NFL Free Agency Rumors: 15 Teams With the Best Odds To Land Ahmad Bradshaw

Where Ahmad Bradshaw ends up this offseason is really anyone's guess. While the NFL attempts to settle its labor dispute, Bradshaw has to wait to find out where his fate lies. Under the last year of the CBA the rule was the free agents couldn't become "unrestricted" until six years of NFL service. Prior to that it was four.

If Bradshaw stays a "restricted" free agent he'll only be pried away for the steep price of a first and a third round pick, but it's unlikely that any team is going to pay that kind of price for his services.

But, if Bradshaw is an unrestricted free agent, there should be a whole host of teams looking for his services.

So lets take a look at 15 teams who might just find themselves lucky enough to get the services of this talented running back. Let's break down the odds of each.  

15. New England Patriots

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots stands on the field during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa

Odds: 40-1

There is plenty of reason to see the upside to Bradshaw in a Patriots uniform. New England has lacked a premiere back for as long as anyone can remember. You could make the argument that it's the one thing they really need.

Sure, Ben Jarvis Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead gave them good production out of the backfield but they were a platoon unit and neither one is going to serve as a long-term answer in the backfield. Getting Bradshaw could give them the threat they have needed for years. 

Still, the Patriots have never been the kind of team to spend big money on a back and there's little reason to think they would do it now. 

14. Indianapolis Colts

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts talks with head coach Jim Caldwell against the New York Jets during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Ind

Odds: 35-1

The Colts have long been so fascinated by what Peyton Manning's arm can do that they haven't concerned themselves much with a top-notch back. 

Well now is their chance. Joseph Addai has been a solid back for as long as he's been in the league, but Bradshaw will give them good numbers and put their offense in a different level of production. 

The Colts have to face the reality that they need a solid running game if they hope to stay in the Super Bowl hunt for the next few years. They could try through the draft, but with needs on their offensive line they would be best finding their running back on the free agent market. 

Bradshaw is just the guy. 

But, the Colts would have to give up considerable money to bring him to Indy and that's just not something the Colts are going to do, especially when Manning still needs a contract. 

13. San Diego Chargers

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DENVER - JANUARY 02: Running back Ryan Mathews #24 of the San Diego Chargers rushes against the Denver Broncos at INVESCO Field at Mile High on January 2, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. Mathews rushed for three touchdowns and 120 yards as the Chargers defeate

Odds: 32-1

At a glance this doesn't look like the kind of place that Bradshaw would end up, but it's more likely than you might think. The Chargers are in need of some help in the backfield. 

Perhaps they believe that Ryan Matthews is their guy but with well under 1,000 yards, they might be in the market for an upgrade. 

Bradshaw would be a great fit in San Diego and could be the feature back, pushing Matthews to a secondary role where he might be more effective. 

The issue for the Chargers is money. Signing Bradshaw would come at a pretty big price. However, if they want him bad enough they could pull the trigger. San Diego could contend and Bradshaw could be lured by that. 

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers points out coverage before snapping the ball during the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on January 2, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (

Odds: 30-1

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers already have a good back in LeGarrette Blount but that doesn't mean they couldn't use another back in there to take the load off of Blount. 

There will be talk for a while about bringing in Tiki Barber, but the Bucs know that it's a silly move in the long run. Blount is young and keeping his legs fresh for as long as possible will help him to have sustained success and bringing Bradshaw in would give them the chance to have a good backup in case of injury. 

The Bucs may not see the value on paying Bradshaw when they may be able to bring Cadillac Williams back for a cheaper amount, but Bradshaw is far more durable than Williams and the Bucs stand a better chance with him in the backfield. 

11. New York Jets

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: The New York Jets huddle around Mark Sanchez #6 during their 2011 AFC Championship game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Odds: 25-1

There is no question that the Jets are best-served by a two-back system. Their quarterback Mark Sanchez, while making great strides each season, is not the guy you want to try and win the game for you. With their defense, they are best controlling the clock. So they need a second back. 

Tiki Barber? Never.

Ladainian Tomlinson? He works for the first half of the season, but the second half he fizzled out.

The Jets need a durable back who can hold up for an entire season. Instead of finding a broken-down back on the scrap heap, Rex Ryan needs to convince management to pony up the money. 

The Jets know his value and what he brings; if they are looking to get over the hump, he might get them there. 

10. Seattle Seahawks

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Running back Marshawn Lynch #24 of the Seattle Seahawks runs for a 67-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in Seattle, W

Odds: 20-1

The question of whether or not the Seahawks would consider Bradshaw has everything to do with what they think of Marshawn Lynch. 

Lynch was an upgrade for the Seahawks anemic running game which finished 31st in the NFL last year. However, that doesn't mean that he's the answer. He's a solid back capable of solid production but what Seattle needs, especially with a less than desirable quarterback situation, is to add a back like Bradshaw.

The Seahawks could benefit from a guy who's had better years than Lynch. 

If the Seahawks think the core they have will do well under a full season then they will pass on Lynch, but they might not be convinced of that. If that happens the door opens for Lynch. 

9. Cincinnati Bengals

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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals calls a play at the line of scrimage while playing the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty

Odds: 18-1

The Bengals have a lot on their plate, but Bradshaw could help solve a lot of their problems. 

The first is what to do about free agent Cedric Benson. His production last season wasn't bad given the Bengals poor passing game and quarterback play in general. Still, he's 28 and they would have the chance to bring in Bradshaw, who is only 24. 

