2012 NFL Free Agents: Players Who Will Thrive on New Teams

The 2012 NFL free-agent class is loaded. Many players will have to switch teams because it will be impossible for the incumbent franchises to afford them.

The New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions are a couple of the teams that are up against the salary cap with significant contract numbers to incorporate yet.

This offseason will assuredly feature heavy player movement. 

The pairing of teams and players in the following slides is strictly conjecture. There is no evidence to back up any implications other than logic and reasoning.

Matt Flynn, Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers have a reputation of grooming their drafted talent, especially quarterbacks.

Backup quarterback Matt Flynn intrigued the rest of the league in 2010, when he went toe-to-toe with Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. He then proved his worth by torching a similar Detroit Lions defense that stymied him the prior year. 

Flynn's accuracy is unquestioned after pinpointing passes in the windy environment of Lambeau Field. He will have the ability to walk into a new locker room and garner the respect necessary to be a solid quarterbacking acquisition.

Brian Hoyer, New England Patriots

The New England Patriots are another franchise that has built a legacy regarding quarterback development.

Backup quarterback Brian Hoyer has gained a little steam heading into this offseason. NFL insiders, like Mike Lombardi, have made it clear that they would put in a phone call to Bill Belichick to see what it would take to get the third-year signal-caller.

Hoyer's ceiling may not be Tom Brady-like, but it wouldn't be unreasonable to expect a better Matt Cassel.

It should be noted that he is a restricted free agent this year, so the Pats could make it difficult to obtain him.

Matt Forte, Chicago Bears

Matt Forte began operating at an elite level in 2010 and carried over that success to 2011. Before getting injured, he was on pace for career highs in receptions and yards-per-carry average.

The Chicago Bears need to keep Forte, considering their offense imploded without his presence.

However, former general manager Jerry Angelo wasn't always known for making smart decisions, and they kept him around. Who knows what kind of decision they will make here?

Lastly, there shouldn't be any concern about Forte being injury-prone. This was the first significant injury of his young career.

Michael Bush, Oakland Raiders

Oakland Raiders running back Michael Bush is not a feature back. He was provided with significantly more carries this year than any previous season, and his per-carry average dropped to 3.8.

Bush would make a lot of sense to a team like the Miami Dolphins. He could easily be the Brandon Jacobs to Reggie Bush's Ahmad Bradshaw.

This would help to extend the career of both players. Reggie Bush may have proved he can handle a heavy workload, but the Dolphins should protect their investment.

Vincent Jackson, San Diego Chargers

Vincent Jackson is the type of wide receiver that every quarterback loves.

At 6'5", 230 pounds, he possesses the the ability to body smaller defensive backs and bail out an errant pass. His 17-yard average proves that he can also make plays downfield.

The Chicago Bears would be smart to make a pitch to the 29-year-old receiver. If Jackson can find a team that has a consistent leader in the locker room, he may be able to reverse the petulant trend he has displayed thus far.

Braylon Edwards, San Francisco 49ers

Braylon Edwards has sprinkled in three solid seasons (2007 was incredible) among five mediocre years. His time isn't over, but he is surely running out of time to establish himself.

The right move at this point in his career would be to reinvent himself as a No. 2 option. Edwards would complement A.J. Green in Cincinnati quite well and could also teach the young wide receiver the tricks of the trade.

However, if he can't let go of being a top receiver, he needs to go to the Seattle Seahawks. They have a need for a wideout (sorry, Sidney Rice), and there would be less pressure in that particular town.

Jermichael Finley, Green Bay Packers

Conventional wisdom would indicate that the Green Bay Packers would not let Jermichael Finley leave. Yet the Packers have let people go before knowing full well that they prefer to build through the draft.

His play has spoken for itself, but there have been some issues with dropped balls.

The biggest reason that Finley might move on would be to become a more central part of an offense. The Indianapolis Colts may be able to offer him a unique opportunity to become Andrew Luck's security blanket.

Demetrius Bell, Buffalo Bills

Demetrius Bell was a big part of the Buffalo Bills' early success.

He was the anchor of an offensive line that led the league in sacks allowed. In addition, two different running backs were able to average over five yards per carry running behind these men.

Bell has the prototypical size associated with playing tackle in the NFL and has the type of determination to be a great influence in any locker room.

Carl Nicks, New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints guard Carl Nicks was a key cog of the best offensive line interior in the NFL.

The Saints are going to have difficulty retaining his services. They just paid their other guard, Jahri Evans, $56.7 million over seven years.

It is highly unlikely that they will have the cap room to extend the same reward to Nicks, especially when taking into account the mega-deal that Drew Brees is going to command.

Cliff Avril, Detroit Lions

Cliff Avril has improved every year since entering the NFL. In 2011, he broke out, compiling 11 sacks and six forced fumbles.

Detractors will point to all the attention that offensive lines must pay to the inside of the Lions defensive line. Yet Avril still made plays when presented with the opportunity, and that's all that can be asked of a player.

The Lions face some serious budget restraints this offseason. If they don't let Kyle Vanden Bosch go, Avril may be suiting up in a different uniform.

Mario Williams, Houston Texans

Not a single general manager will be scared off by Mario Williams' injury this season. Nor should they be, as Williams had only missed three games in the previous five seasons.

The stud linebacker has proven to be worthy of the controversial No. 1 overall selection years ago. At only 26 years old, he is entering the prime of his career.

His versatility will be a commodity in the open market as well. Edwards transitioned from a 4-3 defensive end to a 3-4 outside linebacker by notching five sacks in five games.

Brent Grimes, Atlanta Falcons

Despite little help from a mediocre pass rush, Atlanta Falcons cornerback Brent Grimes has been stellar.

His play has caught the attention of the league during a time when steady defensive back play is at a premium. 

In addition to a lack of defensive front pressure, Grimes hasn't had the opportunity to play with safeties that can cover his mistakes. If he can find the right situation, Grimes will be a standout player.

Cortland Finnegan, Tennessee Titans

Cortland Finnegan isn't big or exceptionally fast, but he's a player.

He has an uncanny ability to make plays, although he has only been to one Pro Bowl (which really doesn't mean anything one way or another). In addition, Finnegan's altercations with Andre Johnson and Steve Smith illustrate a player with a nasty streak.

A perfect situation for him would be with the Detroit Lions. His price tag may be too high, yet he would fit in well with his former defensive coordinator, Jim Schwartz.