NFL Free Agents 2012: Key Moves That Would Turn Teams into Contenders

There are a few teams sitting at home and watching the playoffs that are one key player away from joining the postseason party. 

Luckily for them, that one key player is just a free agent signing away. Here are moves for three teams that will instantly turn them into contenders. 

QB Matt Flynn to Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins have been looking for the next Dan Marino since the original Marino retired following the 1999 season. 

Flynn may not be the next Marino, but he can be a Pro-Bowl QB. He is in his fourth season in the NFL and as he showed by throwing for over 400 yards and six touchdowns in the Packers final regular season game he is ready, right now, to be a starting QB. 

This would be enough to push the Dolphins over the top. After starting this season 0-7, they finished 6-10. A big part of that turnaround was due to the fact that Matt Moore came in and played at a decent level at QB. 

Flynn would be an instant upgrade over Moore, and he would have this Dolphins team contending for the AFC East title next season. 

RB Matt Forte to New York Jets

The Jets offense suffered this season as they were forced to abandon the power running game, and go to a more pass-heavy offense. 

Part of this was due to struggles on the offensive line, and part of it was due to ineffectiveness of the running back position. 

As a team, the Jets averaged just 3.8 yards per carry. Matt Forte would help this team return to being a running team. 

Forte gained 997 yards on 4.9 yards per carry in 12 games and he did that behind a poor Chicago offensive line. 

Forte knows how to succeed when the big men in front of him aren't opening up gaping holes, and he would also give Mark Sanchez a safe target to throw to out of the backfield. 

DT Antonio Garay to Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles' defense struggled to stop the run this year. They were 19th in yards allowed per carry. They need to bring in a big body into the middle of their defensive line to clog running lanes and solidify the heart of their defense. 

Garay would have to switch from a 3-4 to a 4-3 with this move, but his role would remain the same, and that is to clog the middle. 

The massive lineman would occupy blockers and free up the Eagles' linebackers to clean house on the running backs. This would force teams to try and move the ball by throwing on the Eagles' high-priced secondary. 

A solid defense would allow the Eagles' offense to take over games.