2011 NFL Offseason: The Most Important Unanswered Question for All 32 Teams
With the NFL labor situation more confusing than ever fans, players and team management are all waiting to hear when free agency and trades can begin.
The fact that teams cannot move players yet hasn't stopped us from looking at the biggest question marks on each roster following the 2011 NFL Draft.
At some point, there will be free agency and trades will be allowed. Here is a look at the biggest question mark on each roster pre-free agency.
Buffalo Bills: Outside Linebacker
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The Buffalo Bills would have loved to see Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller available with the No. 3 pick overall in the 2011 NFL draft.
Instead, they found an excellent defensive lineman in Marcell Dareus, but they still have a huge question mark at outside linebacker.
As of today, the Bills would be relying on Shawne Merriman, who missed most of 2010 with injuries, and a platoon of Arthur Moats, Chris Kelsay and Aaron Maybin.
Miami Dolphins: Running Back
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Much has been written about the Dolphins' need to add a running back this offseason, and they did by drafting Kansas State's Daniel Thomas in the second round of the NFL draft.
Miami must now decide if they will re-sign either Ronnie Brown or Ricky Williams to complement Thomas or look outside the roster to bring in a free agent or trade for a second runner.
Thomas is a big, bruising back and is very similar to both Brown and Williams in terms of ability and running style. Miami may want to find a smaller, shiftier back to pair with him.
New England Patriots: Outside Linebacker
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The Patriots addressed many needs during the 2011 NFL draft but ignored their biggest need at outside linebacker.
While the Patriots do have a young player with loads of potential in Jermaine Cunningham, they need a better option than Tully Banta-Cain lining up opposite him.
Defensive end Mike Wright led the team in sacks last year. That cannot happen again in 2011.
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New York Jets: Outside Linebacker
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The New York Jets face an offseason full of mystery, with three key players scheduled for free agency in Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards and Antonio Cromartie.
So why is outside linebacker their biggest need?
The Jets plan to re-sign one wide receiver, our guess would be Santonio Holmes, and feel confident they can re-sign Cromartie at cornerback.
At outside linebacker, the team cut aging Jason Taylor and is left with Bryan Thomas and Calvin Pace.
While both are serviceable, neither will strike fear in the eyes of Tom Brady.
Baltimore Ravens: Defensive End
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The Baltimore Ravens have a surprisingly small number of question marks entering the 2011 season, a testament to their front office.
One area they could look for help is at defensive end.
In the Ravens versatile scheme, they love to move around, especially Terrell Suggs. By keeping Suggs off the line of scrimmage, the Ravens are able to utilize his athleticism.
Adding a big body at defensive end would free up the playmakers on defense.
Cincinnati Bengals: Defensive End
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The Bengals had one of the best drafts of any team in 2011 and seem to have the building blocks in place on offense to return to their former success under Boomer Esiason in the 1980s.
While the Bengals offense is looking better the team has holes on defense that need filled.
The biggest is at defensive end, opposite Carlos Dunlap.
Antwan Odom, at one time, looked like a future star. Injuries have kept Odom from becoming the force many thought he could be.
Cleveland Browns: Wide Receiver
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Fans of the Cleveland Browns will tell you that second-round pick Greg Little will be the answer to the team's need at wide receiver.
We like Greg Little a lot, but he's a converted running back who missed the 2010 college football season. Little has potential to be something special, but his rookie season contributions may not be as lofty as fans hope.
Even if Little is the second coming of Anquan Boldin and lights the league on fire as a rookie, the Browns still need a solid No. 2 receiver to draw defenses away from Little and the running game.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Offensive Line
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The Pittsburgh Steelers have the talent to make another Super Bowl appearance after the 2011 season—if the offensive line can stay healthy or be improved.
The 2010 was a disaster for the Steelers line due to injuries. There is also the fact that the tackles are all old and have seen their skills decline.
Pittsburgh has won for years with weak offensive line play. Imagine how good they would be with a marquee tackle or guard.
Houston Texans: Secondary
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The Texans secondary was among the worst in football in 2010. While they did add cornerback Brandon Harris through the draft, the Texans have done nothing to upgrade at either safety position.
The Texans are close to making their first playoff appearance, but they will never be able to beat the Colts for the AFC South division title without a major addition at cornerback or safety.
Indianapolis Colts: Right Tackle
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The Colts invested in their offensive line heavily during the 2011 NFL draft, adding left tackle Anthony Castonzo and then guard Ben Ijalana.
The two rookies should make up the Colts Opening Day left side of the offensive line, but who is going to man the right side?
Indianapolis could stick with Ryan Diem at right tackle (we wouldn't) or look to free agency for an upgrade.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Secondary
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The Jaguars were in position to draft a cornerback, Jimmy Smith of Colorado, in Round 1 of the 2011 NFL draft and address one of their biggest needs.
