Donovan McNabb: 10 NFL Teams He Could Lead to the Playoffs

The Washington Redskins have resigned themselves to the fact that Donovan McNabb is not the quarterback they expected him to be when they traded for him last April.  With the lockout in full effect, the Redskins can't trade him and they don't want to release him outright.  The team has all but moved on from McNabb in their effort to rebuild.

McNabb, however, is confident that he can still lead a team to the playoffs as a franchise quarterback.

There are plenty of teams who wouldn't mind McNabb's services for next season, but only a few have a legitimate chance at competing for the playoffs.  If McNabb is in fact capable of being the man for the job for the more quarterback-challenged teams in the NFL, he'll have no trouble finding work.

Here is a look at the 10 teams McNabb could lead to the playoffs next season.

10) Denver Broncos

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ENGLEWOOD, CO - JANUARY 14: Denver Broncos vice president of football operations John Elway (L), owner Pat Bowlen and new head coach John Fox share a laugh before Fox addressed the media at Dove Valley on January 14, 2011 in Englewood, Colorado. Fox was

It may seem like a long shot, but the Denver Broncos are not completely out of the playoff picture coming off of an awful 4-12 season.  They managed to turn former Redskins' bust Brandon Lloyd into the league's leading receiver with Kyle Orton and Tim Tebow at the helm. 

Donovan McNabb could be the veteran leadership that guides the young Broncos to becoming a surprise playoff team next season.  Considering John Fox turned Jake Delhomme into a Super Bowl quarterback, he could do a lot worse than McNabb.

With rumors swirling about Kyle Orton's future with the Broncos, Denver may have no choice but to bring in outside help.  It is uncertain how Fox will handle Tebow, but McNabb could give him reason to delay handing the team over to Tebow.

The trio of Lloyd, Eddie Royal, and Demaryius Thomas may be more explosive than McNabb's former teammates in DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin.  If Fox uses running back Knowshon Moreno in a Brian Westbrook-like fashion, the Broncos offense would be formidable with McNabb at the helm.

9) Cincinnati Bengals

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 24: Terrell Owens #81 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates his touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons with Chad Ochocinco #85 at Georgia Dome on October 24, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Cincinnati Bengals did not meet the expectations set by resident loudmouths, Terrell Owens and Chad (Ochocinco) Johnson last year.

With Carson Palmer delivering a trade me or I'm retiring ultimatum, the Bengals are going to need help under center.  They drafted Andy Dalton to be the future of the franchise but may need a veteran to take the reigns until he is ready.

If Owens returns, and he and McNabb can make nice, the Bengals could be a scary offensive team with firepower to reach the playoffs.  Head coach Marvin Lewis may be coaching for his job next season and bringing in McNabb would be his best bet in order to keep it.

Owens, at 37 years of age, is not the same player that hooked up with McNabb for 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns en route to a Super Bowl appearance, but he's good for 900 yards and a touchdown as of last season.

The Bengals are going to need a veteran quarterback to hold the team until Dalton can step up, and McNabb has the history with Owens as well as plenty of experience to guide the egomaniacal receiving corps to productivity and the Bengals to the playoffs.

8) Cleveland Browns

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CLEVELAND - NOVEMBER 07: Running back Peyton Hillis #40 of the Cleveland Browns runs the ball against the New England Patriots at Cleveland Browns Stadium on November 7, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

The Cleveland Browns seem to always be a team of interest when the season starts, but fall into their familiar rut of mediocrity around week four.

With Joshua Cribbs providing weekly highlights, and now Peyton Hillis gracing the cover of Madden 12, the Browns are due for a run of success.  McNabb could be the right mix of experience and skill to bring the Browns out of the NFL cellar and back to the playoffs for the first time since 2003.

It seems far-fetched given the presence of the Steelers and Ravens in their division, as well as the tough competition of the AFC at large, but there is always room for a sleeper in the NFL.

Cribbs may see his role on offense increase next season by virtue of the new kick-off rules, which would be perfect if McNabb came aboard.  Cribbs is a dynamic DeSean Jackson-like player that McNabb could become comfortable with and throw 50-yard bombs to on every other pass play. With Hillis smashing defenses, and McNabb's excellent play-action fake, the Browns are an offensive force waiting to happen.

