5 High-Profile NFL Free Agents the San Francisco 49ers Should Target in 2012

The San Francisco 49ers are enjoying their most successful season since 2001. There is always room for improvement in the NFL, however, and there are some high-profile free agents the team should target in 2012 that could make this exiting young team even better.

Even with the drastic improvements the 49ers have made this season, it has been obvious that they also have some glaring weaknesses. 

These five players could help shore up these weaknesses, provided they could be had at the right price.

Carl Nicks, Offensive Guard

Let's face facts, here. The 49ers need help to bolster the squishy middle of their offensive line. Carl Nicks is one of the premier offensive guards in the NFL, and he'll get an opportunity to test the open market next season as the New Orleans Saints only signed him to a one-year $2.61 million contract. 

The 49ers paid Chilo Rachal over $1 million this year, and he was terrible. The team won't keep him next year, as he is no longer a project but a failed project in his fourth year out of USC.

One of the reasons the Saints might not keep their man is that his teammate Jhari Evans received a record-breaking contract earlier this year. The deal was for seven years and worth $56 million.

I can see the 49ers paying upwards of $5 million to $6 million a year for the services of Nicks, and he would be well worth it. Not only is Nicks an able and willing run blocker, but he has been stellar in pass protection, something the 49ers desperately need.

Antonio Garay, Nose Tackle

The 49ers should do their best to convince Antonio Garay to move just up the coast from San Diego to San Francisco. The 32-year-old nose tackle is one of the best at his position, and he looks like he could do this for another four to five years. 

The Chargers only paid Garay $640,000 for his services this year, but he'll cost a lot more than that next year in free agency. He could be worth a $4 million to $5 million per year contract, though, and he and Isaac Sopoaga could keep each other fresh.

The 49ers insanely good rush defense would become even more daunting, and the 49ers could feature some incredible four-down linemen groups, with Justin Smith, Garay, Aldon Smith and Ahmad Brooks highlighting the group.

Mario Williams, Outside Linebacker

Imagine a linebacking corps where your starters are as follows: Aldon Smith, Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman and Mario Williams. Do you hear that? That's the sound of every quarterback in the NFL crying in their sleep.

Williams suffered a painful and season-ending torn pectoral muscle, but he should be able to come back and be as good as ever. Heck, he'll probably be able to play one more season now due to the fact that he didn't take a beating this year.

The price tag on Williams will be excessive, so he'd probably be the only high-profile player the 49ers could afford to land if he did want to join the team. 

Even if he was the only free agent they landed, the 49ers would come into 2012 significantly better than they were in 2011.

Carlos Rogers, Cornerback

Truly, I'm baffled by the reality that Carlos Rogers is still slated to become a free agent in 2012. He needs to receive a long-term extension before it comes to that.

That being said, it sure looks like he'll get the opportunity to test the free market. 

Rogers has been one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL in 2011, and he fits defensive coordinator Vic Fangio's scheme to perfection. The 49ers will have made a grave mistake if they don't have Rogers back on their roster in 2012.

Reggie Wayne, Wide Receiver

The biggest weakness for the 49ers besides their offensive line is at the wide receiver position. Ted Ginn, Jr. and Braylon Edwards shouldn't be on the roster next year, and Kyle Williams is still in development.

Reggie Wayne would significantly upgrade the 49ers offense, and he would give Michael Crabtree a mentor. At age 33 and in his 11th season, Wayne still has a few phenomenal years left in his body, and he'd make the 49ers one of the most dangerous teams in the NFL.

The biggest issue will be the price tag. Wayne will most likely see a contract upwards of $8 million to $10 million per year, and I don't know if Trent Baalke is willing to pursue that kind high-profile deal.

All I know is I'd love to see Wayne don the Red and Gold in 2012.

P.S.

Special shout out to Kenny B, one of my twitter followers for suggesting this.

Follow @JesseReed78