NFL Free Agency 2012: 5 Players Who Could Sign with a Division Rival

After a shortened free agency period in 2011 due to the lockout, the NFL will return to normal in 2012 as we get set for what should be an exciting offseason.

March 13th is the date marked on the calendars of general managers around the league. Some do not have much to worry about, whereas others will have to make sure some of their key players do not slip away.  

With that said, there are plenty of great players that could hit the market this year.

Here are a few players who could end up signing with a division rival this offseason.

Brent Grimes to New Orleans

It’s no secret that the New Orleans Saints need help on the defensive side of the ball.

Corner Brent Grimes of the Atlanta Falcons is one of the better defensive backs available this offseason and would certainly help a defense that ranked 30th against the pass.

Over the past three years, Grimes has tallied 12 interceptions to go along with 50 passes defended, 202 tackles and a forced fumble.

Alex Smith almost hitting the 300-yard marker against your team is certainly not something you want to end the year on. That said, New Orleans should be going after someone in the secondary come March 13th.

Laurent Robinson to Washington

Filling in for star wide receiver Miles Austin, Laurent Robinson came out of nowhere this past season for the Dallas Cowboys, hauling in 54 receptions for 858 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Let’s take a look at the Washington Redskins offense for a minute.

They’re in prime position to draft Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III, have an emerging RB in Roy Helu and have a pretty solid tight end duo of Fred Davis and Chris Cooley.

This leaves the wide receiver position, which features veteran Santana Moss and rookies Niles Paul and Leonard Hankerson.

If they want to compete in the NFC East, neither Paul nor Hankerson are ready to be number two receivers. Adding Laurent Robinson into the mix would give the Redskins a pretty solid offense and may put them right into playoff contention come the end of 2012. 

Brandon Carr to Denver

Despite finishing the season on a sour note, the Denver Broncos defense received a lot more positive attention than they would have if someone other than Tim Tebow was their quarterback.

There’s no denying that Champ Bailey, Andre Goodman and Brian Dawkins are great players, but there’s also no denying that they’re slowly but surely turning the Denver secondary into a retirement home.

With 237 tackles, 65 pass defenses and eight interceptions in his four years as the No. 2 corner in Kansas City, 26-year-old Brandon Carr would be a great addition to a Denver defense that is looking to get younger.

Reggie Wayne to Houston

The Houston Texans have few holes to fill this offseason as shown by making their first-ever playoff appearance with their third-string rookie quarterback under center.

With Matt Schaub and potentially Mario Williams returning from injury, next year could be the year we see the Texans make a run for the Super Bowl.

Houston has one of the best receivers in the game in Andre Johnson, but could certainly use a No. 2 receiver. This is where Reggie Wayne comes into play.

I understand that the guy is getting older and is slowing down a bit, but he is not going to demand top dollar and would allow Johnson to see some single coverage, making for a dominant passing game.

With Schaub, Foster, Tate, Johnson and Wayne, the Houston Texans would be my favorite to win Super Bowl XLVII.

Brandon Lloyd to Arizona

Like Houston, the Arizona Cardinals also have a top receiver in Larry Fitzgerald, but are in need of a No. 2 wideout who can take some coverage off of him.

Arizona has several holes to fill if they want to be a contender next year and wide receiver is one of the positions that will likely be addressed in free agency.

Lloyd has over 2,400 receiving yards in the past two years and would give the Cardinals another weapon in what is shaping up to be a respectable offense.