2012 NFL Free Agents: One Stud from Every Team Who Will Hit the Market

The NFL will be holding its collective breath until Tuesday, March 13, 2012, at 4 p.m. That's when the free agency frenzy begins and teams can sign players from other teams and build what they hope to be a Super Bowl-winning formula.

While there are restricted and unrestricted free agent you know will remain with the franchises they have had success with, there are others who figure to draw a lot of interest from several ball clubs with the hope they cash in on a market that will have owners opening their checkbooks early and often.

Here is a look at one player from every team who figures to get some attention in the free-agent market.

Arizona Cardinals: Calais Campbell, DE

At 6'8" and 310 pounds, it is hard to miss Campbell. The Cardinals should hold on to him because you don't find rush ends like that all the time in the NFL.

There are plenty of teams that need defensive help and Campbell could help any number of teams on the end or as an edge rusher.

Atlanta Falcons: Curtis Lofton, LB

There are three ways the Falcons can do this. Defensive back Brent Grimes may be franchised. John Abraham is in his 30s and should be back. That leaves Lofton who was instrumental in the Falcons finishing 12th in overall defense this season.

I figure all three of they are not franchised, will get some attention with Lofton being the guy who could draw the most teams to him.

Baltimore Ravens: Ray Rice, RB

I don't think there is any way in the world he leaves this team, but it should be interesting to see which teams do make a play for him.

Rice is a Pro-Bowl talent, who I place just a notch below Maurice Jones-Drew.

While Joe Flacco is erratic, it has been Rice that has held this offense together and keeps on going.

Buffalo Bills: Stevie Johnson, WR

He could be one of the first players snatched up in free agency. Johnson is a good talent who played well last season.

His quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick, made him look all-world at the beginning of the season. then Fitzpatrick tailed off.

Don't let that fool you, because every owner and scout knows about this receiver's talent.

Carolina Panthers: Greg Olsen, TE

Both he and Jeremy Shockey are free agents. They both could given plenty of attention. Both are products of the University of Miami.

In the end, however, I think it may be Olsen who would leave for another team. Either way, it is one less weapon for uber-talented quarterback Cam Newton.

Chicago Bear: Matt Forte, RB

Even with the injury he suffered during the season, Forte will test the free agent market and may be the most aggressively pursued player.

Forte's talent of running through defensive lines and catching the ball out of the backfield is something needed to help lead an offense.

When Forte and quarterback Jay Cutler went down on offense, so went the Bears' chances for a playoff bid.

Cincinnati Bengals: Frostee Rucker, DE

Rucker may not be a huge name, but he is on teams' radars. He was key in helping the Bengals defense become one of the best this season.

Rucker needs to return to Mike Zimmer's defense for Cincinnati, but there will be many teams interested in acquire him and his pass rushing skills.

Cleveland Browns: D'Qwell Jackson, LB

He has been a key cog on this defense since he became a Browns star.

Jackson is the leader of the defense and from the linebacker, he was key in helping the defensive side of the ball become more of a force.

He will get lots of attention in free agency, but if the Browns are serious about being a contender next season, then they need to sign Jackson to an extension.

Dallas Cowboys: Anthony Spencer, LB

This team underachieved this season.

It needs young players like Spencer.

Dallas finished the season 8-8 and was every bit as average as the record indicated.

Will Spencer be retained or will he be a star on another defensive unit.

Denver Broncos: Marcus Thomas, DT

The former Gator was part of a defensive revival. Thomas and his teammates are on a mission.

And Thomas is the type of player that may be starting to find his rhythm. Will the Broncos be able to keep him, or will some other team snatch him up?

Washington Redskins: LaRon Landry, DB

Landry needs to remain in Washington. But he is a talented defensive back who will be on the radar of the entire NFL when the free agent market opens.

There will be plenty of offers, but Daniel Snyder has some big pockets and could very well match and exceed anything offered.

Tennessee Titans: Cortland Finnegan, DB

I like the way he plays. In the AFC South, Finnegan faces Andre Johnson twice a year as well as the Colts receivers who have excelled over the years.

Losing him could be a huge blow to the Titans secondary.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Geno Hayes, LB

Hayes looks like he is constantly involved in every defensive play for the Buccaneers.

The Buccaneers have not had great linebackers since the early part of the last decade, but Hayes, who has great speed and is a decent tackler, could be a find for a team on the open market.

St. Louis Rams: Brandon Lloyd, WR

The Rams traded for him in the middle of the season.

He did not have the impact the Rams thought he would have. Maybe a full year helps him.

Lloyd could opt to sign with another team, but if he were to stay in Missouri, a healthy Sam Bradford and possibly Justin Blackmon would help make Lloyd's work easier and more enjoyable.

Seattle Seahawks: Marshawn Lynch, RB

He ran for over 1,200 yards on the season and looked very bit as good a runner as anyone in the NFL.

If the Seahawks are to challenge for a division title, they need to find a passer and also continue to use Lynch as their lead back and have a balanced attack.

