NFL Free Agency: 5 Doormats That Could Make a Playoff Run with Nnamdi Asomugha
Nnamdi Asomugha has become one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. He has been selected to four straight Pro Bowls. He has also been a two-time first-team All-Pro selection and two-time second-team All-Pro selection.
He is this year's most sought-after free agent. Every team in the NFL could use the talents of a player like Asomugha. He is the definition of a shutdown corner.
Before we go any further, we need to define what a doormat is in the NFL. A doormat team is one that gets stepped on and beat repeatedly. Even though a team like the Cowboys missed the playoffs last year, and could use Asomugha's talents desperately, they don't fit the definition of an NFL doormat. No matter how badly we all want to step on the Dallas Cowboys, they are not doormats...for now.
With that said, here is a look at the five doormats that could make a playoff run with Nnamdi Asomugha.
5. San Francisco 49ers
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Offensive Outlook
The San Francisco 49ers hired Jim Harbaugh in the offseason. They are hoping that he can solve the 49ers' recent quarterback issues. Neither Alex Smith nor Troy Smith is the answer, so San Francisco will either have to draft or trade for a quarterback. The rest of the offense looks in good shape. Frank Gore and Brian Westbrook form a solid running back duo. Michael Crabtree is extremely talented and will benefit from a quality quarterback. Vernon Davis has molded into one of the best receiving tight ends in the NFL. The offensive line is not great, but solid.
Defensive Outlook
The defense for the 49ers begins and ends with one of the best in the game: Patrick Willis. There are few who would argue that Willis isn't the best middle linebacker. He is an explosive player, who makes everyone around him better.
The rest of the front seven for San Francisco has some decent players, but none that really stand out on paper. Justin Smith, Takeo Spikes and Manny Lawson are all good, but not great. The secondary is certainly the weakest part of their defense. Taylor Mays looks to have potential, but no other defensive back has lived up to expectations.
Playoff Run with Asomugha
If Harbaugh can find a quarterback who has a speck of talent, he should be able to get the offense clicking. Asomugha would instantly add a weapon in the secondary that would allow the 49ers to put more pressure on the quarterback. The biggest reason they could make the playoffs is due to the weakness of the NFC West. I mean seriously, the Seahawks were only 7-9. With Asomugha holding down the secondary, San Francisco would be in good shape to make the playoffs.
4. Cleveland Browns
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Offensive Outlook
The future for the Cleveland Browns offense looks bright. Colt McCoy looks to be the quarterback for the future in Cleveland. Peyton Hillis had a breakout season and proved to be a steal from the Broncos. Joe Thomas is the anchor of the offensive line and is one of the best left tackles in the game.
The main area of concern for the Browns is at wide receiver. No player has separated himself as a true top receiver. If the Browns could get either A.J. Green or Julio Jones in the draft, he should instantly cement a starting position.
Defensive Outlook
The defense for Cleveland has some holes that need to be filled. Joe Haden had a stellar rookie season and appears destined for greatness. The Browns are switching from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3 defense, so a pass-rushing lineman needs to be found. The Browns could possibly take a player like Robert Quinn in the first round, and settle for a wide receiver in a later round of the draft. Whatever they decide, they absolutely need to find a way to get more pressure on the quarterback.
Playoff Run with Asomugha
A cornerback tandem of Asomugha and Haden would be one of the best in the league. Quarterbacks would be afraid to throw in either direction. Having two shutdown corners would also allow the Browns to get creative and more aggressive with blitz packages. The Browns surprised some people last year and are looking to build on that. The offense should improve in the second year with Colt McCoy.
The AFC North might be the hardest division with Baltimore and Pittsburgh. If the Browns can steal some wins, look for them to sneak into the playoffs.
3. Oakland Raiders
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Offensive Outlook
Last season the Raiders offense looked as good as it has in years. They finally had steady quarterback play with Jason Campbell and Bruce Gradkowski.
Darren McFadden finally become the running back that everyone expected him to be. He ran with focus and determination and was a huge factor catching the ball out of the backfield. They also have young weapons at wide receiver and one of the better tight ends in Zach Miller. The Raiders will improve on last year's offense and should put up big numbers again.
Defensive Outlook
The Raiders defense finally has some young pieces to build around. Rolando McClain and Michael Huff both proved to be valuable pieces. Richard Seymour added some much-needed veteran leadership, even if no one knows what is going to happen with them. The key player to their defense is Nnamdi Asomugha. He has been the anchor in the secondary for the past four years and Raider fans are hoping the years keep increasing in Oakland.
Playoff Run with Asomugha
The Raiders had their best season in years last year with an 8-8 record. They were only two games behind division leader Kansas City. If the Raiders can add a few more pieces on both sides of the ball in the draft, they should be in good shape. That is, of course, if Asomugha decides to stay in Oakland. If he leaves, it could be another long stretch of losing seasons for Raiders fans.
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2. Detroit Lions
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Offensive Outlook
The key to the Lions offense is keeping Matthew Stafford healthy. He has had both of his professional seasons cut short because of injury. When healthy, he has proved to be the franchise quarterback that Detroit has been waiting so patiently for. Jahvid Best also played through injuries for the majority of his rookie season, but was dynamic when on the field.
The Lions' best player is Calvin Johnson, better known as Megatron. Even with a shaky quarterback situation, Johnson had over 1,000 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. The offensive line could use a little improvement, which the Lions should address in the first few rounds of the draft.
Defensive Outlook
Ndamukong Suh exceeded expectations in Detroit and everyone expected him to be good. He is already one of the best defensive tackles in the game, and he can only get better. Other than Suh, the Lions have a good mixture of young talent and experienced leadership. Their biggest weakness has been their secondary. None of their cornerbacks is a true shutdown corner, which has the Lions eyeing a cornerback in the first round.
Playoff Run with Asomugha
Adding a player like Asomugha would instantly improve Detroit's secondary. If Matthew Stafford can stay healthy, the offense is going to surprise some people this year. With Suh putting constant pressure on quarterbacks and Asomugha playing tight coverage, the Lions defense would be difficult to score on. Detroit is already a dark horse to make the playoffs, but the addition of Asomugha could propel them to a deep run.
1. Houston Texans
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Offensive Outlook
The Houston Texans boast one of the most high-powered offenses in the NFL. Matt Schaub has been a top-10 quarterback for the past few years. Arian Foster had a phenomenal season with over 1,600 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns.
Andre Johnson is one of best wide receivers in the game. He constantly is bombarded by double coverage, yet still puts up huge numbers. They could easily average over 30 points a game next season.
Defensive Outlook
The Texans have a solid front seven. Mario Williams and Brian Cushing are both Pro Bowl-caliber players. Amobi Okoye is starting to figure the game out and still has room to grow. Where the Texans got burned so often last season was in the secondary. They gave up more yards and touchdowns through the air than any other team. It was often difficult to watch how poorly the secondary played on a regular basis.
Playoff Run with Asomugha
Every year, the Texans look like they are going to make some noise in the AFC South. However, even with hot starts, they seem to fade down the stretch and fall short. The offense certainly isn't the issue. The problem lies with the defense, and more specifically, with the secondary.
With Asomugha, the Texans defense should be able to hold opponents to less than 26 points—what they gave up last year per game. They would still need to add another playmaker through the draft, but if they can do that, their defense might be decent enough to keep them in games. If the Texans can get to the playoffs, having an offense as explosive as theirs could prove to be dangerous.
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