2012 NFL Free Agents: Finding Best Fits for Top Unsigned Players

The NFL's free-agent list has been mostly picked clean this clean, but there's still some value in what's left. Below, we breakdown the best team fits for the top players that remain unsigned.

T Marcus McNeill

McNeill's back and neck problems were serious enough for the San Diego Chargers to cut their long-time left tackle before the beginning of free agency. Little interest has come McNeill's way since.

If he can pass a physical, however, several teams appear to need depth at tackle. The St. Louis Rams, who gave up an NFL-high 55 sacks last season, may head that list. 

RB Ryan Grant

After an ankle injury cost Grant all but one game in 2010, the 29-year-old back returned last season in a platoon role with James Starks in Green Bay.

A slow start had some thinking he was done, but Grant was the Packers' best runner down the stretch. He can still provide a one-cut-and-go-style runner that is solid in pass protection.

With little options available to him now, his best is probably to return to Green Bay and fight for the limited carries up for grabs in the Packers' pass-heavy offense.

RB Cedric Benson

Benson rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of the last three seasons, but there's wear on his tires and the age of the 30 is creeping up fast. That combination of body toll and age has proven to be a death wish for backs in free agency. 

Benson doesn't have much for options, but he could be a natural replacement for Michael Bush in Oakland if he's willing to take a veteran's minimum deal. 

RB Tim Hightower

Few free agents available can match Hightower's mix of versatility and youth, but a torn ACL suffered last season has squeezed out any immediate interest on the open market. 

With experience as a runner and pass-catcher, however, the 25-year-old Hightower may be one of the few players left that could play a big role in 2012. He should do everything in his power to remain in Washington, where he can battle two young players (Roy Helu, Evan Royster) for touches.

WR Plaxico Burress

Burress is 35 years old and has just one year under his belt since returning from incarceration. However, few players at his position represent the kind of physical mismatch in the red zone, and there's a number of teams that could use the eight touchdowns Burress provided last season. 

While the Houston Texans added a few receivers in the draft, Burress would be a good fit for a franchise that has struggled to find a complement to Andre Johnson. 

WR Braylon Edwards

I liked the match between San Francisco and Edwards last offseason, but injuries took away any chance for the former Jets receiver to make an impact on the West Coast. Now the 6'3" Edwards remains without a club. 

Instead of attempting to find another fit, Edwards should take a low-level deal to return to the Jets. Rookie Stephen Hill is there and will be the future, but Edwards could still see snaps on a team lacking receivers.

S Jim Leonhard

Leonhard is another free agent in recovery mode from a 2011 injury. When on the field, however, Leonhard was the emotional leader of a Jets defense that suffered the last two seasons when Leonhard went down with injuries. 

The Jets should remain a front-runner to eventually retain Leonhard, but don't count out the Dallas Cowboys. Rob Ryan's defense could take another step forward with a trusted safety like Leonhard at the backend. 

DL Aubrayo Franklin

Remember back one year, when Franklin was one of the hotter defensive free agents? Those days are long gone after a disappointing season in New Orleans. 

However, Franklin can still provide quality depth as a two-down run-stuffer. At this juncture, reuniting with defensive coordinator Mike Nolan in Atlanta looks like the best fit for Franklin.

S Yeremiah Bell

Bell was a stalwart in the Dolphins secondary for years, but his coverage abilities slipped to the point that Miami considered him expendable. Being 34 years old likely didn't help Bell, either. 

When looking for a new team, Bell really needs to find a team that will mask his liabilities as a cover man. If the Jets don't bring back Leonhard, Bell makes sense as an in-the-box safety that's strong against the run.