2012 NFL Free Agents: Winners and Losers from the First Two Weeks of Free Agency

The 2012 edition of free agency is two weeks old, and while there are a number of players that have yet to sign on the dotted line, enough players have either stayed put or found new homes that we can begin to assess who the winners and losers are from this go-round of NFL player monkey move-up.

WINNERS

Denver Broncos: No team made a bigger splash this season in free agency than the Denver Broncos, who were the winners of the sweepstakes to acquire the services of quarterback Peyton Manning. Not only is Manning a huge upgrade under center for the Broncos, but his arrival in the Mile High City allowed John Elway to extricate himself from the Tim Tebow dilemma.

With Tebow now in New York, you can bet your bottom dollar that Elway is breathing easier knowing that the Broncos now have a quarterback capable of completing half of his passes.

Buffalo Bills: With the Bills switching to a 4-3 defensive front in 2012, the team desperately needed help at the defensive end position, and it wasn't shy about going out and getting it. The Bills made the biggest signing on defense so far in free agency, agreeing to terms with Mario Williams on a six-year, $96 million contract that's the richest ever awarded to a defensive player in the NFL.

The Bills didn't stop there, snatching defensive end Mark Anderson away from the division rival Patriots, and a defensive line that appeared to be a weakness for the Bills entering free agency now looks to be one of Buffalo's strengths.

New England Patriots: The loss of Anderson was a blow to New England's pass rush, but as is seemingly the case every season, the Patriots made a number of moves that, while not involving huge names, could pay big dividends.

The Patriots softened the loss of Anderson by adding a pair of versatile veteran defensive linemen in Trevor Scott of the Oakland Raiders and Jonathan Fanene of the Cincinnati Bengals, and the signing of wide receivers Brandon Lloyd, Anthony Gonzalez and Donte Stallworth should upgrade a New England passing attack that is already among the best in the NFL.

LOSERS

Cleveland Browns: One would think that a team absolutely desperate for offensive playmakers such as the Cleveland Browns would be more active in free agency, but so far the Browns have been whisper quiet on that side of the ball.

Not only did the Browns reportedly whiff on a trade to acquire the second overall pick in April's draft, but the team has yet to sign any offensive skill players of note and watched starting running back Peyton Hillis depart for the Kansas City Chiefs, so as things stand today, one of the NFL's worst offenses in 2011 doesn't appear to be on the road to improving any time soon.

Cincinnati Bengals: I knew the economy was bad in Ohio, but apparently underestimated just how bad, as even though the Bengals reportedly had over $30 million in cap space entering free agency, they appear to be content to join the Browns in more or less sitting on their hands during free agency.

The Bengals did manage to snatch running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis away from the New England Patriots, but it's hard to envision "Law Firm" as much of an upgrade over 2011 starter Cedric Benson, and if the team expects to replace the loss of defensive linemen Frostee Rucker and Jonathan Fanene with 2008 draft bust Derrick Harvey, then the Bengals are likely in for a disappointment.

Washington Redskins: The good feelings from the blockbuster trade that the Washington Redskins made to acquire the rights to the second overall pick in April's NFL draft didn't last long, as just before free agency was set to open, the Redskins were hammered by the NFL with a $36 million cap hit over the next two years for frontloading contracts during the uncapped 2010 season.

The Redskins have filed a grievance contesting the penalties, but Washington didn't help matters by turning around and signing wide receiver Pierre Garcon to a bloated five-year, $42.5 million contract, and with limited cap space and draft picks both this season and next, it may be a while before the Redskins can assemble a competitive team around the shiny new quarterback they plan on drafting next month.

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