Dallas Clark and NFL Studs Who Will Thrive on New Teams

Whether it's through free agency or trades, a number of prominent NFL players have found new homes this offseason. Tight end Dallas Clark became the latest when he signed a one-year deal to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, per the Tampa Bay Times.

Many such players will undoubtedly go on to do big things in their new homes in 2012, including the pros listed here.

Dallas Clark, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

It was a busy day for the tight end position in Tampa Bay on Monday, as not only did the Buccaneers sign 32-year-old Dallas Clark, but they also jettisoned Kellen Winslow in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks, via the Tampa Bay Times.

Two straight injury-marred seasons led some to question whether Clark might be "done."

He may no longer be the player that caught 100 passes in 2009, but Clark should, at the very least, give quarterback Josh Freeman a veteran checkdown option in the Tampa Bay offense.

Peyton Manning, QB, Denver Broncos

Just in case you've been living in Tibet for a while, you may not know that future Hall of Fame  quarterback Peyton Manning has a new home, signing a five-year, $96 million contract with the Denver Broncos after being released by the Indianapolis Colts in March.

After missing the entire 2011 season due to multiple neck surgeries, Manning may not go out there and immediately throw for 450 yards and four scores in his first game.

However, Manning is already "impressing" his new teammates in OTAs (via Boston.com), and the Broncos have to be liking their chances of repeating as AFC West champs.

Vincent Jackson, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were one of the busiest teams in the National Football League this offseason.

That flurry of activity included the signing of wide receiver Vincent Jackson, who ended a rocky seven-year stint with the San Diego Chargers by inking a five-year, $55 million deal with Tampa Bay.

The 29-year-old has tallied over 1,000 receiving yards in three of the past four seasons, and Jackson should provide a much-needed boost to a Buccaneers passing attack that ranked 21st in the NFL in 2011.

Brandon Carr, CB, Dallas Cowboys

The secondary was the Achilles' heel of the Dallas Cowboys defense in 2011, and the team addressed that need in a big way this offseason, signing free-agent cornerback Brandon Carr to a five-year, $50.1 million deal.

Carr, who had 45 tackles and four interceptions a year ago, now joins first-round pick Morris Claiborne in an overhauled Dallas defensive backfield.

What was once one of the team's weaknesses now appears to be a strength.

Pierre Garcon, WR, Washington Redskins

The Washington Redskins made sure that shiny, new quarterback Robert Griffin III would also have some new offensive weaponry at his disposal, inking former Indianapolis Colts wideout Pierre Garcon to a five-year, $42.5 million (via ESPN) deal early in free agency.

The fifth-year veteran is coming off of the best season of his professional career, and if Griffin performs as well on game day as Sports Illustrated reports he has so far in workouts, Garcon has an excellent shot at posting his first 1,000-yard season in 2012.

Mario Williams, DE, Buffalo Bills

Peyton Manning may have been the biggest prize on the offensive side of the ball this year in free agency, but where defenders are concerned, that honor went to defensive end Mario Williams, who signed a six-year, $100 million mega deal (per ESPN) to join the Buffalo Bills.

Williams missed 11 games a season ago with a pectoral injury but has amassed 53 career sacks in six seasons.

The two-time Pro Bowler should be a huge asset as the Bills make the transition to a 4-3 defensive front.

DeMeco Ryans, LB, Philadelphia Eagles

It wasn't free agency that brought middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans to the Philadelphia Eagles, but a trade—although I'm sure the seventh-year vet welcomes the change of scenery after a miserable 2011 season with the Houston Texans.

Ryans struggled mightily in Houston's 3-4 defense last year but averaged over 125 tackles a season as a 4-3 middle linebacker for Houston from 2006 to 2009.

That sort of production would come in handy for an Eagles team that was susceptible up the middle a year ago.