20 Players Who Will Start the 2011 NFL Season for Their New Team

We experienced the most chaotic NFL offseason of all time this year, as we saw a myriad of free agents sign with different teams and a great deal of trades go down in a matter of a few weeks. 

Teams jockeying for position within their own divisions made their moves early and signed players who were ready to take on prominent roles for the 2011 season. 

Let's take a glance at the players who will be starters for their new teams and will factor into their new club's chances of a playoff birth this year...

Kirk Morrison: Buffalo Bills

The Bills linebacking corp hasn't been the same since they parted ways with Takeo Spikes and London Fletcher. 

Paul Posluszny was a fan favorite in Buffalo and accumulated a lot of tackles each season, but wasn't impactful enough in the run game and struggled mightily defending the pass. 

Morrison should fit right into a starting role alongside Nick Barnett in the Bills 3-4 base defense. 

Buffalo drafted LSU product Kelvin Sheppard in this April's draft and have veterans Andra Davis and Reggie Torbor but were in need of an upgrade. 

Shaun Ellis: New England Patriots

What a back and forth the Jets and the Patriots have had for the last two seasons. 

The Patriots have had no issue picking up players the Jets have let go, (see Danny Woodhead) and now with long-time Jet Shaun Ellis, New England's defensive front is as formidable as it's ever been. 

Ellis will start with Vince Wilfork and Co. to create an assailing, pass-rushing defensive line that will instantly make the Patriots' secondary better. 

A under-the-radar addition that should pay huge dividends in Foxboro. 

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie: Philadelphia Eagles

Everyone is talking about the addition of Kevin Kolb to the Cardinals' offense, but don't forget what the Eagles got in return for their young gun-slinger. 

Rodgers-Cromartie was a Pro Bowler in 2009 and certainly possesses the skills to be a starter for the Eagles this season. 

With Nnamdi Asomugha and Asante Samuel, it's unlikely Rodgers-Cromartie will take over full-time duties on the outside, but he will see plenty of time in nickel and dime packages for Philadelphia. 

Another underrated signing that could play a major factor in how the NFC East plays out this season. 

Plaxico Burress: New York Jets

Although he met with his former team, the New York Giants, Plaxico Burress was signed by the other New York City club to the surprise of many. 

He takes over Braylon Edwards' number 17 and his spot across from the electric Santonio Holmes in the Jets' offense. 

He hasn't caught a regular season pass since late November in 2008, but can be penciled in as the No. 2 wide receiver who could become one of Mark Sanchez's favorite targets due to his size and long arms. 

If things pan out with Burress, the Jets have the potential to be the team to beat in the AFC this season. 

Greg Olsen: Carolina Panthers

Former New York Giants and New Orleans Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey was signed in March by the Carolina Panthers and as much as he may have a substantial role in the team's offense this year, I see the more recent signee Greg Olsen as a bigger acquisition. 

If Cam Newton is the starter for a good portion of the season, he and the younger Olsen could certainly formulate a nice rapport. 

I envision Olsen becoming a safety value for Newton in 2011 and the tight end could finish the year with some respectable numbers. 

He has the size and speed to be a viable target for the No. 1 overall pick and is experienced enough to find the soft spots across the middle. 

Reggie Bush: Miami Dolphins

Yes, the Miami Dolphins drafted running back Daniel Thomas in the second round of the 2011 draft, but I expect Reggie Bush to be more of a "starter" than people think. 

He can run between the tackles and his versatility should give him a very prominent role in the Dolphins offense this year. 

They will use a running back committee like most teams do in today's NFL, but Bush will be a feature back in Miami's backfield.

Lee Evans: Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens stole Lee Evans from the Buffalo Bills. 

It's as simple as that. 

Ozzie Newsome only gave up a fourth-round selection for the burner who will give the Ravens the deep threat they desperately need. 

Playing in Buffalo for the first chunk of his career, Evans was a respectable receiver but dealt with a multitude of quarterback changes and poor overall rosters. 

He finally gets a solid quarterback in Joe Flacco and will be flanked out wide across from perennial Pro Bowler Anquan Boldin. 

A match-made in heaven for Ravens fans. 

Johnathan Joseph: Houston Texans

No one walks into a starting role quite as easily as the Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph. 

Many Texans fans were begging for former Oakland Raiders defensive back Nnamdi Asomugha, but Joseph is a supreme talent that came at a much lower price. 

He was emerging as lock-down No. 1 corner for the Cincinnati Bengals and immediately gives the Texans what they need in their secondary.

Joseph could put the Texans' over the top and into the postseason in 2011.  

Bryant McKinnie: Baltimore Ravens

It really looks like the Baltimore Ravens are making a Super Bowl push in 2011. 

Lee Evans, now Bryant McKinnie. 

Sure, the best days may be behind the 2002 first-round pick, but it has already been reported that he'll be the team's starting left tackle, thus moving Michael Oher to a more comfortable right tackle spot. 

He is a solid pass protector and should give Joe Flacco plenty of time to distribute the ball to his many weapons in the Ravens offense. 

