2012 NFL Free Agents: 6 Moves That Could Still Happen

Peyton Manning, Mario Williams and the biggest stars in free agency have chosen their new teams. If you were hoping your favorite squad would find a quick fix at a position of need, fear not: There are plenty of quality veterans still out there, plus some interesting trade targets.

So who's still out there, and what teams are interested? Let's take a look at where the second-tier stars could wind up next.  

Carolina Panthers Trade One of Their Running Backs

In a move I did not understand, the Carolina Panthers recently signed Mike Tolbert to a four-year deal.

The team already has two running backs capable of feature-back status in Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams. Backup Mike Goodson was no slouch himself, as he rushed for 4.4 yards per carry last season. Logic says someone has to go, and I think it will be Stewart. 

Stewart is the power option of the Panthers duo, so it would make more sense to keep the quicker Williams in to match with the 250-pound Tolbert. Stewart turns 25 this month, has rushed more than 200 times in a season just once and has averaged 4.8 yards per carry for his career. Expect plenty of teams to come knocking. 

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a need at running back, with Rashard Mendenhall coming off a torn ACL and the Cincinnati Bengals letting Cedric Benson walk. The Denver Broncos are also suddenly an attractive team to play for, as John Fox has been looking at power backs in the upcoming draft and coached Stewart for three years in Carolina.

Denver's leading rusher from a year ago, Willis McGahee, will turn 31 in October and former first-round pick Knowshon Moreno should be considered expendable at this point.  

Best Fit: Denver Broncos

San Francisco 49ers Re-Signing Alex Smith

The San Francisco 49ers flirted with Peyton Manning and Alex Smith played footsie with the Miami Dolphins. Now both sides will sit down and see if they can spark the chemistry that carried the team to an overtime loss away from the Super Bowl. 

The 49ers are more attractive than ever, with Randy Moss and (finally) a returning coaching staff. Not only did Smith inspire confidence last season, but he also is now the best quarterback on the market. Let's make a deal. 

Best Fit: San Francisco 49ers

Kamerion Wimbley Searching for a New Team

With Mario Williams off the table, Kamerion Wimbley has become the most attractive pass-rusher on the market.

Wimbley is a solid linebacker capable of double-digit sack seasons. He peaked as a rookie with 11 but has developed into a consistent veteran, registering between six and nine sacks in each of the last three seasons. Wimbley is still only 28, and if he lands on a team with more help on defense (he has only played for the Cleveland Browns and Oakland Raiders) he could easily reach his rookie mark. 

Wimbley visited the Tennessee Titans on Monday as the team regrouped after missing out on Peyton Manning. Before the Manning buzz, a pass-rusher was expected to be the Titans' primary focus in free agency, as they were at one point considered potential suitors for Mario Williams. The Titans have cash to burn and could be willing to slightly overpay to make a splash after the disappointment of losing Manning. 

The Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears are also considered options for Wimbley. 

Best Fit: Tennessee Titans 

Michael Bush Ready for a Team of His Own

Michael Bush has split carries with Darren McFadden for the majority of his career but has long had the look of a feature back. 

Bush started nine games for an injured McFadden last season and nearly turned that into a 1,000-yard season. The Cincinnati Bengals hosted Bush on Monday and he is set to visit the Seattle Seahawks Tuesday. The Seahawks have the checkbook, but not the carries to offer Bush—not with Marshawn Lynch in town after signing a fat new contract. 

Best Fit: Cincinnati Bengals

Cedric Benson's Potential Suitors

Cedric Benson and the Cincinnati Bengals are parting ways. For a player coming off three straight 1,000-yard seasons, the market for Benson has been surprisingly cool.

That means someone could get Benson for shockingly cheap, which could be a steal for the most productive halfback in free agency. There is one team out there that is in the market for a running back, has taken players with checkered backgrounds in the past, covets a ground-and-pound back and has been surprisingly quiet in free agency. 

Best Fit: New York Jets

Tim Tebow Looking for a New Home

In the last nine months, Tim Tebow has gone from the world's most famous third-string quarterback to a funky-armed savior. Now, he is (all but) unemployed. 

Tebow took us all on a wild ride, but now the Denver Broncos have brought in arguably the greatest quarterback of all time to take his place. So where does Tebow go from here? The timing is unfortunate for the former Heisman winner, as most teams searching for a starting or backup quarterback have already made their moves. 

The two most obvious teams are the Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins. Not only is there the whole Florida connection, where Tebow is a god, but both these squads have serious quarterback issues. 

Jacksonville has an unimpressive second-year starter in Blaine Gabbert and just signed a former starter who never really nailed down the job in Chad Henne. Miami struck out on all three of the top free-agent quarterbacks (assuming Alex Smith stays in San Francisco) and enters the season with Matt Moore as their starter. 

Due to the confusion of having a first-round pick and a newly signed quarterback on board, the Dolphins have to be the early favorite to trade for Tebow. They can take a page out of the Broncos' book and start with the incumbent Moore, then switch to the popular Tebow if and when the team struggles.

Best fit: Miami Dolphins 

Alexander is a featured columnist for bleacherreport.com You can follow Alexander on Twitter @thesportsdude7 or become a fan on his Bleacher Report profile.