With Colt McCoy playing a game similar to McNabb in terms of mobility, it may also be in Cleveland's best interest to bring McNabb on for some mentoring.

7) Oakland Raiders

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Jason Campbell #8 of the Oakland Raiders drops back to pass in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Tim Umphrey/Getty Images)

The Oakland Raiders may never be rid of Al Davis, but he has certainly made a point of loading the offense with explosive young players.  With little to no leadership in the organization, the new coaching staff may want to bring in a veteran like McNabb to harness the potential of the numerous weapons the Raiders have on offense. 

With Jason Campbell failing to blow anyone away last season, McNabb would be an instant upgrade in Oakland.  It would be an opportunity for the Raiders to change their ways and an opportunity for McNabb to show he's still got it by reviving the franchise, even if only for a season or two.

A player like Darrius Heyward-Bey could finally realize his potential.  Darren McFadden and Michael Bush wouldn't have to feel the pressure of every possession weighing on their shoulders.  McNabb also has a history of making good use of tight ends, giving Zach Miller more opportunities to impact the offense and force the defense to account for him in their scheme.

Oakland is in desperate need of veteran leadership, and McNabb has both the skill and experience to be that and more for the Raiders.

6) Miami Dolphins

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MIAMI - SEPTEMBER 26: Receiver Brandon Marshall #19 of the Miami Dolphins shouts during a game against the New York Jets at Sun Life Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

The Dolphins are done with the Wildcat offense, and may be moving on from running back Ronnie Brown as the center of their offense.  Head coach Tony Sparano needs someone under center who isn't going to blow games or dislocate their shoulder, and McNabb could be that player. 

After finishing 7-9 in the competitive AFC East, the Dolphins may be a quality quarterback away from the playoffs.  McNabb would have a good receiving corps to work with and rookie Daniel Thomas as a strong runner with good hands to work with.

Brandon Marshall is about as close to Terrell Owens in personality as you can get without working out for reporters in his driveway.  Davone Bess is a good second receiver, but may be better suited as a third receiver. 

Rumor has it that Mike Sims-Walker of the Jacksonville Jaguars has been lobbying to reunite with his former UCF teammate Marshall in Miami, which would give the Dolphins a great trio of receivers.  If the Dolphins could land Sims-Walker and bring McNabb to town, Miami would become an instant favorite for at least a Wild Card playoff berth next season.

5) Jacksonville Jaguars

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: NFL Commissoner Roger Goodell poses for a photo with Blaine Gabbert, #11 overall pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars, holds up a jersey during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Photo b

The Jacksonville Jaguars are ready to move on from David Garrard, having drafted Blaine Gabbert to be the future at quarterback.  While Garrard isn't out of Jacksonville yet, perhaps he should be, and someone like McNabb should be given the chance to lead the team in preparation for Gabbert inheriting it next season. The Jaguars finished 8-8 last season, and were a few lucky bounces away from 10-6 and a potential playoff berth.

The Jaguars aren't deep at receiver, but McNabb has succeeded with limited talent, though the offense in Philadelphia was tailored to his skills. 

Maurice Jones-Drew is a dynamic playmaker at running back, with the capability to be an explosive receiving back. Marcedes Lewis is a huge target at tight end, and McNabb could be as inaccurate as he likes and still hit Lewis in the redzone. Mike Sims-Walker may be going elsewhere in free agency, but would see his numbers jump with McNabb running the offense.

It isn't a match made in heaven, but Gabbert isn't ready to take over and Garrard has had plenty of chances to be the man in Jacksonville.

4) Tennessee Titans

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NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 21: Lorenzo Alexander #97 of the Washington Redskins forces a fumble by quarterback Vince Young #10 of the Tennessee Titans during the first half at LP Field on November 21, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Grant Halverso

The Tennessee Titans have all but given up on Vince Young as the future of their franchise, and need someone to bridge the gap between Young and the newly drafted Jake Locker. McNabb was once the prototypical mobile quarterback as Locker proved to be in his four years at Washington. Who better to build the offense around than a veteran who has a similar skill set to the future of the franchise?

