2011 NFL Free Agency: The 10 Best Player-Team Fits

Perfect Match? The 10 Best Free Agents Fits For the 2011 NFL Free Agency Period

To say NFL free agency is an inexact science is probably understating the kind of risk general managers are taking in spending their franchise's money. That's why the game's best GMs don't spend much time or cap room dealing with free agents. 

But even with that risk involved, the top teams and GMs in the NFL can still use free agency as a tool to add something their team is missing.

Think Charles Woodson to Green Bay. The Packers almost never dip into free agency, but when they did, GM Ted Thompson made it count. There's probably little chance the Packers win Super Bowl XLV without making that move four years prior. 

With that in mind, let's take a look at the 2011 class of free agents and which player-team combinations make the best fits. 

Cedric Benson Back to the Cincinnati Bengals

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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 19: Cedric Benson #32 of the Cincinnati Bengals carries the ball against the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

The Bengals offense is in a transitional stage, and they'd be playing with fire if they let their lead back get away from Cincinnati. 

New offensive coordinator Jay Gruden will need a player like Cedric Benson to rely on as the team makes the likely move from Carson Palmer to second-rounder Andy Dalton. Rookie quarterbacks need all the help they can get, and a good running game can be their best friend. 

On top of the schematic fit, Benson has already stated he wants to be back in Cincinnati. This should be a deal that's done quickly once the lockout is lifted. 

Cullen Jenkins to the Washington Redskins

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GREEN BAY, WI - JANUARY 12: Defensive end Cullen Jenkins #77 of the Green Bay Packers smiles in the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks during the NFC divisional playoff game on January 12, 2008 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo b

Most teams would be scared away from making a big free agent splash at a position in which they were so badly burned by $100-million man Albert Haynesworth, but most teams don't have an owner like Daniel Synder. 

He'll certainly be a factor once again in free agency, and Cullen Jenkins could be on the top of his wish list. Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett is in need of a defensive end like Jenkins who can help provide pressure and also take on blocks for pass rushers like Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan behind him. 

And while it likely doesn't matter too much to Synder, Jenkins is the antithesis of what Haynesworth was in Washington. He's not going to quit on your team once he gets his contract.

Mike Sims-Walker to the Chicago Bears

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 10: Mike Sims-Walker #11 of the Jacksonville Jaguars makes a catch against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. Jacksonville won 36-26. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

The Bears need to add a physical red-zone threat to their passing game, and there should be more than a few names that pique their interest. Terrell Owens and James Jones immediately come to mind. 

But while he doesn't have the recognition like some of his peers in free agency, don't sleep on the Jags' 6'2", 214-pound receiver Mike Sims-Walker. 

He shouldn't be the locker room problem that Owens is almost certain to be, and I'd feel more confident in him catching the football than the sometimes-inconsistent Jones. 

And at just 26 years old, Sims-Walker has plenty of good football left in him. As the final piece in Mike Martz's passing attack, he could easily surpass his previous career highs (63 catches, 869 yards) next season.

Robert Gallery to the Seattle Seahawks

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 12: Robert Gallery #76 of the Oakland Raiders lines up during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on December 12, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

The Seahawks signing Robert Gallery has been much-discussed during free agency—and for good reason. 

They have a coaching connection (Tom Cable is Seattle's new offensive line coach), and the Seahawks need more help along their front five than what they provided during the draft.

Add in the fact Gallery has said he is leaving Oakland and you have a solid match for both parties. 

It really is a good fit for Gallery, as he played some of the best football of his career while Cable was the head coach of the Raiders. Despite being a former top-five pick, Gallery needs that kind of coaching continuity.

Darren Sproles to the St. Louis Rams

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ST. LOUIS - OCTOBER 17: Darren Sproles #43 of the San Diego Chargers is pushed out of bounds by Bradley Fletcher #32 and Larry Grant #59 both of the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on October 17, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Rams beat the Cha

There has been plenty of talk about this fit without examining the possibility of Darren Sproles staying in San Diego, which I think is as likely as him leaving the Chargers. 

But if Sproles is set on moving on, the St. Louis Rams make a lot of sense. 

Sproles wouldn't be expected to provide anything more than he already has in San Diego, but just that would be enough to make a huge impact for the Rams' emerging offense. 

