NFL Free Agents 2012: 10 Shocking Big-Name Signings Nobody Saw Coming

Free agency in the NFL is a yearly crap shoot where at least a few players shockingly make moves to teams that nobody saw coming. 

Last year, the Nnamdi Asomugha sweepstakes ended in a surprise pairing that nobody had predicted or had even thought was a possibility when he ultimately ended up in a Philadelphia Eagles jersey. 

With that in mind, I'll be taking a look at the top 10 big-name players in 2012 who could end up on teams not even considered in the running for their services.

London Fletcher to the Dallas Cowboys

London Fletcher is a savvy veteran who can still bring the thunder at 36 years of age. 

The Washington Redskins have stated that they want to have their captain back in 2012, but they also have other needs that could propel Fletcher to sign his last NFL contract with another team.

Mike Florio of PFT, during an interview on WFAN 660 (h/t Giants 101), said that the Skins are interested in bringing in free-agent wide receiver Mario Manningham. Tim Hightower has stated that he wants to return to the 'Skins next year, as well. 

Oh, and don't forget the most important thing: The Redskins still need a quarterback.

There just might not be room for a soon-to-be 37-year-old middle linebacker on their roster.

Jerry Jones has recently lamented the inability of the Dallas Cowboys to land a complementary linebacker to play next to Sean Lee. He wants to have linebackers as good as the San Francisco 49ers.

Fletcher would be a fantastic addition for the Cowboys for one-to-two years as they continue their search for a young stud who could fill the void for the next 10 years.

Carl Nicks to the Cincinnati Bengals

Carl Nicks is easily the best offensive lineman in this year's free-agency class.

Much of the chatter online about Nicks has him either staying in New Orleans via the franchise tag or going to the San Francisco 49ers—the city where he was born.

The Saints have some big decisions to make in 2012, and Nicks could end up being allowed to test the market depending on how they decide to go about keeping as much of their team together as possible.

Nicks isn't so sure he will be in a Saints uniform next year, and when asked about it he said:

"

I hope so. Do I sincerely believe it? Uh...they've still got to do Drew Brees' deal. And I think Marques is up and Tracy is up. I just don't see it, man, so I don't know. I would love to stay, but who knows.

"

The Cincinnati Bengals are in desperate need of a talented veteran guard, and Nicks would fit the bill perfectly. His strong inside presence would go far in helping the young Bengals offense compete in the AFC north. 

Antonio Garay to the Oakland Raiders

Antonio Garay is the best nose tackle available in free agency in 2012, and I suspect he'll be a hot commodity. 

The San Diego Chargers are going to be attempting to keep Vincent Jackson, who notoriously thinks too much of himself and will likely make it difficult. This leaves Garay available to be had for the right price.

The Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers have plenty of cap space to make a big splash in free agency, while the Oakland Raiders find themselves in no-man's-land.

But isn't that just what we thought about the Philadelphia Eagles last year before they won the Asomugha sweepstakes?

Reggie McKenzie knows the value of having the right players playing their proper position, and the Raiders don't currently have a nose tackle on their roster as they switch from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4.

I won't be surprised to see him make some bold moves with his roster, cutting players nobody thought he'd cut, in order to land the right players for the job.

All I'm saying is: Don't be too surprised if Garay ends up in Silver and Black in 2012.

Marshawn Lynch to the New England Patriots

Marshawn Lynch has experienced a career renewal over the last couple of seasons with the Seattle Seahawks after falling flat in Buffalo with the Bills. 

He's one of toughest runners in the NFL, and his ability to break tackles and score touchdowns against even the best running defenses in the league (see San Francisco vs. Seattle in Week 16) will be highly coveted.

Most people, myself included, think Lynch will probably stay in Seattle, but the New England Patriots might make a strong push for his services to make up for the loss of an aging Kevin Faulk and the possible loss of BenJarvus Green-Ellis in free agency. 

Heck, they could afford to probably sign Green-Ellis and Lynch, as they are sitting pretty with cap space (currently, the Patriots are just under $102 million, with the 2012 salary cap expected to be anywhere from $121-$125 million).

This would give them a serious threat on the ground, and with their two-tight-end sets burning folks left and right, they could become even deadlier on offense in 2012.

Dashon Goldson to the New York Jets

This is one of the more outlandish predictions I'm proposing in this post, but there's more validity to my claim than you might think.

