2012 NFL Free Agents: Analyzing the 3 Best Targets at Running Back

Now that the Super Bowl is over and the Giants have had their victory parade and trip to Disneyland, the NFL can officially get down to the business of the new season beginning later this month and continuing in March with the annual maelstrom that is free agency in the National Football League.

Of the many positions teams will be shopping for when "stores" open March 13 is tailback, so let's take a look at the top trio of rock-rumbling running backs that should be available for "sale."

It's worth noting that I've chosen to omit Ray Rice of the Baltimore Ravens, Matt Forte of the Chicago Bears and Marshawn Lynch of the Seattle Seahawks, as although each are technically free agents the odds of any changing uniforms this spring are beyond infinitesimal.

Michael Bush, Oakland Raiders

After losing starter Darren McFadden to what ended up being a season-ending foot injury, the Oakland Raiders turned the reins of their running game over to fourth-year pro Michael Bush. Bush responded fairly well, racking up over 1,400 total yards and eight touchdowns for the season.

Bush's 3.8 yards per carry in 2011 is far from a mind-blowing number, but the former Louisville standout is a strong between the tackles runner with good hands, and 27-year old running backs with something of a resume and minimal mileage don't exactly come along every day.

The possibility of the Raiders using the franchise tag on Bush has been discussed, and should the Raiders make that move it will almost certainly signal the end of McFadden's tenure in Oakland. One way or another, one of the Raiders' running backs looks to be set for a change of address this spring.

Peyton Hillis, Cleveland Browns

It may have seemed like a dream for Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis after his breakout 2010 campaign when he was named the cover athlete for the "Madden '12" video game.

The rest of Hillis' 2011 season was a nightmare.

Hillis battled nagging injuries, a contentious contract dispute, a bout with "strep throat" that reportedly rankled many of his teammates and just about every other bit of bad luck you can envision en route to a measly 567 yards (less than half his 2010 total) and 3.6 yards per carry.

The Browns apparently have interest in bringing Hillis back in 2012, but depending on what sort of cheddar the fourth-year pro is looking for after only one truly productive season, it's a distinct possibility that Cleveland will at least let Hillis see what else is out there. Any sort of relatively big contract would probably lure Hillis away from the shores of Lake Erie.

Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Bengals

On the surface it might appear that the Cincinnati Bengals would be well served to re-sign running back Cedric Benson, who has posted over 1,000 rushing yards in each of the past three seasons.

However, Benson also has racked up over 275 carries a year over his four seasons in the Queen City, has averaged less than four yards a carry in three of those seasons, and even at only 29 years old Benson is arguably the least explosive starting running back in the NFL.

The Bengals' playoff loss to the Houston Texans aptly demonstrated that the Cincinnati ground game could use a spark, and with Benson reportedly looking for both a starter's paycheck and the lion's share of carries in the backfield, it appears that the seventh-year veteran's days in the Queen City are numbered.