2012 NFL Free Agency: Buy or Sell the NFL's Top 20 Free Agents

The 2012 NFL free-agent crop is rich with some big-name talent. The current employers of these stars have to decide if keeping one marquee athlete is worth potentially taking money away from addressing other team needs.

For some the choice is a simple one. Certain free agents fall into the bracket of being indispensable to their respective team's hopes for glory.

Others, though, are players on the rise, whose desire to parlay their sudden dominance into a mega-bucks contract could leave them anxious to test the open market.

With these and other factors in mind, here is a buy or sell list for the NFL's top 20 free agents. 

20. Paul Soliai, NT Miami Dolphins: SELL

The Miami Dolphis couldn't agree on a long-term deal with Paul Soliai last offseason and opted instead to place the franchise tag on the hulking nose tackle.

Soliai is an underrated nose tackle who is quietly beginning to establish himself as one of the better anchors of a three-man line in the league.

The 6'4", 355 pounder is a rugged and extremely powerful force along the line of scrimmage and a big deal seems inevitable.

But with their search for a new head coach still ongoing, the Dolphins will have to act fast if they hope to strike an agreement with Soliai.

With Randy Starks also capable of playing the position and a deep line rotation, the Dolphins could choose to let Soliai test the open market and spend their money retooling a sluggish offense.

19. Robert Meachem, WR New Orleans Saints: SELL

Robert Meachem has failed to dislodge either one of the prolific duo, Marques Colston or Devery Henderson, as a prime target for Drew Brees.

Meachem has the talent, but inconsistency and lapses in concentration have stunted the 27-year-old's development.

But Meachem does possess prototype size at 6'2" and 210 pounds. He has demonstrated the ability to stretch the field, as well as being a reliable red-zone target.

He could jump at the chance to be given a starting role on another team and would be an attractive option for an offense looking to boost its deep passing game.

With a host of more high-profile free agents to try and retain, the Saints could well let Meachem entertain other offers.

18. Mario Manningham, WR New York Giants: SELL

Like Meachem, Mario Manningham has largely failed to live up to expectations. He was quickly surpassed by Hakeem Nicks as the premier wideout for the New York Giants.

This season has seen Victor Cruz take Manningham's place in the starting lineup and relegate the former Michigan star to spot duty.

Manningham has struggled with drops and does not always run the most precise routes, but he is a legitimate deep threat, capable of delivering big plays for an offense.

There are plenty of teams who could use this kind of asset in the passing game and who could be willing to give Manningham another chance to prove himself in a prominent role.

The Giants may try to retain him, but don't expect the G-Men to put up too much of a fight if Manningham expresses a desire to test the market.

17. Curtis Lofton, LB Atlanta Falcons: BUY

Despite their embarrassing playoff capitulation against the Giants, the Atlanta Falcons would be wise to keep their strong core together.

That means retaining intelligent and tenacious linebacker Curtis Lofton. The fourth-year pro led the Atlanta defense with 147 tackles in 2011.

He is one of the building blocks that newly-appointed defensive coordinator Mike Nolan will need to be able to rely on.

16. Ben Grubbs, LG Baltimore Ravens: BUY

The success of the Baltimore Ravens offense comes from the consistent play of their offensive line. Left guard Ben Grubbs is a key component of that.

The 6'3", 310 pounder is a skilled and savvy blocker who anchors Joe Flacco's blindside. Grubbs is equally adept in pass protection and run-blocking and the Baltimore front five would be severely weakened without him.

Having re-signed right guard Marshal Yanda last offseason, the Ravens should make a similar move to retain the services of Grubbs. 

15. Cedric Benson, RB Cincinnati Bengals: SELL

It is a deep and talented free-agent class at running back this year and Cedric Benson is one of many starting rushers who presents an interesting dilemma to his current team.

The bruising back no longer seems to fit with the kind of offense the Cincinnati Bengals are constructing around explosive youngsters Andy Dalton and A.J. Green.

Benson broke the 1,000-yard mark in 2011 but only averaged 3.9 yards per carry. The Bengals could give the speedy Bernard Scott a chance to make the position his own, as they look for a more dynamic and versatile alternative to Benson.