Chad Ochocinco: New England Patriots

He won't have the impact Randy Moss had on the Patriots in 2007, but don't be surprised to see Chad Ochocinco experience a resurgence in New England this season. 

Tom Brady is in the prime of his career and needed a go-to receiver that has the ability to move the chains and stretch the field. 

That is exactly what Ochocinco brings to the field. 

He should start alongside Deion Branch and should wreak havoc on opposing AFC Clubs. 

Ochocino has got Brady throwing to him, what else did you think will happen?

Kevin Kolb: Arizona Cardinals

Football reporters were calling for this move to be made for months and finally when the new CBA was agreed upon Kevin Kolb was shipped to the desert. 

He steps into the starting role and has the luxury of throwing to one of the most skilled receivers of this generation in Larry Fitzgerald. 

Without much depth behind him, a lot of pressure will be placed on Kolb's shoulders especially in a wide-open NFC West. 

Paul Posluszny: Jacksonville Jaguars

If you ask the regular Bills fan, they'd say Posluszny was a disappointment during his tenure in the Queen City. 

However, he did accumulate a ridiculous amount of tackles and will start as the Jaguars middle linebacker in their 4-3 defense. 

He has his problems in pass coverage but exudes good leadership and is now playing within a system that fits his style of play in Jacksonville. 

Sidney Rice: Seattle Seahawks

Rice decided to take the more lucrative contract that Seattle was offering instead of joining the more up-and-coming St. Louis Rams who were reportedly interested.

Although he may pay for his decision in terms of being a part of a winning club, he will certainly be the go-to target in the Seahawks offense. 

We aren't sure who will be throwing him the football in 2011, but his rare combination of size and speed make Rice a legitimate No. 1 option in any offense. 

Donte Whitner: San Francisco 49ers

Another player the Buffalo Bills parted ways with this offseason. 

Donte Whitner, similar to his former defensive teammate Paul Posluszny, made a ton of tackles but wasn't a true playmaker in his first handful of seasons in the NFL. 

The 49ers grabbed him to fill a void in their defensive backfield and though many believe he will be the same player he was in Buffalo, at least he brings his blue-collar style of play to San Francisco's defense. 

He is a solid run stuffer and will start from Week One. 

Nick Barnett: Buffalo Bills

Much like the Bills newest acquisition Kirk Morrison, Nick Barnett is an instant starter for Buffalo. 

He and Morrison will man the middle in Buffalo's 3-4 defense as they look to improve against the run.

Barnett missed 12 games last season for the eventual Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers, but is an upgrade over the younger Paul Posluszny.

He won't morph Buffalo into a Top 10 defense, but he's entrenched as a starting inside linebacker and will benefit the defensive front seven without question.  

Matt Hasselbeck: Tennessee Titans

All eyes are on first-round draft pick Jake Locker in Tennessee, but for at least the beginning of the 2011 season Matt Hasselbeck will be the starter for the Titans. 

He is still a serviceable quarterback and if Chris Johnson ends his holdout, Tennessee's offense shouldn't be horrible, but it won't be great. 

During his time as the No. 1, Hasselbeck can provide much needed guidance to Locker for the future. 

A great situation for both Hasselbeck and the Titans this year. (if Kenny Britt isn't suspended a long period of time)

Donovan McNabb: Minnesota Vikings

Another veteran quarterback stepping in front of young signal caller drafted in the first-round of this April's draft. 

Donovan McNabb is more than capable of leading a team like the Vikings to the playoffs and will help shorten the learning curve for Christian Ponder. 

With Adrian Peterson, a sound defense and McNabb, Minnesota could surprise the rest of the NFC North and make a run in the playoffs this winter. 

All falls on McNabb's overall performance. 

Ray Edwards: Atlanta Falcons

Edwards was forced into the shadows on Minnesota's defensive line because of big names like Kevin Williams, Pat Williams and Jared Allen, but he is an aggressive pass rusher will supreme talent. 

John Abraham remains the Falcons pass rush specialist, but Edwards will start along the defensive line and could see favorable matchups because of what Abraham brings to the table. 

This was one of the more unheralded signings of the offseason but one that could elevate Atlanta to legitimate Super Bowl contention. 

Tarvaris Jackson: Seattle Seahawks

Jackson hasn't run away from the competition in the team's first two preseason games, but it hasn't been easy trying to throw the ball behind the Seahawks' youthful and inexperienced offensive line. 

In the end, I think Jackson's athleticism and familiarity as a starting quarterback in the NFL will give him the nod over Charlie Whitehurst. 

He played with Sidney Rice in Minnesota and will have no issue being a game manager if the Seahawks want to put more of an emphasis on the run this season with Marshawn Lynch and Co. 

Nnamdi Asomugha: Philadelphia Eagles

Nnamdi Asomugha was easily the 2011 offseason's biggest free agent and to the surprise of many, the Philadelphia Eagles signed the standout corner when they started assembling the now famed "Dream Team" (thank you Vince Young).

Asomugha is obviously the team's top corner and will face each team's No. 1 wideout every week. 

He has everything you want in a corner in terms of size, physicality and ball skills. 

Do not expect much when it comes to the stat book... quarterbacks hesitate to even throw Asomugha's way.