The Most Important 2012 NFL Free Agent Signing for Every Team

The 2012 NFL free agency period has involved some of the biggest names in NFL history.

In an unprecedented move, a future Hall-of-Fame quarterback has switched teams.

Just to clarify, that sentence was referring to Peyton Manning. Not Dan Orlovsky.

Even the Buffalo Bills have begun to throw their weight around and declare themselves a desirable destination.

But the key question is which moves will later recognized as the most important for each franchise?

Arizona Cardinals: Levi Brown

Arizona Cardinals fans are not going to want to hear this, but who else have they signed?

Levi Brown at least brings some continuity to an offensive line that must give Kevin Kolb the time needed to find Larry Fitzgerald.

William Gay would have been a nice pickup a few years ago. Unfortunately, this isn't 2008.

Atlanta Falcons: John Abraham

The Atlanta Falcons lost linebacker Curtis Lofton and replaced him with Lofa Tatupu.

In the past, this would have seemed like a decent move. Now, not so much.

However, John Abraham keeps chugging along. He gave the Falcons 9.5 sacks last year.

Atlanta can use all the pass rush they can muster.

Baltimore Ravens: Ray Rice

Joe Flacco believes he is the best quarterback in the NFL. He isn't. 

If the Baltimore Ravens are going to snatch that elusive Super Bowl title, Ray Rice has to be the main cog for the offense.

Rice accounted for over 2,000 yards of total offense and 15 touchdowns in 2011. 

Flacco needs to thank general manager Ozzie Newsome for not actually putting the onus on him to get it done alone.

Buffalo Bills: Mario Williams

If Mario Williams had kept up his previous sack-a-game pace, he would have had more than half the sacks the entire Buffalo Bills team had last year.

More importantly, Buffalo got their man. It sends a message to the rest of league that Buffalo is a destination for free agents.

Players want to play for a winner. Especially one that recognizes and compensates value.

Carolina Panthers: Mike Tolbert

The Carolina Panthers already had DeAngelo Williams and Johnathan Stewart to run the rock. They appeared to be all set.

Then they added Mike Tolbert in a move that makes little sense.

The biggest worry is that it was certainly their most important move. Yikes.

Chicago Bears: Matt Forte*

The Chicago Bears have been dragging their feet locking up Matt Forte. 

This move reeks of Jerry DeAngelo, but new general manager Phil Emery is running the show now.

Chicago must lock up Forte to a long-term contract quickly.

Michael Bush is nice, but he cannot match No. 22's output of 52 receptions and almost 1,000 yards in only 12 games.

Cincinnati Bengals: BenJarvis Green-Ellis

The Cincinnati Bengals have been quiet in free agency this year with the lone exception of grabbing BenJarvis Green-Ellis.

The former New England Patriot is sneakily productive. He accounted for 11 touchdowns on the ground last year.

Most likely, Cedric Benson had an inflated sense of his value. Green-Ellis will ease any concerns in the Queen City regarding the running game.

Cleveland Browns: Phil Dawson!

Mike Homgren is regarded as a genius for his success with the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks.

And then he took over the Cleveland Browns.

With each passing year, it seems that the football gods have forgotten about the hardscrabble town in Ohio. 

Frostee Rucker?

No, their best signing was Phil Dawson. A kicker.

Dallas Cowboys: Brandon Carr

The Dallas Cowboys suffered some heartbreaking defeats due to poor quarterbacking decisions and terrible secondary play.

Enter Brandon Carr.

He instantly adds credibility to a unit that had difficulty striking fear into a second-grade passing attack.

Carr has officially gotten paid. Now it's time to earn Jerry Jones' money.

Denver Broncos: Peyton Manning

You're kidding right?

You need to know why the Denver Broncos signing one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time is their most important move of 2012?

To summarize: Peyton Manning.

Detroit Lions: Calvin Johnson

This slide fittingly follows the Denver Broncos' irrational decision to sign Peyton Manning.