They instead chose to trade up, mortgaging the future for quarterback Blaine Gabbert.
Quarterback was a need, we do not fault the Jaguars for drafting Gabbert, but they did not make one draft choice that will help a terrible secondary.
Tennessee Titans: Wide Receiver
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The Tennessee Titans have on their roster a player with the talent to become one of the best wide receivers in the game in Kenny Britt.
He could also become one of the biggest headaches.
It is in no way a stretch to assume that Britt could be suspended for part of the 2011 season after he was arrested in New Jersey on three counts (including a felony) following a car chase with police.
With Britt missing from the depth chart, the Titans need at receiver becomes crippling.
Denver Broncos: Defensive Tackle
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The Denver Broncos defensive line features a strength at defensive end, with Pro Bowler Elvis Dumervil and former first-round pick Robert Ayers.
At defensive tackle the Broncos defensive line is a joke.
For the Broncos to compete in 2011, they must add at least two defensive tackles via trades and free agency.
Don't rule out a swap of quarterback Kyle Orton for Washington Redskins' defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth.
Kansas City Chiefs: Right Tackle
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The Chiefs addressed many of their needs through the draft and are left with a roster full of young players ready to show if they have what it takes to make it in the NFL.
One position where the Chiefs must still add is right tackle.
Barry Richardson is serviceable but can be a liability in pass protection. Other than starting left tackle Branden Albert the Chiefs have only back up Bobby Greenwood on the roster.
Oakland Raiders: Cornerback
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The Oakland Raiders lost cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha when his contract was voided after reaching certain escalators during the 2010 season.
To replace the league's best cornerback Al Davis over paid for Stanford Routt and drafted two speedsters at cornerback who have a long way to do before becoming NFL-level cornerbacks, Chimdi Chekwa and DeMarcus Van Dyke.
There is a sliver of hope the Raiders will be able to sign Asomugha on the open market—Raider fans should be praying so.
San Diego Chargers: Defensive Line
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The Chargers made a smart move by drafting Illinois defensive lineman Corey Liuget in the first round. With Liuget in place, the team can feel good about moving on from Travis Johnson and Jacques Cesaire at the position.
This does not mean the Chargers should be done looking for defensive ends, or nose tackles.
Luis Castillo has never been dominant at end and could be upgraded from.
Dallas Cowboys: Secondary
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The Cowboys are likely to release or trade veteran Terence Newman this summer, as he no longer fits what the Cowboys plan to do on defense under coordinator Rob Ryan.
This leaves Dallas with Mike Jenkins, whose own play regressed in 2010, and part-time starter Orlando Scandrick at cornerback.
Dallas also needs massive upgrades at free and strong safety.
The Cowboys are expected to make a move for Nnamdi Asomugha, but he alone will not fix the issues in the Dallas secondary.
New York Giants: Running Back
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The New York Giants offseason hinges on their ability to re-sign running back Ahmad Bradshaw.
Without Bradshaw, the Giants would be forced to rely heavily on rookie Da'Rel Scott and goal-line back Brandon Jacobs to carry the load in 2011.
Bradshaw is expected to be an unrestricted free agent, depending on what happens with the CBA.
Philadelphia Eagles: Cornerback
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The Eagles love starter Asante Samuel, but opposite him, they must hurry to replace retired starter Ellis Hobbs.
Many thought the Eagles may target a cornerback late in Round 1 of the 2011 draft, and when they didn't, the speculation began that they might go after free-agent star Nnamdi Asomugha once free agency opens.
Asomugha would cure the Eagles problems at cornerback and give them the league's best one-two punch at cornerback.
Washington Redskins: Quarterback
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Would the Redskins really enter 2011 with John Beck as their starter at quarterback?
It seems so.
Washington did not add a quarterback through the draft, has said they will cut or trade Donovan McNabb, leaving only Beck and free-agent Rex Grossman as holdovers from 2010.
The Redskins have been linked to every imaginable free-agent quarterback, but only time will tell if head coach Mike Shanahan is brave enough to go with Beck.
Chicago Bears: Wide Receiver
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The Chicago Bears made it to the NFC Championship game with a strong defense, good production from the running game and quarterback Jay Cutler's ability to spread the ball around to many targets.
To take that next step in to the NFL's elite, the Bears must add a true No. 1 wide receiver for Cutler.
Adding a Vincent Jackson or Steve Smith would allow Early Bennett to play more of a possession role, move Johnny Knox to the slot and open Devin Hester up as an all-purpose threat.
Detroit Lions: Cornerback
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The Detroit Lions were able to surprise most experts by drafting Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley in the first round. Most expected Fairley to be a top 10 pick.
By drafting Fairley, the Lions grabbed an excellent player but did so at the expense of their overall talent.
Throughout the 2011 draft, we kept waiting for Detroit to draft a cornerback with starting ability. They never did.
