2012 NFL Free Agents: Matt Flynn and Big Names to Watch

'Tis the season to pay big for superstar talent. The collection of stars still on the market is vast, and it's headlined by an intriguing quarterback in Matt Flynn. 

We have not seen too much from Flynn, but what we have seen from the Packers backup quarterback leads us to assume the future is bright for whichever team lucks out in nabbing him from free agency. 

He is just one of a few top-shelf players still ready to be plunked from the open market. He may be on the short end of experience, but the rest of our targets have already established themselves as superstars in this league. 

Let's delve deeper into the most highly sought-after free agents in the game. 

1. Matt Flynn: The Aaron Rodgers understudy had shown promise in previous seasons. When Rodgers plays ahead of you, there is not a whole lot you can do to prove you are an NFL starter. 

The time came in the form of Rodgers taking a week off at the end of the regular season. That's when Flynn established himself as one of the more exciting quarterbacks in free agency. 

Against a hungry Detroit Lions defense, Flynn threw 31-for-44 for 480 yards and six touchdowns. It's safe to say he will be getting a pay bump. 

2. Mario Williams: He is simply one of the best defensive ends in the game, but he does come with durability issues. 

Williams has had a hard time staying on the field in the past couple of season, but you have to look past that for what he brings in leadership and ability. 

This is a player that transforms the defense for the better. The locker room culture gets an immediate boost from this player that just wants to win. 

3. Carl Nicks: This has been a trying time for the Saints. In the midst of a bounty scandal, the team could lose their star guard and arguably the best in the league in Carl Nicks. 

ESPN's Pat Yasinskas rumors that the Falcons are hot to trot to pilfer the star guard from the Saints. 

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For several months now, I’ve been hearing from a lot of Atlanta Falcons fans that think the team should go hard after New Orleans Saints guard Carl Nicks in free agency...

But my thinking on Nicks now has changed. I now say the Falcons should go all out in an attempt to sign Nicks. He’d upgrade the interior of their line and his presence alone probably would make whoever ends up at left tackle a little better. 

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Things will get mighty interesting as we move along in the offseason. These are the players on my radar that will lend a positive change to whichever team gets them. 

From a rookie with promise to a guard that would solidify the line, these are the men that will dominate free agency. 

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