2012 NFL Free Agents: Ray Rice and Players Guaranteed to Re-Sign

There are several highly-touted 2012 NFL free agents that will be in different uniforms next season. But, these three players aren’t going anywhere. They are guaranteed to sign with their respective team.

Ray Rice

There are few players in the league that mean more to an offense than Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice. He is the anchor in the run game and a viable pass-catching option out of the backfield.

Rice recently turned 25 years of age in January. If the Ravens can pull a deal that is four years for around $13 million per year, then they would sit in perfect position.

That would set him up at the age of 29 years old at the end of his deal which is perfect; most running backs top off in their late 20s.

Why not get the most out of him?

The bottom line is that he deserves a new deal. He has rushed for over 1,200 yards and at least five touchdowns in the past three seasons. He’s proved that he can run between the tackles even at his size.

What sets Rice apart from most backs in the league is his pass-catching ability. He has caught 217 passes in the past three seasons. Rice has recorded over 2,000 yards of total offense twice in his four-year career.

Pay the man.

Drew Brees

Drew Brees took the city of New Orleans by storm; he and the Saints captivated the entire region in Louisiana. Not signing Brees to a long-term contract would be one of the worst decisions in the history of football.

There is no doubt that he will sign.

Brees put up ridiculous numbers this past season. His 5,476 yards were a NFL best; he also tossed 46 touchdowns with a completion percentage of 71.2.

I can’t see the Saints not signing Brees to a long-term deal. Franchise quarterbacks don’t grow on trees.

Wes Welker

Even though Wes Welker dropped a crucial pass against the New York Giants in the Super Bowl, the Patriots would be foolish not sign him.

He is what makes the Patriots offense so dynamic.

Tom Brady is one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game. He loves the underneath patterns and there is nobody better than Welker at route running from 0-to-10 yards.

Welker caught 122 passes for 1,569 yards and nine touchdowns in 2011. The eighth-year receiver hasn’t experienced success elsewhere in his career; he loves playing with Brady in New England.

At age 30, Welker has plenty of game left in him. He’s a great guy to have in the locker room, and he is dependable, for the most part, on the field.

Welker will re-sign with the Patriots.