2012 NFL Free Agents: Predicting Landing Spots for Top Offensive Players

We have just reached free agency's eve and we have already had a blockbuster draft trade and media tumult over one free agent. If that is any indication, we are in for a wild few weeks.

Now that the team cut and franchise tagging dust has settled, we have a much clearer picture of the free-agent landscape. There is life beyond Manning Mania, and plenty of cash to be spent.

Who will land Vincent Jackson? Will Mike Wallace be swiped by another team? Follow me for my predictions.

Peyton Manning

New Team: Miami Dolphins

The Manning saga figures to be a short one unless he starts taking cues from a certain quarterback living in Hattiesberg, Mississippi.

Media frenzy has driven fans of his suitors into a manic depressive tizzy. The Miami Dolphins were favored out of the gate, but the Broncos and Cardinals traded time as favorites since then. Will Stephen Ross be able to close the deal this time?

I believe he will.

The fact that Reggie Wayne may be lobbying Manning to join him in South Florida may be the tipping point alone, but there are plenty of reasons for the former Colt to sign there. From the money Stephen Ross will be willing to pay him to the fact he already owns a home there, the reasons will stack up in Miami's favor in the end.

Vincent Jackson

New Team: Washington Redskins

The Redskins made perhaps the biggest splash of the offseason with their monster deal to trade up for Robert Griffin III. While they lost three first-round picks in the deal, they got their franchise quarterback.

Who does Griffin have to throw to, though? Santana Moss is approaching the twilight of his career and Leonard Hankerson is a high-upside sophomore with limited experience. Enter Vincent Jackson.

While Moss has been good for the Redskins over the years, Washington has not had a marquee wide receiver since perhaps the days of Gary Clark or Art Monk. Jackson gives them an elite option for RG3 to target, and Washington has cheddar to spread.

Marques Colston

New Team: Jacksonville Jaguars

When the Saints placed the franchise tag on Drew Brees, the odds of Colston re-signing went south. 

Jacksonville had arguably the worst receiving corps last season, anchored by Jason Hill and Mike Thomas, neither of whom elicits much praise for their work. 

Gene Smith has stated his goal to improve at wide receiver via free agency and the draft, and Colston would be an excellent start if Vincent Jackson bolts for Washington.

The Jaguars have an excess of $40 million in cap space and a new owner willing to spend it. Even if they land Mario Williams, Colston would still be well within reach.

Carl Nicks

New Team: Atlanta Falcons

New Orleans is having a nightmare offseason, and losing Nicks will make it even worse.

The massive guard is demanding big money, and he is already gone in his mind. He sounds like a man that would have no qualms about landing with a hated division rival if the price is right.

Fortunately for the Falcons, they have the money to make it worth Nicks' while. They also have the need, as they acutely discovered after letting Harvey Dahl walk—Atlanta employed some of the worst guards last season according to Pro Football Focus.

Nicks gives them a rock within the interior of that offensive line, which should help get the running game going and keep Matt Ryan clean. It also gives them the added bonus of stealing a prized free agent away from rival New Orleans.

Mike Wallace

New Team: None (Pittsburgh Steelers)

April 20th.

That is the date Steelers fans are circling in their minds, the one after which Wallace's restricted free agency is closed. That is the date they can breathe easier.

Pittsburgh was only able to slap Wallace with a first-round free-agency tender, and a man with his talents will certainly be considered by some teams who have late first-round picks. Namely, the Texans, Ravens, Patriots and 49ers could opt to sign Wallace rather than use their first-rounders.

In the end, however, Wallace's ultimate price tag will scare away all those teams, even though I imagine the prospect of stealing him away from the Steelers is extremely enticing in Baltimore.

Matt Flynn

New Team: Cleveland Browns

It may be disputable that Flynn is one of this year's "top" offensive free agents, but the fact remains he is the No. 2 quarterback option behind Peyton Manning.

Aaron Rodgers' backup will have some suitors, but he will not have as many as once thought. The joke after his annihilation of the Lions in Week 17 was that he had just made himself a lot more money, but time always lends perspective.

At any rate, Flynn figures to draw interest from Seattle, Cleveland and Kansas City if Manning does choose Miami, and the Browns may be the best fit for him. A potential quarterback battle looms for each of those teams, but Pat Shurmer's West Coast offense is just right.

Brandon Lloyd

New Team: New England Patriots

Brandon Lloyd said he would follow Josh McDaniels—the reviver of his career—anywhere. What a boon for New England.

Of all free agents, Lloyd's landing spot may just be the easiest one to predict. The Patriots need a deep threat to complement Wes Welker and the dynamic tight end duo of Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. 

While Vincent Jackson and Mike Wallace might be better options, Lloyd will come cheaper and he already has a good relationship with McDaniels. This move makes sense from all angles.

Michael Bush

New Team: Cincinnati Bengals

Darren McFadden's former backup will not come without risk, but the Bengals need someone to replace plodding Cedric Benson at tailback. 

Considering Cincinnati has the most cap space this offseason, they may be willing to overpay for the big back to retain his services.

Why did I mention Bush would not come without risk? Well, Bush and Benson actually had the same yards per attempt with 3.9 last season, for starters. Furthermore, he sported an awful 3.3 YPA through the final seven weeks of the 2011 season. 

Those numbers alone and the pass-happy nature of the NFL may diminish Bush's value in the open market, so even if the Bengals overpay it might not be by much.