For Detroit to succeed in 2011, they must find an answer at cornerback.
Green Bay Packers: Outside Linebacker
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The Packers have on their roster one of the best outside linebackers in football today with Clay Matthews.
Opposite Matthews, the Packers are hoping for something from Frank Zombo or Brady Poppinga.
This doesn't bode well for the Packers, who are likely to see even more double-teams thrown at Matthews this year.
For Green Bay to repeat as Super Bowl champions, they must find a player who can pressure the backfield opposite Matthews.
Minnesota Vikings: Quarterback
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The Vikings used the No. 12 overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft on quarterback Christian Ponder. While they now have their quarterback of the future, what they do not have is a veteran quarterback to mentor him.
Joe Webb has one year under his belt, Rhett Bomar has bounced around the league for the last two seasons himself.
Minnesota should be in good hands with Ponder down the road; they just need something who can handle the here-and-now.
Atlanta Falcons: Defensive End
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While we love John Abraham, the Falcons need to find a player who can in the immediate complement him and in the future work as a replacement.
Abraham turned 33 last week and is entering the twilight of his career. He has only missed one game in the last four seasons, he's constantly knicked up and it has slowed him down late in the season.
Opposite Abraham, the Falcons have tried Jamaal Anderson, Kory Biermann and Chauncey Davis with little success.
It might be time to invest in a free agent who can provide immediate dividends.
Carolina Panthers: Defensive Tackle
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The Panthers were faced with a decision in the 2011 draft between Cam Newton at quarterback or Marcell Dareus/Nick Fairley at defensive tackle.
We would have opted for the tackle.
The Panthers defense is stocked with young players who have shown great potential. To win more than one game in 2011, they will need third-round players Sione Fua and Terrell McClain to play above their draft status.
New Orleans Saints: Running Backs
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Most teams make this list with a question mark about an area of need that they haven't filled. For the New Orleans Saints, the issue is not of need, but of excess.
The Saints have Pierre Thomas, Reggie Bush, Chris Ivory and 2011 first-rounder Mark Ingram, all on the roster for the upcoming season.
There are not enough carries to justifiably go around in the Big Easy.
There is a chance Reggie Bush will be released, and at a minimum, he will be asked to take a pay cut, but this still leaves the question mark of who will carry the load for New Orleans this fall?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cornerback
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The Buccaneers will be faced with a tough decision this offseason—whether or not to cut/trade cornerback Aqib Talib.
Talib has Pro Bowl-talent but is a knucklehead off the field. He's currently out on $25,000 bond after being arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after accusing him of firing a gun at his sister's boyfriend.
Talib is incredibly talented, and he's needed in Tampa, but the biggest question for the Bucs is can they trust him?
Arizona Cardinals: Quarterback
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The biggest question in Arizona this summer is which quarterback will the Cardinals bring in this summer as their starting quarterback?
It may be Kevin Kolb, who has requested a trade from Philadelphia. If the asking price is too high for Kolb, the Cardinals will look at Carson Palmer, Kyle Orton and maybe even Donovan McNabb.
Whomever they eventually settle on, it remains certain that the Cardinals will sign or trade for a quarterback this offseason.
St. Louis Rams: Cornerback
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Like so many teams in the NFL this offseason, the St. Louis Rams' roster is weak at cornerback.
With the free-agent market expected to feature stars like Nnamdi Asomugha, Antonio Cromartie, Aqib Talib (likely to be cut) and Terence Newman (also likely to be cut), the Rams could spend big and sign a marquee free agent to shore up their needs at cornerback.
The trouble will be convincing a top player to come to St. Louis.
San Francisco 49ers: Defensive Line
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Here is what we know about the San Francisco 49ers 2011 defensive line:
Justin Smith will be a starter at defensive end.
That's it.
The 49ers have two starters from 2010—Ray McDonald and Aubrayo Franklin—entering free agency this summer. McDonald is a second-tier player who they team should be able to re-sign. Franklin, on the other hand, may draw big money on the open market as an established starting nose tackle.
The 49ers have some flexibility, as Ricky Jean-Francois can play either end or tackle, but there is little to be excited about here.
Which players the 49ers can re-sign, and who they'll target in free agency, are big question marks.
Seattle Seahawks: Quarterback
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The Seattle Seahawks have featured Matt Hasselbeck as their starting quarterback since the 2002 league year.
That's about to change.
Pete Carroll did not give Hasselbeck a playbook during the brief opening in the NFL lockout this spring, however teammates of Hasselbeck's did give him one.
We interpret that as management doesn't see Hasselbeck in their 2011 plans, but the players do.
Charlie Whitehurst was worth a third-round pick to Pete Carroll during the 2010 draft, but he did not show much during the season to make us believe in him long-term.
Who takes snaps at quarterback this season, and beyond, is the lingering question in Seattle.
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