The Hottest NFL Free Agents and Their Potential Landing Spots

Jun 7, 2018

The 2011 National Football League season is, potentially, only three days from officially getting underway.

After 100+ days of lockout talk and speculation as to when the most popular sport in the country would be able to resume day-to-day operations, it appears as though teams will be getting back to business.

In a flurry, teams will compete with one another to become highest bidder in the free agency market, all attempting to lure any number of top players in the league to their respective franchise.

These are those top free agents. Join me as I take a look at these highly-coveted players, their potential landing spots, and my own personal prediction as to where they may soon call "home."

Statistics used within this slide were found at NFL.com

Antonio Cromartie

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Antonio Cromartie played admirably in his sole season with the New York Jets, erasing the bad taste left in many a fan and analyst's mouth as a result of spotty play in San Diego. He also helped fuel a defense that led the Jets to the AFC Championship game and nearly to the Super Bowl.

While his statistics were far from outstanding, Cromartie provided solid second corner coverage opposite Darrelle Revis. He has also proven to be a solid kick returner, as seen with the Chargers, and will undoubtedly be one of the higher-profile players in the free agency class.

There are few teams likely to pay Cromartie starting cornerback money. He has proven to be a solid addition to any secondary but is guilty of making costly mistakes in the past and is far from the most physical corner in the league.

A team with a strong locker room and defensive leadership would be a perfect fit for a player with all of the athletic tools necessary to be a star player.

Teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions and St. Louis Rams could benefit from a cornerback capable of snatching the ball out of the air and making a spectacular play with it.

With that said, I predict the Atlanta Falcons make a play on Cromartie, if only to shore up the secondary in an otherwise solid defense. I also would not be surprised to see Philadelphia take a shot at Antonio if the team falls out of the Nnamdi Asomugha sweepstakes.

If I have to choose between those two teams, I believe Antonio Cromartie will be wearing the green and silver of the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2011 season.

Matt Hasselbeck

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Matt Hasselbeck is coming off one of the great playoff performances of his highly-underrated and underappreciated career. He also, however, is coming off another inconsistent year that saw him once again miss playing time due to injury.

What the playoff victory over the highly-favored New Orleans Saints by the sub-500 Seattle Seahawks did, however, was remind teams, coaches, and general managers just how smart and gutsy a player Hasselbeck has been and continues to be. When he is "on," and ceases to make poor decisions, there are few in the league that can play to his level.

That football intelligence and overall will to win will lead to Matt finding work this offseason and, likely, becoming a team's starting quarterback. It will not be in Seattle, where he has spent the majority of his career and will likely have his jersey retired.

Instead, No. 8 will have the opportunity to join another franchise just one or two pieces shy from making noise in their division and, potentially, in the playoffs.

Teams in need of a solid, starting quarterback to get them over the hump include Tennessee, Arizona, Minnesota, Washington and even the Miami Dolphins. Of those five teams, only three appear to be likely landing spots for Matt.

Tennessee is a young team with a very young, very spotty rookie quarterback in Jake Locker. The pieces are around him but there, is absolutely no way the team could succeed with Locker as its starting quarterback.

Enter Hasselbeck. With weapons such as Kenny Britt, Chris Johnson and the often-reliable Bo Scaife surrounding him, Matt could provide the stability at quarterback the team has been missing and, potentially, steal an AFC South division that is far more winnable than it once was during the Colts days of utter dominance.

Arizona is another potential home for Hasselbeck. An NFC West competitor of the Seahawks, the Cardinals found out first-hand just how difficult it is to win without a quarterback.

Kurt Warner, a future Hall of Fame player, retired following the 2009 season, leaving Arizona with Derek Anderson and John Skelton at the team's helm. Hasselbeck arriving would right the ship and give franchise wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald a competent quarterback to throw him the ball.

Which brings me to the team I believe Hasselbeck will ultimately sign with: the Minnesota Vikings. There is no denying that, if Brett Favre would not have been injured and was able to come close to playing at the level he played at in 2009, the Minnesota Vikings would have likely been Super Bowl contenders.

