NFL Free Agents 2012: Biggest Boom or Bust Signings in Class

When it’s safer to build a team through the NFL Draft even though so many prospects bust every year, what does that tell you?  That free agency is even more risky.

The 2012 free agent class is one of the most talented in recent memory, but for every sure-thing, there’s a major risk.  Here are the top boom or bust signings in next year’s class.

3. Reggie Wayne

After 11 seasons in Indianapolis, Reggie Wayne may have played his last game as a Colt. 

The former Miami Hurricane's statistics plummeted this season.  After recording seven-straight 1,000 yard receiving seasons, Wayne brought down just 67 receptions for 887 yards and four touchdowns through Week 16.  Is Wayne’s drop-off a result of being 33-years old or because Kerry Collins, Curtis Painter and Dan Orlovsky were the quarterbacks throwing him the football?

That is the question teams pursuing him this offseason will have to find the answer to.

2. Marshawn Lynch

Beast Mode blew up this season rushing for 1,118 yards and 12 touchdowns through 14 games.  The rushing total is a career-high for Lynch, who hadn’t surpassed the 1,000-yard mark since early in his Buffalo Bill-days.  Lynch is one of the hardest runners in the NFL, at least this season…

Is it just coincidence that Skittles blew up last postseason leading to a phenomenal contract year?  He may not run with the same determination as soon as he signs a massive contract.

1. Peyton Hillis

The Madden Curse struck Peyton Hillis’ body and ego this season.  Yahoo! Sports’ Michael Silver reported earlier in the year that he became a cancer in the Cleveland Browns’ locker room as one veteran on the team said:

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“I’ve never seen anything like it.  Last year, Peyton was such a positive, inspirational force on our team – but now he’s like a different guy.  It’s like he’s in a funk that he can’t get out of, and it’s killing us, because we really need him.  And we’ve told him that.  But we’re at the point where we just don’t know what to do.”

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In the past two weeks, Hillis rushed for 211 yards and a touchdown showing he still has the talent.  The team that signs the Browns back will either get Chuck Norris or his cocky alter ego.

David Daniels is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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