2012 NFL Free Agency Preview
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Manning is the biggest QB free agent of all time (Creative Commons/Jeffrey Beall).
There are many big names available -- restricted and not -- that can immediately help particular teams and contribute to make “the leap.” Here are the biggest, along with their value and where they should sign. Note: Any of the prospective teams for each player is pure speculation.
Peyton Manning
The eventual Canton-bound signal caller is coming off four neck surgeries and looking for a team that is a quarterback shy of being Super Bowl quality. No quarterback of Manning’s caliber has ever been a free agent – Peyton and teams are swimming in uncharted waters. No one knows how close Manning is and will be to the Manning of 2010. But even 75 percent of his former self is better than most quarterbacks are, right? A club such as Arizona or Miami, which have solid teams outside of consistent quarterback play, would benefit with Manning signing on. Houston would be a killer destination too -- with a top-flight running back and receiver on board paired with a very good offensive line and defense. Denver and ‘Zona are apparently the frontrunners. If Manning goes to the Big D, then Timothy Richard Tebow will likely be dealt. The team would still be a good run stuffer and another wideout (Reggie Wayne?) from being a legit threat in the AFC...though Manning carried worse teams to 10-win years. So who knows?
Important to note: Manning may want to bring some of his ex-Colts posse along with him, including Wayne, center Jeff Saturday and tight end Dallas Clark. A team will need a lot of cap room (Denver has a ton, as does Tennessee).
He should sign with…
Houston, Arizona, Denver, Tennessee (Manning will make a visit there soon)
He will likely sign with…
Denver, Arizona, Tennessee
Mario Williams
This last Super Bowl, the Giants reinforced the idea that having an elite pass-rusher is essential to success in January. Williams, who played just five games last season after tearing a pectoral muscle, is such a player. On his best days, he’s a Pro Bowl-caliber 4-3 defensive or 3-4 outside linebacker, and is such a physical specimen that he can play either. A team that could really use a guy of Williams’ ilk? New England. They have skated along with more no-names harassing (read: attempting to harass) quarterbacks than just about any other team in the league. It is time for them to step up and score a big-time DE to knock QBs down. The only problem will be their cap room. Williams will want big money, and it remains to be seen if the Pats can dish out big money for him. Houston was dumb giving Arian Foster his contract this offseason -- the team could have matched any offer for him and extended him next season. If they make a run at Manning, the Texans won’t have room for Williams without some cap magic. He’ll probably end up on some middle-of-the-road team.
He should sign with…
New England, Houston
He will likely sign with…
Atlanta, Seattle, Buffalo, Tampa Bay (tons of cap room)
Mike Wallace
Wallace is easily the best young receiver in the league, and even pushing best overall status. He is extraordinary. Not only can he go deep and burn a corner, but also he kills secondaries with the intermediate route. Just about every team would love to add the 25-year-old star. The only issue is that Wallace is restricted -- thus, Pittsburgh can match any offer a team makes him. The Patriots salivate when the idea of Wallace going to Foxborough is mentioned. Pittsburgh does not intend to let him go, cutting ties with some valuable veterans to free up come cap room to sign Wallace. The surprise would be if he left the black and yellow.
He should sign with…
New England, Pittsburgh
He will likely sign with…
Pittsburgh
Vincent Jackson
VJax had a legit year with San Diego despite Philip Rivers having his worst season since Drew Brees skipped town. Funnily enough, Eli Manning was the better 2004 quarterback. It was if the two arranged a deal to swap skill sets for one season (Phil, you got the short end of the stick). Certainly, the wideout who burned defensive backs left and right back in ’11 could serve many receiver-deprived franchises. He butt heads over his contract with the genius that is A.J. Smith, who has a trophy case as barren as mine. Signs are pointing to him signing for the dolla dolla bills, y’all, instead of a contender.
He should sign with…
New England (yes, New England should chase nearly every big FA, in case this isn’t clear), Chicago
He will likely sign with…
Washington (the current frontrunner who is rolling with Santana Moss’ corpse as the top receiver. Speaking of a Moss…)
Randy Moss
A Randy Moss comeback? Count me in (Creative Commons/Keith Allison)!
[Editor's note: Moss agreed to sign with the 49ers late Monday afternoon.]
Randy Moss coming back to the NFL would be like Santa Claus actually being real -- too awesome. The former All-Pro and current Ustream star has worked out for the New Orleans Saints to excellent reviews (think The Artist-type raving) and will work out with San Francisco today. If Randy is “dedicated” Randy and NOT “Randy being Randy” Randy, he can help a contender (follow that?). More likely than not, he’ll be only a low-risk contract, so many teams could opt to give him a chance and cut ties if Randy follows the mail schedule and doesn’t deliver on Sundays (I would like to apologize for that horrendous joke).
He should sign with…
New England (WHY NOT?!), New Orleans, San Francisco, New York Jets, Tennessee, Chicago
He will likely sign with…
New Orleans, Chicago
Brandon Carr
It does not look too good for Carr staying in Kansas City, but it’s within the realm of possibility. Scott Pioli shelled out big dough for former Raider corner Stanford Routt. He could remain a Chief, but his services could be better used elsewhere. He worked very well with Brandon Flowers last year, forming a formidable corner tandem. A team like Cincy, which has one great corner and bereft of a legit No. 2, would love Carr to join their roster. Tennessee also has big money to spend on a corner, as Cortland Finnegan will not return.
