2012 NFL Free Agents: Teams Who Must Sign Big Name Free Agents

Now that the G-Men have completed their victory lap around NYC, it’s back to business in the NFL.

The free agent market, which could soon include Peyton Manning (gasp), is ripe with big names. 

Every team is in a different position.  Some teams look perfect the way they are, some teams just need time for their young stars to develop, and other teams just need to get healthy.  But some teams have huge holes to fill if they are going to compete for the Lombardi Trophy any time soon.  Here are a few of these teams:

New England Patriots: I know what you’re thinking.  The Pats made it all the way to the Super Bowl!  True, but with a tougher schedule next season, they’ll have almost no chance of making it back unless they shore up their pitiful defense or give Tom Brady a better deep threat to throw to. 

Re-signing Wes Welker and BenJarvus Green-Ellis will be their primary focus, but they should be thinking about Dwayne Bowe, Vincent Jackson, Randy Moss and Mario Williams as well.

San Diego Chargers: Last season in San Diego was the roller-coaster season to end all roller-coaster seasons.  After another 8-8 season, 2012 could be the last chance for Norv Turner and Philip Rivers to turn things around before the Chargers think about rebuilding. 

If San Diego doesn’t re-sign Vincent Jackson or find a quality replacement (keep in mind the free agent market is loaded with receivers this year), the Chargers will be toast in 2012.

New York Jets: The Mark Sanchez experiment didn’t work.  It’s time for the Jets to accept that and move on.  Rex Ryan should be outside of Peyton Manning’s home begging for him to play in East Rutherford.  With Santonio Holmes’ sulky attitude at the end of 2011, New York might want to grab a new wideout as well.

Houston Texans: Matt Schaub will be healthy next year, so the AFC South champion Texans should still be good in 2012.

If Mario Williams heads elsewhere it could free up enough money for Houston to land a top-tier receiver like Marques Colston, Stevie Johnson or Brandon Lloyd.  A big-name receiver could put Houston’s passing game, which has been incredibly Andre-Johnson-centric in the past, over the top.

Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks nearly sneaked into the playoffs as a wild card team last year, and they did it with underachieving QB Tarvaris Jackson under center.  Signing Matt Flynn, Jason Campbell or Alex Smith would improve Seattle’s stagnant passing game. 

Meanwhile, star running back and Skittles-lover Marshawn Lynch could be going beast mode elsewhere next season if Seattle doesn’t offer him big bucks.  Matt Forte and Ray Rice could be possible replacements but they’ll likely want just as much dough as Lynch would.