NFL Free Agents 2012: Which Star RB Is Most Likely to Leave Current Team?

The 2012 free-agent running back class is a who's who of superstars.

Three of the best all-purpose backs in the league and a number of other noteworthy names litter the market.

Which of them will leave, though? 

Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens (UFA)

The former second-round pick is a vital piece of the Baltimore offense. In fact, without him, Joe Flacco and the Ravens would be in a lot of trouble. In his four seasons (three as the starter), he's been one of the best all-around backs in the league.

Rice touches the ball an average of 350 times per season, and when they don't give him the ball the team fares considerably worse.

Don't expect Ray Ray to go anywhere.

Matt Forte, Chicago Bears (UFA)

Chicago has already said they'll use a franchise tag on Forte if they can't come to terms on a long-term deal. In the wake of his injury, that has to burn Forte's ass, knowing he was having a career season.

The Bears obviously don't want to lose the 25-year-old, but they're on dangerous ground with what to do about paying him.

Don't expect him to go anywhere this year, though, and don't expect him to be happy about it.

Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Bengals (UFA)

Here is an interesting case of upside versus need. The Bengals obviously don't have a better running back. Benson has resurrected his career and has rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of the last three seasons in Cincinnati.

The Bengals, a young team with a number of talented pieces in place, could opt to find a running back in the draft and avoid paying Benson—who is 28 years old—too much money.

They have two first-round picks, and it certainly wouldn't be out of the question for them to use one on a back.

Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks (UFA)

Lynch also experienced a career resurrection in Seattle after flaming out in Buffalo. The former first-round pick wasn't great last year, but his memorable run in last year's Wild Card upset of the Saints and 11 straight games with a touchdown this season has put him back on the map.

The back will be only 26 years old next season, meaning he has at least one more solid contract before hitting the evil age of 30.

Seattle has to be careful, though. It is no surprise his breakout season comes during a contract year, and he's struggled staying in shape before.

Expect a long-term deal for him, but don't expect Seattle to overpay.

Arian Foster, Houston Texans (RFA)

As a restricted free agent, the Texans have the opportunity to match any offer made on Arian Foster. The star running back is everything to this offense with Andre Johnson's health issues. Foster can do everything.

Ben Tate is a solid complementary back, but he isn't the type of receiver Foster is out of the backfield, and his presence doesn't make Foster expendable.

As an undrafted free agent and only 25 years old, Foster is in line for the biggest deal of his career.

That better be coming from the Texans.