NFL Free Agency 2011: 10 Guys Who Need Out and Where They Should Go

Once free agency begins, it could actually be even more fun than ever—and not because we will be closer to the regular season.

It will have some extra spice added to it because we have already completed the draft. We already know the direction a few teams are heading at certain positions and with the team overall.

Some teams are heading towards a Super Bowl run, while others are clearly in a rebuilding mode.

If a new CBA is reached this spring, a lot of talent is expected to enter the free agent pool.

There will be Pro Bowl caliber players ready to cut bait with the former teams in search of a Super Bowl Championship.

Here are 10 free agents—or potential free agents—who need out right now and where they could go.

10. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, New England Patriots RB

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 19: Running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis #42 of the New England Patriots runs 33 yards to score a touchdown in the first quarter against safety Charlie Peprah #26 of the Green Bay Packers at Gillette Stadium on December 19, 2010 in F

The Patriots love to employ the running back by committee game plan. They have a set role for all of their running backs. Green-Ellis is a starting running back, but following the draft, he is now part of a four-headed monster.

Stevan Ridley is going to be the power back, Shane Vereen the receiving option and Danny Woodhead has the ability to do it all with his determination.

Not many want to leave a perennial Super Bowl contender, but the Patriots aren’t going to pay him what he would want, nor will they offer him the amount of carries to be truly content.

He could head to Baltimore to create a solid one-two punch with Ray Rice. The Ravens need a secondary back who has the ability to pound the rock behind Rice, and "Law Firm" is a fine fit.

Destination: Baltimore

9. Tim Hightower, Arizona Cardinals RB

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 25: Runningback Tim Hightower #34 of the Arizona Cardinals leaps past Terence Newman #41 of the Dallas Cowboys during the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 25, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals def

The Cardinals drafted Virginia Tech’s Ryan Williams in the second round of the draft, meaning there won’t be enough carries to go around in Arizona’s backfield.

Despite his fumbling woes, Hightower is still a solid No. 2 back. He has solid speed but very good receiving abilities and a nose for the end zone. He would be a solid complement to most feature backs, but could also be a solid spot-starter as an injury insurance policy.

With two feature-quality backs already in Arizona now, Hightower needs to remove himself from this situation.

Destination: Oakland

8. Cullen Jenkins, Green Bay Packers DE

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Cullen Jenkins #77 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after a sack of quarterback Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears in the first half in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo

Jenkins is not expected to return to the team, as the Packers most likely would not give him the money he wants. Following his Super Bowl victory, this is the time for him to capitalize on a nice payday.

There is no reason he couldn’t land with another potential contender to help get them bolster the front seven for a championship run.

The Saints are desperately looking to upgrade their defense at all costs. They just landed Cameron Jordan in the first round of the draft. If they were to sign Jenkins, he would solidify this defensive line rotation to help put New Orleans back on top. A solid 3-4 defensive end, it wouldn’t even shock me to see him land with the Jets, Patriots or Ravens.

Destination: Baltimore

7. Steve Breaston, Arizona Cardinals WR

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GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 31: Steve Breaston #15 of the Arizona Cardinals loses a shoe as he eludes the tackle from Myron Lewis #23 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the fourth quarter at University of Phoenix Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Glendale, Arizo

The Cardinals are looking to bring in a veteran quarterback, but it is no guarantee. Breaston could still see a solid pay day from another team on the verge of competing. He is a fine No. 2 receiver, despite coming off an injury-filled season.

Of course, it’s always nice to play opposite a Hall of Famer in Larry Fitzgerald, but the Cardinals might not be willing to offer him as much as another team in need of a receiver. He is a solid route runner with fine speed and hands.

I made note months ago that the Chiefs might be a destination for him to succeed, as he would reunite with Todd Haley. Kansas City drafting Jonathan Baldwin puts a bit of a damper in that, but Dwayne Bowe, Baldwin, Breaston and Dexter McCluster would be an excellent receiving corps.

Destination: Kansas City

6. Ray Edwards, Minnesota Vikings DE

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MINNEAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 7: Defensive end Ray Edwards #91 of the Minnesota Vikings grabs the jersey of quarterback Derek Anderson #3 of the Arizona Cardinals at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on November 7, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings won 27-

Ray Edwards needs out of Minnesota. They are clearly in rebuilding mode, despite having some fine pieces to compete in the division. Edwards is a fine veteran who won’t get another opportunity to make a splash in free agency.