His performances during his Bengals career mean that Benson could want a lucrative, long-term deal, but the Bengals seem reluctant to commit to Benson for an extended period and there are already rumours that he could have played his last game in Cincinnati.

14. Carlos Rogers, CB San Francisco 49ers: BUY

After years of having certain interceptions fluttering through his hands as a member of the Washington Redskins, Carlos Rogers finally put it all together during his first season in San Francisco.

Rogers stole six passes and turned away 24 more this season. He has been the linchpin of a secondary that has turned a physically intimidating 49ers defense into a complete unit.

Whenever their season ends, the 49ers have to make offering fresh terms to the cerebral cornerback a top priority.

13. Chris Myers, C Houston Texans: BUY

As the fulcrum of the Houston Texans' stellar offensive line, athletic center Chris Myers is essential to the productivity of the team's zone running attack.

At 6'4" and 289 pounds, the 30-year-old Myers is the perfect zone blocker. His quick feet and refined technique make him excellent in space.

He has the instincts and vision to execute Gary Kubiak's blocking schemes. Given how hard it is to find linemen with the necessary attributes to direct a zone-blocking scheme, re-signing Myers is a necessity for the Texans. 

12. Anthony Spencer, LB Dallas Cowboys: SELL

Despite playing opposite the league's most dangerous pass-rusher DeMarcus Ware, Anthony Spencer has failed to develop into the kind of impact player the Dallas Cowboys hoped they had drafted back in 2007.

The former Purdue standout has only registered 21.5 sacks in five seasons. Spencer showed some improvement at the start of this season, but in the end he flattered to deceive, like most of the Cowboys team.

After a hugely disappointing finish, there could be big changes in Dallas. Rob Ryan's defense may bear the brunt, having been shredded in the decisive game by Eli Manning and the Giants.

The Cowboys could look to move on from Spencer and seek a more dynamic and consistent alternative opposite Ware.

11. Cliff Avril, DE Detroit Lions: SELL

As a promising young pass-rusher, Cliff Avril could command a lot of value when it comes time to discuss his next contract.

He is coming off his best season after registering 11 sacks in 2011, the first double-digit mark of his career. The 25-year-old is a relentless and athletic edge rusher who has the speed to torment offensive linemen.

As effective as he is, Avril might be undervalued by the Lions come negotiating time. Detroit can fall on a deep line rotation and the play of their defensive tackles is what really drives their aggressive front four.

Add in the fact that reserve ends Lawrence Jackson and youngster Willie Young are both capable of getting to the quarterback and the Lions may be reluctant to match any big offers Avril might receive.

10. Jermichael Finley, TE Green Bay Packers: BUY

Now that the dust has settled on their playoff mauling at the hands of the Giants, the Green Bay Packers can begin the process of retaining their top assets. That list has to include explosive tight end Jermichael Finley.

The 6'5", 247 pounder is a genuine downfield threat and presents a matchup nightmare for most coverage schemes in the league.

Although they were out of sync against Big Blue, Finley and quarterback Aaron Rodgers usually have an excellent connection on the field.

He will probably not come cheap, but few tight ends in the game can match Finley's combination of physicality and deceptive vertical speed.

9. Cortland Finnegan, CB Tennessee Titans: BUY

He may court controversy more than most teams would prefer, but Cortland Finnegan is still a valuable member of the Tennessee Titans defense.

In today's pass-happy NFL, quality cover corners are worth their weight in gold and on his day, Finnegan can match any receiver in the league.

The aggressive defensive back is a versatile weapon in defensive coordinator Jerry Gray's schemes. Finnegan is used as a slot defender in nickel packages and offers the Titans a lot of schematic flexibility.

Gray's defense needs pass-rushers, but money should also be made available to strike a new deal with Finnegan.

8. Matt Flynn, QB Green Bay Packers: SELL

It's remarkable how much Matt Flynn has been able to boost his reputation with just two career starts. His 480 yards and six-touchdown salvo against the Detroit Lions to close out the season has alerted every quarterback-needy team in the league.

