2012 NFL Free Agents: Tracking the Top 10 Free Agents

The NFL will open free agency on March 13, and with the way things are shaping up, this could be the wildest offseason we've seen in years. A ton of great players remain unsigned as we approach that deadline.

With that in mind, it's time to look at who I think will be the top 10 free agents available after March 13. Therefore, I didn't consider guys like Drew Brees or Wes Welker, who are almost certain to be re-signed by their current teams, or guys like Cliff Avril and Dwayne Bowe, who will be receiving franchise tags. 

The following is a list of the NFL's top 10 unrestricted free agents this year, the latest buzz surrounding them and where I think they will eventually end up.

1. Mario Williams

The Houston Texans were one of the NFL's best defensive teams this season, and that came after they lost Mario Williams to for the year thanks to a torn pectoral muscle. The No. 1 overall pick from the 2006 NFL draft is a two-time Pro Bowler, and while the Texans love him, it wouldn't make financial sense to give a big contract to a guy who wasn't needed for the team's defense to be outstanding. 

Williams is almost certain to hit the open market in a few weeks and will be one of the most coveted players available. But after years of not reaching the postseason when on the field in Houston, I think he will want to play for a contending team. He has 53 sacks in 82 career games and even had five sacks this season at an unfamiliar outside linebacker spot in Houston's new 3-4 defense. 

He can play end in a 4-3 or linebacker in a 3-4 and after the disastrous season the New England Patriots had defensively, I think he would fit perfectly in their hybrid system. After the Patriots get a deal for Wes Welker done, I expect Williams to be their top priority. At 27 years old, the N.C. State product probably has a lot of great years ahead of him.

Many teams will come after Williams, but the chance to be a difference-maker for a perennial Super Bowl contender will be too much for him to pass up.

Teams in contention: Houston Texans, San Diego Chargers, Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots

Projected 2012-13 team: New England Patriots

2. Carl Nicks

Carl Nicks is one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL, and the 26-year-old guard is set to make a boatload of cash in free agency. The New Orleans Saints plucked him out of Nebraska in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL draft, and he has been there ever since. He has earned back-to-back Pro Bowl trips, and along with teammate Jahri Evans, forms the top guard tandem in the NFL.

Nicks would like to return to the Saints, but New Orleans needs to lock up receiver Marques Colston, cornerback Tracy Porter and, oh yeah, quarterback Drew Brees. Nicks may be the odd man out since he'll probably be looking for somewhere in the neighborhood of $8 to $9 million annually.

Plenty of teams need help along the interior of their offensive lines, and he will likely make a huge haul in free agency. As of right now, I only have guesses at where he'll land, simply because you never know with offensive linemen. I see the Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals making a huge push for him.

Teams like the Miami Dolphins, St. Louis Rams and Tennessee Titans could also all use help on the interior, so this should be an interesting battle.

Teams in contention: Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans

Projected team: Arizona Cardinals

3. Matt Flynn

The Green Bay Packers would love to keep back-up quarterback Matt Flynn around, but that just won't happen. People around the league are extremely excited for what Flynn could do in a starting role, and after finishing off the regular season by setting Packers records for passing yards (480) and touchdowns (six) in a game, I'm excited too.

The 26-year-old LSU product has sat patiently behind Aaron Rodgers for four years and has learned the ropes as his understudy. He has a Super Bowl ring and was the BCS Championship Game MVP in 2008. He knows what it is like to be a winner.

There are several quarterback-needy teams around the league, with the Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins, Washington Redskins and Seattle Seahawks highlighting the list. But I think there is just one obvious fit for Flynn.

The Miami Dolphins need a long-term answer under center, and while Matt Moore had a nice season in 2011, he isn't a guy a franchise can build around. The Dolphins recently hired Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin as their new head coach, so it would make sense if he brought Flynn, his former pupil, along for the ride.

Teams in contention: Washington Redskins, Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns

Projected team: Miami Dolphins

4. Vincent Jackson

With Kansas City's Dwayne Bowe likely headed for a franchise tag, Vincent Jackson is probably the top receiver on the market this offseason. The San Diego Chargers will not use the franchise tag to keep him, but both sides are apparently amenable to getting a long-term deal done. 

Jackson is a 29-year-old two-time Pro Bowler, and at 6'5" and 230 pounds, has elite size for the position while still possessing enough speed to make himself one of the NFL's top deep threats. He will be a wanted man in free agency, as the Minnesota Vikings, St. Louis Rams and San Francisco 49ers are sure to go after him hard.

Despite a few years of tough talk, I think the Chargers and Jackson will work things out and get a deal done. Jackson appears willing to give San Diego a slight discount, and that could help push things in the team's favor. 

Teams in contention: San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Rams, San Diego Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots

Projected team: San Diego Chargers

5. Marques Colston

If Nicks goes elsewhere, Marques Colston becomes New Orleans' top priority, and I think both sides want to see this deal get done. Still, Colston is likely to hit the open market in a few weeks before any deal gets worked out. If that happens, there is certainly a chance the 28-year-old ends up elsewhere.

So far, there have reportedly been no talks between Colston and the Saints, and that doesn't bode well for their relationship. 

