2012 NFL Free Agents: Where Is the Market Weak, Where Is It Strong?

Big names abound in the 2012 version of NFL free agency.

Studs such as Matt Forte, Marshawn Lynch, Reggie Wayne and DeSean Jackson are just a few of the big names looking to get paid this offseason.

But what about positions as a whole? What areas are plentiful for teams looking to fill voids via free agency. More importantly, what needs will be better addressed in the NFL draft?

Here is a quick glance at the positional strengths and weaknesses for 2012 free agency. 

Strength: Wide Receiver

Best Available: Vincent Jackson, DeSean Jackson, Wes Welker, Reggie Wayne, Dwayne Bowe, Marcus Colston, Mario Manningham.

The receivers set to be on the market after this season is quite an impressive one to say the least. Given the passing state of today's NFL, each of these talented pass catchers will be hot commodities this summer.

Certainly, players such as Wes Welker are sure to re-sign with their respective teams. However, teams will be vying heavily for the other available pass catchers.

Teams looking for such playmakers include the St. Louis Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars, Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings and Washington Redskins.

 

Strength: Defensive End

Best Available: John Abraham, Robert Mathis, Calais Campbell, Cliff Avril, Cory Redding

Defensive end is a position often improved via the NFL draft. 

However, the 2012 offseason brings some explosive veterans to the market for teams looking for a quick answer to pass rushing woes.

Established sack artists like Abraham and Mathis rarely become available and teams will bid highly to wrestle away their services from the incumbent teams.

Mathis, in particular, could be prone to sign elsewhere given the rebuilding state of the Indianapolis Colts.

Teams looking for help on the edges include the Tennessee Titans, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars. 

 

Strength: Running Back

Best Available: Arian Foster, Ray Rice, Matt Forte, Marshawn Lynch, Peyton Hillis, Ryan Grant, BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

First of all, Rice and Foster will be staying put given their critical roles on their respective teams and the fact that Foster is a restricted free agent.

That being said, there are still some quality contributors available for teams needing help in the backfield. Lynch, in particular, will demand big bucks on the market given his recent success in Seattle but can a team open up its checkbook on a guy known for inconsistent production?

Meanwhile, Hillis, Grant and Green-Ellis are all viable options as change-of-pace backs for any team.

Primary suitors for running backs are the Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets and Cleveland Browns.

 

Weakness: Quarterback

Best Available: Drew Brees, Jason Campbell, Alex Smith, Kyle Orton, Vince Young.

Like Ray Rice, Drew Brees will be staying put this offseason.

That leaves quite a bare cupboard when it comes to quarterbacks this offseason. Flynn certainly turned heads with his 480-yard performance against division-rival Detroit in Week 17 of the regular season.

Is that enough to make him a surefire starter? I'm not so sure, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a team like the Miami Dolphins take a flier on Flynn.

Smith will likely remain in San Francisco, and is a borderline No. 1 regardless.

Campbell had the Oakland Raiders off to a good start in 2011 before his season-ending injury. Expect Campbell to get a shot somewhere before 2012.

Teams in dire need of a quarterback are the Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins, Washington Redskins and Jacksonville Jaguars. 

Weakness: Tight End

Best Available: Jermichael Finley, Jeremy Shockey, Fred Davis, Mercedes Lewis.

The tight end position has fast become the position of glamour in today's NFL. Rob Gronkowski, Jimmy Graham, Antonio Gates and Aaron Hernandez have transformed the position from primarily blocking-based to essentially an extra receiver with superior leaping ability.

In other words, unable to be covered.

Unfortunately for those teams without such a game-changing tight end, there is little to be found in free agency.

The Packers will do everything in their power to retain Finley for at least one more season. The other three options lack the consistency and athleticism to be mentioned in the same sentence as Gates, Gronkowski and Graham.

Teams in search of an X-factor will likely need to look in the 2012 NFL draft. 

Weakness: Offensive Tackle

Best Available: Demetrius Bell, Levi Brown, Jeff Backus, Jared Gaither.

Pickings are laughably slim for any teams expecting to find a tackle capable of protecting their prized signal-caller this offseason.

The best option is Bell, who is an underrated run blocker with decent pass blocking skills on the left side. The Bills would be best-served to retain his services if possible.

Other than that, there isn't much left. Tackles will be drafted early and often in the 2012 NFL draft.