2012 NFL Free Agents: Which Players Will Land the Biggest Contracts?

Free agency is nearly upon us, and with it will come a frenzy of spending and ludicrous contracts.

This year's group is a bumper crop of talent, as many big names will change hands. Players like Mario Williams, Vincent Jackson and Ben Grubbs are all in line for massive contracts.

Using existing salaries, with information found on contract-tracking website Spotrac as a baseline, one can gauge the likely value of prospective free agents.

The free-agency period will open to a flurry of motion, and here are 12 players who will headline the action with massive contracts.

Scott Wells

Packers center Scott Wells has anchored one of the most improved offensive lines in the NFL, and he should be rewarded handsomely in the open market when free agency opens.

Wells was the lynch pin of an offensive line that has dealt with numerous injuries over the years. His steady performance helped turn the Packers' offense into a juggernaut.

Though big contracts for centers are rare, Wells could earn a contract similar to the six-year, $49 million deal that Panthers center Ryan Kalil signed last year.

Ben Grubbs

Ravens guard Ben Grubbs has grown into one of the top guards in the league. The Ravens' offensive line simply was not the same without him during a stretch in 2011, and his talent will definitely be rewarded on the open market.

The perfect combination of size and agility, Grubbs is a tremendous run blocker and a solid pass blocker as well. He could upgrade any offensive line.

Grubbs will be looking for more money than teammate Marshal Yanda got in his five-year, $32 million deal. He will likely have to go on the open market to find it.

Carlos Rogers

After a breakout season, 49ers cornerback Carlos Rogers will be a hot commodity on the open market once free agency roles around. He is almost certain to hit the open market after the 49ers used their franchise tag on safety Dashon Goldson.

Rogers was a legitimate star at cornerback in 2011, and though he is no longer young, he still has a few solid years left in him.

In a strong group of free-agent cornerbacks, Rogers should be one of the most coveted. He can expect a contract similar to but shorter than the six-year, $57 million deal that Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson signed in 2010.

LaRon Landry

Former Redskins first-round draft pick LaRon Landry is one of the best athletes in the NFL, and some team will place a premium on his pure, raw talent at the safety position.

A hard hitter, the only real drawback to Landry is his proneness to injury. When healthy, he is a very good safety who could upgrade almost any defense.

Landry could command a similar contract to the one that safety Antrel Rolle signed with the New York Giants, a five-year, $37 million deal.

Brandon Carr

Chiefs cornerback Brandon Carr is in line for a big pay day after a tremendous 2011 season, in which he allowed a completion percentage of under 50 percent.

Carr is a young talent who could have many good years left in the NFL. His services will almost certainly attract a bidding war, which should elevate the value of his contract. Cornerback is an important position in today's pass-happy NFL, so teams are willing to pay a premium on the position.

Carr's contract should be just a hair under the one Texans' cornerback Johnathan Joseph signed a year ago, which was a five-year, $48.75 million deal.

Carl Nicks

Ben Grubbs is surprisingly not even the best guard available in free agency. That honor belongs to Saints guard Carl Nicks, who will likely be available when free agency opens.

By most measures, Nicks is the best guard in the NFL, so he will almost certainly be paid as such.

Currently, Buccaneers guard Davin Joseph is the highest paid guard in the NFL with a seven-year, $52 million contract. Expect Nicks' contract to exceed that number.

Marques Colston

The definition of a draft-day steal, wide receiver Marques Colston will likely take his services elsewhere in 2012 after a solid run with the New Orleans Saints.

With a great combination of size and hands, Colston is one of the best possession receivers in the league. His consistency will definitely appeal to potential bidders.

Colston should attract a similar deal to the five-year, $41 million contract that Seahawks receiver Sidney Rice signed last year.

Matt Flynn

The latest in a long line of Packers' backup quarterbacks to ascend to a starting role elsewhere, Flynn will be looked at as an answer at quarterback for some team in free agency.

Despite his limited track record, Flynn has been nothing but successful when on the field. Teams are impressed with his field vision and leadership abilities. He is viewed as a starting quarterback in this league, and he will be paid as such.

Flynn will likely earn a deal similar to the contract Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb signed last year for $63 million over five years.

Vincent Jackson

A year after being franchised, Chargers receiver Vincent Jackson will finally hit the open market, and he will almost certainly get the big, multi-year deal that he is seeking.

Jackson is one of the best deep threats in the NFL. He has a rare combination of size and speed that teams covet, and he will immediately invigorate some lucky team's deep passing game.

Expect Jackson to sign a bigger deal than last year's top free-agent receiver, Sidney Rice, who earned a five-year, $41 million deal with the Seattle Seahawks.

Cortland Finnegan

Titans' cornerback Cortland Finnegan might not be popular in the NFL thanks to his aggressive play, but he will certainly find himself popular in free agency this year.

Finnegan is one of the best corners in the NFL at bump and run coverage. He is strong at the point of attack, and he has enough speed to hang with even the fastest receivers.

Perhaps the most valuable free-agent cornerback, Finnegan can expect a similar contract to the five-year, $60 million deal that Eagles corner Nnamdi Asomugha signed last year.

Paul Soliai

Dolphins defensive tackle Paul Soliai might not be the most recognizable name on this list, but his large presence will command a hefty contract.

A year ago, the Miami Dolphins franchised Soliai, shelling out $12.3 million to retain his services. This year, Soliai is set to hit the open market, and franchise nose tackles do not come available often, boosting his value.

There is a good chance that Soliai does not have to take much of a pay cut going into 2012. He might be targeting a contract in a similar range to the one that Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngata signed, which was a five-year, $61 million contract.

Mario Williams

After the success of Julius Peppers in Chicago, teams will be even more inclined to pursue the similarly-athletic Texans defensive end Mario Williams.

Williams is a freak athlete. At 6'6", 283 pounds, Williams is a mountain, but he still had enough quickness and athleticism to excel in the Texans' 3-4 scheme last year.

Williams will almost certainly earn more than the six-year, $84 million mega-deal that Julius Peppers signed in 2010.

His potential contract could make him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history and will almost certainly be the biggest contract in free agency this year.