NFL Free Agency: 10 Teams That Could Improve in Free Agency for 2011 Season
The Final Piece: Nnamdi Asomugha, Ray Edwards and the Rest of the 10 Free Agents Signings That Make Sense
It happens all too often, but NFL teams every year fail to live up to their potential because of a couple missing pieces.
Sometimes it will keep a team in the Top 10. Others will narrowly miss the playoffs, and some might not go as far in the playoffs as they wanted.
But following the NFL draft, general managers get a chance (well, we hope) to fill in those missing pieces during free agency.
Here are 10 matches that make a lot of sense for teams in free agency. Again, this is all dependent on the NFL's labor situation being resolved.
Dallas Cowboys
1 of 10
Cowboys Biggest Need
Defensive secondary
One Good Free Agent Fit
It took former first round pick Michael Huff a few years to adjust to the NFL, but he's been a productive safety (153 tackles, 4.5 sacks, six interceptions) over the past two seasons.
As a possible unrestricted free agent this offseason, Huff could fill a considerable hole at the back end of the Cowboys secondary.
There will certainly be other teams in the mix for his services, but the hometown Cowboys—he's from from Irving and played at the University of Texas—should have the best chance at landing Huff.
Detroit Lions
2 of 10
Lions Biggest Need
Back seven of the defense
One Good Free Agent Fit
By drafting Nick Fairley in the first round, the Lions positioned themselves to have the best defensive line in football. Despite all their talent up front, however, Detroit still has holes in the back seven.
And while the secondary might be the most pressing, linebacker Stephen Tulloch would make a great fit for the Lions.
He played under Lions coach Jim Schwartz in Tennessee, and he's also the kind of athletic tackler who would benefit from playing behind such a dominant defensive line.
Owner of 280 tackles over the past two seasons, Tulloch would be another solid addition to the Lions ever-improving roster.
Houston Texans
3 of 10
Texans Biggest Need
Defensive secondary
One Good Free Agent Fit
The Texans have been an underachieving team since entering the NFL in 2002, but that might be about to change.
Already possessing a potent offense, Houston has begun adding talented defensive pieces to complement their multi-faceted offensive attack.
There still not there yet though. By bringing in a safety like Eric Weddle to shore up the back end of their secondary, the Texans might have enough on defense to finally make the playoffs.
The Chargers might not let Weddle get away, but he'd be a good fit for the Texans young secondary.
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Chicago Bears
4 of 10
Bears Biggest Need
Wide Receiver
One Good Free Agent Fit
I think most thought the Bears would draft a receiver in April's draft, but that scenario never materialized. That leads me to believe that Chicago has had their eyes on a few free agent receivers.
Sidney Rice and Vincent Jackson would be intriguing options, but chances are those two will stay with their respective teams.
There might be a good option just north of Chicago anyway. James Jones desperately wants to start in the NFL, but he's getting squeezed out of Green Bay's plans. He certainly has the talent to start, however.
Packers fans might not like it, and Bears fans might not want him because of his Packers connections, but Jones would give Jay Cutler and Mike Martz another productive receiving talent to help improve their passing game.
Atlanta Falcons
5 of 10
Falcons Biggest Need
Pass defense
One Good Free Agent Fit
Falcons' fans don't need to be reminded of it, but Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers shredded Atlanta's pass defense in last year's playoff loss.
And while I would hesitate to say the pass rush was at fault—the corners didn't play well and Rodgers just had a special night—the Falcons' pass defense would be improved with another rusher.
That's where Ray Edwards could come into play. He's not happy with his situation in Minnesota money-wise, and there has been plenty of links to Edwards playing in Atlanta.
If Atlanta could team Edwards with John Abraham at defensive end, the Falcons would be in a better position defensively to go further in the playoffs.
Philadelphia Eagles
6 of 10
Eagles Biggest Need
Cornerback/pass rush
One Good Free Agent Fit
It wouldn't be fair to say either of the Eagles perceived needs are pressing, but they could use some upgrades.
Of course, there isn't a better defensive upgrade out there than cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha.
The Eagles could put Asomugha opposite of Asante Samuel, who is one of the more instinctive cornerbacks in the game. Adding Asomugha would also lessen the workload for young safeties Nate Allen and Jaiquawn Jarrett.
But maybe most of all, signing Asomugha would make the Eagles definite Super Bowl contenders in 2011. It's certainly a good fit, but Philadelphia will get plenty of competition from teams like Dallas and Washington for the most wanted free agent in this class.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7 of 10
Buccaneers Biggest Need
Defensive playmakers
One Good Free Agent Fit
The Buccaneers have done an admirable job this offseason of bringing in talent to their defense. Adrian Clayborn, Da'Quan Bowers and Mason Foster might be rookie starters in 2011.
I'm not sure if fifth-round pick Ahmad Black is the answer at safety, however.
If the Bucs want to address that position, they could look at Quintin Mikell. The Eagles drafted Jaiquawn Jarrett in the second round, meaning Mikell could be done in Philadelphia.
He'd give Tampa Bay the playmaker they need on defense to get over the hump and into the playoffs in 2011.
Cleveland Browns
8 of 10
Browns Biggest Need
Good football players
One Good Free Agent Fit
While the Browns are still in rebuilding mode, president Mike Holmgren has this team on the right track.
The draft is still the way to go for Cleveland, but Donte Whitner is a natural free agent fit for the Browns.
He was drafted and played under Browns defensive coordinator Dick Jauron in Buffalo, and Whitner is still one of the more underrated safeties in the game.
Plus, current safety Abram Elam is a free agent. Whitner would be an upgrade, and, teamed with T.J. Ward, should give the Browns a solid secondary.
St. Louis Rams
9 of 10
Rams Biggest Need
Defensive line
One Good Free Agent Fit
While he isn't a player at the Rams most significant need, Darren Sproles makes a lot of sense for St. Louis.
It's also a match that is starting to gain some steam. As Michael Lombardi of the NFL Network suggested, Sproles could be to the Rams what Danny Woodhead is for the Patriots.
But it would also give Steven Jackson a much deserved sidekick in the backfield. While one of the NFL's premier workhorse backs, Jackson needs to be protected as the miles rack up.
The Rams need more offensive playmakers, and Sproles definitely fits that mold.
Kansas City Chiefs
10 of 10
Chiefs Biggest Need
Defensive line
One Good Free Agent Fit
Again, another player who doesn't fit the Chiefs biggest need but looks like too good of match.
Patriots tackle Matt Light might not play another down in New England, but he's a solid fit for the Patriots-West. The Chiefs, as they're more commonly known, didn't take a tackle in April's draft despite being linked to several in the first round.
Scott Pioli was also a part of the group that drafted Light, and the Chiefs could then move Brenden Albert to right tackle. Does this move make too much sense?
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