All-time greats are hard to come by. When you have one in your grasp, you hold on with everything you have.

However, the Detroit Lions extension of all-world wide receiver Calvin Johnson stretches beyond just keeping him around. It enabled the Lions to keep Stephen Tulloch and Cliff Avril by freeing up some much-needed cap space.

Green Bay Packers: Jeff Saturday

The most important job in the Green Bay Packers organization is security. 

Aaron Rodgers must be kept upright to continue his dominance over the league. The signing of Jeff Saturday to "quarterback" the offensive line is the perfect way to address such concerns.

Saturday spent the last decade protecting Peyton Manning. He'll assure that Rodgers keeps defensive backs up at night for at least the 2012 season.

Houston Texans: Arian Foster

The Houston Texans lost Mario Williams. Do any of the fans remember that anymore?

The Chicago Bears are having trouble locking up Matt Forte. Houston wasted no time showing love to their stud running back.

Arian Foster has exhibited a great attitude during his playing career. Now that he's paid, linebackers need to take notice.

Indianapolis Colts: Reggie Wayne

Catching passes from the likes of Dan Orlovsky and Curtis Painter would put anybody in a bad mood.

However, the presumed addition of Andrew Luck will put a smile on Reggie Wayne's face.

The Indianapolis Colts are in a rebuilding mode. So keeping Wayne will give Luck a chance to succeed in his rookie year. 

Someone has to be capable of catching those passes.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Aaron Ross

Aaron Ross has a Super Bowl ring thanks to the New York Giants. He now brings that experience to a team in desperate need of leadership.

Fans will point to Laurent Robinson as the turning of the tide for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Yet, he had 54 catches last year with plenty of other options drawing attention away from him. He hasn't convinced the world that he can create his own separation.

Real football critics know that the addition of Ross will further solidify an excellent defense. Blaine Gabbert will appreciate the shorter fields that the defense will provide. 

Kansas City Chiefs: Eric Winston

The Kansas City Chiefs have been active this offseason adding Peyton Hillis and others. However, the best move was bringing in the surprisingly cut Eric Winston.

Winston has held down a tackle spot for the Houston Texans for a few years and no one has heard any complaints. He was a cap casualty who found a nice home.

The Chiefs know exactly what they got. A tackle who can anchor the line for years to come.

Miami Dolphins: Steve Slaton

Things have not gone well when you're most important signing is to retain your backup running back.

The Miami Dolphins have been disappointing their fans for the better part of a decade now, and 2012 will prove to be no different.

At least Steve Slaton will provide some Reggie Bush insurance. Bush has only stayed healthy while being the man for one year.

As for David Garrard, it's difficult to get excited about a 34-year-old quarterback that spent last season golfing. 

Minnesota Vikings: John Carlson

The Minnesota Vikings have not fared much better. Their signature acquisition is a nice fourth-year tight end named John Carlson.

Carlson enjoyed a decent beginning to his career with the Seattle Seahawks and the Vikings hope that he can grow with Christian Ponder.

Every young quarterback needs a security blanket. Hopefully the Vikings have found Ponder's.

New England Patriots: Wes Welker

The New England Patriots brought in quite a few outsiders this offseason (Brandon Lloyd, Donte Stallworth etc...), but none were as important as retaining Wes Welker.

Thus, the franchise tag was slapped on him.

With the exception of 2010, Welker has hauled in 111-plus passes each year and wreaked havoc over the middle of the field. 

New Orleans Saints: Curtis Lofton

The New Orleans Saints faithful can expect this to eventually be Drew Brees, but reports have not been cheery in that regard.

However, the additions of Curtis Lofton and David Hawthorne immediately upgrade the linebacking corp to a fearsome unit. 

Despite both signing five-year deals, Lofton gets the nod over Hawthorne because he came at the expense of a division rival.

New York Giants: Jake Ballard

Most Super Bowl champions suffer some attrition and the New York Giants are no different.

