2012 NFL Free Agency: 10 Most System-Specific Free Agents

The top-tier free agents will get the most attention this offseason in the media, but that doesn't necessarily mean they'll get the most attention from NFL teams.

When it comes to free agency, name recognition is just a small part of the equation. The bigger concern for NFL teams is finding players that fit their system.

Here are 10 free agents who will get plenty of attention, and the teams that should covet them this offseason.       

Matt Flynn Takes Packers Offense to South Beach

Of the teams that need a quarterback, the Miami Dolphins may be the most logical fit for Flynn.

Flynn has spent his career backing up MVP Aaron Rodgers, but now is preparing to jettison Green Bay for a starting quarterback gig. 

What makes the Dolphins the most logical choice for Flynn is his connection to former Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin, who is now the Dolphins head coach. Flynn spent four season with Philbin and knows his offense extremely well. The two could reunite in South Beach and the transition would be seamless.  

Other teams linked to Flynn include Cleveland, Seattle and Washington. All of those teams run a variation of the West Coast offense, which could take him a couple of years to pick up. 

At 27, Flynn still has plenty of years ahead of him. However, the opportunity to join a team with a familiar coach and playbook should be enticing to someone like Flynn who's been waiting for his chance to start.     

Brandon Lloyd a Perfect Fit in New England

During his nine-year NFL career, Lloyd's best year, by far, came in 2010 when he was in Denver. Josh McDaniels was the Broncos head coach when Lloyd caught 77 passes for 1,448 yards and 11 touchdowns. The two were reunited last season after a trade brought Lloyd to the Rams. Lloyd found success again catching 51 passes for 683 yards and five touchdowns in 11 games.

McDaniels is now New England's offensive coordinator, which is the reason Lloyd to the Patriots makes perfect sense.

Lloyd is the type of player the Patriots have been missing since Randy Moss was traded two season ago. Lloyd does everything you want from an outside receiver, including running consistent routes, getting open and making tough catches. 

At 30, Lloyd doesn't have many years left in the NFL. An opportunity to play in McDaniels' offensive system once again and catch passes from a future Hall of Famer like Tom Brady should be enough to draw Lloyd to New England. 

Mario Williams Fits Well in Both 4-3 and 3-4 Scheme

The Texans switched from a 4-3 defensive scheme to a 3-4 defense last season and it took Williams away from his natural position of defensive end. Still, Williams managed five sacks and one forced fumble in five games as an outside linebacker before tearing his pectoral muscle. 

Despite the early season success as a stand-up pass-rusher, many NFL insiders believe Williams can still be a Pro Bowl defensive end in a 4-3 scheme.

Look for Seattle to give the 27-year-old former No. 1 overall pick a long look. The Seahawks have a young, feisty defense that desperately needs pass rushing help. Williams' 53.5 career sacks would be a welcomed addition in the Emerald City.

Also, don't count out New England or Tampa Bay as a possible landing spot for Williams. The Bucs have $67 million in cap space and could offer Williams the most money.

As for the Patriots, they may make a run at Williams to try and bolster their outside pass-rusher.

Williams' versatility and ability to play in both a 4-3 and 3-4 defense will earn him a lot of money this offseason.

Peyton Hillis to the Cincinnati Bengals

Hillis' tough running style would be perfect for a team like the Bengals that likes to run the ball 20-plus times.

Hillis could replace Cedric Benson, who is not expected back, as the Bengals between-the-tackles runner. Cincinnati also has Bernard Scott, who they've said this offseason they'd like to get more involved in the offense.

A change of scenery may be just what Hillis needs. After a breakout season in 2010 where he had more than 1,500 total yards and 13 touchdowns, he was plagued by injuries all last season and fell out of favor in Cleveland.

Hillis' asking price is likely too high right now. However, if the Bengals are going to target a running back in free agency, the wise move would be to invest in Hillis rather than Benson.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis to the Denver Broncos

The Broncos can't go into this season expecting the same production from Willis McGahee as he gave them last year. Denver also can't rely on Knowshon Moreno to be in the lineup and full strength at the beginning of next year. Those two factors should be enough for Denver to explore the idea of signing Green-Ellis.        

Green-Ellis is not a flashy runner, but he's been effective. The past two seasons, Green-Ellis has rushed for more than 1,600 yards and scored 24 touchdowns. He has also been durable and reliable, not missing a single game or fumbling the ball once. That kind of production would look in a backfield with Tim Tebow.