At 6'4" and 225 pounds, Colston is a big, physical target that a lot of teams could use. During his six-year career, the Hofstra product has hauled in 449 receptions for 6,240 yards and 48 touchdowns. He has phenomenal hands, and when healthy, is one of the most reliable targets in all of football.

While he would certainly be a hot commodity on the open market, I think Colston wants to remain in New Orleans and continue to catch passes from Drew Brees. I expect this deal to get done, even if it takes a while.

Teams in contention: San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills, San Diego Chargers

Projected team: New Orleans Saints

6. Brandon Carr

With Bowe about to get the franchise tag, that leaves cornerback Brandon Carr as the Kansas City Chiefs' top free agent. The Chiefs have a ton of cap room, but don't expect them to get into a bidding war for Carr's services. 

Carr has great size for a cornerback at 6'0" and 207 pounds and has outstanding man-cover skills. At just 25 years old, he probably hasn't even entered his prime yet. He is a guy with tremendous upside after just four seasons in the league. 

If Carr isn't signed by the time free agency rolls around on March 13, expect several teams to go hard after him, but also expect the Dallas Cowboys to go even harder. The Cowboys are desperate for help in the secondary, and Carr is the type of athletic, high-upside guy Jerry Jones loves to throw a ton of money at.

This year should be no different. I expect Carr to land in Big D.

Teams in contention: Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Rams, Dallas Cowboys, Tennessee Titans

Projected team: Dallas Cowboys

7. Cortland Finnegan 

Cortland Finnegan is one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL, and apparently, the Tennessee Titans are unlikely to re-sign him. After six seasons, 14 interceptions and a Pro Bowl appearance, it looks like the two sides will part ways this offseason, as Finnegan and his agent believe the player deserves to be paid like one of the top guys at his position.

The 28-year-old Finnegan is reportedly seeking a deal in the neighborhood of six years for roughly $10 million per season. That's a hefty price to pay, but considering how highly some personnel people around the league value his toughness and tenacity, he certainly could get it.

If the St. Louis Rams could free up enough cap space, I really think Finnegan would be a perfect fit there, as his former coach, Jeff Fisher, tries to rebuild a beleaguered secondary. The Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys could also be interested, but I see St. Louis as a perfect fit for the tough-as-nails corner.

Teams in contention: Dallas Cowboys, Tennessee Titans, St. Louis Rams

Projected team: St. Louis Rams

8. Stevie Johnson

Stevie Johnson has been so impressive over the past two seasons he has turned himself into a little thought-of receiver to a guy who could be in a position to make upwards of $8 million a year in free agency. The Buffalo Bills and Johnson reportedly want to get a deal done that would keep the receiver in town, but I have a feeling he's going to end up on the open market and will hear from other teams quickly.

Johnson was a seventh-round pick out of Kentucky in the 2008 NFL draft, and after barely making a dent during his first two seasons in the league, he has exploded over the past two years. Johnson has combined to catch 158 passes for 2,077 yards and 17 touchdowns in the last two seasons. 

At 6'2" and 210 pounds, he has ideal size for a receiver and is not only fast, but physical. In addition to that, he's only 25 years old, which means he probably still has his best years in front of him.

If Johnson hits the open market, it is likely that his hometown San Francisco 49ers will come calling. While I'm sure he'd love to remain in Buffalo, I think he'll have something to think about if the 49ers make a good pitch.

That said, I think the Bills and Johnson work something out and he stays there.

Teams in contention: San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo Bills

Projected team: Buffalo Bills

9. Ben Grubbs

Ben Grubbs is one of the NFL's best guards, and while he is a phenomenal player, he's at this spot on the list because of the relative value of interior linemen around the league. Still, he will be a fantastic pickup wherever he goes.

Grubbs has been a stalwart along a Baltimore Ravens offensive line that has led one of the top rushing offenses over the past few years. After getting drafted out of Auburn with the 29th overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft, the 27-year-old has been outstanding and deservedly made the Pro Bowl this year.

At 6'3" and 310 pounds, Grubbs is a phenomenal run blocker while he is also solid in pass protection. The Ravens would love to re-sign him, but they are likely to face stiff competition when he hits the open market.

The Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals are almost certain to bid on Grubbs when he hits the open market. Chances are he's playing somewhere other than Baltimore next season.

Teams in contention: Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons

Projected team: Dallas Cowboys

10. Robert Mathis

Since the Indianapolis Colts drafted Robert Mathis out of Alabama A&M in 2003, he has been one of the few constants on the roster. He has teamed with fellow defensive end Dwight Freeney to become one of the NFL's most feared pass rushing tandems. And after nine seasons, 83.5 sacks and four Pro Bowls, Mathis may be hitting the open market in a few weeks.

Teams like the Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Falcons may target Mathis if he does, in fact, hit free agency, but the Colts seem intent on keeping him, even if he doesn't appear to be a perfect fit for new head coach Chuck Pagano's 3-4 system.

I don't think the Colts will use the franchise tag on Mathis, but I do believe they will do everything in their power to retain him. With Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne likely headed out of town, the Colts need to hold on to some players for the fans to keep a connection with. Mathis would be one of those guys. 

Teams in contention: Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis Colts, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Projected team: Indianapolis Colts