently now, or if this is a necessity to prevent further injuries. Either way, it gives the Panthers another blocking body up front.

9. Cincinnati Bengals

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BALTIMORE, MD - JANUARY 2: Cedric Benson #32 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs the ball against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Bengals 13-6. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

I've seen the Bengals tossed about as a possibility, and I'm not too sure about it. Again, this would likely be conditional on Cedric Benson remaining with the team; having both Benson and Portis at running back doesn't make too much sense to me, since both have similar games.

Should Benson walk despite the new offensive coordinator, Clinton Portis could be brought in to fill the void, and should be able to work well in the Carson Palmer-led offense. I'm not too thrilled about this possibility since I don't know how well Portis would be able to adjust here, but it's a possibility that has been tossed around.

8. Miami Dolphins

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MIAMI - DECEMBER 19: Running back Ricky Williams #34 of the Miami Dolphins is upended by 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 Ronnie Brown/Ricky Williams saga is coming to an end, with at least one back if not both heading into free agency this offseason. If the Dolphins decide to re-sign one of these backs, then adding in Portis as a second option could be viable, as he could provide a balance in the rushing attack while doing some blocking.

Having said that, the balancing act has already not worked overly well in Miami, so they may want an every-down back. Should that be the case, I'm not sure if Portis can be that guy anymore. He could help groom Mark Ingram into a full-time running back if Miami decides to draft him despite the troubling combine performance.

7. Indianapolis Colts

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Joseph Addai #29 of the Indianapolis Colts runs the ball against the New York Jets during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Jets won 17-16. (Photo b

The Colts have an injury-riddled backfield, so why would they want Portis in their lineup, who has had his fair share of injury problems?

But he actually seems to be a good fit.

The offensive line will get better in the draft, and Portis can provide extra blocking for Peyton Manning. He can also be insurance behind Joseph Addai, and should be able to run the ball without too much difficulty, especially since they face defenses like the Houston Texans twice a year.

6. San Francisco 49ers

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SAN FRANCISCO - NOVEMBER 14: Frank Groe #21 of the San Francisco 49ers in action against the St. Louis Rams at Candlestick Park on November 14, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Should Portis want a primarily third down back role, there are several good fits. One example of that is the Jim Harbaugh-led 49ers. Frank Gore is of course the main running back, and there are not any plans to change that.

Behind him, though, it's tough to say how far Brian Westbrook can continue to go, and having Portis come in might work out better. If San Francisco wants to keep both backs in their current roles, it's tough to say if Portis could fit there then.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 31: LaGarrette Blount #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gets away from Kerry Rhodes #25 of the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

The Buccaneers have found their feature running back in LaGarrette Blount, so they're set in that department. If Portis is looking for a team where he can get a sizable number of carries, this would not work.

If Portis is looking to be primarily a blocker and get some third-down back work, this could be an amazing fit, in my opinion. The Bucs are a rising team in the NFC, and having Portis as a change-of-pace back so they don't tire Blount out could work wonders down the stretch.

4. New Orleans Saints

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GRAPEVINE, TX - FEBRUARY 03: NFL Player Reggie Bush of the New Orleans Saints attends the Coke Zero black carpet at the EA SPORTS Madden Bowl XVII at The Glass Cactus on February 3, 2011 in Grapevine, Texas. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Madde

The New Orleans Saints have a slew of running backs that all have their roles, and having a role-playing running back of Portis' quality could be a very valuable addition.

The Saints don't have too much to go by in the running back department. Chris Ivory could have a sophomore slump, and who knows if Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush will come back. Bringing in Portis and using him alongside one or two other backs could revitalize that part of the team and make them stronger in a tough division.

3. St. Louis Rams

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HONOLULU - JANUARY 30: Steven Jackson, #39 of the St. Louis Rams, carries the ball during the 2011 NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium on January 30, 2011 in Honolulu, Hawaii. NFC won 55-41 over the AFC. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

The Rams, like the Bucs and 49ers, have a featured back in Steven Jackson. Jackson gets so many carries a season that he more than anyone could use a third-down back of Portis's caliber.

Having Portis take a few carries would be valuable on all sides. He could help block for Sam Bradford when he's not running, it could help extend Jackson's career, and it would make the Rams that much tougher, even if they still need to find a wide receiver.

2. New England Patriots

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 02: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots and BenJarvus Green-Ellis #42 celebrate the touchdown in the first half against the Miami Dolphins on January 2, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty

The Patriots are no stranger to signing veteran running backs to work alongside young talent. They used Fred Taylor as a change-of-pace back these past two seasons, though BenJarvus Green-Ellis has been the primary ball carrier.

Bringing in Portis to be that guy instead of Taylor could make a solid running game even better. They could use Portis in third down situations and have him block in others. The only caveat here is that the Patriots offense is already so deep that Portis may not get as much work as he wants.

1. Philadelphia Eagles

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: LeSean McCoy #25 of the Philadelphia Eagles avoids the tackle of Charlie Peprah #26 of the Green Bay Packers during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylv

This would be rather ironic. The Eagles part with McNabb and he signs a hefty contract with the Redskins, then they go ahead and sign the former Redskin in return. They would, of course, hope that it ends much better should it actually happen.

In reality, this is a very good fit. He could provide insurance for the young LeSean McCoy, and help him develop into an elite running back in the league. Perhaps most importantly, though, he could be a rushing blocker for Michael Vick.

Portis is already one of the best blocking running backs in the NFL, and having a guy like that help out the scrambling Michael Vick would help protect him against injury, and would make the Eagles that much better. All in all, this seems like the best scenario for all sides.