2012 NFL Free Agent Target of the Day for Every NFC North Team

Teams are now done placing the franchise tag on their top free-agent players, making it quite likely that a large percentage of them will hit the open market when free agency starts on March 13.

The NFC North's four teams all have moves they'd like to make in free agency if they have the opportunity. Here is a look at some of their top targets.

Minnesota Vikings: Wide Receiver Pierre Garçon

It's a deep free-agent wide receiver group this year, which means that the Minnesota Vikings can take their pick of practically any of them. They have about $10 million and as much as $13 million in cap space to work with, so few free-agent receivers will prove to be off-limits.

One potential receiver they could target is Pierre Garçon, who recently turned down a five-year, $35 million deal offered to him from the Indianapolis Colts, where he has spent the last four seasons.

While it seems ridiculous that Garçon would turn down such a deal, especially with quarterback Andrew Luck likely to be throwing passes for the Colts next season, it makes sense if we assume he simply wasn't happy with the way the money was apportioned, and would rather take his chances on the open market.

The Buffalo Bills today announced they have re-signed receiver Stevie Johnson to a five-year, $36.25 million deal that includes $19.5 million guaranteed—not too much more overall money than Indianapolis was offering Garçon.

It's an over-saturated market this year, and Garçon might not get that kind of deal elsewhere, let alone in Minnesota. But if he's looking for something more front-loaded with guarantees, the Vikings might be able to tender him an acceptable offer.

Despite the Colts' significant offensive struggles in 2011, Garçon still managed to catch 70 passes for 947 yards and six scores. He's the kind of something-out-of-nothing receiver that could boost the Vikings' passing game.

No, Garçon isn't the most flashy add the team could make at wide receiver. But, it's both smart and realistic.

Chicago Bears: Wide Receiver Vincent Jackson

So why would the Chicago Bears land prized free-agent wide receiver Vincent Jackson instead of the Minnesota Vikings? Because, in this year's market, Jackson has the luxury of being picky.

Jackson isn't likely to get the franchise tag today, with it's $14 million price tag far too prohibitive for the San Diego Chargers to pay him. He will hit the open market on March 13 and should be one of the most sought-after veteran receivers this year.

Let's face it, a player like Jackson—who has spent the past seven seasons with a team heavily favored to reach the Super Bowl year after year—wants to go to a team that has a shot at the big game in his first year or two on the roster.

That's just not the Vikings this year, but it could very well be the Bears, especially if they can land a talent such as him. Year after year, the Bears have lacked real receiving threats.

Though the Bears' run game has been effective, as has their defense, the team cannot field a truly dangerous offense when running back Matt Forte is the team's top receiver.

In three of the past four seasons, Jackson has had over 1,000 receiving yards (he missed most of the 2010 season after being suspended for the first three games and then holding out in a contract dispute) and, with the right quarterback, could easily be over 1,000 yards in 2012 and beyond.

The Bears' Jay Cutler certainly could be that right quarterback. Chances are that Chicago already has an offer they're ready to present to Jackson as soon as free agency starts next week.

Detroit Lions: Linebacker Stephen Tulloch

The Detroit Lions don't have a lot of cap room to play with, which means securing their own free agents will be their most pressing need in the coming days.

Middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch will be an unrestricted free agent on March 13 if they cannot find the cash to tender him a new deal, so it's almost certain that in the coming days their attention will be focused on doing so. 

The Lions just placed the franchise tag on defensive end Cliff Avril, which will cost the team $10.6 million this year. Though both sides are still working on securing Avril to a long-term deal, if they don't manage to do so before the start of free agency, the odds of Tulloch hitting the open market increase exponentially.

Then there's also the $22 million cap hit that the team takes this year with wide receiver Calvin Johnson's salary. They're trying to whittle the number down by restructuring his deal as well as extending it, but again, the clock is ticking for this to get done before the 13th.

Restructuring that money in hopes of retaining Tulloch is clearly what's in the forefront of the Lions' management's minds right now; until they get that situation resolved, the team won't be thinking of making any additions from outside.

Green Bay Packers: Center Chris Myers

The Green Bay Packers haven't made their final decision regarding the fate of longtime center Scott Wells. The two sides were reportedly far apart in negotiations last week though the team is working hard to keep him on the roster.

It makes sense to keep him, considering the Packers' lack of depth at the position and Wells' Pro Bowl pedigree. However, if they cannot, there is a solid free agency replacement they could afford to pursue—the Houston Texans' Chris Myers.

A few reports have already surfaced that Myers' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has already spoken with the Packers about their interest in his client and it's looking like Myers will test the open market in an attempt to get a new deal with Houston, letting the market dictate his price, as it were.

Myers says he wants to stay in Houston, and the Texans have said they'd love to keep him. But neither side seems ready to make a new deal until after the start of free agency—a risky game for both Houston and Myers to play if they're truly committed to each other.

Houston's gamble may pay off for the Packers if Wells' time in Green Bay is up.

Follow @FBALL_Andrea