McNabb has done a lot more with a lot less in terms of talent at skill positions, and the Titans are a team with plenty of unknowns.

Before McNabb was lighting up the NFL throwing to the likes of Terrell Owens, DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin, he was making due with players like Freddie Mitchell, James Thrash, Todd Pinkston, and a burnt-out Antonio Freeman.  Kenny Britt showed up big last season despite the turmoil at quarterback, and there's still that Randy Moss guy who may consider hanging around and trying with someone like McNabb under center.

Chris Johnson is the franchise running back with the ability to run, catch, run after the catch and do so in the blink of an eye.  McNabb would thrive with a back like Johnson, two quality receivers and a big-time tight end like Bo Scaife, though Scaife may leave via free agency.

3) San Francisco 49ers

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SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 20: Vernon Davis #85 of the San Francisco 49ers runs on to the field for their game against the New Orleans Saints at Candlestick Park on September 20, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

If not for their complete lack of consistent quarterback play, the 49ers would have been the NFC West champions the last two seasons. 

Alex Smith is a pure bust, Troy Smith isn't a starting quarterback by NFL standards and David Carr is still shell shocked from his time with Houston.  Newly drafted Colin Kaepernick is the future for the Niners at quarterback but the new staff may want to ease him in.

McNabb won't find many teams with the complement of offensive talent that San Francisco has to offer.  They're a team that is consistently in the conversation for playoff contention.

Vernon Davis has established himself as one of the best tight ends in the NFL, and Michael Crabtree is a breakout receiver waiting to happen.  Frank Gore is a big time running back, injuries and all, and McNabb's old running back Brian Westbrook brings familiarity to the table.  McNabb could be the right veteran to push the 49ers over the .500 hump into the playoffs, especially considering the division champion tallied a 7-9 record last season. 

2) Arizona Cardinals

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 12: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals runs with the football after a reception during the NFL game against the Denver Broncos at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 12, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona

The Arizona Cardinals are in big trouble in a big way when it comes to quarterbacks.  Derek Anderson lost his mind, no one out of the trio of Max Hall, John Skelton or Richard Bartel are starting material. 

Larry Fitzgerald has just one more year on his current contract and he isn't going to stick around forever.  It helps that McNabb lives and trains in Arizona during the offseason, and worked out with Fitzgerald in a workout the receiver organized.

McNabb was rumored to be headed to the Cardinals last season before ultimately landing in Washington, and why not?  The Cards run a wide open offense, and McNabb thrives when he has options that he doesn't necessarily have to read a great deal.  Arizona's running back situation resembles Philadelphia's when they used Duce Staley, Correll Buckhalter, and Brian Westbrook to the tune of 2,465 yards of total offense and 27 touchdowns.

The Cardinals have a lot of options in the pending free agent market, but none more experienced and perfectly fitted to their needs as McNabb is.

1) Minnesota Vikings

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 05: Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings talks with Sidney Rice #18 on the sideline during the game against the Buffalo Bills at the Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on December 5, 2010 in Minneapoli

The Minnesota Vikings weren't planning on being as bad as they were last season, but the Brett Favre magic had run out and Sidney Rice's absence hit harder than expected.  However, the same offensive talent that enjoyed a 12-4 season, division title and an overtime thriller in the second round of the playoffs in 2009 returns without a true starting quarterback.

The Vikings drafted Christian Ponder to be the future of the franchise, but until he is ready they'll need a player that can lead the team.  McNabb has been heavily rumored to wind up in Minnesota, by trade or release from his contract with Washington, so it makes sense that he'd be their best option.

The one issue that faces the Vikings on offense is the potential exit of receiver Sidney Rice. He is destined to be a hot commodity on the free agent market if and when the lockout ends, and Minnesota is not prepared to deal with his absence. McNabb would give Rice a reason to stay, as well as give Adrian Peterson and Visanthe Shiancoe reason to rejoice.

McNabb wouldn't be a long-term solution at quarterback, but the Vikings don't have to worry about it with Ponder in wait. Their current roster is not much different than the 2009 version, which flourished in a short period of time with Favre under center.