Nnamdi Asomugha Rumors: Top 5 Destinations for the Raiders Cornerback

While Darrelle Revis was preaching his greatness in New York last season, the player who is really the best cornerback in the league was quietly making plays in Oakland.  The Raiders Nnamdi Asomugha headlines the 2011 free agent class and for good reason: he’s a true shutdown corner that can instantly take a defense to another level.  The list of his possible landing spots hasn’t been narrowed to one just yet, but that list is shrinking.

Teams know what they are getting with the 30-year old veteran; someone who can take a number one wide receiver completely out of a game.  Because of that ability, he’ll have the opportunity to sign a record breaking contract this offseason.  He may just be worth every penny as well, but that depends on the situation.

Here are the top five destinations for Nnamdi Asomugha:

5. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles are a very interesting possible destination.  According to Football Outsiders’ Aaron Schatz, the link hasn’t died just yet, but it’s by far the least likely link of the five landing spots.

Philadelphia is expected to trade Kevin Kolb to the Arizona Cardinals for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie eventually.  This isn’t Madden; the Eagles can’t make having DRC, Asomugha and Asante Samuel all on the same team work. 

Of course, maybe the Eagles would prefer the combination of Rodgers-Cromartie and Asomugha over one that would include Samuel.  If that’s the case, then the Eagles could put Samuel on the trade block for a right tackle, but again, this isn’t Madden.

When it’s all said and done, it would be a shocker to see Asomugha sign in Philadelphia, but it’s not impossible.

4. Oakland Raiders

Oakland isn’t getting much love in the Nnamdi Asomugha rumors.  Despite being his former team and one that he’s never once complained about, they’ve pretty much been forgotten as a destination, but they’re still a possibility.

After all, Al Davis gave Stanford Routt who was tied for second among all NFL cornerbacks in penalties last season a three-year 31.5 million dollar deal with 20 million guaranteed.  Davis has to be ready to pay the best cornerback in the entire league way more than that because there’s no way he values Routt more than Asomugha, right?  He couldn’t have given Routt such a monster deal before Asomugha because he’s faster, right?

At least I hope Davis and the Raiders aren’t that unintelligent, but as of now, it doesn’t look like they’re a front-runner to re-sign the best player that was on their team.

3. Houston Texans

It seems like every offseason experts say that the upcoming season could finally be the Texans year and that they'll breakthrough.  Well, it’s still never happened as they’ve failed to make the playoffs even once in the history of their franchise.  That would all change if they signed Asomugha so Houston may have more to gain than any other team out there.

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen believes they’ll offer him the most money.  Not only that, he doesn’t just believe Asomugha would make them a playoff contender, but he’d turn them into a Super Bowl contender.

It would be crazy if Houston went from having an embarrassing set of corners in 2010 to possibly boasting one of the best trios in the league Asomugha, an improved Kareem Jackson and Brandon Harris in 2011.

2. San Francisco 49ers

Just because the 49ers are a possible landing spot doesn’t mean it’s a good fit.  According to the NFL Network’s Michael Lombardi, they’re more than in the mix to sign Asomugha.

The only possible way he would sign with San Francisco is if they paid him the most money by a long shot because they’re a rebuilding team.  Knowing that, the 49ers shouldn’t even mess with Asomugha.  A 30-year old cornerback is going to do them no good because by the time they’re ready to contend, he’ll be past his prime.

San Francisco won’t be able to win anything with Alex Smith under center and Colin Kaepernick isn’t ready to win games this season.  Breaking the bank for Asomugha is going to kill any chance they have at filling other needs in the future because of how much money they’d have to pay to land him.

1. New York Jets

Tom Brady may just go into a depression.

Nnamdi Asomugha and Darrelle Revis on the same defense; it could happen.  Yeah, funny how fans raved about the Revis-Antonio Cromartie combination last season, but it doesn’t even compare to what the Jets are cooking up now.

After signing Santonio Holmes to a 50 million dollar deal, New York may not have the cap space to sign Asomugha.  Problem solved: according to ESPN’s Trey Wingo, multiple Jets veterans have been told by the team that their contracts will be restructured so they can afford to sign the four-time All-Pro.  Asomugha doesn’t seem like the type of player that would put money ahead of winning a championship anyway so I’d be surprised if he didn’t take less money to play for a contender.

Now, believe it or not, an Asomugha-signing for the Jets doesn’t equal an automatic Super Bowl, but they’d still be awfully close.

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