2012 NFL Free Agents: 5 Teams with Important Decisions to Make in Free Agency

These five teams (Falcons, Saints, 49ers, Packers, Colts) have important decisions to make during the 2012 NFL free-agency period:

ATLANTA FALCONS

Notable FAs: DE John Abraham, CB Brent Grimes, LB Curtis Lofton, DE Kroy Biermann, C Todd McClure, KR Eric Weems, S Thomas DeCoud

Free agency might force the Falcons into some big changes in 2012. Three of Atlanta's top defensive players are all up for new contracts, and Biermann and DeCoud both played a lot of important snaps. Weems is an important special teams weapon. 

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Notable FAs: QB Drew Brees, WR Marques Colston, LB JoLonn Dunbar, G Carl Nicks, DT Aubrayo Franklin, WR Robert Meachem, CB Tracy Porter, DT Shaun Rogers

It's nothing more than a formality now, but Brees will be re-signed. The rest? Who knows. Nicks and Colston would be the biggest losses, as they might want to test the free-agent waters to see what kind of big dollars they can get. The Saints will survive as long as Brees is back, but the roster could take some hits this spring/summer.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Notable FAs: LB Ahmad Brooks, WR Ted Ginn, S Dashon Goldson, G Chilo Rachel, CB Carlos Rogers, QB Alex Smith, G Adam Synder

The 49ers went 3-for-3 on giving one-year deals, as Goldson, Rogers and Smith all paid off in big ways in 2011. Now, San Francisco has more complicated decisions to make. It'd be hard to imagine Smith not returning, but have Rogers and Goldson played themselves into big money? The 49ers will be hard-pressed to retain everyone. 

GREEN BAY PACKERS

Notable FAs: TE Jermichael Finley, QB Matt Flynn, C Scott Wells, CB Jarrett Bush, LB Erik Walden, RB Ryan Grant

Backup quarterback Matt Flynn will almost certainly find a team that will pay him top dollar to be their starting quarterback. Wells and Finley are the top priorities, and it's looking more and more likely that Green Bay will franchise tag the enigmatic tight end.

Bush has turned into an important cover man on special teams, too. 

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Notable FAs: DE Jamaal Anderson, DE Tyler Brayton, G Ryan Diem, WR Pierre Garcon, CB Jacob Lacey, DE Robert Mathis, C Jeff Saturday, LB Ernie Sims, WR Reggie Wayne

Look at all those names. Change is coming in Indianapolis.

With the Colts in rebuilding mode after a 2-14 season, don't expect them to hand out money to guys that aren't a part of that progression. It's time for the Colts to give their roster a face lift and free up cap money for the changes coming.