The other issue is what they are going to do about Carson Palmer and his reluctance to play in Cincy. Bringing in a young and talented back like Bradshaw could go a long way in convincing Carson to stay. If they can manage to do that then they could be back on track...as far as the Bengals can ever be on track. 

8. Washington Redskins

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LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 12: Ryan Torain #46 of the Washington Redskins runs the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at FedExField on December 12, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Buccaneers defeated the Redskins 17-16. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Imag

Odds: 16-1

The Redskins had plenty of problems on offense last season, but their 30th-ranked rushing offense may have been their worst. The one thing the Redskins thought they could do, they couldn't. 

Ryan Torain emerged last season as the feature back and while there is no reason to think he can't be a good rusher long term, you have to find someone to share the load with him. 

If the Redskins could nab Bradshaw, they would have two backs under 25 for them in the backfield. Don't think this logic is wasted on a guy like Dan Synder. He's paid a whole lot more for a lot dumber. He could do this and not think twice. 

7. New Orleans Saints

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Will Smith #91 and Jonathan Vilma #51 of the New Orleans Saints take the field against the Seattle Seahawks during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jonathan

Odds: 14-1

At a distance the Saints seem to have a lot of depth at their backfield. They have Pierre Thomas, Reggie Bush, Chris Ivory and Julius Jones. But there are no guarantees with any one of those players. 

Reggie Bush is a good weapon but he has to be used correctly. 

Julius Jones is not a guy you build your backfield around.

Chris Ivory did well last season but impressed no one. 

Pierre Thomas is coming off an injury-plagued season last year. 

Getting Bradshaw would give the Saints the anchor they need back there and that could serve them very well in the long run. It would make the rest of those guys more effective because any production you got from them would be a bonus. 

6. Cleveland Browns

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CLEVELAND - DECEMBER 26: Running back Ray Rice #27 of the Baltimore Ravens runs by defenders T.J. Ward #43 and Chris Gocong #51 of the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Im

Odds: 10-1

The Browns, although blessed to have stolen Peyton Hillis from the Denver Broncos, are not out of the woods yet in their backfield. 

Hillis gave them more than they thought he would but that's not enough to satisfy a team that plays in one of the toughest divisions in football. 

Getting a back like Bradshaw, who I personally believe is better, would give them a very serious 1-2 punch and could be just what they need while Colt McCoy continues to develop as a quarterback. 

5. Denver Broncos

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SAN DIEGO - NOVEMBER 22: Running back Knowshon Moreno #27 of the Denver Broncos carries the ball against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on November 22, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Chargers won 35-14. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Image

Odds: 8-1

The Denver Broncos ranked 26th last reason in the rushing department and with John Fox on board as the head coach, there will be plenty of need for a upgrade. 

Knowshon Moreno has been nothing short of lackluster during his time in Denver. There is nothing that says he couldn't use a little help. So, enter Ahmad Bradshaw. He's got the kind of running style that John Fox likes and could be effective for the Broncos.

By limiting the carries of Moreno they might find that he is better as a second option and thus, more productive. 

4. Carolina Panthers

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Jimmy Clausen #2 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)

Odds: 6-1

One thing is abundantly clear about the Panthers: they are going to need help at the quarterback spot. Even if they aren't ready to give up on Jimmy Clausen, they have to admit he's going to need more work then they thought he would. 

While they don't have another QB to bring in (unless they trade for one), the next best option is to bring in better running support. 

While DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart have been the featured backs there for years and Mike Goodson has come on strong in the latter part of last year, they need an upgrade. 

Getting Brashaw, as young as he is, would be a great addition to a team that's building.  

3. Green Bay Packers

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: (L-R) Nick Collins #36 and Desmond Bishop #55 of the Green Bay Packers celebrate after Collins scored a touchdown on an interception return against the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February

Odds: 4-1

This is the sexy pick. The Packers need a dynamic running back and they know there isn't anyone else on the free agent market that will do them the service that Bradshaw would. 

The Packers have work to do because they know that to repeat they have to get better, not just stay the same. 

Their defense will be improved by the fact that they will get guys healthy. The same goes for their offense, but their backfield can get better with a proven commodity like Bradshaw. 

2. Miami Dolphins

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 02: Ronnie Brown #23 of the Miami Dolphins carries the ball in the first half against the New England Patriots on January 2, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Odds: 3-1

The Dolphins have lost their backfield and are going to have to hunt for a new one. The good news for them is they have the 15th pick in the draft and that could end up giving them Alabama running back Mark Ingram. 

But here's a thought why Bradshaw makes so much sense: he could be the veteran in a great 1-2 punch with Ingram and allow Ingram to develop at a normal rate. 

The other option is that by getting Bradshaw they can get a quarterback with the 15th pick if they see potential in someone like Jake Locker. 

The reality is that the Dolphins need to start picking up proven commodities and Bradshaw is that.

1. New York Giants

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 19: Ahmad Bradshaw #44 of the New York Giants runs against the Philadelphia Eagles during their game on December 19, 2010 at The New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Odds: Even

Well, all the speculating has been nice, but the actuality of the situation is that Bradshaw is staying put. It's possible he bolts if he gets an offer that is out of this world, but the Giants have made it clear to him that they want him. 

Bradshaw, especially in a potentially strike-shortened season, might be more inclined to stay right where he is as opposed to try and get acclimated to another team. This won't be the sticking point to stay in New York, but it's all part of the bigger picture. 

Expect him to be in a Giants uniform next season.