NFL Free Agents 2012: Skill Position Studs Teams Will Target

For two-thirds of the NFL, the 2011 season is a thing of the past. It's time to start getting ready for the 2012 season.

Soon enough, that will mean dipping into the 2012 free-agent class to find players who can make an impact next season and beyond. And for teams with pressing needs, the good news is that this year's free-agent class is pretty stacked, especially at the skill positions.

Teams looking for wide receivers and running backs will have plenty of options, and there are also going to be some pretty talented defensive backs on the market as well.

As for which of these players teams will target the most, why don't we count down the top five.

5. DeSean Jackson

If you had asked me at the start of the season, I would have put DeSean Jackson at the very top of this list.

But alas, Jackson had a disastrous season with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011. He just wasn't the same impact player we're used to seeing, and his attitude made him stick out like a sore thumb.

Jackson could return to the Eagles, but it would be better for both parties if they parted ways. Jackson needs a change of scenery, and there's probably more money to be had out on the open market.

Make no mistake, Jackson will have suitors if he ends up on the open market. He may have had a down season in 2011, but he's still one of the fastest players in the league, not to mention one of its most dangerous home run threats. Any team looking for a dynamic playmaker won't be able to do any better than Jackson.

After signing him, all they would have to do is hope he behaves himself.

4. Cortland Finnegan

Cortland Finnegan is known to NFL fans as being an insufferable pest, but the dude is also one of the better cornerbacks in the league.

He's also likely done playing for the Tennessee Titans. The Tennessean reported back on Dec. 16 that Finnegan's days with the Titans seemed to be numbered. His agent had discussions with the Titans about a long-term contract before the season started, but they didn't go anywhere.

With Carlos Rogers likely returning to the San Francisco 49ers and Brent Grimes likely returning to the Atlanta Falcons, Finnegan could very well find himself as the top cornerback available in free agency. He won't attract Nnamdi Asomugha-like attention, but there will be some heavy interest in him if he hits the open market.

Let's face it. Top-shelf corners are a rarity in this day and age. Finnegan will capitalize on being one of the best.

3. Dwayne Bowe

There are a bunch of talented receivers due to hit free agency in the near future, one of whom is DeSean Jackson. As far as the rest of the group is concerned, the only one that strikes me as a lock to test the free agent waters is Dwayne Bowe.

If so, Bowe will draw plenty of interest. He's put up very good numbers in his five seasons with Kansas City, and he's done so despite having to play with average quarterbacks. Teams with above-average quarterbacks should view Bowe as a guy with a huge ceiling.

And make no mistake, Bowe's ceiling is high. He's a big, physical receiver who will fight for the ball when it's in the air. This makes him particularly useful in the red zone, a reality that is pretty attractive.

Bowe obviously won't be getting a Larry Fitzgerald-like contract, but he will be paid well if just one team is desperate enough for a talented wide receiver.

2. Marshawn Lynch

After going through a rough stretch for a couple seasons, Marshawn Lynch had his best season as a pro in 2011, rushing for over 1,200 yards with 12 rushing touchdowns.

The question now is if the Seahawks are going to bring him back. Because Lynch is just 25, they could work out a long-term extension with him. They could also choose to hit him with the franchise tag, but that will be tough seeing as how they have 18 other unrestricted free agents to take care of.

If Lynch does hit the market, he's going to be one of the top two or three players available. Thousand-yard rushers are a dime a dozen these days, but Lynch is not your garden-variety running back. He showed in 2011 that he can carry an offense if need be. 

Lynch really shouldn't get a fat contract if he hits the open market, but he will. Big-name players have a way of getting paid what they think they're owed.

1. Matt Forte

Per ESPNChicago.com, Matt Forte is optimistic that he and the Chicago Bears can come to terms on a long-term contract this offseason.

If they can't, Forte will be one of the top free agents on the market, and even more valuable than Lynch.

This is partially because Forte has fewer seasons under his belt than Lynch, but it's primarily because he's a more productive player. Forte got it done both running and catching the football in 2011, and he would have finished with video game numbers if he hadn't gotten hurt with four games left to play.

And like Lynch, Forte also proved that he can carry an offense by himself. Without him, the Bears would have been hopeless this season. In fact, we saw how hopeless they were without him.

Given the amount of talent Forte has, there are plenty of teams who are hoping he and the Bears can't come to terms.