2012 NFL Free Agents: Highlighting Each Division's Best Pending Free Agent

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Thanks to last year's lockout and a new collective bargaining agreement, we have more NFL free agents this offseason than ever before.

Bring on the drama.

We're bound to see plenty of it.

Let's take a glimpse into each division and label its best pending free agent as we near the start of all the madness on March 13th.

AFC East: Wes Welker

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The AFC East has some notable free agents, like the Buffalo Bills' controversial wideout Stevie Johnson and the New York Jets' Plaxico Burress.

However, the best free agent in this division is Wes Welker.

No comparison.

Will the Patriots pay him like an elite wide receiver (remember, Welker led the league in receptions this season), or is he more a product of the system in New England?

A true hold-out possibility.

AFC North: Ray Rice

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Ray Rice is easily the AFC North's best free agent.

He was the backbone to the Baltimore Ravens offense this season and led the NFL in yards from scrimmage.

An extremely multi-dimensional back, the Ravens must keep Rice in Baltimore to continue their annual run at a Super Bowl title.

He's that important to their team.

AFC South: Mario Williams

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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne and Houston Texans runner Arian Foster (restricted) are also free agents, but Williams gets the edge here.

He's only 27 and has become one of the most ferocious pass-rushers in the league over the last three seasons.

However, he's coming off a torn pectoral muscle and will likely demand a hefty contract.

It'll be interesting to see how the Houston Texans' front office handles this situation.

AFC West: Dwayne Bowe

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Bowe is one of the more underrated wideouts in the NFL today.

He gets the nod over the ultra-talented yet occasionally invisible Vincent Jackson.

The Kansas City receiver has eclipsed the 1,000-yard receiving mark in three of his first five seasons, and has done so with a variety of quarterback issues in Kansas City.

We haven't heard any whining or complaining about contract issues, unlike Jackson.

At 6'2'' and 220 pounds, he's one of the more well-rounded receivers in the game.

NFC East: DeSean Jackson

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DeSean Jackson had a "down" year, along with the rest of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Even in a disappointing season, Jackson still caught 58 passes for 961 yards and four touchdowns.

When he's happy, he's one of the most dynamic receivers in the game.

He has yet ink that big-time deal and is probably deserving of more money than what he's received thus far in his career (Jackson's highest base salary has been $550,000).

NFC North: Matt Forte

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The most Matt Forte's ever made in base salary is also $550,000.

Doesn't seem fitting for a guy that accounted for nearly 50 percent of the Chicago Bears offense before he was injured in 2011.

He's been griping about a new contract since the start of last season, and rightfully so.

There aren't many more versatile feature backs in the NFL today.

Detroit's defensive end Cliff Avril is my No. 2 free agent in the NFC North. The four-year player from Purdue has increased his sack totals each year as a professional and accumulated 11 quarterback takedowns in 2011.

He'll be a hot commodity in free agency this spring.

NFC South: Drew Brees

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Come on, no debate here.

Brees is the best quarterback in this year's free-agent class, but there's no way he's leaving the Big Easy.

His New Orleans Saints club has a ton of top-tier free agents like guard Carl Nicks, wideouts Marques Colston and Robert Meachem and cornerback Tracy Porter.

There's a chance Brees is given the franchise tag so the organization can work on re-signing some of their other important players.

The NFC South has a myriad of other big-name free agents like Atlanta's John Abraham and Brent Grimes and Tampa Bay's Ronde Barber.