2012 NFL Free Agency: 12 Recent Signings That Will Make the Biggest Impact

They were the jewels everyone sought. They were high-priced, some over-valued, and all of them wanting a change of scenery.

The NFL free-agent market hasn't been the frenzy it was last season, but there have been plenty of good values to be snatched over the last week. And there is still plenty of great talent to be acquired for the future.

While not all the players who will make the biggest impact immediately in the NFL were signed on day one, or were the top choices at their position, the fact remains that teams worked overtime to find the best pieces of their puzzle to complete a roster.

These players will make immediate impacts on their new teams and in the NFL next season.

Mario Williams, Buffalo Bills

When you become the highest paid defensive player in the NFL, people have high expectations for you.

Based on how his 2011 season started and how it was cut short by injury, it looks like Mario Williams can live up to those expectations and then some.

Look for Williams to make Buffalo's defense that much better. He will help the linebackers become more aggressive and opposing offenses will now look to game plan for the defense.

If the offense and passing game come around, this team could be really good.

Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos

Just by his signing, the AFC West got a whole lot better.

Manning enters the division as the best passer, period.

The Denver Broncos lost virtually nothing from last season, and they may look to add a few pieces in free agency after signing the four-time NFL MVP.

The signing also makes Denver a clear-cut favorite in the division and possibly the AFC.

Vincent Jackson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Of all the places he could have chosen, this may be the best place for anyone to have signed.

There is a lot of buzz about a new coach (Greg Schiano) and a young quarterback (Josh Freeman) and maybe a new tailback coming on board (Trent Richardson).

If all these things come together and all 6'5" of him can play within himself, this offense could get scary in a hurry.

Things look to be turning around at the "Big Sombrero."

Brandon Lloyd, New England Patriots

Mark my words when I say Brandon Lloyd will prove to be the best free agent signing in the this year's class.

The only hope is he does not turn into a Chad Ochocinco-type.

Lloyd is speedy and athletic and gives the Patriots a nice target other then the tight ends and Wes Welker.

I think he can catch 90 passes and have 1,200 yards in receiving in this type of offense.

Carl Nicks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

If you bring in the new running back in the draft (Trent Richardson), you are going to want to have the best interior blockers around.

Enter Mr. Nicks.

The Buccaneers were huge winners in this year's free agency period. Nicks is the best interior lineman to be signed. And he looks like a great fit for this young ball club.

Suddenly, the NFC South has become the best division in football.

Peyton Hillis, Kansas City Chiefs

The move makes a lot of sense.

Not only does he get out of Cleveland and out of a bad situation he helped to create, he gets a fresh start and a chance to be the goal-line scorer for a team that has its star runner (Jamaal Charles) coming back from injury.

Hillis is Larry Csonka in bigger pads and he runs straight at you with no chance of slowing down.

Suddenly, the Chiefs offense looks a bit scary.

Pierre Garcon, Washington Redskins

He doesn't know it yet, but Robert Griffin, III has a new receiving target.

Garcon to Washington was brilliant and a good time to snatch a dependable slot receiver. The Redskins did a lot to upgrade its receiving corps, and everything starts with Garcon.

If he is half as good as he was last season and the year before (with Peyton Manning behind center), then he is already better than any pass catcher this team had on its roster in 2011.

Frostee Rucker, Cleveland Browns

The move is brilliant for a few reasons.

The Browns' defense was getting better and another outside pass rusher never hurts anyone.

The signing helps the Browns and hurts cross-state and divisional rival Cincinnati.

It becomes part of the program Pat Shurmur is trying to build in Cleveland, which starts with the defense.

Matt Flynn, Seattle Seahawks

He makes this team better instantly.

With Marshawn Lynch running the ball, Sidney Rice catching the ball and Flynn passing it, there are three key offensive weapons the Seahawks can ride to get to the playoffs.

And Pete Carroll, who turned this team around in the second half of the season, would love to get back to the postseason.

Randy Moss, San Francisco 49ers

Everyone forgets he signed before free agency.

And it was a great move.

All of the sudden, there is a solid running game with Frank Gore and amazing receivers in Michael Crabtree, Vernon Davis and Moss.

It's not the 49ers of old, but it is impressive.

Brodney Pool and Brandon Carr, Dallas

Two defensive backs to help the back line.

Dallas had problems with giving up big plays and chunks of yardage last season.

Both Pool and Carr help solidify a troubled area for the Cowboys, a team that faces the Giants and Eagles who have solid receivers twice a season.