2012 NFL Free Agents: 4 Teams That Need to Dominate Free Agency

Salary cap space will be the determining factor in how NFL free agency plays out in 2012.

There are a number of teams well under the cap, according to ESPN's John Clayton, and only four teams currently over the cap. The reigning Super Bowl champion New York Giants, as well as the Pittsburgh Steelers, Oakland Raiders and Carolina Panthers, all have until March 13th to get under the cap.

It is extremely important for them to do that, but it is the teams with money that will dominate the process.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers—$60.5 million

New coach Greg Schiano cannot count on rookies to be his only new additions this year. The former Rutgers coach has a lot of money to spend and a lot of holes to fill.

Tampa fell off considerably this season, but it does have a franchise quarterback (we think) to work with.

Schiano is known for stout defenses and a running game, so we can expect the Bucs to tailor their moves in that direction.

More than anything, he needs players that will buy into a first-time NFL head coach. Without those players, he'll never succeed.

Denver Broncos—$50.7 million

The Broncos have a lot of young talent, but also have a few aging stars. Champ Bailey, Brian Dawkins and Willis McGahee will not be around forever, and it is important that John Elway and coach John Fox start lining up replacements now.

With Tim Tebow slated to start the season under center and two young, playmaking receivers on the outside (Eddie Royal is a free agent), the Broncos will focus on bolstering both their offensive and defensive lines while adding some youth in the secondary and backfield.

Those latter needs will likely be addressed in the draft, so expect the Broncos to be a player for a big name or two with all the money they have. 

Jacksonville Jaguars—$45 million

The Jags' domination has less to do with the money they have available (and they do have plenty) and more to do with their desperate need of adding talent to this team. With a new owner and coach at the helm, the Jags have to make some wholesale changes.

They have no weapons on the outside for second-year quarterback Blaine Gabbert, and they have limited talent outside of Maurice Jones-Drew.

Unfortunately, they're not much of a market draw for big-name players, so expect to see the Jags go with solid quantity over elite quality.

Miami Dolphins—$9 million

The Dolphins and new coach Joe Philbin will certainly be operating on a budget, but this team has one chance to dominate free agency, and that is by getting a new starting quarterback.

If Miami can avoid having to draft a rookie QB, it will elevate the Dolphins to potential playoff status. Peyton Manning is expected to hit the open market, and we know Philbin's backup quarterback from a year ago, Matt Flynn, is definitely heading for the market as well.

If it is not one, it will be the other.

This team can then focus on an elite right tackle or pass-rusher at No. 8 or 9 in the draft and will be in a position to challenge for a wild-card spot.

The Dolphins must get a QB in free agency.