2012 NFL Free Agents: Six Targets for the St. Louis Rams

On Tuesday, Jeff Fisher was announced as the new head coach of the St. Louis Rams in a press conference that also featured owner Stan Kroenke and vice president of football operations Kevin Demoff.

The event signaled the start of a new era for St. Louis fans—an era that hopefully equates to more tangible success than the last five years of disastrous Rams football.

The team has a 15-65 record over the last five years, which means Fisher will have his work cut out for him if he wants to establish winning football sooner rather than later. Luckily for Fisher, even an average 2012 season would be a milestone compared to the Rams' 2-14 record in 2011.  

The team is in much better shape in comparison to the team Steve Spagnuolo took over in 2009, especially when you look at the young stars who will be used as building blocks: Sam Bradford, Chris Long, Robert Quinn, James Laurinaitis, Danny Amendola, Darian Stewart and Bradley Fletcher.

The young core of talent makes it possible for the team to make a quick turnaround, as opposed to the long process of tearing down the roster completely and starting over, which is what Spagnuolo had to deal with. 

The NFL draft is the primary tool that should be utilized when building a team. 

However, since a solid 2012 campaign is not out the realm of possibility for the Rams, it might make sense for Fisher to sign a couple of capable free agents who would be able to contribute immediately, rather than waiting for the drafted players to develop over several years. 

So, if the Rams are looking for immediate help in 2012 in the free-agent market, who are some candidates that deserve a look? 

Note: The bottom of each slide will show the "realism meter," which indicates how realistic and believable the signing would be on a scale of one to 10. 

John Carlson, TE (Seattle Seahawks)

John Carlson had 1,201 yards and 12 touchdowns during his first two seasons in the NFL as the Seattle Seahawks tight end. 

His production slipped in 2011 (318 yards, one touchdown) and he has struggled with injuries, which means the Seahawks might be willing to let Carlson hit the free-agency market. Also, the team signed Zach Miller to a $34 million contract prior to the 2011 season, which makes Carlson even more disposable. 

The Rams drafted Lance Kendricks in the second round of the 2011 draft because he is a hybrid tight end that was meant to play a role similar to Aaron Hernandez in New England. 

However, one reason why that proved to be ineffective was because the Rams do not have a Rob Gronkowski-caliber tight end to throw into the mix with Kendricks. 

Carlson is not Gronkowski by any stretch, but he's more of a traditional tight end and would allow the offense to have much more flexibility. Also, at 6'5", he would provide Sam Bradford with a legitimate red-zone target. 

Realism Meter: 8/10

Demetrius Bell, LT (Buffalo Bills)

Demetrius Bell is the estranged son of former NBA star Karl Malone, so you know he has athleticism in his genes. 

Bell is also very solid in pass protection and run-blocking, which is why it was odd when the Buffalo Bills benched him for nine consecutive weeks.

The Bills had a record of 4-2 with Bell starting at left tackle and they went 2-8 with him on the bench. 

If the Rams were to sign him, Rodger Saffold would likely move to right tackle, while Jason Smith would either move to left guard or be cut by the team. 

So with just this one signing, along with the position changes, the Rams could have a totally revamped offensive line in 2012. And that's not even considering the players they could potentially draft in April. 

The 2011 season proved that the Rams need major help on the line, so Bell could ultimately be the answer. 

Realism Meter: 6.5/10 

Carl Nicks, OG (New Orleans Saints)

Carl Nicka is a two-time All-Pro selection as a starting offensive guard for the New Orleans Saints. 

Assuming the soon-to-be free agent is even willing to come to a losing team like the Rams, there's also the fact that he's likely way beyond the team's price range—his teammate, offensive guard Jahri Evans, signed a seven-year deal in 2010 worth $56.7 million.

He would be virtually impossible for the Rams to sign, except for the fact that they made Gregg Williams their new defensive coordinator. Williams, despite the fact he was a defensive coach in New Orleans, could use his connection with Nicks to the Rams' advantage.  

Furthermore, the Rams have talked with the Saints' offensive line coach Aaron Kromer and are presumably trying to lure him to St. Louis as their new offensive line coach, which would bode well for the Rams if they are indeed interested in Nicks.

But still, the issue of Nicks' price tag is probably too much to ignore.  

Realism Meter: 3.5/10

Cortland Finnegan, CB (Tennessee Titans)

Even though the Rams have a pair of capable starting cornerbacks in veteran Ron Bartell and third-year starter Bradley Fletcher, it doesn't change the fact that the team still needs help in the secondary.

Fletcher and Bartell both struggled with season-ending injuries in 2011, and even backup corners Jerome Murphy and Al Harris were unable to maintain health. 

Since the team does not have a single cornerback capable of staying healthy for 16 games, they might consider free agent Cortland Finnegan. 

Finnegan has started 77 of his last 80 possible games over the last five years, so his ability to stay healthy has been proven. 

Some people may remember Finnegan solely for the scuffle he got into with Texans receiver Andre Johnson in 2010, but regardless of the damaged reputation, he is still one of the best corners in the NFL. 

The 27-year-old Finnegan has been a member of the Titans for his entire six-year career, but he may be willing to reunite with his ex-coach Jeff Fisher if the price is right. 

Realism Meter: 8/10

Jason Jones, DT (Tennessee Titans)

In 2010, Jason Jones turned a corner in his career and became a productive starter at defensive tackle.

The Titans then made the mistake of moving him to defensive end for the 2011 season, a move that they surely regret due to Jones' decline in overall production. 

However, a move back to his natural defensive tackle position under his old head coach in St. Louis would be a beneficial career move for Jones. It would also provide the Rams with a long-term answer at defensive tackle, which is probably the defense's most glaring need at the moment. 

At the age of 25, Jones would be an ideal replacement for the 34-year-old Fred Robbins, who was not nearly as effective in 2011 as he was when the Rams first signed him in 2010. 

Realism Meter: 7/10

Brandon Lloyd, WR (St. Louis Rams)

What better way to start free agency than by locking up the only dangerous receiver on the roster? 

Including his time in Denver before being traded to the Rams, Brandon Lloyd caught 70 passes for 966 yards and eight touchdowns in 2011, which was the best single-season performance by a Rams receiver since Torry Holt in 2007 (93 catches, 1,189 yards and seven touchdowns). 

Signing Lloyd to a multi-year contract would be a great thing for the Rams offense, even if they do use a first-round pick on Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon. 

Lloyd might not like the idea of learning a new offense, since he came to St. Louis in order to play in Josh McDaniels' system, but given his current role with the team, he's clearly the most realistic free-agent signing for the Rams this offseason. 

Realism Meter: 9/10