2012 NFL Free Agents: Players Who Will Make Big Bucks After Super Bowl XLVI

The New York Giants demonstrated to the rest of the league what it takes to win the Super Bowl in today's NFL. 

Great quarterback play, reliable yet explosive wide receivers and the ability to get after the opposing signal-caller.

Teams can learn a lot from how the Patriots got to the Super Bowl, too. 

New England's biggest free agent is Wes Welker, who will almost assuredly be re-signed, and the biggest, most sought-after free agent on the Giants is easily Mario Manningham. 

Without a multitude of free agents on either Super Bowl participant that will garner a ton of attention, let's look at the guys who will receive huge pay days based on what other teams saw from New England and New York all season and in the Super Bowl. 

Cliff Avril, DE, Detroit Lions 

If you haven't noticed, Avril is a budding star. The Purdue product is only 25 years old and has increased his sack totals in each of his first four seasons in the NFL. 

He exploded for 11.5 sacks and six forced fumbles in 2011.

After watching the Giants go on yet another magical run with an absolutely terrorizing group of pass-rushers, teams will be looking to assemble their own intimidating defensive line.

Yes, Mario Williams is probably the biggest edge-rushing name on the market, but he comes with injury concerns.

The Lions could place the franchise tag on Avril or sign him to a long-term deal if he isn't offered a mega-deal by another team.

Either way, Avril's going to cash in this offseason.

Just About All the Free Agent Receivers and DeSean Jackson (If He's Lucky)

The 2012 free-agent class is loaded with premier wideouts, and not that it wasn't known before, but the inspired play of Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz and Mario Manningham will lead to many teams desperately trying to lock up their playmakers on the outside. 

It will also lead to other teams offering huge contracts to the best pass-catchers in the game. 

Nothing against Eli Manning—he was fantastic in 2011—but his group of receivers are special. 

Guys like Wes Welker (yes, forget the "drop") Vincent Jackson, Dwayne Bowe, Marques Colston and Mike Wallace should be signing their names on lucrative contracts soon. 

And yes, franchise tags are possible. 

Drew Brees and Matt Flynn. Probably Alex Smith, Too

Manning proved that the game is about quarterbacks, quarterbacks, quarterbacks. Teams with good ones win.

Many teams are looking for that franchise quarterback to lead them to the Super Bowl. 

Drew Brees shattered Dan Marino's single-season passing-yard record in 2011, and Matt Flynn was stunningly amazing during his time on the field in relief of a resting Aaron Rodgers. 

Alex Smith had his best season as a professional and was instrumental in the San Francisco 49ers' run to the NFC title game. 

All should receive hefty contracts this spring, especially Mr. Brees down in the Big Easy. 

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