He should sign with…
Cincinnati, Kansas City, Tennessee, Dallas
He will likely sign with…
Cincinnati, Kansas City
Carlos Rogers
Carlos Rogers was a joke in Washington, yet for the Niners, he was an invaluable member of their secondary. Not only did he cover better than anyone has recently in that secondary (COUGH, Nate Clements, COUGH), he picked off QBs six times -- good for a four-way tie at fourth. The 49ers have some bank to re-sign Rogers. It would be a good deal for both parties involved.
He should sign with…
San Francisco
He will likely sign with…
San Francisco, Washington (couldn’t you see Dan Snyder overpaying for a player he let go the previous year? I sure can).
Brandon Lloyd
The worse kept secret in free agency is that Brandon Lloyd will be joining former coach Josh McDaniels and Tom Brady up in New England. It’s an absolute. The extremely late-blooming Lloyd is just the deep-threat McDaniels knows how to utilize and the type of receiver New England needs. Lloyd is even openly discussing why the Patriots interest him. This contract is all but signed.
He should sign with…
New England
He will likely sign with…
New England
Cortland Finnegan
Finnegan to the Raiders makes too much sense for it not to happen (Wikimedia Commons/Michelle Moore).
The scrappiest pound-for-pound player in the league is possibly Cortland Finnegan. Dude is tough as nails and doesn’t take crap from anyone. The only problem is that Finnegan’s ability has slipped a bit and now his problems outweigh his ability. Odds are, he’s out with the Titans, and there is only one team that should make a legit run at him…
He should sign with…
Oakland! Cincinnati (The Bengals could do with another DB).
He will likely sign with…
Oakland! Note: can’t you see Finnegan in Oakland? It’s a perfect need/personality fit. Plus, they need a corner after Routt left for Tennessee Kansas City. Make it happen, ghastly ghost of Al Davis.
Paul Soliai
Soliai is the biggest defensive tackle available in 2012 free agency. Many teams could go after the player who was essential in Miami’s great run defense last season. Denver has a severe hole at DT, and unless they want to wager one being available in the late first round, could go after the former Ute. Miami would best keep Soliai.
He should sign with…
Miami, Denver
He will likely sign with…
Miami
Marques Colston [Editor's note: Colston agreed to a five-year deal to stay in New Orleans Tuesday morning.]
Since his late round drafting in 2006, Colston has served as the “primary” receiver for the Saints. “Primary” is “primary” and not primary because Drew Brees dishes the ball around so much that Colston put up good-not-great numbers. He’s a lower-end No. 1 guy, but much like any of the other receivers on this list, would a team devoid any solid receivers.
He should sign with…
San Diego, Cleveland, St. Louis, Chicago, New York Jets
He will likely sign with…
Chicago (NEEDS a true receiver), NYJ (if he feels like going back near his alma mater)
Carl Nicks
One of the league’s top guards could be on the move. He has publicly stated that he would not mind staying in-town with Brees and co., but he wants to be the highest-paid guard in the league. The problem is that the Saints will have to reason paying big money to two guards: Jahri Evans -- another elite guy -- being the other one. He may not get his big paycheck in NOLA, which ultimately could be an issue.
He should sign with…
San Diego, Jacksonville (payday)
He will likely sign with…
New Orleans, San Diego
Curtis Lofton
The top-flight MLB will likely not return to Atlanta after the Falcons inked a deal with former Seahawk Lofa Tatupu, who did not play a single game last year. Lofton, 27, is in the middle of his prime and wants to cash in. He wouldn’t have to move too far -- two teams in the NFC South could pay him and are in need of a Mike ‘backer.
He should sign with…
New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Tennessee
He will likely sign with…
New Orleans, Tampa Bay
Matt Flynn and Brian Hoyer
Peyton Manning excluded, Matt Flynn is the hottest QB on the market (Wikimedia Commons/Gabriel Cervantes).
The backup QB to the best QB in the league is on the loose, and surely, some team will pay a ton for him! Though it’s semi-unclear if Flynn is a product of Green Bay’s system, dropping six touchdowns in a game is an impressive feat nonetheless. Alternatively, Hoyer has played less than Flynn has but has shown good signs. Washington was probably in the mix for Flynn or Brian Hoyer, but after they dropped three first-round picks for the second overall pick (presumably for Baylor’s Robert Griffin III), they are out. Now, the Browns need a quarterback. If Minnesota isn’t sold on Christian Ponder, the Vikings may look at Hoyer/Flynn. If Seattle does not want to wait and see how the draft falls, the Seahawks could definitely look at one of these two players.
Note: Hoyer is a restricted free, so the Pats could presumably hold onto him and/or deal him.
They should sign with…
Cleveland, Seattle, Miami, Jacksonville
They will likely sign with…
Cleveland, Seattle, Miami
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