2011 NFL Free Agency: 11 Players Who Will Have the Largest Effect in W/L Column

We are getting to the point in the current NFL lockout where there is some concern to missing games, let alone when free agency may occur.

However, from the outside looking in, we can do nothing but speculate and hope for the best.

If the issue is resolved, there are many big name free agents on the market who could have a huge impact on teams next season.

Here are 11 free agents who will have the largest effect in a team's win/loss column next season.

11. HB Leon Washington

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Leon Washington #33 of the Seattle Seahawks runs down field against the New Orleans Saints during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Imag

Leon Washington has never been an every down running back in the NFL.

The same will hold true in 2011, no matter what team he is playing for.

However, Washington still is a solid threat out of the backfield on third down.

Where he will make the biggest impact is on special teams. In 2010, he had three kick returns for touchdowns.

That may be a big enough impact to sway a few games in his team's favor.

10. LB Barrett Ruud

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TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 30: Linebacker Barrett Rudd #51 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers directs the defense against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium on November 30, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Barrett Ruud may be one of the most under appreciated linebackers in the NFL.

This may be because he wasn't an instant sensation when drafted in the second round of the 2005 Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

However, over the last few seasons, Ruud has become one of the best defensive players on the roster.

He has led the Buccaneers in tackles the last three seasons.

There are many teams across the league that are weak at the linebacker position. A player like Ruud could make a big impact on potential playoff teams.

9. WR Terrell Owens

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CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 26: Terrell Owens #81 of the Cincinnati Bengals against the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Deep down inside, everybody loves Terrell Owens.

Well, maybe not, but it's still hard to deny the fact that he can have a strong impact still at the age of 37.

Last season, Owens finished with 983 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.

He did this despite appearing in only 14 games. Had he played all 16, he likely would have had at least 1,000 receiving yards and possibly double-digit touchdowns.

Love him or hate him, he could still provide valuable play on the outside for any NFL team.

8. OT Matt Light

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 12: Julius Peppers #90 of the Chicago Bears rushes against Matt Light #72 of the New England Patriots at Soldier Field on December 12, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Patriots defeated the Bears 36-7. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty

Tom Brady may be one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the NFL, but he should thank his lucky stars for having such a good offensive line.

The leader of that group, Matt Light, has protected Tom Brady's blind side since Brady entered the league.

However, Light is looking for a big contract, and the Patriots may not dish it out.

Imagine if a team like the Bears had a player like Light who could actually keep Jay Cutler on his feet.

7. DE Ray Edwards

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MINNEAPOLIS - JANUARY 17: Ray Edwards #91 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates a sack that led to a fumble in the first quarter of the game against the Dallas Cowboys during the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on January 17, 20

Ray Edwards has been living in the shadow of Jared Allen for quite some time now.

Edwards is actually not too shabby of a player himself.

He has been consistently a solid player against the pass and against the run for the Vikings for a couple years now.

If he is given the right opportunity with the right team, he could have a big impact in big games.

6. LB Chad Greenway

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MINNEAPOLIS - JANUARY 17: Linebackers Chad Greenway #52 and Ben Leber #51 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrate a play against the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter of the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on January 17, 201

Chad Greenway has started for the Vikings the last four years.

During the last three seasons, he has managed to lead the team in tackles. He plays with instinct and makes plays all over the field.

Greenway is also one of the better linebackers in coverage in the league.

This is one guy that the Vikings can't afford to let go. If they do, some other team will be getting a heck of a football player.

5. CB Antonio Cromartie

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Mewelde Moore #21 of the Pittsburgh Steelers catches a pass over Antonio Cromartie #31 of the New York Jets in the third quarter of the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

There are many talented cornerbacks in this year's free agency class.

Much of the focus on the Jets defense centers around Darelle Revis.

However, much of the success came last year because they have a very talented guy on the opposite side in Antonio Cromartie.

There are a few character concerns with Cromartie, but nothing that will be enough for teams to pass on the opportunity to sign him.

4. WR Santonio Holmes

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Santonio Holmes #10 of the New York Jets celebrates after he scored a third quarter touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvani

Mark Sanchez, Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes and the Jets suddenly had the ability to throw the ball.

The bad news is that both Edwards and Holmes will be free agents whenever the lockout ends.

Both are vital to the team's success, but Holmes has a more proven track record at this point in his career, especially in the playoffs.

If the Jets fail to resign him, he should have plenty of offers from around the league.

3. CB Jonathon Joseph

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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 10: Jonathan Joseph #22 of the Cincinnati Bengals almost intercepts a pass intended for Alvis Whitted #87 of the Oakland Raiders during the second quarter on December 10, 2006 at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Beng

With all the talks in free agency surrounding another big name cornerback, Jonathan Joseph has been getting wrongfully pushed to the side.

The team that decides on making an offer to the second best cornerback in free agency will be getting a fantastic player, and possibly a heck of a deal.

Joseph is considered by many experts to be one of the top 10 cornerbacks in the NFL.

Why he is getting so little attention is certainly confusing.

2. HB DeAngelo Williams

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CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 24: DeAngelo Williams #34 of the Carolina Panthers runs with the ball against the San Francisco 49ers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on October 24, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty I

The Carolina Panthers have Jonathan Stewart, and DeAngelo Williams has struggled to stay healthy the last few seasons.

Because of this, many expect the Panthers to let Williams walk.

Although there aren't many teams with an overwhelming need at running back, there may be someone who wants to take a chance on the injury prone Williams.

When healthy, Williams has been one of the best running backs in the league.

The key, of course, will be staying healthy.

1. CB Nnamdi Asomugha

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OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 28: Nnamdi Asomugha #21 of the Oakland Raiders stands on the sidelines during the closing minutes of their loss to the Miami Dolphins at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 28, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra S

Is this really a big surprise to anybody?

We are talking about one of the two best players at his position and possibly one of the top 10 players in the entire NFL.

Nnamdi Asomugha gives any team the opportunity to have a top defense.

His stats may not show it, but that's because he basically takes away half the field from opposing offenses.

Take a player like Asomugha and put him on a playoff caliber team, and you may walk away with a Super Bowl.