2012 NFL Free Agency: Cincinnati Bengals and Teams That Must Spend to Win

The 2012 NFL free-agency frenzy is underway and it’s been clear some teams are going to be much bigger players in this mad game than others.

Because of cap room, numerous holes that cannot all be filled by the upcoming draft in April or just need to overhaul their roster, these particular teams are going to go on a free-agent spending spree this offseason.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals have to address a ton of personnel problems this summer. While they got lucky and found a franchise signal-caller in Andy Dalton, they need a starting-caliber RB, a solid WR, a decent safety and a new corner to replace Pacman Jones’ corpse.

Luckily, they have a ton of cap room and that gives them plenty of money to blow on these needs.

Look for them to make a splash with a big signing or three and then get a number of bargain players for depth purposes.

Denver Broncos

Denver is trying to reel in the biggest free-agent fish, Peyton Manning, but should it fail to do that, it will have a good amount of money to build around Tim Tebow with.

The Mile High team is going to need to install some new receiving threats at WR and TE and then work on its defense.

Denver’s D was much improved during 2010-11 campaign compared to the prior one, but it must continue to build up and develop its D-line and linebacker corps.

Look for the Broncos to make a major signing on that side of the ball.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs are trying to escape their rebuilding mode with new coach Greg Schiano now installed. They’ll need to sign a bunch of veterans with their cap space and have already begun doing exactly that.

They nabbed Vincent Jackson and Eric Wright so far and should continue to shore up their roster with productive players that have experience in the NFL.

Tampa Bay still has room for more and won’t stop adding to what looks like an NFC South contender anytime soon.