2012 NFL Free Agents: Mike Wallace and Stars Who Won't Be on the Move

If ever there was a year to go out and make your team via free agency, it's this year—there are some truly elite talents out there to be had.

That being said, a fair share of those elite players will likely return to the team they played for last year, breaking the hearts of NFL suitors everywhere.

Let's take a look at the guys who will be staying at home.

Carl Nicks, Guard, New Orleans Saints

Nicks is arguably the best guard in football, and has expressed the desire to stay with the team on a long-term extension. That might be tricky for the Saints, however.

From Mike Triplett of The Times-Picayune:

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Nicks said he would be more than happy to re-sign with the Saints even before free agency begins on March 13 if they make a suitable offer.

"It would be nice, definitely," Nicks said. "It'd be just perfect. I wouldn't have to stress, I'd just worry about handling my business."

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As Triplett notes, the team only has about $6 million in cap space to work with, and Nicks could end up being the highest paid guard in football when all is said and done. But I would expect the team will bring back Nicks and let another free agent looking for a big contract, wide receiver Marques Colston, to walk.

Mike Wallace, Wide Receiver, Pittsburgh Steelers

Wallace is a restricted free agent, meaning the only way a team can pry him away from the Steelers is to sacrifice a first-round pick to Pittsburgh and sign Wallace to an offer sheet the Steelers aren't willing to match.

It isn't outside the realm of possibility, of course. The Steelers have cap issues and couldn't afford to place the franchise tag on Wallace. And for any teams out there with cap space and a first-round pick to spare—perhaps the New England Patriots?—landing Wallace is feasible.

James Walker of ESPN laid out the Patriots' plan of attack should they desire Wallace:

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New England's best chance is to offer Wallace a front-loaded contract. The key is to provide a high amount of guaranteed money and salary in the first season, which would count against this year's cap. The Patriots have that luxury over Pittsburgh and can use it to their advantage.

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Still, I think Pittsburgh would do whatever it takes to keep Wallace around. Losing one of the best deep threats in the game would make their offense far less effective.

Curtis Lofton, Linebacker, Atlanta Falcons

While teams in need of a middle linebacker—I'm looking at you, Philadelphia Eagles—would take a long, hard look at Lofton in free agency, I expect the Falcons will try to retain him before he hits the open market on March 13.

And no, they won't "break the bank" for him, but I do expect he'll be back to anchor the team's run defense for years to come.

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