2012 NFL Free Agents: The New York Giants' Wish List

The 2012 offseason is setting up to be nothing short of a free agent fiesta, but amid ticker-tape parades and Super Bowl hype, the NFL champion Giants' invitation might have been lost in the mail.

With serious salary cap issues, the G-Men won't be able to pursue the league's available marquee talents. Yet the team has glaring weaknesses, primarily along the offensive line and at linebacker.

As a result, New York's free agency wish-list might seem a little skimpy, as the Giants will attempt to find a diamond in the rough for a cheap price.

Can the Big Apple bring home a second consecutive Lombardi Trophy? They'll need to fill a few holes via 2012's bustling market. Check out who the Giants might be courting this spring. 

Running Back: Mike Tolbert

It's no secret that Big Blue struggled on the ground last year.

Relegated to dead last in the league in total rushing and yards per carry, the once-feared duo of Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs was slowed to a crawl in 2011.

GM Jerry Reese will be eager to rejuvenate the Giants' backfield, and with the recent release of Jacobs, he may opt to pursue another power runner to compliment Bradshaw's agile style of play.

Mike Tolbert would be a perfect fit for the G-Men, as his physicality and blocking abilities are a near mirror image to Jacobs'.

Picking up over four yards per rush and scoring 10 times last season, Tolbert's acquisition would be pragmatic to say the least, as he was to Ryan Mathews what Jacobs was to Bradshaw over the past half-decade.

A great change of pace and a motivated runner, expect the Giants to heavily pursue the four-year pro, that is, if he can come cheap enough.

Other Interests

Michael Bush - Last seen in Oakland, Bush's -.19 win probability in 2011 may overshadow his seven scores. Still, he would likely mesh well with Bradshaw and the other New York 'backs.

Tashard Choice

Chester Taylor

Tight End: John Carlson

With the Giants' looming salary cap woes and the scarcity of serviceable tight ends in this year's free agency, look for John Carlson to be atop New York's wish list.

With a disappointing 2010 campaign and an injury-plagued 2011, Carlson would certainly be a risky signing. But with the Giants' highly-publicized issues at the tight end position, the ex-Seahawk would make sense in the Big Apple, perhaps complimenting a draft pick like Coby Fleener, Dwayne Allen or Orson Charles.

He's not much of a vertical threat, but in 47 career games, Carlson has 13 scores. He would be an immediate upgrade from Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum.

Other Interests

Visanthe Shiancoe - With the general consensus saying that he's on his way out of Minnesota, look for the G-Men to try to sign the former Giant. He's racked up just five touchdown receptions in the past two years, but his veteran presence would foster the growth of whoever Reese drafts at the position.

Martellus Bennett

Kris Wilson

Offensive Guard: Jake Scott

Rated as the fifth-best right guard in all of football last year by Bleacher Report's own Matt Miller, Scott is set to test the open market in 2012. While he may command a pretty penny, the Giants continue to clean up cap space, and may be able to make a play at the 290-pound veteran.

Scott excels in pass blocking, something that nearly cost the Giants a trip to the Super Bowl against the San Francisco 49ers.

Chris Snee was heavily penalized and woefully inconsistent at right guard last year, and while he may retain the starting responsibilities once again, Reese has been known to pursue the best talent available. Shifting either Scott or Snee along the offensive line is a feasible option for the defending champs.

Other Interests

Mike Brisiel - The guard made 13 starts for the Texans last season, and could be a cheap fill-in along the line for Big Blue.

Nate Livings

Samson Satele

Offensive Tackle: Jeff Backus

Carl Nicks, Evan Mathis and Ben Grubbs might be slightly out of reach for New York, but Detroit's Jeff Backus would be a viable option to fill the team's holes at guard.

Backus allowed seven sacks last year, but five came in the first six weeks of the season. The Lions touted a solid offensive line, and Backus, should he leave, would be a great addition to any protection scheme.

Having spent much of his career in pass-happy Detroit, Backus could assimilate right into Eli Manning's offense.

Other Interests

Vernon Carey - Last year, behind Carey the Dolphins averaged over five yards per carry along the outside. He would be a true steal for Big Blue.

Chris Kemoeatu

Anthony Collins

Linebacker: David Hawthorne

With a dearth of injuries and underperformers, the Giants' linebacking core was a serious liability. The G-Men had trouble stuffing the run and defending against tight ends in pass coverage, and the addition of speedy 'backer David Hawthorne would give New York's defense a dangerous added dimension.

Hawthorne was subtly spectacular for the Seahawks, generating three interceptions and 115 tackles. His 1.37 win probability and two sacks would be welcomed with open arms to MetLife Stadium.

The Seahawks' ninth-ranked defense would love to re-sign the four-year pro, but if he tests the open market, expect the G-Men to heavily pursue him.

Other Interests

Omar Gaither - Aside from recording 100 tackles in 2007, Gaither hasn't done much in his career to demand a major contract this spring. Still, he could be a nice stop-gap before a draftee develops into a full-time starter.

Ernie Sims

Keith Brooking

Cornerback: Marcus Trufant

The Giants signing of Terrell Thomas may make this less of a priority but the team is still in need of a mid-level, run-stopping corner. Aaron Ross, Corey Webster and Prince Amukamara are all relatively young, and thus, New York may choose to pursue a short-term solution in veteran Marcus Trufant.

The ex-Seahawk has been hit with the injury bug in recent years, but the Giants tout the secondary depth necessary for this signing to make sense. Trufant was a standout for years in Seattle, recording 23 tackles and a pick in just four games last year.

The Giants' pass defense was notoriously poor in 2011, and they'll look to re-sign Ross before doing anything else. Trufant, at his age, won't demand anything huge, and the G-Men could use a stronger veteran presence at the position to help Amukamara.

Other Interests

Tracy Porter - The former Super Bowl hero would be great in New York, and with New Orleans' flood of free agents, his services may certainly be available. Although he has just seven career interceptions, Porter could fit right in as a nickel back.

Bryant McFadden

Kelvin Hayden