NFL Free Agents 2012: 5 Crafty Vets Who Could Add to Playoff Teams

With the younger James Starks leading the way at Lambeau and Ryan Grant being an "old" 29 because of last season's injury, it wouldn't be surprising to see Grant and the Packers part ways.

That being said, Grant still has a lot to offer. He is a proven No. 1 running back, as evidenced by his first three NFL seasons, during which he rushed for over 1,200 yards twice, in 2008 and 2009.

A team like the Pittsburgh Steelers could use him, as he's more of a rushing threat than Mewelde Moore, Rashard Mendenhall, or Isaac Redman.

And with his receiving skills—career numbers of 92 receptions for 726 yards—Grant would be the perfect check-down and/or screen back for Ben Roethlisberger.

Even the Denver Broncos, who rely on 30-year-old Willis McGahee, could sign Grant and make it a trio of backs, with Lance Ball doing work as well.

We've seen a three-running-back system work before—Giants 2007, Steelers 2010, Patriots 2011—so it's not the worst of ideas for Denver. At the very least, Grant would provide them with talent depth, which Knowshon Moreno doesn't provide.

Ryan Grant, RB

With the younger James Starks leading the way in Lambeau and Ryan Grant being an old-29 years because of last seasons injury, it wouldn't be surprising to see in he and the Packers part ways.

That being said, Grant still has a lot to offer and is a proven No. 1 runningback as evidence by his first three NFL seasons, two of which were over 1,200 rush yards (2008, 2009).

A team like the Pittsburgh Steelers could use him as he's more of a rushing threat than Mewelde Moore, Rashard Mendenhall, or Isaac Redman.

And with his receiving skills (career numbers of 92 receptions for 726 yards), Grant would be the perfect check down and/or screen back for Ben Roethlisberger.

Or, even the Denver Broncos who rely on 30 year-old Willis McGahee and could make it a trio of backs with Lance Ball doing work as well.

We've seen a three runninback system work before (Giants 2007, Steelers 2010, Patriots 2011), so it's not the worst of ideas for Denver. At the very least Grant would provide them with talent depth to rely on as opposed to Knowshon Moreno.

Michael Bush, RB

A ground and pound Brahma Bull, Oakland's Michael Bush is just the guy for anyone needing to simply improve their rushing offense.

In relief for the injured Darren McFadden, Bush compiled 977 rushing and 418 receiving yards this season. He added eight total TDs and kept the Raiders alive for the playoffs until the final week of the regular season.

And although he was the man main, defenses still couldn't stop him as he averaged 84 rush yards per game each of the final 10 contests.

The Detroit Lions would be the perfect fit for Bush as they were without rookie Mikel Leshoure all of 2011.

He was the expected punishing back, however, being that Bush is on the market, Detroit needs to consider a guy who's only improved with each NFL season and is more established than ever right now.

Not to mention he would make their offense significantly more balanced and reliable depth is added (worst case-scenario).

Reggie Wayne, WR

Despite being 33 years old and being on arguably the NFL's worst offense in 2011, Reggie Wayne still compiled 960 receiving yards on 75 receptions and scored four TDs.

He didn't miss a game, nor has he since what's seemed like forever and from 2004-2010 he accumulated over 1,000 yards each season. His reliability is without question and his status as an NFL receiver is quite notable.

An appealing team for Wayne would be the San Francisco 49ers.

The 'Niners have one of the best rush offenses in the game and they are desperately seeking a standout receiver. Josh Morgan has been out since early October, Michael Crabtree got off to an extremely slow start, Ted Ginn is not your prototypical NFL receiver and Braylon Edwards is gone.

Signing with San Francisco gives Wayne a better than advertised QB in Alex Smith, an excellent head coach in Jim Harbaugh and a defense that is unbelievably reliable.

The 49ers will be NFC title contenders for quite some time and adding Wayne to their depleted receiving corps will only make them stronger.

Andre Carter, DL

Unfortunately Andre Carter's season was cut short during the Denver game, however, he still managed to close out 2011 with 52 tackles, 10 sacks and two forced fumbles.

And with the Patriots needing to shift toward youth on the defensive line, perhaps that season-ending injury was karma for Carter to sign elsewhere this offseason.

Anyone needing to improve their pass rush will consider him, such as the Green Bay Packers.

The Packers may be old with Charles Woodson, Ryan Pickett and Howard Green, but Andre could start right away opposite of Clay Matthews.

For the year, Green Bay finished with just 29 total sacks and since they didn't have a dominant pass-rusher opposite Clay, he was doubled-teamed and limited to six sacks.

Carter however, was fortunate to have guys like Vince Wilfork and Mark Anderson helping in the trenches, so complementing him with Matthews will create numerous problems for any offensive blocking scheme.

Not to mention the best way to help out a vulnerable pass defense is to get QB pressure. Limiting time in the pocket and forcing bad throws is what any pressure can do to fluster a QB.

Green Bay needs that and Carter can provide.

Cortland Finnegan, DB

Although he's had some unorthodox type antics on the field, if there's one thing Cortland Finnegan brings to any defense it's attitude.

He doesn't back down from anyone and teams who need a shutdown corner can immediately use his services.

That said, there are multiple weak pass defenses such as Green Bay, New England, New Orleans, NY Giants and the Atlanta Falcons that would have a spot for him.

This season he was challenged less, so the numbers aren't quite sexy but he did have 75 tackles, one sack, one pick and 11 passes defended.

And 75 tackles isn't bad for a corner considering that Cortland loves to play physical and help with run support. Last season he recorded 100 tackles and for his career he has 14 picks. Being just 27 years old, many will be willing to accompany Finnegan this offseason.

All this being said though, expect the Atlanta Falcons to come the hardest as they ranked No. 20 against the pass and have to play the Saints and surging Carolina Panthers twice a year.

They could put him opposite of Dunta Robinson, in turn, creating one of the better cornerback tandems in the league.

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