2012 NFL Free Agents: Players That Must be Re-Signed at All Costs

There is the old idiom that if you love someone, you should let them go. That doesn't apply to NFL free agents. If you love them, you better be willing to pay them to keep them around. Here are 10 guys that should absolutely be retained this offseason.

(Note: I didn't include restricted free agents on this list.)

10. DeSean Jackson, wide receiver, Philadelphia Eagles

A lot of people (especially in Philadelphia) won't agree with this choice—especially given all of the wide receivers set to potentially hit free agency this offseason—but Jackson is a huge play waiting to happen every time he touches the ball, and more importantly, he changes the way defenses have to approach the Eagles because of his ability to beat the secondary deep.

When teams play two deep safeties over the top, the middle of the field is left wide open for Jeremy Maclin, Brent Celek and Jason Avant. Jackson impacts the game even when he isn't touching the ball, and he is the perfect fit in the Philadelphia Eagles offense.

9. Paul Solai, nose tackle, Miami Dolphins

Solai is one of the best run-stuffing nose tackles in the NFL, and the Dolphins third-ranked run defense would take a huge hit if Solai left in free agency.

8. Brandon Carr, cornerback, Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs have two studs set to hit free agency this year: Carr and wide receiver Dwayne Bowe. If they have to choose between the two, Carr should be the selection. A good cornerback is more valuable than a good wide receiver, and the Chiefs can replace Bowe through the draft.

7. Wes Welker, wide receiver, New England Patriots

Welker and Tom Brady belong together. End of story.

6. Mario Williams, defensive end, Houston Texans

On one hand, there are few defensive players in the NFL more talented than Williams. On the other, the Texans were still an extremely good defense even after Williams went down for the season this year with a torn pectoral.

The Texans would be crazy if they didn't make a strong effort to retain Williams. But there remains the slight possibility that Williams could hit the market because he isn't at a huge position of need for the Texans—Connor Barwin and Brooks Reed were excellent this season—which means he is surpassed on this list.

5. Calais Campbell, defensive end, Arizona Cardinals

Campbell is one of the best 3-4 defensive ends in football, and the Cardinals would be crazy not to slap the franchise tag on Campbell if the two can't work out a long-term deal this offseason.

4. Carl Nicks, guard, New Orleans Saints

Wanna know one of the reasons why the New Orleans Saints have such a prolific offense? Well, look no further than one of the NFL's finest guards, Carl Nicks, who, at age 27, has a lot of good blocking left in him.

The problem for the Saints this offseason is they only have one franchise tag to use, which means they might need to bring back Nicks on a long-term deal.

3. Matt Forte, running back, Chicago Bears

The Bears offense would be abysmal without Forte, and they could kiss any playoff aspirations goodbye without the production of the rushing and receiving threat of Forte.

2. Ray Rice, running back, Baltimore Ravens

In the Ravens' four regular season losses this year, Rice averaged nine carries and 39 yards per game. In the team's 12 wins, he averaged 21 carries and 101 yards.

In the AFC Championship Game loss to the Patriots, Rice was held to 67 yards rushing on 21 carries and 11 yards receiving on one catch.

When the Ravens are successful offensively, it is because Rice is thriving as the focus of the offense. The Ravens won't let him get away.

1. Drew Brees, quarterback, New Orleans Saints

You don't go getting rid of elite quarterbacks in the NFL. Well, unless you are the Indianapolis Colts and you are replacing an injury concern in Peyton Manning with Andrew Luck, the safest first-round quarterback since Manning himself.

Drew Brees is the Saints. Lose him, and kiss those Super Bowl aspirations goodbye.

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