2012 NFL Free Agency: Which Free Agents Will Cash in This Offseason

When free agency begins on March 13, NFL teams will make their best pitches to some of the league's best players.

This year's free agency class includes some prominent names, including a record-setting quarterback and a former No. 1 overall pick.

Here are 15 free agents who will garner the most exorbitant money this offseason.

Drew Brees

Brees shutdown contract talks during the regular season to focus on football. That decision paid off for the New Orleans quarterback.

Brees finished the 2011 season with an NFL record 5,476 yards passing. He also tossed 46 touchdowns and improved as the season went on. While Brees isn't expected to leave New Orleans, his contract situation could get complicated.   

The Saints have a number of key free agents this offseason, including wide receivers Marques Colston and Robert Meachem and offensive guard Carl Nicks. The more money Brees gets will mean less money for those other players.

If the Saints decide to put the franchise tag on Brees, he'll make around $14.4 million in 2012. If he signs a long-term deal, look for the guaranteed money to be in the $30 million range.

Either way, he's cashing in big this offseason.

Mario Williams

Despite tearing a pectoral muscle in Week 5, and a switch from defensive end from linebacker, Williams showed enough in those five games to earn himself a healthy payday.

In five games last year, Williams had five sacks and one forced fumble. He's the top pass-rusher in this year's free-agent class and he'll get paid like it.

If the Texans decide to use it franchise tag on Williams, it'll cost them $10.6 million in 2012. However, if Williams reaches the open market, expect some team to offer him a long-term deal with $20-$22 million in guaranteed money.  

Carl Nicks

Nicks' name may not be as recognizable as Drew Brees or Marques Colston, but he's just as important to the Saints offense. Nicks is a young offensive guard and will be highly sought-after if he hits the open market.

Nicks is just 26 years old and has started all but three games during his four-year career in New Orleans. At 6'3" and 343 pounds, he's big, strong and dominates in the middle for the Saints offensive line.

The Saints must get creative this offseason if they want to keep their key free agents in New Orleans. If they choose to place the franchise tag on Nicks, he'll make around $9.4 million in 2012. That's $5 million less than a franchise contract for Brees and the same price as Colston.

If Nicks reaches the open market, he could be looking at a Steve Hutchinson-type deal which was seven years worth $49 million. Either way, Nicks will cash in big this offseason.

Matt Flynn

When Flynn threw from 480 yards and six touchdowns in Week 17 against the playoff-bound Detroit Lions, you could hear the cha-ching of the the cash register.

Flynn has spent his career backing up MVP Aaron Rodgers, but now is preparing to jettison Green Bay for a starting quarterback gig. Even if Flynn's Week 17 performance was a fluke, he's still looking at a big payday.

There are enough teams desperate for a quarterback that Flynn will get a lucrative deal, even though he's played just a couple NFL games.

Look for Miami, Cleveland, Seattle and Washington to pursue Flynn this offseason. The logical choice might be Miami now that former Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin is the Dolphins new head coach.

Flynn turns 27 this summer, so he still has plenty of years ahead of him. His age, along with his upside, should garner a lucrative contract in the offseason.

Brent Grimes

Now that the NFL has evolved into a pass-first league, cornerbacks will be even more in demand. 

Grimes is one of the top free-agent cornerbacks available, and his contract demands may be too rich for Atlanta to re-sign him.

The Falcons already have $57 million tied up in cornerback Dunta Robinson, and you can argue that Grimes is better than Robinson. The only option for keeping Grimes appears to be for Atlanta to use their franchise tag and guarantee him $10.2 million next season. 

Grimes will turn 29 before the season, so a five- or six-year deal may not be an option. Still, he's been good enough that some team will give him a four-year deal with $15-$20 million in guaranteed money.

Matt Forte

Forte opted to play out the final year of his contract, instead of signing a long-term deal with the Bears. Now he's a free agent this offseason and looking for long-term deal.

The Bears are considering using its franchise tag on Forte, who missed part of last season with a knee injury. If Forte does get hit with the franchise tag, it'll cost the Bears around $7.7 million, which would be a great deal for the Bears. However, if the Bears take that route, look for a 
possible holdout from the Pro Bowl running back.

Teams are often reluctant to give guaranteed contracts to running backs because their NFL lifespan is often shorter than that of other position players. Look for Forte to demand anywhere between $10-$15 million in guaranteed money.  

Marques Colston

Colston will be one of the most coveted wide receivers when free agency begins.

The New Orleans Saints wide receiver is coming off a productive season where he had 80 catches for 1,143 yards and eight touchdowns. He was also solid in the postseason with 16 receptions, 256 yards and a touchdown.

The only thing that could keep Colston from cashing in on a long-term deal is his injury past. Colston has battled various injuries during his career, including a couple knee surgeries.

Despite those concerns, Colston is a big-play receiver that will be pursued by several teams. He could be a perfect fit on a team that needs a number one target on the outside.

Vincent Jackson

This year's free-agency class includes some solid wide receivers, one of them being Vincent Jackson. However, because the wide receiver class is deep, that may bring down Jackson's value slightly.  