Dashon Goldson tried to cash in on free agency in 2011, but he pathetically overvalued himself and ended up coming back to San Francisco with his tail stuck between his legs, signing a one-year deal worth peanuts compared to their original offer that he refused.

Then, Goldson had the best year of his career, and the 49ers began to establish one of the most dominant defenses in the NFL. I'm guessing Goldson will test the market again.

Adding Goldson to the defense of the Jets would give them the safety help they need to become an elite defense again in 2012. They were atrocious in 2011, and they will be looking to improve though free agency and/or the draft.

The New York Jets are in dire straits with their salary cap, but then again, so were the Philadelphia Eagles last year. Don't be shocked to see this deal happen in March.

Vincent Jackson to the St. Louis Rams

2012 is a deep class for talented wide receivers.

The St. Louis Rams will likely be looking to land one of the top receivers to their offense, but nobody is talking about Vincent Jackson being one of the guys they might target.

Jackson is going to demand a big contract. In my opinion, he values his own worth more than teams do, but the Rams might be desperate enough to land his big-play abilities and sure hands, and I can see them making a strong move to acquire his services. 

I know that they are on the bubble as far as cap space goes, but they will likely be making some significant roster moves now that Jeff Fisher has taken over control of the franchise.

Most of the talk I'm hearing has Jackson connected with San Francisco, Minnesota (mostly last season) and Cleveland, but I'm predicting that the Rams make their move, giving Sam Bradford a big target in the passing game and surprising everyone in the process. 

Carlos Rogers to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Carlos Rogers and the San Francisco 49ers have both come out and publicly declared their intentions for one another. Rogers has gone as far as to say he'd be willing to take a "team discount" to remain on the team.

This by no means guarantees that the deal will get done, however. 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were frightfully absent from most of the action in last year's free-agency signing period, and the results were evident. Instead of continuing their upward trend, the young Bucs team deteriorated.

Rogers would give them their replacement for Ronde Barber, who may not even play in 2012. Additionally, the Aqib Talib might not be available next year, as he's facing felony assault with a deadly weapon charges in March, making this acquisition more likely.

As a 49ers fan, I would be crushed by this possible development.

Stranger things have happened though, and I won't be surprised to see this scenario take place.

DeSean Jackson to the Arizona Cardinals

DeSean Jackson will be one of the more interesting free agents to watch in 2012. He completely destroyed any real chance to land a big contract with his childish behavior in 2011. 

Many people have debated whether or not the Philadelphia Eagles would try and resolve their issues with the young diva, but I'm of the opinion that they would be better off letting him go and washing their hands of the entire thing.

The Arizona Cardinals are in desperate need of someone to take pressure off Larry Fitzgerald. Jackson, with his incredible speed, quickness, agility and athleticism, would be the perfect man for the job. 

The Cardinals have already shown that they are willing to overpay for someone they want. The deal they gave up to get Kevin Kolb and then the massive contract they gave him when he came demonstrates this clearly enough. 

Don't be surprised when they overpay for Jackson's services in 2012.

Mario Williams to the San Francisco 49ers

Don't laugh. This could actually happen, especially if Dashon Goldson and Carlos Rogers end up going to other teams.

Imagine for a moment what it might look like to face a front seven that threw these men out on the field: Mario Williams, Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman, Aldon Smith, Justin Smith, Isaac Sopoaga and Ray McDonald. 

Please excuse me for a moment while I go change out of my soiled undergarments...

This would be one of the most shocking, and quite possibly, the most effective free-agent signings of the 2012 season. 

It won't be easy to land Williams, though. He's just as valuable to team that runs a 3-4 as he is to teams that run a 4-3, and his price will be exorbitant. 

Drew Brees to the Miami Dolphins

The chances of Drew Brees playing for any team other than the New Orleans Saints is slimmer than slim. He will almost assuredly remain. 

There's always a slight chance of failure, however. 

If the Saints fail to sign Brees, I can see him taking his unparalleled talents to South Beach.

Stephen Ross is determined to make the Dolphins relevant again. He has demonstrated this passion a couple of times in the last two years—the first being when he went after Jim Harbaugh while Tony Sparano was still under contract—a move I deplored.

Then, Ross attempted to bring in Jeff Fisher, who turned him down due to the fact that Ross wouldn't get rid of Jeff Ireland. 

Nowadays, we're hearing rumors that the Dolphins will be hot to acquire Peyton Manning, should he become available.

It's clear that the Dolphins are going all in to find the right combination of players and coaches that will take them to the promised land of NFL football. 

Brees might end up being part of that plan.