Aaron Ross has departed for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Mario Manningham is now a member of the San Francisco 49ers.

The retention of Jake Ballard allows the Giants to keep their high-flying passing offense mainly intact. Ballard has shown the skills to join the new era of tight ends and be quite productive. 

New York Jets: LaRon Landry

The New York Jets usually make noise with their mouth. This year, they might have made some with their checkbook.

The Jets were able to procure LaRon Landry, a former sixth-overall pick, on a one-year prove-it deal.

The motivation and talent is there for Landry to have a meaningful impact on the Jets defense.

Oakland Raiders: Tyvon Branch

New Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie has been busy trying to clean up the mess left behind by former management.

He has already let Stanford Routt leave for the Kansas City Chiefs. Coupled with the prior loss of Nnamdi Asomugha, the Raiders needed to keep Tyvon Branch in the secondary badly.

Mission accomplished.

Philadelphia Eagles: Demetress Bell

The recent loss of tackle Jason Peters spurred the Philadelphia Eagles into action.

They needed to protect their $100 million investment in Michael Vick and quickly brought Demetress Bell into the fold.

The Eagles also brought back mercurial wide receiver DeSean Jackson, but the need for Bell far outweighs the the retention of outside speed.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Wallace*

The Pittsburgh Steelers had better hope that no team gives Mike Wallace a market-appropriate deal. They do not have the cap space to match a legitimate offer.

Besides Wallace, the Steelers have been incredibly quiet due to their financial constraints. In many ways, Wallace will make or break this offseason.

San Diego Chargers: Jared Gaither

The San Diego Chargers did not re-sign Marcus McNeill and knew they needed a viable replacement. 

If Philip Rivers is going to return to his former level of play without stud wideout Vincent Jackson, he has to be able to stand and deliver. 

Jared Gaither will at least give him a fighting chance.

San Francisco 49ers: Carlos Rogers

The San Francisco team have attacked the offseason after falling just short of the Super Bowl. Jim Harbuagh surely knows that the window of opportunity doesn't stay open for long.

The retention of Carlos Rogers keeps an incredible defense intact. He also gives the 49ers the playmaking corner they need as Rogers had six interceptions last year.

It should be mentioned that Ahmad Brooks had seven sacks last year and Randy Moss could return to his former glory. Both of those signings have real importance as well.

Seattle Seahawks: Matt Flynn

Tarvaris Jackson had an average season last year and his ceiling doesn't appear too high.

Matt Flynn has given performances that indicate that he is a true quarterbacking prospect. His time with the Seattle Seahawks could reach great heights.

If he can find his groove and Marshawn Lynch keeps things rolling, Seattle is a serious contender for dark-horse status.

St. Louis Rams: Cortland Finnegan

Cortland Finnegan jumped at the chance to join his former coach Jeff Fisher with the St. Louis Rams. He obviously knows the scheme and can excel in that particular system.

Finnegan brings instant credibility to a secondary that isn't even recognizable. 

Although if Steve Smith can find his former form, he and Sam Bradford could become an effective combo.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Vincent Jackson

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took a large step backwards last year after challenging for the playoffs the season prior.

A big reason was that they didn't use their cap space and tried to slide by on the talent they already had.

That strategy backfired in a big way. Ask Raheem Morris.

Vincent Jackson is the type of player that keeps defensive coordinators up at night. Josh Freeman will love the newest Buc.

Tennessee Titans: Kamerion Wimbley

The Tennessee Titans have not done much to address their pass rush since losing Kyle Vanden Bosch and others.

Kamerion Wimbley is an immediate upgrade over the most of the pass-rushers the Titans employ.

In fact, his seven sacks last year would have been tied for the team lead.

Washington Redskins: Fred Davis

Poor Daniel Snyder. He has all this money but he has officially been placed in timeout.

At least the Washington Redskins were able to hold on to their only viable pass-receving threat last year. 

Fred Davis was able to grab 59 passes for almost 800 yards in only 12 games.