Give him all the return duties, 50 to 75 carries in relief of Steven Jackson and 40 to 50 more passes out of the backfield, and you have a real weapon. There's no question offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels could find a multitude of ways to use Sproles.

Ike Taylor to the Dallas Cowboys

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PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 21: Ike Taylor #24 of the Pittsburgh Steelers lines up prior to the snap during the game against the Oakland Raiders on November 21, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

The Cowboys are expected to be one of the teams that make a strong push to get Nnamdi Asomugha, but I don't think he's going to bite on their offer. 

Even if that's the case, Dallas needs to still add to its secondary. In Ike Taylor, the Cowboys could find the kind of physical cornerback who should really help their defense.

And though it doesn't matter much for corners, Taylor is well-versed in the 3-4 defense and has also been playing behind a defensive front that has gotten plenty of pressure on the quarterback, which is something the Cowboys can still do on defense.

I'd say he's a long-term risk at 31 years old for how much he'll want dollars-wise, but Jerry Jones isn't afraid to dip into the wallet if he thinks a player can help his team win a Super Bowl.

Mathias Kiwanuka to the Carolina Panthers

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 12: Matt Moore #3 of the Carolina Panthers is sacked in the fourth quarter by Mathias Kiwanuka #94 of the New York Giants on September 12, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defe

Despite losing 14 games and having the No. 1-overall pick in April's draft, the Carolina Panthers aren't that far off talent-wise from being back into the middle of the NFL pack. A few more additions here and there will keep them from staying in the league's cellar for long.

The Panthers made the pick they had to make in quarterback Cameron Newton, but new head coach Ron Rivera will want to quickly rehab their defense.

And while Charles Johnson, who tallied 11.5 sacks last season, should be their top priority in free agency, adding another defensive end to bring pressure could be high on their list.

Insert Mathias Kiwanuka, a player who has battled injuries but has natural pass-rushing skills and instincts. If he stayed healthy for 16 games, there's no question he could be a 10-sack guy. He'll come cheap, too. 

Barry Cofield to the Denver Broncos

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 12: Matt Moore #3 of the Carolina Panthers is sacked by Barry Cofield #96 of the New York Giants during the NFL season opener at New Meadowlands Stadium on September 12, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Chri

Von Miller was a fine draft choice for the Broncos, but they left some good defensive tackles on the board when they picked him at No. 2 overall. As John Fox continues to transition Denver's defense from a 3-4 back to the 4-3, defensive tackle becomes a bigger hole. 

Barry Cofield could be the answer there if the Giants decide not to bring him back to New York. 

He plays with good leverage in the run game, and his eight sacks over the past three seasons show he can collapse the pocket on occasion against the pass. 

As the Broncos rebuild their defensive front in an effort to improve on their league-worst defense last season, Cofield could be another key piece.

Johnathan Joseph to the Detroit Lions

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CINCINNATI - AUGUST 13: Jonathan Joseph #22 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on during their NFL preseason game against the Washington Redskins on August 13, 2006 at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo By Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

It's amazing to think the Detroit Lions are now being talked about as potential playoff contenders just two seasons removed from being the first NFL team in history to go 0-16. It's a testament to all the good work that coach Jim Schwartz and GM Martin Mayhew have done during that span. 

But while the Lions have obviously made great strides, they may still be a piece or two away from cracking the NFC playoffs.

Maybe the biggest piece they're missing? Cornerback. 

Luckily for the Lions, there are a handful of good ones available in free agency, and Johnathan Joseph might be the best value of the bunch. When healthy, Joseph is a top-15 cornerback. If he landed in Detroit, and Mayhew swung a quality linebacker, the Lions would be instant contenders. 

Donte Whitner to the Cleveland Browns

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 28: Rashard Mendenhall #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs against Donte Whitner #20 of the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium at Ralph Wilson Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart

If you've read any of my previous articles—and I'll completely forgive if you haven't—you'll know that I think highly of Donte Whitner.

I understand he has limitations in coverage, but Whitner is a guy who can really make an impact in the intermediate portion of the defense, as evident by his 140 tackles in 2010. That makes him a great fit in Cleveland. 

T.J Ward is an emerging free safety who can cover the backend of the secondary, giving Whitner the freedom to roam near the line of scrimmage. That'd help the Browns run defense, and that's to their advantage in the rough-and-tough AFC North.