NFL Free Agents 2011: Landing Spots for Derrick Mason and Other Veterans

As you read this article, NFL front offices around the league are talking to free agents who could be the difference in their squad making the playoffs or picking inside the top 10 of the 2012 NFL Draft.  No one besides undrafted free agents can be signed until this upcoming Friday, but deals can still be put into place.  

Veterans are being cut at a rapid pace to shed salary so the 2011 free agent class is growing by the hour.  Get ready for the most action-packed free agency period ever.

Here are possible landing spots for Derrick Mason and nine other veterans:

10. Roy Williams

Possible Landing Spots: Chicago Bears, Houston Texans, Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks, Washington Redskins

Prediction: Houston Texans

The former Texas Longhorn and Dallas Cowboy wouldn't have to move very far.  The Texans have needed a No. 2 wide receiver across from Andre Johnson for the longest time and Roy Williams would be just that.  Williams has had too many inconsistent years to still be a No. 1, but he definitely could still start in the NFL.

He has the ability to be a stud and showed that back in 2004 when he caught 82 balls for 1,310 yards and seven touchdowns on the Lions.  Getting released could fuel Williams and being on a team as talented as the Texans shouldn't hurt either.  I just don't know as a defense how you defend Johnson, Williams, Owen Daniels and Arian Foster.

9. Derrick Mason

Possible Landing Spots: Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, Houston Texans, New York Jets

Prediction: Atlanta Falcons

Knowing how fiery a competitor Derrick Mason is, I highly doubt he's going to take getting cut with a smile on his face.  He may take it as a sign of disrespect after he's led the Ravens in receiving and as a leader in the locker room for so many years.  At 37 years old, he'll look to sign on with a contender.

Mason can still get job done as he caught 61 receptions for 802 yards and seven touchdowns last season.  The Falcons drafted Julio Jones in the first round, but they could still use another reliable target for Matt Ryan to throw to.  Roddy White, Jones, Mason and Tony Gonzalez: Atlanta would go from having one of the thinnest receiving corps' in the league to boasting one of the best.

8. Marion Barber

Possible Landing Spots: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins

Prediction: Denver Broncos

DeAngelo WIlliams has long been linked to the Broncos, but Williams is an elusive back and doesn't complement the elusive Knowshon Moreno.  Marion Barber on the other hand complements Moreno very well with his powerful running style.  John Fox used a smash and dash duo in Carolina with Williams and Jonathan Stewart and could look to do the same thing in Denver.

Barber is 28 years old so he still has a few solid years left in him.  He has struggled with injuries the last few seasons so the extra long offseason should do him good.  Barber has averaged 4.2 yards a carry throughout his career.

7. Harvey Dahl

Possible Landing Spots: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys, Oakland Raiders, Washington Redskins

Prediction: Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals know they aren't going to be able to win football games by just adding a quarterback.  They need a quarterback and a line to give him time and they have neither right now.  Alan Faneca was a huge disappointment last year and is now a free agent.

If Arizona makes big moves for Kevin Kolb and Harvey Dahl, they'll have a very good chance to keep Larry Fitzgerald.  If they fail to make bold transactions, he'll leave; he wants to play for a contender.  Dahl is an aggressive run blocker who would not only help protect whoever ends up being the Cardinals' quarterback, but open up running lanes for Beanie Wells.

6. Jammal Brown

Possible Landing Spots: Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings

Prediction: Detroit Lions

The Lions have ignored their offensive line for far too long.  They have the offensive skill players and defensive line to be a Super Bowl contender (yeah, I said it).  Once they finally fix their o-line and their defense: watch out.

Jammal Brown would be a huge addition as the two-time Pro Bowler would finally give Matt Stafford a respectable left tackle.  Jeff Backus could move to the right side and all of a sudden, Jahvid Best may actually have some room to run.  Of course, they could use a center as well, but at least they'd have an improved line going into 2011.

5. Jason Babin

Possible Landing Spots: Atlanta Falcons, Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, 

Prediction: Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals signed Tennessee's Antwan Odom back in 2008, but they may add another Titan to replace their broken one.  Odom is a very talented play; he just gets injured all too often.  Cincinnati can keep him, but adding Jason Babin across from Carlos Dunlap and allowing Odom to be a situational pass-rusher should do wonders for the Bengals defense.

Babin doesn't have the character concerns Cincinnati usually looks for in players, but he is a one-year wonder so that should be enough to draw their interest.  Plus, don't his tattoos look exactly like the Bengals fan's in that one Comcast commercial?  He recorded 12.5 sacks last year in Tennessee, more than he had in the previous five years combined.  

4. Ike Taylor

Possible Landing Spots: Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Redskins

Prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers

Ike Taylor is going to draw a ton of offers this offseason from good teams, but when it's all said and done, he'll end up back in Pittsburgh.  The Steelers absolutely can't afford to lose him.  He is the best cover corner they have by far and currently is their only respectable one.

Bryant McFadden is horrible, Curtis Brown is raw and won't be able to step in and start year one and William Gay is nothing more than depth.  Taylor only surrendered one touchdown the entire season last year.  Pittsburgh will not make a return to the Super Bowl if they go into 2011 with McFadden and Brown starting on the outside.  

3. Leonard Davis

Possible Landing Spots: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Oakland Raiders, St. Louis Rams

Prediction: Minnesota Vikings

Yet another Cowboy that was released to save money, at 32 years old, the three-time Pro Bowler still has a bit left in him.  There is probably more teams than not that would love to add the 6'6', 355-pound monster, but the Minnesota Vikings may just want him a bit more.  There is no reason why a back as talented as Adrian Peterson shouldn't lead the league in rushing every single season.  

They need an upgrade on the interior offensive line and the massive Davis could create some massive holes to run through for AP.  With a trio of Peterson, Toby Gehrhart and now Derrick Locke, the Vikings will be run heavy next season to protect rookie Christian Ponder.  The Vikings line would look insanely intimidating if Davis was lined up next to the 6'8", 343-pound Phil Loadholt.

2. Cullen Jenkins

Possible Landing Spots: Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Washington Redskins

Prediction: Carolina Panthers

Often when athletes win a championship ring, with nothing left to prove they turn their number one priority to making as much money as possible.  That may just be what Cullen Jenkins does after winning a Super Bowl in Green Bay last season.  Jenkins has been linked to the Panthers this offseason and you know it isn't because they're a contender.

Carolina has a huge need at defensive tackle.  They selected two d-tackles in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft, but they're just third round defensive tackles and can't be expected to step in and start from day one.  If the Panthers can't turn their defense into a force, maybe it could make up for their pitiful offense.

1. Nnamdi Asomugha

Possible Landing Spots: Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, Oakland Raiders, New York Jets, Washington Redskins

Prediction: Houston Texans

The crown jewel of the 2011 free agent class: Nnamdi Asomugha.  

The Houston Texans are absolutely desperate for cornerback help.  By adding Asomugha, all of a sudden they would have three respectable ones in him, Kareem Jackson and Brandon Harris.  When you play Peyton Manning twice a year, you need as many quality corners as possible.

If everyone offered Asomugha the same amount of money, he'd probably end up in New York, but they don't have enough cap room to make him a respectable offer.  The Ravens are a sleeper to add him after their latest cuts, but they have much bigger holes elsewhere.  I don't think Asomugha is a money-first kind of guy, but the Texans will offer him the most and they're a team that he could single-handedly take to the next level.

David Daniels is an NFL Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report and a Syndicated Writer. Follow  him on Twitter.