NFL Free-Agent Signings: Early Winners and Losers from Free-Agency Period

The 2012 NFL free-agency period is underway, and although there's still plenty of dealing to be done, it's never too early to designate some offseason winners and losers.

While some teams have succeeded with aggressive moves, others have flopped in pursuit of big-name players.

We won't know who the true winners and losers are until later, but the early days of free agency provide some pretty solid indications. Here's how it's looking so far.

Winners

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The busy, busy Bucs have made a couple big splashes already, including wide receiver Vincent Jackson and guard Carl Nicks. Both will be valuable assets for quarterback Josh Freeman, who needs some help if Tampa Bay is going to return to their 10-win stature of 2010.

Last season, Jackson caught 60 passes for 1,106 yards and nine touchdowns. The big receiver will finally give Freeman the downfield threat he's so desperately needed.

Nicks, who left NFC South rival New Orleans, is one of the best offensive linemen in the league. He's been selected to the Pro Bowl each of the last two years and should be a reliable part of the Bucs offensive line for years to come.

Of course, these big signings weren't cheap. Jackson signed a monster five-year, $55.6 million deal, while Nicks' five-year, $47.5 million contract made him the highest paid guard in NFL history.

Washington Redskins

After trading away numerous draft picks for the second pick in the draft, Dan Snyder and Co. knew they'd have to pick up some weapons via free agency.

They did just that, reeling in wide receivers Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan.

Despite an awful quarterback situation in Indy, Garcon still caught 70 passes for 947 yards and six touchdowns last season. He'll be a great target for Robert Griffin III, especially on the deep ball.

Morgan's season was cut short after he suffered a broken leg last year. However, he proved to be a valuable possession receiver in his short time on the field. His presence could be critical to RG3's development.

The Redskins also brought in safety Brandon Merriweather, and knowing Dan Snyder, I'd be surprised if they were done making big offseason moves.

Losers

Miami Dolphins

The 2012 offseason has not been kind to the Dolphins.

First, they whiffed on Jeff Fisher. Then, they traded Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Marshall for basically nothing. And finally, they were dealt the harshest blow, when Peyton Manning informed them he was not interested in taking his talents to South Beach.

Miami still has a chance of bringing in Matt Flynn, the second-best quarterback on the market. However, that's not a huge consolation prize considering he's only started two NFL games.

If they can get Flynn for cheap, their offseason won't be a total failure. But if they have to overpay for the unproven QB, 2012 will go down as one of the worst offseasons for the Dolphins in recent memory.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints secured Drew Brees with the franchise tag, and that was certainly the right move to make. Unfortunately, the $14.4 million they had to give him ensured they would have a tough time just hanging on to their own free agents.

They were able to keep Marquis Colston, but Nicks and Robert Meachem have bolted already. Don't be surprised if more follow suit.

The Saints also have the inevitable punishment for the bounty scandal hanging over their heads. If they lose one or more high draft picks, this will be a disastrous offseason for New Orleans.