2012 NFL Free Agency: 15 Moves That Make Too Much Sense Not to Happen

The 2012 NFL free-agency period is set to kick off, with free agents Peyton Manning, Mario Williams and Vincent Jackson set to find new homes.

There are many teams with plenty of cap space to spare. While there are some contenders given the opportunity to improve their teams, there are also many teams who could potentially become contenders for a championship during the offseason.

When looking at the free agents, some moves seem so obvious that they should happen. However, as we very well know, not all of these "obvious" moves come to fruition.

Here are 15 moves that make too much sense not to happen.

Matt Miselis is an NFL Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter.

15. Eric Winston Signing with the Arizona Cardinals

The list will start off with former Houston Texans offensive tackle Eric Winston.

Winston was cut on Tuesday by the Houston Texans, which was one of the more surprising moves around the league thus far.

It would be smart for the Arizona Cardinals to pull the trigger.

Why It Makes Sense: If the Cardinals want to persuade Peyton Manning to become their new quarterback, they need to upgrade the offensive line as a whole. They cut Levi Brown, leaving an opening at the tackle position.

It would provide much needed security for Manning, who cannot be as effective in front of a horrid offensive line.

Why It Won't Happen: The Cardinals are going to be saving up all of their cap space with the hope that they can lure Manning along with former teammate Reggie Wayne. There is no question they would form a dynamic offense with Fitzgerald and Wayne catching passes from Manning.

The Cardinals will address the offensive line beginning in the first round of the draft.

14. Carlos Rogers Signing with the New England Patriots

The San Francisco 49ers are allowing Carlos Rogers to hit the open market as one of the top cornerbacks in free agency.

What contending team is in need of an All-Pro veteran cornerback? The answer is the New England Patriots.

Why It Makes Sense: The Patriots do need an upgrade at the cornerback position. However, they need a veteran cornerback who can come in and be the top guy on the depth chart.

Rogers can relieve Devin McCourty of the pressure when it comes to defending elite wide receivers.

Why It Won't Happen: Bill Belichick won't approve of the team spending a large amount of money on an aging cornerback who only proved to have one good season after years of declining pay.

It's more likely for Rogers to return to San Francisco as opposed to joining the Patriots.

13. Mario Manningham Re-Signing with the New York Giants

I realize this is a situation of a team re-signing another player, but it's considered to be an important event in the free-agency period.

The situation at hand involves Mario Manningham and the New York Giants.

Why It Makes Sense: Why fix what isn't broken? With three young, dynamic receivers, the Giants won their second Super Bowl trophy in four years. Eli Manning could continue to form great chemistry with his young receivers.

Plus, Manningham deserves respect after making a game-changing catch in the Super Bowl.

Why It Won't Happen: Mario Manningham wants the opportunity to play at least as a No. 2 receiver on the depth chart. The Giants are fine with Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz. Besides, they need to focus on signing those two receivers to extensions in the future. 

Bye-Bye Mario.

12. Curtis Lofton Signing with the Philadelphia Eagles

The Atlanta Falcons are shedding some cap room, which involved cutting linebacker Curtis Lofton.

What would be a good destination for the veteran linebacker? Try the Philadelphia Eagles.

Why It Makes Sense: The Eagles defense was very weak against the run, which in part was due to the lack of talent at the linebacker position. Lofton would be another veteran presence to add to the defense, and could be counted on as an immediate fit with the Eagles.

Why It Won't Happen: Last season, the Eagles did not live up to the expectations after their big spending spree in free agency. It is more likely that they address the linebacker position through the draft.

Luke Kuechly appears to be a very good option for the Eagles defense.

11. Marques Colston Signs with the Cleveland Browns

Marques Colston will be testing free agency as one of the best wide receivers on the market. The Cleveland Browns could use him, as they are in need of an improved wide receiver group.

Why It Makes Sense: The Cleveland Browns produce arguably the worst group of receivers in football. They command no separation against their defenders.

Colston would fill a huge void in a Browns offense that lacks overall playmakers.

