2012 NFL Free Agents: 10 Players the Cincinnati Bengals Should Pursue

The Cincinnati Bengals are now entering what is possibly the most important offseason in franchise history. After an impressive rebuilding year last season, a majority of important pieces are already filled for years to come.

The Bengals typically are slow starters in free agency and always fail to make a big splash. The team likes to worry about its own free agents first, then picks through the cheap leftovers after all the big names have found new homes.

That has to change. The team has several massive needs that need addressed properly, and bringing in a proven player through free agency could help the team make the next step. Building through the draft is nice and the Bengals have done that—now it's time to add some veterans in free agency.

Offensive guard is a huge need with Nate Livings being a mediocre player and a free agent. Bobbie Williams' career is likely over after a serious injury, and Clint Boling failed to impress last season.

Safety and corner are massive holes as well. Reggie Nelson was a surprise last year, but is a free agent. The rest of the safeties are simply average, at best, and that includes the freak athlete Taylor Mays. At corner it is hard to tell if Leon Hall will ever be the same again, and the team can't afford to have Nate Clements on the field much.

Running back is an issue despite Cedric Benson rushing for 1,000 yards again last season. The stats are deceiving, and both parties appear ready to go their separate ways. Bernard Scott has still failed to impress and simply isn't durable enough to carry the load for an entire season.

Wide receiver is a huge need for several reasons. Jerome Simpson is a free agent. Andre Caldwell is a free agent and was an issue this year, as the majority of Andy Dalton's interceptions were passes intended for Caldwell. Jordan Shipley is coming off a serious injury, and Andrew Hawkins is too small to play every down.

The Bengals must be proactive in free agency for the first time if they are to have continued success next season. The players on this list are likely to be available and would drastically improve the team.

Here are 10 free agents the Bengals should pursue this offseason.

Peyton Hillis, RB

The Peyton Hillis era in Cleveland appears to be over. Hillis isn't a high priority for the organization, and shouldn't be after attitude issues and injuries held him back last season.

The Bengals need a running back, and Hillis is perfect for the system. He is a massive back with good vision and will certainly be more effective than Cedric Benson was this past season.

After returning from injury, Hillis looked as if he had returned to form. He won't be expensive because of his antics and overall performance last season, and he fits the bill for a cheap high-risk, high-reward type of player Mike Brown loves to bring into Cincinnati.

If the Bengals are wise, they will do their best to bring The Juggernaut to Cincinnati.

Michael Bush, RB

Michael Bush is one of the more expensive options on the list, but he is worth every penny. It's doubtful the Raiders will be able to pay both Bush and Darren McFadden, especially with rookie running back Taiwan Jones performing so well last season.

Bush carried the ball 256 times for 977 yards and seven touchdowns last season. He is another big, bruising back who possesses great vision and shiftiness. Bush would fit very well in the Bengals' offense as a starter.

There is a slight possibility the Raiders could use the franchise tag on Bush because they realize what they have in him. If the Raiders are willing to pay that much to have Bush as a backup, the Bengals better be prepared to pay him a little more to be a starter.

Carl Nicks, G

The Bengals need help at the guard position, and Carl Nicks is realistically the only solid option via free agency this offseason.

The New Orleans Saints would be stupid to let Nicks walk, but the market for him will be extremely large and competitive. New Orleans will have a hard time giving Nicks the money he wants after the massive deal they gave fellow guard and teammate Jahari Evans.

Nicks is one of the better guards in the league, and one of the biggest as well. Standing at 6'5" and weighing 345 lbs, Nicks would fit right in with the Bengals, who have one of the heaviest lines in the league.

The chances are slim, but the Bengals would be smart to be targeting Nicks right now. The guard position is a massive issue, and it's hard to tell if a rookie could come right in and be effective next season. Nicks is one of the league’s best, and Mike Brown better be prepared to open his checkbook if he is available.

Ted Ginn, WR

Ted Ginn is one of the most electric kick returners in all of football—Cincinnati's Brandon Tate is not.

It is unknown if Ginn will hit the open market, but if he does, he won’t be the most expensive receiver available.

Cincinnati could consistently use better field position and more explosive plays from the special teams unit. The Bengals allowed Tate to keep a roster spot, even though he never saw the field as a receiver, and they could do the same with Ginn.

