2012 NFL Free Agents: Predicting the Biggest Contract at Each Position

The 2012 NFL free agency period begins on March 13th, and there are plenty of big-name players who look to be rather available.

But which of these players will receive the biggest contracts? Will anyone compete with the money that Drew Brees or Mario Williams will bring in for his respective position?

Here are predictions for which 2012 free agents at each position will be getting the biggest contracts.

Quarterback: Drew Brees

Predicted Contract: Five Years, $94 Million

Team That Will Sign Him: New Orleans Saints

The only reason that Drew Brees won't be signing a $100 million contract is because of his age, which is 33. If Brees were a few years younger, he would likely be the highest-paid quarterback in the league.

However, he will sign the biggest contract of the offseason, and there is simply no way that it will happen with any other team than the Saints. When people think of New Orleans, Brees is the first person that comes to mind.

As long as he is wearing that black and gold, New Orleans should continue to be one of the better NFC teams.

Running Back: Arian Foster

Predicted Contract: Six Years, $65 Million

Team That Will Sign Him: Houston Texans

Even though Arian Foster is only a restricted free agent, I still see the Texans getting a deal done to lock him up for the long run.

Houston doesn't have much room to work with in its salary cap, but Foster is one player that it simply can't let walk. He is the focal point of Houston's offense and has become one of the best running backs in the league.

While some may point to Ben Tate's production and say he is capable of replacing Foster, that simply isn't true. Foster is a special back, and if Houston wants to continue to contend for Super Bowls, Foster needs to be on its roster come 2012.

Fullback: Mike Tolbert

Predicted Contract: Three Years, $9 Million

Team That Will Sign Him: Denver Broncos

It will be hard for the San Diego Chargers to let Mike Tolbert leave, but it simply needs to happen. Tolbert has been a great fill-in running back, but he isn't the type of every-down back that San Diego desperately needs. 

What will make teams desire Tolbert so much is his nose for the end zone. Few players are as tough to bring down at the goal line, and that one skill will make Tolbert sign a nice contract as a fullback.

Look for Denver to be the team to add another weapon to its cast of running backs.

Wide Receiver: Vincent Jackson

Predicted Contract: Six Years, $49 Million

Team That Will Sign Him: Chicago Bears

I think it would be safe to say that the relationship between the San Diego Chargers and Vincent Jackson will come to an end.

Jackson will be one of the more sought-after free-agent wide receivers available, and look for plenty of teams to try to sign him. His ability to make big plays will certainly be a temptation for all 32 teams.

The Bears have needed a true No. 1 receiver for a long time, and they'll finally get that player when they sign Jackson to a big contract.

Tight End: Fred Davis

Predicted Contract: Three Years, $22 Million

Team That Will Sign Him: Seattle Seahawks

Fred Davis' suspension in 2011 cost him a huge payday in 2012. Had Davis played a full season, it would have been extremely likely that he would sign quite the contract this offseason.

However, teams will look at what Davis can do on the field, and they'll see a player who simply produces. Davis is an athletic tight end who can make plays down the field.

While the Washington Redskins would love to keep Davis, they'll likely get outbid by a team like Seattle that is looking to add weapons on offense.

Offensive Tackle: Kareem McKenzie

Predicted Contract: Four Years, $21 Million

Team That Will Sign Him: New York Giants

Offensive tackle is a pretty weak position as far as free agents go for 2012.

Kareem McKenzie is the best player available, and I just can't see him leaving the reigning Super Bowl champions. He won't get top dollar, simply because he isn't worth it, but he should bring in a decent payday considering his age.

Offensive Guard: Carl Nicks

Predicted Contract: Seven Years, $52 Million

Team That Will Sign Him: New Orleans Saints

Not many offensive guards are as crucial to their team as Carl Nicks is to the Saints.

Without Nicks, Drew Brees wouldn't have nearly as much time in the pocket as he currently does. On top of his pass-blocking ability, Nicks is also quite valuable as a run-blocker.

It will be difficult for New Orleans to figure out how to sign him, but it absolutely needs to figure it out.

Center: Scott Wells

Predicted Contract: Four Years, $25 Million

Team That Will Sign Him: Tennessee Titans

As much as the Green Bay Packers would love to get Scott Wells back, it just doesn't seem like it will happen. Talks between the two parties haven't been going too well, as Wells wants too much money for Green Bay to handle.

