2012 NFL Free Agents: Projecting New Homes for Top NFL Free Agents

The 2012 NFL free-agency period will be quite an interesting one, to say the least.  Especially just looking at the teams left in the postseason.

Whether the player is a backup, has dealt with injuries or simply will want to go elsewhere in 2012, the following free agents are a solid group.

And here's where they should end up before next season kicks off.

Tracy Porter, Cleveland Browns

It's not that Tracy Porter hasn't been good for the New Orleans Saints, it's that he's had health issues since his rookie year.

And since the Saints recently ranked near the bottom against the pass, finding someone who can stay healthy needs to be a priority for the team.

For Porter, however, a team such as the Cleveland Browns would be a good fit, as they could use a No. 2 corner.

Depending on their draft strategy, if the Browns join Porter with their other starting corner, Joe Haden, this would immediately create one of the best corner tandems in the league.  This would then allow Cleveland to address its receiver and rush defense issues in the draft.

Last season, the Browns had the No. 2-ranked pass defense, but also only defended 469 passes (ranked No. 31).  So, in order to ensure that they can confidently defend more passes in 2012, pursuing Porter is a good idea.

This move would also reunite Porter with former Saints linebacker Scott Fujita, who was his teammate when New Orleans won Super Bowl XLIV.

Andre Carter, Green Bay Packers

Since the New England Patriots need some new and younger blood on the defensive line, they don't need to re-sign Andre Carter, who had his season cut short by injury.

Still, Carter recorded 52 tackles, 10 sacks and two forced fumbles in 2011.

Therefore, the Green Bay Packers should come calling, as they need a stud pass-rusher opposite of Clay Matthews.

The Packers' sack numbers were down this season, and it's clearly affected their pass defense.  While recording only 29 sacks this regular season, Green Bay coincidentally finished dead-last against the pass (although the Packers led the league with 31 interceptions).

Carter, at the very least, provides talent and depth in the front seven, and he will significantly help increase the Packers' sack total.  That will assist the team's pass coverage and, being that they're already so interception-inclined, Green Bay's defense would vastly improve in one offseason.

Not to mention that Carter, who turns 33 in May, will want one more opportunity to showcase his skills.

Mario Williams, Philadelphia Eagles

Despite playing in just five games this season, Houston Texans linebacker Mario Williams recorded five sacks and forced one fumble before having his season cut short due to injury.

That being said, Houston still went on to finish 10-6 and began their seven-game win streak two weeks after Williams went down.  In light of this, it won't be surprising when Houston neglects to re-sign him.

With J.J. Watt, Brooks Reed, Brian Cushing and Connor Barwin dominating in the front seven, Williams needs to go somewhere he can make an immediate impact—such as to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Philly desperately needs a linebacker who can rush the passer, stop the run and provide solid coverage.  The Eagles' biggest weakness early in 2011 was not being able to stop the run, which many teams capitalized on.

Not only would Mario start right away, but his pass-rushing skills would be a great complement to defensive linemen Trent Cole and Jason Babin, who combined for 29 sacks.

Mario Williams in Philadelphia gives the Eagles a complete defense.

Matt Flynn, New York Jets

It may have only been one game, but Packers backup QB Matt Flynn really increased his free-agent status with that thrashing performance against the Detroit Lions in Week 17.

He's proved to be a reliable game manager, and he played well in 2010 when having to fill in for Aaron Rodgers—to the degree that if something unfortunate happens to Rodgers this postseason, Green Bay knows it has a solid backup it can rely on.

That being said, the New York Jets could use Flynn as their starting quarterback.

Mark Sanchez has made minimal improvements despite solid postseason play, and it's not like the Jets have much to lose anyway.

Flynn will get more exposure in New York, and there are already two solid receiving targets for him to connect with in Plaxico Burress and Dustin Keller.  Plus, Flynn is not used to having a ground game to really rely on, or a defense.

Then again, the fact that the Jets' pass defense is better than the Packers' could be one more selling point in attracting Flynn to New York.

If the Jets get desperate to bring in a new quarterback, why not take a gander at one of the top free agents?

Robert Meachem, Arizona Cardinals

Another Saints player to make the list, receiver Robert Meachem would make any offense needing a No. 2 receiver more productive.

Yes, it would hurt the Saints somewhat.  But Drew Brees has the ability to make any receiver a dominant player, so replacing Meachem wouldn't be overly difficult.

As for where Meachem would go, the Arizona Cardinals are perfect.

Other than Anquan Boldin, receiver Larry Fitzgerald has never had a consistently solid complement, so the signing of Meachem would raise the bar.  Whether it's Kevin Kolb, John Skelton or another QB under center, having Meachem opposite of Fitz would create one of the better receiving duos in the game.

Meachem and Fitzgerald, along with tight end Todd Heap and an improving rushing attack, will have Cardinals fans quickly forgetting the losses of Steve Breaston to the Kansas City Chiefs and Boldin to the Baltimore Ravens.

With Fitzgerald's ability to run any pattern on the field, Meachem will either thrive on quick screens or slants and crossing patterns while the defense doubles Fitz, or Meachem will draw up the safeties with deep crossing routes, leaving Fitzgerald open deep.

Arizona would be able to attack defenses so many different ways with Meachem, and if there's anyone in the NFL who deserves help, other than Maurice Jones-Drew in Jacksonville, it's Larry Fitzgerald in Arizona.

Cory Redding, Carolina Panthers

One of the more underrated defensive linemen in the game, Baltimore's Cory Redding gets overlooked because of guys like Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs and Ed Reed.

And that's just on the Ravens' own defense.

Redding, however, provides the ability to play both defensive end and tackle, and is versatile enough to play in a 4-3 or 3-4 front.

This past season Redding accounted for 43 tackles, 4.5 sacks and two pass deflections.  He can stop the run on the outside and off-tackle, and he applies QB pressure when needed.

The Carolina Panthers would be his best fit because, although they run a 4-3 front, Redding is a great complement to their current stud pass-rusher, Charles Johnson.  Aside from Johnson, the Panthers were weak at getting QB pressure, as well as at stopping the run.

Carolina finished No. 25 against the run and was without linebacker Jon Beason all season.  Beason, one of the better middle linebackers in the game, would welcome having Redding in the trenches to help stop the run.

The Panthers would immediately become a solid defense by adding Redding.  His addition would also free them up to draft a much-needed defensive back.

Terrell Thomas, New England Patriots

Despite missing the entire season due to injury, New York Giants corner Terrell Thomas is one of the better defensive backs available this offseason.

It would not be surprising to see New York re-sign Thomas, despite him having missed the entire year, since the Giants' pass defense was so weak in 2011.  They're better off, however, parting ways and continuing on with Corey Webster, Prince Amukamara and Aaron Ross.

So, expect Thomas to sign elsewhere this offseason.  The New England Patriots are a great fit, as they ranked No. 31 against the pass and allowed 294 pass yards per game in 2011.

They were, however, opportunistic, as Bill Belichick's defensive unit intercepted 23 passes this season.

They still need a lock-down corner, though, who can also help with run support on the edges.  Thomas possesses the physical toughness that New England has missed in recent years. 

In 2010 he recorded 101 tackles, forced four fumbles, picked off five passes and defended 21 passes.

That is the kind of production the Patriots need in their pass defense to stay competitive next season.

Terrell Thomas can provide that production.

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