2012 NFL Free Agents: Teams That Will Overpay for QBs

Every team that needs a quarterback has the potential to overpay for one. The saying, "If you don't have a franchise quarterback, get one," applies in the NFL now more than ever.

There are a number of teams in this draft that need quarterbacks and more than a few of them will overpay—but not necessarily in free agency.

Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III are the top quarterbacks in the 2012 NFL draft. Free agency, as of now, has Matt Flynn. Technically, Drew Brees is a free agent, but you'd be insane to think the Saints won't re-sign him.

One other player expected to hit the open market is Peyton Manning. The Colts have until March 8th, when he's due a $28 million roster bonus, to cut him loose.

Obviously, everyone is going hard for Peyton Manning (assuming he's healthy, of course).

Cleveland Browns

It remains unclear how much interest the Browns have in Robert Griffin III. We know Browns football czar Mike Holmgren has had success with backup quarterbacks before, so he'll obviously be in on Matt Flynn of the Packers to some degree.

How much they'll be willing to pay is up in the air because they have two first-round picks to fall back on in the draft.

They won't be in the race for Peyton Manning because, lets face it, Peyton isn't going to Cleveland.

If they want Matt Flynn, they're going to have to pay for him.

Washington Redskins

When haven't the Redskins overpaid for a player? With Peyton Manning and Matt Flynn both potentially on the market, we know Daniel Snyder is going to be throwing around the dollars.

If they miss on one of these two quarterbacks, we can expect them to try to move up the board in the draft.

Miami Dolphins

This Dolphins team is going to sign either Peyton Manning (assuming he's cut) or Matt Flynn. The Dolphins are the most ready to compete—something key for Peyton—and have Flynn's former offensive coordinator Joe Philbin as their new head coach.

Expect owner Stephen Ross and GM Jeff Ireland to be on Peyton from the minute he's cut loose. They'll fall back on Flynn if not.

The Dolphins don't want to go into the draft without a new signal-caller and they'll pay whatever they need to pay to avoid that.

Arizona Cardinals and New York Jets

Plain and simple, if they want Peyton Manning, they're going to go out of their way to pay for him.