2012 NFL Free Agents: Projecting Likely Suitors for Cortland Finnegan

Tennessee Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan is one of the best players set to be available in free agency at his position this year. He is coming off a 2011 season in which the six-year veteran accrued 75 tackles, a sack and an interception.

It appears more and more certain with each passing day that Finnegan will not be returning to Nashville. He and the Titans are reportedly nowhere near a deal, according to Finnegan's agent Terry Watson:

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It is more of a wait-and-see situation, depending on how the conversation goes when we do meet. It is up to the Titans to be able to show Cortland what their mindset is, where things are.

And the only way that can be done is through the use of numbers composed in a contract of some sort, and that hasn’t happened to this point. That, in essence, is where things are at this moment.

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Given the premium placed on cornerbacks in today's grip it and rip it National Football League, there will be no shortage of teams interested in acquiring Finnegan's services.

The following quartet of clubs would appear to be the most likely landing spots for Finnegan once the dust settles, given their need for help in the secondary. 

Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals are in a good position to make a considerable dent in free agency with over $40 million in cap room. What's more, one of their biggest areas of need is in the defensive backfield.

The departure of Jonathan Joseph to the Texans in free agency a season ago not only set the market for the sort of deal that Finnegan will probably command (five years, $49 million) but it also left the Bengals with a hole at cornerback opposite Leon Hall.

Finnegan would fill this nicely and allow the Bengals to use 32-year-old corner Nate Clements in more of a nickelback role.

St. Louis Rams

There have been reports that the Rams are expected to make Finnegan an offer. They are in desperate need of an upgrade at the cornerback position after injuries ravaged their secondary a season ago. Finnegan's prior relationship with new Rams head coach Jeff Fisher from his time in Tennessee is another factor.

The Rams only have about $10 million in cap space this season, but the team could and likely will make some more room by redoing a deal or two and cutting some dead weight. This would allow them to take a run at the former Samford standout. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

To say that the Buccaneers have a need at cornerback with Ronde Barber looking every bit of 36 years old and Aqib Talib looking every bit of a headcase is a little like saying the Grand Canyon is a "decent sized ditch."

The Buccaneers also reportedly have nearly $60 million dollars in salary cap room, which should allow new head coach Greg Schiano and Tampa Bay to be as active in free agency as they want to be. That includes taking a shot at securing Finnegan's services. 

Dallas Cowboys

Just in case you missed the Dallas Cowboys defense getting shredded by Eli Manning and the New York Giants in last year's regular season finale, here's a news flash for you.

The Cowboys cornerbacks are—how shall I put this?—not good.

The Cowboys could have as much as $20 million in cap space available this offseason and owner Jerry Jones has never been known to just sit on his hands. Dallas will likely be picking up the phone once Cortland Finnegan hits free agency on March 13.