NFL Playoff Predictions: 5 Impending Free Agents Who Will Earn Biggest Contracts

While NFL playoff teams are focused on getting to the Super Bowl in Indianapolis, other teams are looking forward to free agency.

Their motives?

To transform that star player who led his team to the postseason into a valuable asset that could do the same for his new team.

That being said, there are stars such as Matt Forte, Robert Mathis and Vincent Jackson who missed the playoffs but could still be difference makers in the free agent pool.

However, here are the playoff studs who will cash in the most come 2012 free agency. 

1. Drew Brees

Drew Brees is going nowhere. 

However, how high will the ante escalate?

Readers, I certainly welcome your input as to how high Brees should be paid compared to other top signal-callers.

If Brees secures a second Super Bowl this year, he should be paid equally, if not more, than Tom Brady.

Brees already surpassed the single-season passing record of Dan Marino in 2011 and would have two Super Bowl rings to his credit with the win this year.

The incentive for New Orleans to pay Brees that much is high. Brees is the face of the franchise and the city. Losing him would be devastating to the Saints organization.

Pay the man his due. His due? A top three quarterback in the National Football League. 

2. Ray Rice

Versatile running back Ray Rice is all but assured a return contract to play for the Baltimore Ravens.

That doesn't mean he won't get paid the big bucks. Nor does it completely rule out other suitors making a run at the Ravens' star.

Despite being a running back who's becoming increasingly obsolete in today's NFL, Rice will deserve every penny he receives. Unlike many feature backs, Rice is equally as integral to the passing game as he's the running attack.

Rice has gone over 700 yards receiving in two of the last three seasons and caught 76 passes in 2011. That led the Ravens and makes his presence crucial for any offensive success to continue in 2012. 

3. Mike Wallace (Restricted)

Another year brought another electrifying season from Mike Wallace of the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

Wallace's game-breaking style and long-distance routes are perfect for the resilient nature of Ben Roethlisberger in the pocket. Wallace has averaged 18.7 yards per catch over his three-year career to go with 24 scores.

Like everyone else on the list, Wallace will likely stay in Pittsburgh. But at what cost? In a pass-happy league receivers are paramount in importance.

Just ask the Falcons and Julio Jones.

Even when not catching passes, Wallace's style opens the door for other contributors.

He will be appropriately paid as a result by the Steelers. 

4. Wes Welker

Wes Welker's agent must be thrilled at the production that the Patriots receiver put up in 2012.

How does career-highs in yardage and touchdowns sound?

Cha-ching.

Welker caught 122 passes for 1,569 yards in 2011. In a contract year, those numbers are sure to get Welker a sizable raise in New England.

The slot receiver is indisputably Tom Brady's favorite weapon and safety valve. Without him, New England's offense would undoubtedly suffer. Welker serves as an extension of the run game for the Patriots.

In other words, an easy sell for Welker's agent over the offseason.  

5. Arian Foster (Restricted)

The restricted status of Arian Foster likely cements his place in Houston for the foreseeable future.

However, it could also mean a higher price tag for the former Tennessee Vol.

Foster's ranking of No. 5 on this list is due in part to the success of backup running back Ben Tate.

While Foster's two straight 1,000-yard seasons are impressive, Tate's 942 yards signal some of the production could be attributed to the system.

Again, running backs are risky bets in this day and age. Foster had his share of ailments in 2011 but was responsible for carrying much of the load on offense en route to the franchise's first playoff appearance.

When all is said and done, Foster will be seeing green this offseason.