2012 NFL Free Agents: Cowboys and 8 More Teams That Could Be Major Players

We all know it's coming. The start of the free-agent signing period in the NFL. A chance for teams with major needs to fill them, and the chance for teams that are already loaded to continue to get richer.

Free agency will either continue to draw parity in the NFL of further separate those that do and those that don't.

Figure there will be some surprises and some questions marks. But in the NFL, there is money to spend and teams will do so in order to make a run at the Super Bowl.

These teams figure to be major players in trying to improve and get further along in the race.

New England Patroits

Last season, the Patriots paid Albert Haynesworth and Chad Ochocinco in free agency and got virtually nothing in return.

The Patriots have a habit of making key selections and having it pay off big. Can that happen again this coming season?

With new offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels in play, would the Patriots look at another runner or would the weak defense be the focus of a spending spree?

Oakland Raiders

They mortgaged their future on Carson Palmer and only finished 8-8.

If Darren McFadden does the same things he did before he got injured, this offense could be very good.

The Raiders may not have a ton of needs, but they are the Raiders and, well, 8-8 does not usually get you into the playoffs.

Let's find out what the new Raider management does in the offseason.

Dallas Cowboys

The NFL's most polarizing team needs some help.

The Cowboys have an enigma at quarterback (Tony Romo) and a coach (Jason Garrett) who may get one more chance to prove his worth, provided he does not call timeouts like a fish out of water.

The Cowboys dealt with injuries on the offense all season and could use another receiver, possibly another runner and backups on the offensive line.

It will be interesting if they get into the Matt Flynn sweepstakes as well.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Let's see what new owner Shahid Khan does to prove he wants a winner in Jacksonville.

The team spent more than $100 million in contracts on defense in last season's free-agency period. The offense needs depth on the line and in the receivers corps.

Reggie Wayne, Marques Colston, Pierre Garcon and Harry Douglas. Why not all four of them?

It will be interesting to see if the Jaguars also try to re-sign Matt Roth and Jeremy Mincey, who were important defensive line pieces this season.

Washington Redskins

No list would be complete with Daniel Snyder on it.

Snyder is known for large pockets and making lots of changes, and if Snyder gets a quarterback in the draft (Robert Griffin III), what players will he surround him with?

The defense under Jim Haslett was pretty good this past year. Offensive weapons should be the main focus of his spending spree. Roy Helu was a great player for the 'Skins, but is a receiver or two on the radar? Maybe an offensive lineman?

Would Snyder throw money the way of Arian Foster from Houston?

New York Jets

I could see this team get into a war for a receiver (Stevie Johnson or Marques Colston), another pass-rusher (Cliff Avril) and possibly a passer (Matt Flynn, Jason Campbell).

The Jets unraveled at the end of the season with fighting between Santonio Holmes and his teammates.

Can head coach Rex Ryan right the ship, or will there be a major overhaul by the Johnson family with this team?

Chicago Bears

This team sets up nicely if Jay Cutler and Matt Forte come back from injury. But this team needs receivers and will either look at the draft or free agency to fill those needs.

Pierre Garcon and Vincent Jackson could be major targets this team tries to pursue.

Cutler needs more weapons on his side if the Bears are going to contend.

Miami Dolphins

If the Dolphins keep Todd Bowles as their head coach, that goes a long way toward keeping a nucleus in tact.

And in the draft, the Dolphins can hope Robert Griffin III will be around with the ninth pick, but it is highly unlikely.

Do the Dolphins look at Jason Campbell, Matt Flynn or maybe Vince Young?

They also need depth at receiver and the secondary and someone to replace the retired Jason Taylor.

Philadelphia Eagles

Just kidding. We saw what happened this past year when the Eagles opened Fort Knox to bring in a "Dream Team."

I don't see that happening again.