Why It Won't Happen: Don't expect the Browns to target the top-tier free agents this offseason. Though they want to improve the receiver position, they aren't prepared to spend top money on a free agent just yet.

Colston's former teammate Robert Meachem could be an ideal fit for the Browns. We also don't know if Colston has the desire to play for a non-contender.

10. Kyle Orton Signs with the New York Jets

Before you overthink why Kyle Orton is this high on the list, just focus on why this should happen.

Why It Makes Sense: Mark Sanchez needs to be given some sort of a challenge in training camp for the starting job. Sure, he may have gotten a new contract and by extension, will be the starter.

However, the Jets locker room has been critical of how Sanchez is treated differently than the other players on the roster.

Why It Won't Happen: There is no way the Jets will risk upsetting Mark Sanchez, who probably wasn't too happy that his team was pursuing Peyton Manning.

Even though he could use the competition, Rex Ryan wouldn't want to create any more drama in New York regarding a quarterback controversy.

9. Brandon Carr Signs with Minnesota Vikings

Brandon Carr was not franchised by the Kansas City Chiefs and is allowed to command top dollar as the best cornerback in the draft.

The Minnesota Vikings, who do have some cap room and are in need of a cornerback, would be a good fit for him.

Why It Makes Sense: The Vikings will need to make a splash at some point if they want to compete in the NFC North. With the high-powered offenses in Green Bay and Detroit, this seems like a no-brainer.

Carr is entering his prime years at age 26, and would be worth the money that the Vikings could offer.

Why It Won't Happen: It seems clear that the Vikings aren't willing to be too active in free agency at this point. Their hope is to improve the many weaknesses on this team through the draft.

Carr wouldn't enjoy playing for a non-contending team, despite getting the paycheck.

8. Ben Grubbs Signs with the Washington Redskins

The Baltimore Ravens are not likely to resign Ben Grubbs, who was the most valuable lineman on this veteran unit last season.

Their state rivals could make an attempt to sign him. The Washington Redskins are in need of an elite guard, and Grubbs provides that opportunity.

Why It Makes Sense: The Redskins have made it clear that they will want to use free agency this year to build around their future quarterback, Robert Griffin III. The biggest priority should be to address the offensive line, which has been a disappointment as a whole.

Grubbs would not only make a difference in Griffin's protection, but could also greatly impact the running attack that Mike Shanahan has implemented.

Why It Won't Happen: A day before free agency began, the Redskins learned that they overspent in free agency during the uncapped year. As a result, they will lose millions of dollars against the cap as a result of this announcement.

Even though they could save enough money for an elite player, it appears more likely that the Redskins' primary target is Vincent Jackson.

7. Matt Flynn Signs with the Seattle Seahawks

Matt Flynn will be a very wealthy quarterback this offseason. He will be a starting quarterback in the NFL next year, with the Seattle Seahawks being a distinct possibility.

They missed out on Peyton Manning, so Flynn appears to be a consolation prize.

Why It Makes Sense: The Seahawks need a new quarterback for the 2012 season. Tarvaris Jackson won't cut it. They missed out on Manning, but clearly have the cap room to sign Flynn.

Pete Carrol's offensive personality would be a good fit for the former LSU standout.

Why It Won't Happen: For some reason, the Seahawks don't seem to be the biggest fans of Flynn. They would prefer to spend their money on some defensive players (Mario Williams, perhaps) and possibly use their first-round pick on quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

The Seahawks aren't committed to taking a gamble on an unproven quarterback.

6. Cortland Finnegan Signs with the Detroit Lions

Cortland Finnegan will enter the open market as one of the more coveted free agents available this offseason.

The Detroit Lions could make a play on a cornerback, as they were unable to contain any of the league's top passing attacks from the NFC.

Why It Makes Sense: As mentioned above, the Lions are arguably the team that has the biggest need at the cornerback position. Head coach Jim Schwartz coached Finnegan while he was the defensive coordinator with the Titans. It appears to be a perfect fit.