The talent around the quarterback position is superb and a number of position players are the best the league has to offer. Adrian Peterson may very well be the best running back of his generation. Sidney Rice developed into one of the best pass catchers in the league. The defensive side of the ball is difficult for any team to match-up against.

Hasselbeck would fit perfectly in the offense and would, likely, be less prone to making the "big mistake" Favre was criticized for. A spot on the Vikings roster, as the team's starting quarterback, could very well be the career revitalization Hasselbeck needs and the perfect mentor for rookie Christian Ponder that the Vikings organization needs.

Marc Bulger

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It was not all that long ago that Marc Bulger appeared ready to lead the St. Louis Rams to the Super Bowl. The 2003 season was a magical one that saw the Rams finish 12-4, with a NFC West Championship and the No. 2 seed in the playoffs wrapped up.

Unfortunately, a Divisional round playoff loss to Carolina in double-overtime began a downward spiral that finally hit rock bottom for Bulger in 2009 with a 1-15 season for the Rams.

2010 saw Bulger back up Joe Flacco in Baltimore, a role he seemed far too comfortable with after years of being pounded and brutalized in St. Louis by defenses, fans, and the media.

Do not expect much attention for Bulger. Arizona has long been rumored to have some interest in the veteran quarterback but that is it.

When weighing the options, between starting in Arizona and once again being beaten around by a vastly-improved Rams defense twice a season, and serving as the back-up quarterback to a young player in Flacco, who has yet to miss a game to injury, and I would say the safe bet is on Bulger returning to Baltimore and the Ravens organization.

DeAngelo Williams

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DeAngelo Williams is one of the better running backs in the NFL. Unfortunately, so is Jonathan Stewart, his Panthers teammate. Add to that Stewart's more youthful legs, and you have a recipe for Williams' departure from the only NFL team he has ever known.

Luckily for DeAngelo, his play over the last three years will likely result in several offers from teams in both the NFC and AFC. A highly-talented rusher, I would not be surprised to see a few unlikely candidates, such as the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts come out of the woodwork and make an offer to DeAngelo.

The Cincinnati Bengals, depending on the status of Cedric Benson and whether he re-signs with the team, could also be a potential landing spot.

I believe, however, that DeAngelo Williams will sign with the Denver Broncos and split carries with Knowshon Moreno. Williams has played under coach John Fox, understands his system, and what the highly-respected coach expects from his players.

Williams could become an offensive leader on a team without many play-makers and could be the safety blanket the largely-untested Tim Tebow needs to help him succeed in the role of starting quarterback. It would be a smart signing and one that may benefit a number of people in the Mile High City.

Ahmad Bradshaw

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The best rusher on the New York Giants squad, Ahmad Bradshaw has quietly become one of the NFL's hidden gems at the running back position.

In 2010, for example, Bradshaw amassed 1,549 total yards from scrimmage, played in all 16 games, and scored eight rushing touchdowns. He averaged 4.8 yards per rushing attempt and his longest rush was for 48 yards, a feat he accomplished twice.

Those numbers would be considered extraordinary for Adrian Peterson or Chris Johnson but Bradshaw has flown under the radar, largely due to his tendency to fumble. In 2010, Bradshaw fumbled seven times, losing six of them.

It is a weakness Giants fans know all too well, having suffered through it with former running back Tiki Barber. The good thing, for both fans of the G-Men and the team itself, is that Tom Coughlin and his coaching staff were responsible for curing Barber of his fumbling woes and will likely be able to do the same with Ahmad.

There will be teams that throw offers at Bradshaw. He is too talented and far too valuable not to at least attempt to lure to any number of franchises. But I honestly believe the Giants realize his potential, will be willing to work with him on his deficiencies, and will re-sign him.

If Ahmad is able to secure the ball better and continue to put up the numbers he did when given the opportunity in 2010, it will only be a matter of time before he is mentioned along with the elite backs in the game.

