2012 NFL Free Agency: 5 Soon-to-Be Free Agents to Watch in the Playoffs

The four remaining teams in the 2012 NFL playoffs are hardly concerned with potential free agents with their Super Bowl hopes hanging in the balance.

The other 28 teams?

They are licking their chops at the chance to poach players who contributed to the fantastic seasons for the four teams left standing.

These free agents have an opportunity to increase their value on the biggest stages, potentially handcuffing the budgets of their current front offices.

Will they leave? Will they stay?

Here are five future free agents to watch over the season's final weeks. 

Ray Rice

Letting Ray Rice walk out the door would mean losing the ONLY offensive threat on the Baltimore Ravens.

My apologies, Joe Flacco.

That is precisely why Rice is certain to return as the key cog on offense for the Ravens. While paying running backs long-term is risky business, Rice's versatility offsets any concerns about paying the former Rutgers star his due.

Out of the backfield, Rice has averaged 1,307 yards rushing over the past three seasons. In 2011, Rice eclipsed career highs in yards per game with 85.3 and rushing scores with 12.

What sets Rice apart from backs like Chris Johnson is his similarly effective pass-catching prowess. Rice routinely gets over 700 yards catching out of the backfield, averaging 9.3 yards per catch.

Perhaps most important is Rice's durability. In the last three years as the primary back, Rice has missed only three starts.

These three factors bode well for Rice's long-term status with Baltimore. Enjoy watching Rice effectively produce against a suspect Patriots defense on Sunday. 

Wes Welker

Do the breakout performances of Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski leave Wes Welker as an expendable commodity?

Not exactly.

Lost in the hoopla surrounding the Patriots' superior tight ends, is the career season posted by Welker.

Welker produced career highs in yardage and touchdowns in 2011. The most memorable was undoubtedly this 99-yard play versus the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football. 

With a history of letting overpriced free agents walk, the Patriots will attempt to save every penny possible in re-signing No. 83.

But, they will re-sign him. He is too valuable to Brady for the alternative to happen.

Oh, and with the Ravens keyed onto the tight ends this week, look for Welker to make a crucial play on Sunday. 

Alex Smith

From zero to hero, Alex Smith turned his career upside down in spectacular fashion in 2011.

If that's not pleasantly shocking enough, Smith convinced all naysayers when he spearheaded a game-winning drive versus the New Orleans Saints in the divisional round.

Now the question becomes whether to pony up money for the 2011 Smith, or the one who proved nothing more than a bust prior to this year.

Obviously, Smith will be asking for a large raise given his performance under head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Smith will likely re-sign, but will have enormous pressure to follow up his breakout season with another good showing.

If not, his season will be termed a fluke. Such is the life of an NFL quarterback and first overall NFL draft pick. 

Mario Manningham

According to an article written by The Philadelphia Inquirer, former New York Giants receiver Steve Smith could return in 2012.

The article cites a television report by ESPN analyst Adam Schefter, who said it would not be surprising to see Smith back in blue to begin next season.

That spells a change in the winds for former No. 2 target Mario Manningham. The former Michigan speedster took a step back in 2011, giving way to the surprising Victor Cruz and talented Hakeem Nicks.

Manningham only had 523 yards on 39 catches, which are the lowest of his career since his rookie season.

As a result, a change in scenery is likely for Manningham. Expect teams lacking a speedy playmaker to make a sizable financial commitment to bring in Manningham.

Carlos Rogers

As an NFL fan, don't you just love it when a player under-performs for your team, only to break out after leaving your favorite franchise?

Washington Redskins fans must feel that way about corner Carlos Rogers, who found his niche on the West Coast in 2011.

The Auburn product reeled in a career-high six picks in 2011 and a touchdown. He played an integral role on the second best scoring defense in the NFL. 

Ironically, Rogers is a free agent at season's end.

It is in the best interest of both the San Francisco 49ers and Rogers to renew the connection that helped revive both sides in 2011.