2012 NFL Free Agents: Identifying the Best Free Agent Playmakers

At any time, a game can be broken wide open thanks to the exciting skills the playmakers bring to each and every phase of the game.

Whether it's a pick six, punt/kick return for a TD or a deep bomb down field, it can change the complexion of a game regardless of when it occurs.

With that, here are some of this offseason's best free agent playmakers.

Ted Ginn Jr: Return Specialist, 49ers

It would be a tough break for the San Francisco 49ers to see Ted Ginn sign elsewhere.

Although he's not your prototypical NFL receiver, his ability on punt and kickoff returns is arguably the best in pro football.

For the 2011 season, Ginn compiled over 1,200 total return yards on 67 attempts and scored two TDs. He averaged 27.6 per kickoff and 12.3 per punt return, both of which rank him inside the top five this season.

Anytime a guy can make life easier for his offense by getting one or two first-downs on a return so to speak, it provides their respective team with a distinct advantage.

As for Ginn, he can still be an effective receiver when used properly. Mainly in the vertical aspect to stretch a defense while drawing some double coverage.

However, the running game is also a threat.

There, jet sweeps, quick tosses and even the wildcat with Ginn will widen a defense and allow the 49ers speed and quickness to exploit a weakness.

Ted Ginn can be of much use in multiple ways, which has made him an excellent playmaker.

Tracy Porter: CB, Saints

This is the man who picked off Peyton Manning in Super Bowl XLIV and returned in for a TD.

Saints fans know him all too well, because Tracy Porter can be a top corner provided that he remain healthy.

He has yet to play a full season and even when New Orleans won it all in 2009, Porter only played in 12 games. However, that same year he recorded four picks, forced two fumbles and defended 12 passes.

In the playoffs he picked off two more passes, forced another fumble and defended three more passes.

When Tracy Porter is good to rock and roll, he is one of the better playmaking corners that pro football has to offer. This season Porter played in 14 games, forced two more fumbles (recovered one), has six defended passes and one pick.

So, he's been challenged less in 2011, therefore, any team needing a solid No. 2 CB like the Cleveland Browns are definitely possible suitors.

DeSean Jackson: WR, Eagles

It may have been a controversial season for DeSean Jackson, but the Eagles most threatening receiver and return man still managed to accumulate 961 receiving yards and score four TDs.

Now, his punt return numbers significantly were down in 2011, however, an explosive player like DeSean won't go unnoticed via free agency. In 2009 and 2010 he accounted for over 1,000 receiving yards and 15 TDs.

He also gained over 400 punt return yards in 2008 and 2009 while pitting an average of just over 10 yards for his career.

And along the same line as Ted Ginn in San Francisco, Jackson's speed, quickness and lateral agility is great for jet sweeps, quick toss, option plays and reverses.

He's more dangerous horizontally than vertically on offense, but he can burn anyone deep when given the opportunity. It wouldn't be surprising if Philly kept or released him.

He's good enough to stay and problematic enough to go. If that happens, some such as Jacksonville or Carolina would be the perfect fit.

Both need a reliable receiver and were awful on punt returns in 2011.

Eric Weems: Return Specialist, Falcons

Primarily a return man for the Atlanta Falcons, Eric Weems has quickly emerged as one of the NFL's best playmakers.

After barely seeing the field as a rookie in 2008, Weems collected over 1,200 kickoff return and 270 punt return yards in 2009. Despite not scoring, his 25.3 return average on kickoffs ranked No. 12 in the league.

In 2010, Weems saw similar production by amassing exactly 1,100 kickoff and 230 punt return yards while also scoring twice. That year, he averaged 27.5 yards per kickoff return which ranked No. 3 in the league.

The 2011 season was a drop off. However, he was used more on punts than kickoffs and gained 315 yards on 32 attempts with 19 fair catches. Additionally, Weems accounted for 563 yards on just 24 kickoff returns.

He has the potential to really change the game's momentum and if strictly used on kickoffs, Weems could become the best in the game.

Perhaps the Kansas City Chiefs would give him a chance or the Philadelphia Eagles. Both averaged just over 20 yards per kickoff return, which ranked them No. 30 and No. 31, respectively.

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