If Ginn were to see the field, he could simply be used to stretch the field with his blazing speed. The Bengals haven't had a receiver with Ginn's speed since the late Chris Henry, and Ginn could be a vastly underrated pickup this offseason.

Marcus Trufant, CB

After the way the Nate Clements signing worked out for Cincinnati last year, don’t be surprised to see the Bengals pursue Marcus Trufant. Back issues made Trufant spend most of the past season on injured reserve, but the only real knock against him is the fact that he is 31.

Trufant is a great man-coverage player who would fit right into defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer’s scheme. He is much faster than Clements and would make a great second or third option at the position.

Trufant likely won't be brought back by Seattle after the emergence of younger players at the position. The Bengals could use the depth and veteran presence of Trufant, and would be wise to pay him what he wants this offseason.

DeSean Jackson, WR

DeSean Jackson is a controversial figure who could easily disrupt the Bengals' locker room chemistry.

With that being said, Jackson is an amazing player who could turn the Bengals' offense into the best in the league.

Jackson's speed would make him the best deep-threat the Bengals have possibly ever had, and he would free up more space for A.J. Green and Jermaine Gresham. Placing Jackson in the slot would cause massive mismatches for any defenses the Bengals face.

Jackson may demand an unrealistic amount of money based on his horrible attitude and antics, but this free-agent class of receivers is deeper than it has been in years. Jackson won't be brought back in Philadelphia, and unless a team drastically overpays him, he will have to lower his asking price.

Jackson is also one of the best kick returners in the NFL—another area the Bengals could really use an upgrade at.

It seems like a gigantic risk to bring in someone like Jackson, but it could also be the difference in winning a Super Bowl.

Brent Grimes, CB

Brent Grimes is one of the most critically underrated players in the NFL.

He also plays at a position of need for the Bengals.

Grimes was the No. 1 corner for the Atlanta Falcons, but he appears to be looking to play elsewhere next season.

Grimes is great in coverage and, as a result, doesn't have the most amazing stats. Teams typically don't throw Grimes' way in the same fashion that teams try not to test Leon Hall.

Adding Grimes would give the Bengals a legit, proven No. 2 corner they have desperately been missing. A Grimes-and-Hall duo backed up up by Adam Jones and Nate Clements would be one of the deeper units in the league—but only if Cincinnati is willing to bring in Grimes.

LaRon Landry, S

LaRon Landry is one of the better strong safeties in the NFL, and that is the position where the Bengals are weakest overall. Landry was placed on injured reserve last season and has had injury issues the past few years, which will drive his price down until he can prove to stay healthy.

Landry is a playmaking safety who is good at rushing the passer and excellent against the run. He forces turnovers and has a tenacity that allows him to blow up plays before they even develop. His coverage skills are on par or better than any safety the Bengals currently have on the roster.

The Redskins wouldn't dare use the franchise tag on Landry given his injury issues. If the Bengals are willing to pay a little more than the Redskins and take a risk, they could be receiving a huge award.

The Bengals already have a top five defense; Landry would come in and immediately upgrade the unit overall.

Michael Griffin, S

Michael Griffin is one of those players you never know what to expect from.

One year he was a Pro Bowl-caliber player, and the next he dropped off the face of the earth.

Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has made worse players look like Pro Bowlers, so Griffin should be on Cincinnati's radar.

Griffin had a solid season last year, finishing with 75 tackles, one forced fumble and two interceptions. He is solid against both the run and pass, and matches up well against tight ends—a position Cincinnati was killed by all season long.

Griffin is an oddball, but if the Bengals aren’t able to bring back Reggie Nelson, Griffin would be a good option to fill the void.

Cortland Finnegan, CB

Cortland Finnegan is a top 10 corner in the NFL. He makes up for his lack of size by being the most physical corner in the league while shutting down most receivers in man coverage.

Finnegan appears to want out of Tennessee and would have a welcome home in Cincinnati.

Finnegan is a player who would drastically improve the defense. Cincinnati would be able to rely even more heavily on man coverage while sending more players to blitz the quarterback. Finnegan would be second to only Leon Hall; the duo could potentially be better than the past duo of Hall and Johnathan Joseph.

Finnegan will surely come with a hefty price tag, but once again, the Bengals have to be willing to take a risk. He is hardly a risk after having yet another amazing season, with 75 tackles and an interception.

If the Bengals want to beat teams like Houston, bringing in Finnegan would be a good place to start.