Plus, Jackson is 29 years old and has a history of run-ins with the law. While Jackson has stayed out of trouble recently, you can bet his past won't be overlooked.

Despite that, Jackson will still get plenty of attention from a handful of teams. And one bit of good news for Jackson, the Chargers likely won't place the franchise tag on him. That will allow him to hit the open market and take any and all offers.

While it's unlikely Jackson will be offered a long-term deal, he will get a nice salary bump.

DeSean Jackson

There's no question that Jackson's a talented player, but the headaches he's caused in Philadelphia may limit his free-agency options. 

Jackson was accused by a teammate of quitting on the Eagles near the end of last season. It'll be up to Jackson to convince teams that the claim is false and that he is worth a long-term investment.

However, that issue may be a moot point as indications are Jackson will be franchise tagged by Philadelphia and cash in on $9.4 million in 2012. 

Jermichael Finley

Finley is far-and-away the most talented tight end in this year's free-agent class. However, he has several red flags that could keep potential suitors away.

During his four seasons in the NFL, Finley has spent a lot of time on injured reserve. He twice injured his knee, forcing him to miss 14 games the last three seasons.

Along with the injury concerns, Finely also struggled with dropped passes this season. He finished with 13 dropped passes on 103 targets during the season.

Still, Finley did set career highs with 55 catches, 767 yards and eight touchdowns this season. He's also matchup nightmare for defenses because of his size and speed.

Finley has said he would sign a franchise tag tender if the Packers place it on him. Finley would make around $5.4 million in 2012 if he's franchised. 

However, with his injury past, Finley undoubtedly would prefer an opportunity to sign a long-term contract.

Wes Welker

Welker is getting hammered for his drop in Super Bowl XLVI, but the reality is he's Tom Brady's most reliable target. During his five seasons in New England, Welker has 554 catches, 6,105 yards and 31 touchdowns.

Welker will turn 31 in May and likely isn't looking for a new direction at this stage in his career. Expectations are that he will be back in New England as their franchise player. That would mean Welker would make around $9.4 million in 2012.

Ray Rice

Rice will be back in Baltimore next season, that is a certainty. The only question is will he be franchised or will the Ravens offer him a long-term deal?

Rice is Baltimore's most important offensive player and should get handsomely rewarded this offseason. But like other running backs have found out, it's not always easy to get guaranteed money when you're a running back because of the increased injury risk and short NFL lifespan.

However, Rice has been extremely durable, despite his small stature. In four seasons with the Ravens, Rice has missed just three games and that was during his rookie season. During his career, Rice has scored 29 touchdowns and tallied more than 6,500 total yards. That combination of production and durability should go a long way at the negotiating table.

If the Ravens choose to franchise Rice, he'll make $7.4 million in 2012. However, don't expect Rice to be too happy about that idea. He will likely make three times that much in guaranteed money with a long-term deal.  

Cortland Finnegan

Indications are that Tennessee will not use its franchise tag on Finnegan and will let him test the free-agency market. This is great news for Finnegan as he prepares to cash in on a new deal.

Finnegan is an experienced cornerback with a feisty attitude; remember his fight with Andre Johnson?

Finnegan plays aggressively and isn't afraid to go after receivers. In 2011, he finished with 95 tackles and one interception.

In today's pass-first NFL, Finnegan will find plenty of teams interested in his service. And at 28, he still has enough life left in his body to play at a high level for the next several years.

Look for Finnegan to land a three- or four-year deal worth around $7-$8 million per year.

Ben Grubbs

If Grubbs makes it to the open market, expect a lot of action on the young offensive guard.

Grubbs has been a force in the middle of the Ravens offensive line, starting 70 games during his five-year career. He did miss six games last season with a toe injury, but finished the season and showed no ill-effects from the early season injury.

Baltimore will have to get creative this offseason if they want to keep Grubbs in a Ravens uniform. The team needs to re-sign Ray Rice and it just gave Marshal Yanda a five-year, $32.5 million contract before last season.  

If they choose to place the franchise tag on Grubbs, he'll make around $9.4 million in 2012. That's $2 million less than a franchise contract for Rice.

Grubbs will be in high demand if he becomes a free agent, and don't expect him to be on the market for too long.

Stephen Tulloch

After signing a one-year deal with the Lions last year, Tulloch is a free agent again and looking for a long-term deal.

Tolloch had a solid first season in Detroit and is looking to cash in on his success in Motor City. Tulloch's 111 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions in 2011 should give him leverage at the negotiating table.    
Tulloch, who just turned 27, will get pursued by several teams, including his current team. However, if the Lions really do want him back, the franchise will have to be prepared to pay. If Detroit uses its franchise tag on Tolloch, it'll cost them around $8.8 million in 2012.

On the other hand, if the Lions let him test the free-agent market, Tulloch may ask for Chad Greenway-type money. Greenway, who's two years older than Tolloch, signed a five-year, $41 million contract extension with the Minnesota Vikings last season.

Either way, Tulloch is in for a significant pay increase.