Vincent Jackson

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When Vincent Jackson is not complaining about his contract, he is as talented as any wide receiver not named Johnson or Fitzgerald in the NFL. He has shown tremendous chemistry with Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers and has proven to be the difference maker in several key games.

In 2009, Jackson dominated teams with 68 receptions for 1,167 yards and nine touchdowns. It was his second straight 1,000-yard season and one that cemented his place as one of the better receivers in the league.

Unfortunately for Chargers fans, staff, and teammates, the success went to the player's head and contract disputes got in the way of playing and Jackson missed all but five games in 2010, in protest of what he considered an unfair salary.

Philip Rivers and his tremendous season, with lesser-talented receivers than Jackson, has all but punched Vincent's ticket out of San Diego.

The drama that surrounded him in 2010 is not something the team can afford to suffer through again in 2011 or in the future and it appears likely that Jackson will be packing up and moving on in this year's abbreviated offseason.

Luckily for Jackson, there will be several teams ready to welcome Jackson with open arms. The St. Louis Rams, the Cleveland Browns, the Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings, and Kansas City Chiefs are just a few teams that could be looking to add someone with Jackson's talents to their roster.

It will be, however, the New England Patriots that sign Vincent Jackson and prosper because of it. Jackson will likely find it very difficult to attract the type of offer he is seeking.

Very few teams, if any, will be willing to pay him Larry Fitzgerald or Andre Johnson money, despite Jackson's belief that he is among to elites in the game.

The determination to sign for that amount of money will, in all likelihood, discourage many teams. And, if history is any indication, it will be then that the Patriots strike. Jackson will wear silver, red, white, and blue in 2011 and will probably out-play his contract.

Then, after the Patriots collect another Super Bowl ring, or come close to it, will probably protest and complain about his pay again.

Then Bill Belichick will cut him.

Sidney Rice

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Sidney Rice developed into one of the better wide-outs in the game in 2009, with Brett Favre as his quarterback and on a team that was hitting on all cylinders heading into the playoffs. An injury, however, would derail Rice for most of the 2010 season and his absence would be felt.

In 2009, Rice displayed an ability to stretch the field and to beat cornerbacks deep. In 2010, without Rice, the Vikings found it difficult to experience the same success without a receiver as talented as Sidney.

His absence dealt a serious blow to the team. Rice, a year prior, accounted for 83 receptions, 1,312 yards, and eight touchdowns. He was a difference maker in every way.

Rumors persist, as we approach the end of the lockout and the impending beginning of free agency, that Rice will likely not be re-signed and will be allowed to test the free agency market. Why the Vikings would be so quick to allow their best and most potent offensive weapon not named Peterson to leave is perplexing.

As I stated previously, when discussing Vincent Jackson, there are a number of teams in need of a wide receiver. Unlike Jackson, however, I believe there is one team that will be aggressive in their attempt to sign Rice.

It is a team not known for their free agency spending sprees in recent years but one that is in dire need of a wide receiver, with a new owner that will not be likely to tighten his purse strings when it comes to the free agent market. I believe Sidney Rice will play for the St. Louis Rams in 2011.

There have been links between the Rams and Plaxico Burress, nearly from the get-go, because of Burress' past with head coach Steve Spagnuolo.

Two years ago, the media readily linked Michael Vick to the Rams because of the Rams lack of a quarterback. The Rams, if anything, have proven they are willing to buck what the rest of the media and league expects. They will do, internally, what they believe is best for the team.

I believe Sidney Rice will serve as a much more consistent receiver for young franchise quarterback Sam Bradford and will be that game-changing wide-out the team was lacking in its playoff push a year ago.

Santonio Holmes

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Santonio Holmes is the best "big game" wide receiver in the game. His game-winning touchdown reception in the Super Bowl remains one of the signature plays in the history of that prestigious game and his overtime catch-and-run against the Browns, a 37-yard touchdown in overtime, was one of the most thrilling plays of the season.

Despite character issues that resulted in his departure from Pittsburgh, Holmes has proven to be an electric receiver and may be one of the more underrated at his position the league has to offer.