Having Lynch under contract for next season would make coach Pete Carroll very happy.

San Francisco 49ers: Alex Smith, QB

Two years ago, it was a mystery if he would start in the NFL.

This year, a loss to another team of this passer would be a huge blow to the 49ers.

Smith has come a long way toward becoming a great success story and he has John Harbaugh to thank for part of that.

If Smith signed somewhere else, could he help a team like Seattle, Arizona, Washington or even Cleveland?

San Diego Chargers: Vincent Jackson, WR

I think it is a foregone conclusion that Jackson is gone.

The 6'5" receiver is a great target on the outside and in the end zone.

Jackson will be catching balls in another city next year.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Wallace, WR

Since he is a restricted free agent, it would take a huge deal for him to leave the team.

But the Steelers receivers have been amazing this season and will only get better. Pittsburgh was always known as a run-first team. Now, with Wallace and Antonio Brown leading the way, they are a pass-first offense.

Philadelphia Eagles: DeSean Jackson, WR

You have to guess that with all his attitude adjustments, he needs a fresh start.

Jackson is a dangerous receiver and returner and will get lots of looks over the free agent period.

Here is a thought, Robert Griffin III throwing to Jackson in Washington?

Oakland Raiders: Michael Bush, RB

The NFL is a league where teams really do need two dependable runners. Darren McFadden was great until he was injured.

That gave Bush a chance to make a name for himself. The big, burly back runs over defenders and then hits a second gear.

He can start for more than half the teams in the NFL. And should get an offer to start for one in free agency.

New York Jets: Bryan Thomas, LB

While Plaxico Burress could make some noise in free agency and leave for a better situation (New England?), I think Thomas is a bigger blow if he bolts.

Thomas, a former first round pick, helps in the run game and is a cog in the team's run defense.

He is the type of player Rex Ryan needs on his team and to help fuel another playoff run.

New York Giants: Terrell Thomas, DB

I think anytime the Giants have the possibility of losing a starter on the defense it is a big deal.

Thomas would be sorely missed if he were to leave this team, especially since the defense appeared to get stronger as the season wore on.

New Orleans Saints: Marques Colston, WR

Drew Brees is not here on this list because there is no way he will be leaving this team.

Colston is another story.

The tall, lanky receiver is a hot commodity and would look good anywhere, including Jacksonville, Carolina or opposite Larry Fitzgerald in Arizona.

Detroit Lions: Cliff Avril, DE

There are going to be a lot of teams that want to sign him to a contract.

Avril was a main reason the Lions defense was better this season and is part of the revitalization project in Detroit.

Losing Avril would be huge blow to the playoff team of this season. Avril provides steady pass rush from the edge and frees things up in the middle of the defensive line.

Minnesota Vikings: EJ Henderson, LB

Another team who does not need to lose players on defense.

While the season was a debacle, the Vikings are moving in the right direction.

Henderson is a veteran needed to help develop the younger players on the team, including his brother Erin Henderson.

New England Patriots: Wes Welker, WR

He has become a cult hero of sorts.

Small, short in stature and can get lost in a wind storm.

But he led the NFL in catches this year and is the favorite target of Tom Brady. He would be a possession receiver on most other teams, not the go-to man.

Miami Dolphins: Will Allen, DB

The Dolphins do not need to lose any players on the defensive side of the ball.

Allen will get a look by other teams because he can cover receivers and help in the return game.

While the Dolphins may pursue a receiver or quarterback in free agency, they don't need to lose anyone.

Kansas City Chiefs: Dwayne Bowe, WR

The big, strong pass catcher will be a target of many receiving-starved teams.

Jacksonville, Washington, Miami, Minnesota, Chicago and Cleveland could all use him.

Kansas City will have a hard time keeping this talent.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Jeremy Mincey, DE

There are five or six key free agents this team must resign, but they must focus on Mincey, who led this team for the second year in a row with eight sacks.

Mincey was a beast all season, and with the return of injured defenders, he figures to thrive again.

A must, must, must to sign and stay in Jacksonville.

Indianapolis Colts: Robert Mathis, DE

Pierre Garcon and Reggie Wayne are on this list as well, but Mathis needs to help establish pass rush. The Colts have proven they can still find receivers off the street.

Mathis and Dwight Freeney are still the meat of the defense and need to step up with new players coming and going.

A loss of Mathis will be huge in the rebuilding process of this team.

Houston Texans: Arian Foster, RB

He is restricted. He is not going anywhere.

But imagine the chutzpah of someone trying to take Foster away from the two-headed monster of him and Ben Tate.

Houston must have Foster and his speed to be an effective and complete offense.

Green Bay Packers: Matt Flynn, QB

He can cash in on a huge payday in the off season.

After a 480-yard day and six touchdowns, he proved he can sling it all over the field.

He will be in another uniform in 2012. Whether it is Washington, Miami, Dallas, of maybe New York, it does not matter.

He will prove to be the next great Ex-Packer quarterback.