The level of attention Flynn is likely to attract from coaches seeking a franchise-saviour under center makes it virtually impossible for the Packers to keep the ex-LSU triggerman.

Flynn is sure to receive some hugely enticing offers as soon as free agency kicks off and the Packers won't be able to justify making that same level of commitment to the deputy to Aaron Rodgers.

7. Robert Mathis, DE Indianapolis Colts: SELL

No franchise is set to experience more change this offseason than the Indianapolis Colts. The front office has been made over and the head coach removed.

The playing staff won't be immune to the spate of radical changes. 30-year-old defensive end Robert Mathis could be one of many high-profile veterans who are let go.

Mathis is a formidable and skilled edge-rusher with a knack for causing fumbles, but his every-down skills have declined in recent seasons.

Mathis has been after a new long-term contract for some time. With so many holes to fill and his demands likely to be high, the Colts could choose to simply cut ties with Mathis and let him ply his trade elsewhere.

6. Carl Nicks, LG New Orleans Saints: SELL

Carl Nicks can make a fine case to be considered the best interior lineman in the NFL. The 6'5", 343 pounder is mainstay of the New Orleans Saints powerful offensive front.

But the Saints have lots of pressing needs in free agency and Nicks will certainly draw plenty of top-dollar offers from around the league.

The Saints will find it hard to match some of the contracts that are likely to be put in front of Nicks. With right guard Jahri Evans committed for the long term, the Saints may decide to chance finding a serviceable and cheaper alternative to Nicks.

5. Marques Colston, WR New Orleans Saints: BUY

One of those other pressing needs is to secure the continued services of Drew Brees' favourite target, Marques Colston.

The 6'4", 225-pound flanker is a sure-handed playmaker who runs intelligent routes and understands how to expose gaps in zone coverage.

Despite the emergence of tight end Jimmy Graham, Colston is the chief weapon at Brees' disposal. He is equally adept at working the intermediate areas, as he is at producing big gains downfield.

The Saints must surely move quickly to end any speculation regarding Colston's future and ensure that Brees can rely on the versatile pass-catcher again next season.

4. DeSean Jackson, WR Philadelphia Eagles: SELL

DeSean Jackson's demands for a bumper new deal from the Philadelphia Eagles could backfire in a dangerous game of brinksmanship between player and team.

Jackson's flamboyant style and outspoken ways might make him a risky prospect, but few teams would not want a player with his big-play capability.

The Eagles possess the luxury of also having Jeremy Maclin and Jason Avant at wide receiver. They could choose to let Jackson test his desire for big money on the open market.

This would leave Andy Reid free to pursue quality reinforcements along the offensive line and at linebacker.

3. Matt Forte, RB Chicago Bears: BUY

Matt Forte is the jewel of the Chicago Bears offense and the NFC North residers will need the multi-threat weapon to help them return to the playoffs after missing out in 2011.

Forte is a crafty runner and an excellent receiver out of the backfield. The Bears would find it next to impossible to replace his ability and production.

Keeping Forte in place and then surrounding him with a more talented and suitable supporting cast should be the top priorities for the Bears in free agency. 

2. Ray Rice, RB Baltimore Ravens: BUY

Ray Rice is an exceptional talent and should be the undisputed focal point of the Baltimore Ravens offense. A tough, durable and elusive runner, Rice can grind out yards inside and also has the speed and moves to escape for big gains.

He is a valuable outlet as a receiver and is the best pass-protecting back in the game. The 5'8", 212-pound dynamo has pleaded to get the ball more often, a sentiment echoed by his teammates.

The Ravens simply must give Rice both the financial reward and workload to match his considerable talents.

1. Drew Brees, QB New Orleans Saints: BUY

The challenge the Saints front office will face is putting together fiscal terms appropriate for a record-setting passer as accurate and efficient as Drew Brees.

The balancing act will be in rewarding Brees, but not so much that other areas of the team are unable to be addressed.

But the Saints will only ever go as far as the league's most precise quarterback takes them, making re-signing Brees the easiest decision they will ever make.