He is not, and never will be, as consistently great as Larry Fitzgerald, Andre Johnson, or Calvin Johnson but Holmes is a quarterback's best friend. He is a safety blanket that can catch balls few others can and make the team's passer look like a million dollars while doing so.

I do not believe Holmes will make it to free agency because I fully expect the Jets to re-sign him. More so than just about any other player, I believe Holmes is a lock to remain with his current team and, potentially, make his second appearance in the Super Bowl.

Matt Light

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Matt Light has been an integral part of the New England Patriots team. He has been the anchor on the offensive line and one of the main reasons quarterback Tom Brady has been the victim of only one major injury in his career.

One of the best lineman in team history, Light now finds himself expendable, thanks in large part to the play of Sebastian Vollmer.

If fans knew who Sebastian Vollmer was, if the name had any of the value that some of the other, more celebrated linemen does, Vollmer would have been voted to the 2010 Pro Bowl. One of the most underrated players in the entire league a year ago, Vollmer stepped in and performed at an All-Pro level, keeping Brady upright and aiding the Patriots to a 14-2 record.

That performance made the employment of long-time, respected lineman in Light unnecessary. Add to that the fact that Light is aging (he will be 33 by the conclusion of the season) and that he suffered through the worst statistical year of his career, and you have reason enough for what many feel will be Light's dismissal when free agency commences.

Despite his age, and his one bad year, Light will be very valuable to a handful of contenders. Teams like the Bears, the Falcons, and the Colts could all use a veteran lineman with the experience and track record of a player the caliber of Matt Light. He will not be on the block long before a team comes calling.

While I, by no means, have a clue as to where Light may end up if released, I will go out on a limb and say a fellow AFC team scoops him up and uses him to help protect their most valued possession.

What the heck...Pittsburgh signs Light to help shore up their line. One aging tackle replaces another as the Steelers swap Flozell Adams for Light.

Nnamdi Asomugha

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Nnamdi Asomugha is the crown jewel of the 2011 free agency class. One of the two best cornerbacks in the game today, Asomugha is a legitimate "shut-down" defensive back who commands respect from every opposing receiver and fear from every opposing quarterback.

There will be several high-profile teams vying for the services of Nnamdi upon the beginning of the free agency period. They will be teams with needing the one piece Asomugha provides to really make a splash in their respective conferences and, in some cases, may be the only piece of the puzzle standing between the team and their Super Bowl aspirations.

The Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets, Washington Redskins, and Houston Texans have all been rumored to be in the Nnamdi sweepstakes and every one of those teams, sans Washington, would become exponentially better should they sign the All-Pro cornerback.

Recently, however, two teams have emerged from the pack and have become strong candidates for landing the acclaimed player.

The Philadelphia Eagles are in clear need of cornerback help. After Asante Samuel, a Pro Bowler in his own right, the team is devoid of any real threat at cornerback. As the 2010 Wild Card game vs. the Green Bay Packers showed, it was far too easy to pass on a defense that many once considered one of the best in the game.

Samuel is a finesse corner, one who is at his best when intercepting the ball and making a play with it but at his worst when having to tackle or play even the least bit physical.

Nnamdi would bring that physical play to the table and, in the process, create one of the best two-punch cornerback tandems in league history. The Eagles would be incredibly hard to pass on and, as a result, would become front-runners, in both the NFC and the entire league, to take home the Lombardi trophy.

As great as that sounds to Eagles fans, however, I do not see that happening. Instead, I believe Nnamdi Asomugha will sign with the Houston Texans, immediately making the team a favorite to dethrone the Colts as AFC South champions and make a strong push to the playoffs and the Super Bowl.

For too long, the Texans have been one strong defensive back away from advancing to their first playoff run and, ultimately, the Super Bowl. Nnamdi's arrival would immediately make the Texans' defense a stronger unit and would allow the team more freedom to experiment with their less-talented DBs.

With Mario Williams providing pressure and Asomugha in coverage, the likelihood that the team suffers the same defensive woes is unlikely.