2012 NFL Free Agents: Carlos Rogers and Other DBs Who Aren't Going Anywhere

If there's one area that goes overlooked in regards to improving throughout the offseason, it's building team chemistry. And that's especially holds true on defense considering that the NFL has become such an offensive-oriented sport.

To that end, here are some defensive backs who don't go anywhere this free agency as building synergy throughout a secondary is beyond imperative in a pass-happy league.

Carlos Rogers, 49ers

From 2005-2011 as part of the Washington Redskins, Carlos Rogers has your average NFL career. He then moved out to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2011 and long story short, earned his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection.

Now, much can attributed to the 49ers front seven which is arguably the best in pro football however, Rogers paired with Donte Whitner made for one awesome secondary.

On the year, Rogers collected six picks, made 41 solo tackles and defended 18 passes. It was his most productive year across the board and the 49ers can't afford to let him go. Otherwise, 2012 will just make 2011 look like the year that could have been.

Brandon Carr, Chiefs

Despite losing safety Eric Berry for the year in 2011, the Kansas City Chiefs still had a rather solid defense on display. As for the rest of their secondary, the two above average corners in Brandon Flowers and Brandon Carr really picked up the slack.

Kansas City still finished No. 6 against the pass allowing just 201.3 pass yards per game and Carr finished with four picks, 39 solo tackles and 15 passes defended.

After a strong 2010 season where he defended 25 balls and recorded 57 total tackles, Carr improved his awareness this past year. Provided that Berry can return to 100 percent for 2012, the Chiefs have potentially the NFL's most complete secondary.

Tyvon Branch, Raiders

One of the few bright spots on an Oakland Raiders defense that allowed an average of almost 390 total yards per game and ranked No. 27 versus the pass and rush, Tyvon Branch had a solid campaign.

Without Nnamdi Asomugha it was uncertain as to which Raiders defensive backs would step up and Branch not only shined but remained consistent. In 2009, Branch recorded 124 tackles, forced two fumbles and defended eight passes.

A year later he recorded 104 tackles and recorded four sacks. As for 2011, Branch again got over 100 tackles with 109 but only defended four passes. Still, this shows that Oakland has Branch playing back in cover-2 or cover-3, or rolls him down over a tight end or slot receiver to help with edge run support.

He's a sure tackler that is a good defender in the box, so Oakland can't afford to lose him after Asomugha, not to mention Stanford Routt is also gone.

John Rozum on Twitter.