The problem with this whole situation is that Wells is absolutely worth the money that he wants. He has become one of the best centers in the entire NFL and deserves to be paid like one.

Look for a team with needs in its interior line, like the Titans, to make a big move to sign Wells.

Defensive End: Cliff Avril

Predicted Contract: Four Years, $52 Million

Team That Will Sign Him: Detroit Lions

Cliff Avril is coming off a monster year for the Lions in 2011, and thanks to that you can expect Avril to be paid.

Avril has become one of the better pass-rushers in the league. He's a high-motor player who loves to get after the quarterback.

When you consider that Detroit is relatively close to truly contending for a Super Bowl, there is just no way that it can let Avril go. He'll re-sign with Detroit with a big contract.

Defensive Tackle: Paul Soliai

Predicted Contract: Five Years, $23 Million

Team That Will Sign Him: Washington Redskins

There is no doubt that the Miami Dolphins would love to have Paul Soliai on their roster in 2012, but it simply won't happen. Miami has some cap space to work with, but Soliai will be able to get much more from a different team.

Soliai enters the 2012 free-agent market as the best available defensive tackle. He's effective against both the pass and the run, which will only make him even more sought after.

Look for Washington to pay Soliai quite a bit to get the taste of Albert Haynesworth out of its mouth.

Outside Linebacker: Mario Williams

Predicted Contract: Four Years, $52 Million

Team That Will Sign Him: Atlanta Falcons

I'm putting Mario Williams as an outside linebacker simply because that is the position he played in 2011. However, there is a fraction of a chance that Williams will actually play that position in 2012.

Williams is a sack artist as a 4-3 defensive end, which is what he'll play next season. He has fantastic athleticism that he combines with pure strength and power.

The only thing that will hold teams back from signing Williams to a bigger contract is his injury history. However, with the Falcons likely losing John Abraham, they'll gladly shell out some cash to find his replacement.

Inside Linebacker: D'Qwell Jackson

Predicted Contract: Four Years, $26 Million

Team That Will Sign Him: Cleveland Browns

This may seem like a shocker to some, but the truth is that D'Qwell Jackson is one of the most underrated middle linebackers in the NFL.

He had a fantastic season in 2011, and the Browns will be willing to pay him quite a bit more than any other team to keep him happy. Jackson was the leader of a talented and young Browns defense, which is the big reason why they'll want to keep him around.

Don't be surprised if Jackson continues to play stellar football for Cleveland in 2012.

Cornerback: Brandon Carr

Predicted Contract: Five Years, $46 Million

Team That Will Sign Him: Dallas Cowboys

When the Kansas City Chiefs signed Stanford Routt, it likely signaled that the team wouldn't pursue Brandon Carr.

Considering that Carr is still relatively young, you can bet that plenty of teams will try to sign him. When you throw in the fact that he is also rather talented, that only whets the appetite of possible suitors even more.

A team like Dallas that desperately needs help in its secondary is a likely destination for Carr.

Safety: LaRon Landry

Predicted Contract: Four Years, $26 Million

Team That Will Sign Him: Washington Redskins

LaRon Landry is the best free-agent safety available, but it's unlikely that he'll sign with a team other than Washington.

Landry has spent his entire career with the Redskins and has played at a high level since he entered the league in 2007. He can make plays all over the field, and he is the anchor of Washington's defense.

Plenty of teams would love to sign Landry, but with Washington in true rebuilding mode, it won't be able to let one of its best players get away from it.

Punter: Donnie Jones

Predicted Contract: Four Years, $7 Million

Team That Will Sign Him: St. Louis Rams

There really isn't much to say about the top free-agent punter other than the fact that it is Donnie Jones this year.

Considering that Jones is still young and effective, I don't see him leaving St. Louis.

Kicker: Mike Nugent

Predicted Contract: Three Years, $7 Million

Team That Will Sign Him: Cincinnati Bengals

Not only is Mike Nugent one of the best kickers available in free agency, he also happens to be the youngest of the top-tier kickers.

Nugent played extremely well for the Bengals in 2011, and there is no way that Cincinnati will not figure out a way to keep Nugent on the roster.