With Tebow at quarterback, the Broncos have adopted an old-school football mentality that is built on running the ball, playing solid defense and winning the turnover battle. Green-Ellis would help Denver achieve two out of three of those goals.

Green-Ellis, 26, has just 510 carries during his four-year career. He has plenty of life left in his legs and would give the Broncos another power runner in its backfield to compliment Tebow.          

Cortland Finnegan Will Find Plentiful Market

Indications are that Tennessee will not use its franchise tag on Finnegan and will let him test the free-agency market. This is great news for Finnegan as he prepares to cash in on a new deal.

Finnegan is an experienced cornerback with a feisty attitude; remember his fight with Andre Johnson? Finnegan isn't afraid to go after receivers and he plays aggressive. In 2011, he finished with 95 tackles and one interceptions. 

At 28, he still has enough life left in his body to play at high-level for the next several years.

In today's pass-heavy NFL, Finnegan fits in most defensive systems and will find plenty of teams interested in his service. Look for teams like Buffalo, Dallas, Detroit, Minnesota, Oakland, San Francisco, St. Louis and Tampa Bay to all give Finnegan a look this offseason.

Mario Manningham Is Not a Top-Tier Wide Receiver

Manningham made a lot of people stand up and notice him during Super Bowl XLVI when he made a spectacular sideline catch to set up the game-winning score.

Now the Super Bowl hero is looking to cash in on his Super Bowl success.

The hot rumor right now is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are interested in Manningham. The Bucs are $67 million under the cap this season and would be looking for Manningham to be starter opposite Mike Williams at wide receiver.

Manningham is certainly smart to be considering a big pay day from the Bucs, but it may not be his best career move. It also may not be a wise investment for the Bucs—or any team for that matter.

In four NFL seasons, Manningham has failed to have a single 1,000-yard receiving season and he has just 18 career touchdowns. To give him a lucrative, long-term deal would be a mistake.

Manningham's most valuable to a team that already has two established pass catchers. Relying on Manningham to be your team's secondary receiving threat would be a costly mistake.

Pierre Garcon Feeds Cleveland's Need for Speed

The Browns tried to get faster on the outside by putting Joshua Cribbs at wide receiver for more snaps in 2011. While Cribbs is a dynamic player, he's not the answer at wide receiver for the Browns.

The Browns need to use this offseason to find someone who can stretch the field. The best two speedsters available are DeSean Jackson and Steve Johnson. While neither of those players are expected to reach the open market, one speedster that should be available is Pierre Garcon.

Garcon has the ability to stretch the field and take defenders with him, something that is critical in the West Coast offense. The Browns don't have a player like that on their roster. 

Garcon, 25, had his best season as a pro in 2011. He finished with 70 receptions for 947 yards and six touchdowns, despite not having Peyton Manning under center.

While Garcon doesn't have the same name recognition as some of the other free-agent wide receivers, he does have the playmaking ability that every team craves. In 2011, he had three multiple touchdown games, as well as three 100-yard receiving games. He also had a better season than the aforementioned DeSean Jackson.

Even if the Browns draft Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon with the fourth overall pick, adding a player like Garcon in free agency would vastly improve one of the worst receiver corps in the NFL.

Paul Soliai a Smart Buy for 3-4 Defense

The Dolphins will switch from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3 defense this season and many are speculating that will mean the end of Soliai in Miami.

Soliai has been the man in the middle for the Dolphins during their 3-4 defense years. Soliai has played nose tackle at a high level during his five seasons and it's the position where he's the most comfortable.

Soliai, who was hit with the Dolphins' franchise tag last season, is expected to test the free agency market this offseason.

The two obvious teams that will likely show interest in Soliai are the San Diego Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs. Both teams run 3-4 defenses and both are desperately seeking a talented nose tackle like Soliai.

Vincent Jackson to the Chicago Bears

There are a lot of teams that could use a player like Jackson, but few of them are as desperate for a Super Bowl-run as the Bears are right now.

Chicago has a good defense that's aging and an offense that lacks playmakers on the outside. Jackson would give them the playmaker they need to make one more strong push before Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs and Julius Peppers call it a career.

To give you an idea of how badly quarterback Jay Cutler needs a receiver like Jackson. In 2011, the Bears top receiver, Johnny Knox, had 37 catches for 727 yards and two touchdowns. As a unit, the Bears receivers had just nine touchdown receptions. Jackson had nine touchdown catches on his own last season. 

Jackson would give Jay Cutler the big target he's been missing since he came to Chicago and left Brandon Marshall in Denver.