He would be a very good fit on a defensive line in need of a proven worker. He would be a great fit as part of a rotation to keep fresh throughout the season.

Atlanta has been rumored to be interested in his services and he should jump at the opportunity to play for this Super Bowl contender. Atlanta needs to increase its pass rush from and take pressure off John Abraham on the line.

Destination: Atlanta

5. Pat Williams, Minnesota Vikings DT

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 05: Pat Williams #94 of the Minnesota Vikings runs from the field against the Buffalo Bills at the Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on December 5, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Nick Laham/Ge

The ageless wonder, Pat Williams can still help anchor a team deep in the postseason. There are plenty of teams in need of a dominant force at the defensive tackle position, which is one of the most important positions on the field.

With Williams clogging the middle, the entire defense would greatly improve on any given team. As the Vikings look to transition into the Christian Ponder era, Pat needs to bolt for greener pastures.

New Orleans just recently signed Shaun Rogers, but you can never have enough depth at the defensive tackle position. The Saints need to revamp their defensive front seven and they are doing a solid job this offseason with Rogers, Cameron Jordan and Martez Wilson. Williams would be the last piece to this rotation to help the Saints get back to the Super Bowl.

Destination: New Orleans

4. Paul Posluszny, Buffalo Bills LB

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 28: Paul Posluszny #51 of the Buffalo Bills plays against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Ralph Wilson Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. Pittsburgh won 19-16 in overtime. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

I like what the Bills did in the draft, but Posluszny deserves to play for a contender. As competitive as the Bills were in 2010 and the amount of potential this team has, the Bills will not be competing for a Championship.

This man has the ability to be a true difference maker for a contending team. He is a great locker room leader with the talent to do everything asked on the football field. He has the strength, speed and high-football IQ to dominate this league from the linebacker positions.

Buffalo is still a couple of years away from competing at a high level. Would he greatly help them achieve their goals? Of course he would. Yet he has the opportunity to win now and set one contender above the rest.

Destination: Dallas

3. Santana Moss, Washington Redskins WR

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LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 12: Santana Moss #89 of the Washington Redskins runs the ball after a catch during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at FedExField on December 12, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Buccaneers defeated the Redskins 17-16. (P

Why a veteran of Moss’ caliber would stay in Washington is beyond me. The Redskins are clearly rebuilding and lack the talent to compete for a division title this season.

I’m all for loyalty in sports, but the Redskins do not have a viable quarterback option and won’t have one until next year when they land a top-five selection.

He is still a top-20 receiver in this league who is very good in all areas. His opportunity to win a title would be thrown out the window if he re-signs with the Redskins. There are plenty of teams who would offer him a similar contract but have a better chance to make a run for a division title or Super Bowl championship.

Destination: St. Louis

2. Sidney Rice, Minnesota Vikings WR

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 28: Sidney Rice #18 of the Minnesota Vikings in action against Asante Samuel #22 of the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 28, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The Vikings selected Christian Ponder to be their new franchise quarterback. Although I believe he has the talent to take this team to the top, Sidney Rice needs to get out now. He needs to go to a team where he won’t feel the burden of having to sit through a rebuilding process. He has the talent to be a superstar in this league with his leaping ability, footwork and hands.

He would be a difference maker for any team in this league, but he can set one team apart from the rest as the Super Bowl favorites with his potential to be an elite receiver. As Super Bowl contenders look to win now, Rice would make a nice chunk of change on the open market.

Destination: San Diego

1. DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers RB

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NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 03: Running back DeAngelo Williams #34 of the Carolina Panthers runs for a touchdown past Will Smith #91 of the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on October 3, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/G

The Panthers are heading in a direction DeAngelo Williams does not want to be a part of. They will most likely start Cam Newton at quarterback, which is a boom or bust play on the Panthers organization.

Although I like the move by Carolina, Newton will surely take the focus away from DeAngelo and take more carries than D-Will would like. Williams is already part of a three-headed monster and has been challenged every step of the way by Jonathan Stewart.

Williams needs to leave Carolina to earn the big pay check he deserves and the chance to win a Super Bowl. He most likely has one big contract left in him; he needs to seize the opportunity.

Destination: Miami