Why It Won't Happen: The Lions don't appear willing to spend a ton of money in free agency on simply one player. Their formula for success has been building through the draft, which isn't likely to change this offseason.

5. Carl Nicks Signs with the Cincinnati Bengals

All-Pro guard Carl Nicks does not expect to return to the New Orleans Saints.

The Cincinnati Bengals are a young contender on the rise and have plenty of cap room. They could use an upgrade to the offensive line.

Why It's A Good Fit: When you have the opportunity to sign Carl Nicks, it wouldn't be wise to pass up on that opportunity. He would significantly improve Andy Dalton's pass protection, which would only lead to his growth as a quarterback.

Why It Won't Happen: We are talking about the Bengals here, specifically owner Mike Brown. He has always been frugal with his money, and that won't change this offseason.

Nicks could be a great help to the offense, but Brown won't spend a large amount of money on one player.

4. Mike Wallace Signs with San Francisco 49ers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are willing to let Mike Wallace sign with another team if that team forfeits their first-round pick.

Despite signing Randy Moss, the San Francisco 49ers are in need of a No. 1 wide receiver.

Why It Makes Sense: The 49ers need a dynamic wide receiver who can relieve Vernon Davis from the pressure of carrying the entire offense. He is arguably the fastest wide receiver in the NFL, and would allow Alex Smith to use his arm strength to his advantage.

He would complement Randy Moss and Michael Crabtree very well.

Why It Won't Happen: Just like Wallace's current team, the 49ers are building their franchise by stabilizing their young and talented defense. They already allowed Carlos Rogers to test the free-agent market.

They won't sacrifice their elite defense by adding Wallace, even if he would improve the offense.

3. Vincent Jackson Signs with the Chicago Bears

Vincent Jackson will finally get his wish and be able to command top dollar as a free-agent wide receiver.

The Chicago Bears are interested in obtaining Jackson, who would fill the void of receiver on the weak Bears depth chart.

Why It Makes Sense: Vincent Jackson is the perfect fit for the Chicago Bears. His combination of speed and toughness would lead to success in the late parts of the season, where the Bears have struggled most.

Why It Won't Happen: The Bears want to focus on continuing to make the defense an elite unit. They are expected to target both Mario Williams and Brandon Carr, which will result in Jackson likely heading to the Redskins.

2. Mario Williams Signs with the Buffalo Bills

Mario Williams is the most coveted free agent outside of Peyton Manning. And there's a certain AFC East team that should be knocking on his door.

The Buffalo Bills need Mario Williams.

Why It Makes Sense: Can the Bills sell the idea to Mario Williams that they could compete in the AFC with him? The combination of both Williams' (Mario and Kyle), along with Marcell Dareus would keep the Bills in the mix for a potential playoff spot.

Tom Brady wouldn't like that one bit.

Why It Won't Happen: First off, it's not likely that the Bills will spend money on Wlliams after just signing Stevie Johnson to a new contract. Besides, it would be tough to convince the All-Pro defensive end to come to Buffalo.

He could go to a team that is closer to winning a championship, and can at least enjoy the weather in his new city.

1. Peyton Manning Signs with the Miami Dolphins

The Peyton Manning tour is nearing its end, as the future Hall of Famer will announce where he will play within the coming days.

He met on Tuesday with the Miami Dolphins, who are the best fit for the former Colt.

Why It Makes Sense: This move couldn't make anymore sense for Peyton. He would play in warm weather, which he appears to prefer. Since Reggie Wayne appears content with following his favorite quarterback, Manning could be passing to him and Brandon Marshall.

Also, the defense has the potential to be very good. It's talented enough for Manning to work with.

With this team, he would have no issues gaining revenge on Tom Brady.

Why It Won't Happen: Based on reports (although it's hard to believe anything right now), Manning's top choices are the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos.

The Cardinals seem to be the likely destination. He is friends with Ken Whisenhunt. He would have Larry Fitzgerald, who is the best receiver he would have ever played with.

He would be living in Arizona, which does compare to the weather in Miami. Most importantly, he would play in an easier division and would be the favorite to win the NFC West.