2012 NFL Free Agents: New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens Have Busy Offseasons

Every NFL team has many free agent decisions to make within their organization, but these two clubs will have a particularly active offseason. 

The contracts are up for many of their core players, and they will need to evaluate who to re-sign, who to franchise, and who to let go. 

New Orleans Saints 

Notable Free Agents: QB Drew Brees, G Carl Nicks, WR Marques Colston, WR Robert Meachem, CB Tracy Porter

The Saints must get to the negotiating table soon. Brees is a likely candidate for the franchise tag, as it's almost assured that he won't be leaving New Orleans. 

Carl Nicks is one of the best guards in the NFL and would garner a ton of attention if he hit the open market. The Saints haven't had any contract talks with Nicks and didn't have any with him during the 2011 season. In 2010, his fellow guard, Jahri Evans, signed a seven-year, $56.7 million contract. 

It will be interesting to see what NO will do with their free agent wideouts. Colston is a true No. 1 and Meachem is solely a downfield threat that doesn't see as many targets. My guess is they re-sign Colston and let Meachem walk. 

When Tracy Porter is healthy, he is one of the more underrated corners in the game. However, don't be surprised if the Saints let him in the open market. 

A lot of action in NOLA this spring. 

Baltimore Ravens 

Notable Free Agents: RB Ray Rice, G Ben Grubbs, CB Lardarius Webb (restricted), DE Cory Redding, DE Jarret Johnson, C Matt Birk

The Ravens were a pass-breakup and a missed field goal away from reaching the Super Bowl, and now they have many decisions in front of them. 

They will get a deal done with Rice, as he is so integral to the offense. There is an outside chance he gets the franchise tag, though, to give the team the ability to work on other contracts. Webb is restricted and is a solid cover corner. He too should be back.

Grubbs must be brought back, as well. He is an underrated asset to a good line in front of quarterback Joe Flacco.  

The intriguing part comes with the veteran free agents; Redding, Johnson and Birk. All are still sound in the trenches, but are on the wrong side of 30. 

Redding and Johnson should be relatively cheap to re-sign, but you never know if they'll receive a lucrative offer elsewhere. 

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