NFL Free Agents 2012: Peyton Hillis and Big Names That Need New Destinations

While some teams and players are focused on winning playoff games, these players are now focused squarely on their pending free agency. It's inconceivable that some players—Drew Brees—will end up going to a new place. 

But as hard as it is to see Brees taking snaps for a team not named the New Orleans Saints, it's just as difficult to see these players staying in place. 

Peyton Hillis

Hillis is a decent back. What Hillis will never be is a good enough player to be the focal point of the offense. If your team relies on him to generate a lot of yards and points, you're going to be a bad team. Right now, the Browns have next to nothing. 

So, personal issues aside, the Browns are not a good enough team for him. They have no passing attack and defenses can stack the box. It's not going to be hard to do. That's what happened when Willis was on the field and 2011, and his numbers reflected that. 

Now, if Hillis is on a team with a passing game that defenses need to respect, he's a valuable player. But Cleveland is still not going to be that team. This relationship needs to end.

DeSean Jackson

Unlike Hillis, this isn't about talent. This is about a relationship that's just gone sour and a player that was not giving his best effort at the end of the season. Andy Reid is going to be brought back in Philadelphia, which means that Jackson needs to go. 

Jackson is a dynamic player. There are a few teams that can use him, but he needs to go to a place with a clear leader. That can be in the form of a quarterback (New England, Green Bay, New Orleans) or a tough coach (San Francisco), but Jackson can't get too much power. Someone needs to be above him who will be assertive.

If Jackson goes to a place that's hoping to build the offense around his big play ability, it will be a disaster.

Matt Forte

I previously wrote that the Bears need to do everything they can to bring Forte back. That doesn't mean that I think Forte should return to them, though. He shouldn't. The contract talks dominated the Bears' world for much of the season. Now, it's time for Forte to waive goodbye.

Despite the fact that he missed the end of the season, Forte will have plenty of interest. He's a good back that can catch passes and lead an offense. The Bears are going to end up missing him.

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