Where Will Nnamdi Asomugha Land? Are the Baltimore Ravens Favorites?
Nnamdi Asomugha is going to be the most sought after free agent this offseason, whenever the free agency period begins, and that could be pretty soon. Since Asomugha could have a new home within a matter of weeks, we should take a quick look at what teams seem the most likely landing spots for the perennial All Pro, and we’ll do it by division.
AFC West
Most likely destination: Oakland Raiders
If Asomugha stays in the AFC West, you can bet he’s going to stay with the Raiders. The Broncos have invested a ton of cash into their secondary already, the Chargers are never big spenders on other teams’ free agents, and the Chiefs already have their bookend corners, though they’d be insane to think Asomugha wouldn’t be an instant upgrade.
The Raiders are near Asomugha’s home, and he has been with them for his entire career. They stuck with him through his first couple of tough years, so maybe he will give them another chance and a small hometown discount. Still, Asomugha is a smart guy, and he realizes he’s not getting any younger. Perhaps he will opt to go to a more stable organization that is closer to winning a title.
NFC West
Most likely destination: St. Louis Rams
I don’t know that the Rams are interested in spending this kind of money, but there’s no reason for Asomugha to go anywhere else in this division unless he is simply thinking about staying in California. The 49ers could use him in their secondary, but they are fresh off of picking 7th in the draft. The Seahawks made the playoffs with seven wins, but their quarterback situation is not any upgrade from the one in Oakland, and the Raiders are arguably a better team than Seattle right now. Arizona is a complete mess, and it wouldn’t be wise for Asomugha to head there unless he thought he could revitalize them.
Thus, heading to St. Louis would be arguably his best option, where he would play for one of the best defensive coaches in the game in Steve Spagnuolo, a man who won a Super Bowl with the Giants while shutting down the best offense in NFL history. The Rams definitely need the help at corner, and they are a team on the cusp of a playoff birth.
AFC South
Most likely destination: Houston Texans
The Texans should be an aggressive suitor for Asomugha. They are in desperate need of a shut-down corner, or any corner with talent, really, and this seems like a good fit for both parties. Adding Asomugha could put the Texans over the top after having one of the better drafts in the league (in my opinion) addressing the front seven. This should be an aggressive team in free agency.
Indianapolis are never big spenders on the free agent market, and Asomugha would certainly be too expensive for their liking. Jacksonville is in need of Asomugha’s services, but I don’t think Asomugha would see them as a wise choice due to their instability as a franchise. Tennessee is another franchise that is rebuilding, and with a new coaching staff and all, I don’t see Asomugha going that direction.
NFC South
Most likely destination: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I don’t really see Asomugha going to any team in the NFC South, but if I had to pick one, I would pick the Buccaneers. This is a franchise really on the rise, and they are in need of a cornerback with the legal issues facing Aqib Talib. Not only that, but the Bucs probably have money to spend with as young as their team is, and they have focused all of their recent high draft picks on front seven help, and they need someone on the back end to make plays. Asomugha could be that guy.
I don’t see him heading to Atlanta because they spent so much money last offseason on cornerback Dunta Robinson, and the Panthers are, well, the Panthers. New Orleans has invested far too many high draft picks on corners and safeties to give up on one and sign Asomugha to a big contract, which I’m not sure they could afford anyway.
AFC North
Most likely destination: Baltimore Ravens
I don’t think Asomugha will want to play for bad teams in cold weather cities in Cleveland and Cincinnati, so I am all but ruling them out as options. The Steelers never are big spenders on the free agent pool, so I don’t see them as serious contenders either. That leaves Baltimore, a legit Super Bowl contender with a need at the cornerback position. Adding Asomugha could make this defense unbearable, despite the fact that it’s already so tough to move the ball on already. I would think there would undoubtedly be some mutual interest here, so we will see what happens.
NFC North
Most likely destination: Detroit Lions
The Minnesota Vikings have many other free agents they have to worry about before they could even think about Asomugha, though they have been very active in this area in the past. The Packers rarely sign free agents of this price, but Asomugha could be worth it to them. I think they will focus on re-signing their own core right now though, but it is a possibility. Chicago is another possibility in Lovie Smith’s defense for a team that just reached the NFC Championship game, but I think Asomugha would pick the team that has some seriously high upside and money to spend.
The Detroit Lions really need a top of the line cornerback, and Asomugha could provide that. This is probably my favorite match of all, just because I like what the Lions are doing, and they could really use Asomugha for their defense, and he could put up Defensive MVP numbers behind that good of a defensive front four.
AFC East
Most likely destination: New York Jets
I don’t know if the Jets have the money to make this move, but they are the team that is always the most active and aggressive in free agency. I would probably put them as the least likely to acquire Asomugha of the teams listed, but you just never know with this team. They have a lot of free agents to think about re-signing, but they might overlook them all to get Asomugha who has expressed a desire to play with Darrelle Revis.
NFC East
Most likely destination: Philadelphia Eagles
I don’t see the Giants going after Asomugha after picking up Prince Amukamara in the draft, and the Cowboys have the money to spend but I’m lukewarm on them as well. The Redskins will probably throw $100 million in Asomugha’s face, but I think he’s smart enough to pass that up. The Eagles have a pressing need for a cornerback opposite Asante Samuel, and they could form a dominant duo with Samuel and Asomugha on the back end of their defense.
Philly has a great fan base and would be an excellent fit for Asomugha, who wants to win a title sooner rather than later.
Nnamdi Asomugha Final Power Rankings
1. Baltimore Ravens
2. Houston Texans
3. Philadelphia Eagles
4. Oakland Raiders
5. Detroit Lions
6. St. Louis Rams
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
8. New York Jets