NFL Free Agency 2012: 12 Perennial Backups Who Can Step Up and Be Starters

Each and every season, there's always a handful of players who sign with new teams and make their name known. These players were previously backups and simply got their chance to start in a new system in a whole new environment and flourished.

This offseason, there are quite a few that come to mind and could certainly receive an offer from a new franchise that could launch their careers. Players like Mike Tolbert and Matt Flynn come to mind.

In that spirit, here are 12 perennial backups that can step up and be starters in 2012. 

Jason Campbell

Jason Campbell was having arguably the best season of his career with the Oakland Raiders before breaking his collarbone. Now as the team traded for Carson Palmer to be the quarterback of the future, there's no chance that Campbell will be a Raider in 2012.

Campbell definitely has the talent to be a starting quarterback in the NFL as he has a career 82.8 quarterback rating with 74 touchdowns compared to 50 interceptions—not the greatest numbers, but certainly respectable. 

Brandon Meriweather

I don't necessarily believe that Brandon Meriweather should be a starter in the NFL, as he failed with the New England Patriots and was benched in favor of Chris Conte in his first season as a Chicago Bear.

However, the thing with Meriweather is that he's got raw talent—it's just a matter of him developing his skills and maturing into a professional football player. 

Meriweather will be a free agent at the end of the season, and he could receive a shot to be a starter elsewhere. 

BenJarvus Green-Ellis

BenJarvus Green-Ellis is probably the most underrated running back in all of football. However, the thing about Green-Ellis is that he players for the New England Patriots, a team that's pass-happy and is known for using the running back-by-committee philosophy. 

Green-Ellis has yet to fumble in his four-year career and is known for being a tough, physical north-and-south runner. 

Over the course of his career, the Law Firm has a solid 4.2 yards per-carry while punching in 23 touchdowns—he did run for 1,008 yards in 2010 as well as scoring a league-high 13 touchdowns. 

Matt Flynn

Matt Flynn could very well be the next Kevin Kolb—in the terms of being a career backup that will get his chance elsewhere. 

Flynn is without a talent talented quarterback as he's playing in his fourth year in the league. 

Over the course of Flynn's four seasons, he's completed 51 of his 86 passes for 535 yards as well as tossing three touchdowns and being picked off four times.

One of the most memorable moments with Flynn is back in 2010 when he started in the place of the injured Aaron Rodgers and nearly beat the New England Patriots. Flynn completed 24 of his 37 passes for 251 yards while tossing three touchdowns and being picked off only once. 

I have a feeling that Flynn has a bright future in this league—what do you think? 

Robert Meachem

Robert Meachem is a rather unique player as he's not technically a starter with the New Orleans Saints, but he gets his fair share of playing time in their pass-happy offensive attack.

Meachem has caught 130 passes in four years in the league while averaging 15.4 yards per reception and catching 21 touchdowns.

Teams should definitely considering signing Meachem and putting him in a much bigger role, possibly as a No. 1 wide receiver as he definitely is capable at flourishing in that sort of role. 

Mike Tolbert

Keep a look out for Mike Tolbert, as he's extremely underrated but will run all over a defense—and I mean that literally; he is an absolute tank.

Tolbert has been in a limited role during his four-year career but has seen a lot of time recently this past season. 

Thus far in 2011, Tolbert has ran for 282 yards while averaging 3.9 yards per carry and punching in four touchdowns. Did I not mention that he's also one hell of a receiver? So far, he's caught 37 passes for 327 yards while scoring two touchdowns. 

It's not very often that you find a 243-lb running back that's as much of a threat in the passing game as Tolbert is. 

Shaun Hill

Shaun Hill is a career backup and could finally get his shot at being a starting quarterback in 2012.

Throughout Hill's six-year career, he's posted a respectable 84.7 quarterback rating while completing 61.7 percent of his passes for 39 touchdowns and only 23 interceptions.

It's rather odd that Hill has yet to receive his chance to be a starter—he has produced well when he's played. 

Ryan Grant

I know that Ryan Grant is considered a starter with the Green Bay Packers, but he splits carries with James Starks and also plays in such a pass-heavy offense. 

Grant has had a solid career in the NFL as he's had two 1,000-yard plus seasons while averaging a career 4.3 yards per carry and scoring 23 touchdowns over the course of his five years. 

Grant could possibly flourish with a new team if he receives enough touches. 

Kyle Orton

Kyle Orton is no longer the starting quarterback with the Denver Broncos as the Tim Tebow era has started in Denver—at least for now.

Orton has had a solid career in the NFL as he's spent time with the Chicago Bears as well as the Broncos. Orton has a career 79.4 quarterback rating while tossing 79 touchdowns compared to 55 interceptions. 

If a team needs a proven veteran quarterback to serve as a bridge for a younger gun, then Orton could be that guy. 

Vince Young

The thing about Vince Young is that you cannot look past his solid 30-17 career record as a starting quarterback—that's pretty damn good.

Young has been spending 2011 as a backup behind Michael Vick in Philadelphia after being a starter with the Tennessee Titans. 

The Texas product has completed 57.9 percent of his passes over the course of his career while throwing 42 touchdowns and 43 interceptions.

I strongly believe that at least one team will give V.Y. the chance to be a starting quarterback. 

Michael Bush

There's no doubt in my mind that Michael Bush deserves to be a lead back in the NFL—he has the stats to show for it.

Bush has played in four seasons for the Oakland Raiders and is now serving as the backup behind Darren McFadden. In 2011, Bush has ran for 490 yards while averaging 4.5 yards per-carry and scoring four touchdowns.

If the Raiders don't give Bush a quality offer, then I'm sure he'll find a team that will pay him a decent amount to be their starting running back. 

Ben Tate (Via Trade)

If the Houston Texans want to field offers for Ben Tate, then I would certainly expect large amounts of teams showing interest and possibly offering a lot in return for his services.

Tate has played in two seasons with the Houston Texans, but missed all of 2010 with an injury. While splitting carries with Arian Foster this year, Tate has been absolutely amazing as he's averaging 5.6 yards per carry while accumulating 686 yards and scoring three touchdowns.

If the Texans want to rack up a few draft picks, then trading Tate could be the answer.