The 2012 NFL Free Agent Most Likely to Bomb at Every Position

The 2012 NFL free agency period provided NFL teams with a chance to improve their depth charts, but each year there are NFL free agents that bomb at every position. 

The 2012 NFL free agency period is no exception. While some teams hit a home run that allow them to change the fortunes of their franchises, others unfortunately find these busts and suffer the consequences for years to come. 

There seems to be at least one noticeable failure at each position every year. These players bomb for a variety of reasons. Chief among these reasons for failure is that some players simply fail to fit in with their new teams.

Others fail to live up to expectations of the fan base and the franchise that just paid them millions of dollars. Finally, some free agents are at the end of their careers because of injuries or age.

For these reasons, there will undoubtedly be free agents that bomb once again this year. Here is one player at each position that will bomb in 2012.

Quarterback

David Garrard, Miami Dolphins

It it no secret that the Dolphins needed help at the quarterback position. It was not a surprise to see Miami select Ryan Tannehill with the No. 8 overall pick. 

However, the signing of free agent quarterback David Garrard by the Dolphins was a bit shocking. Garrard missed all of last season due to injury but is apparently healthy again.

Garrard recently took first-team snaps at quarterback for the Dolphins. As of now it appears as if Garrard could win the starting job in Miami. He has only thrown for over 20 touchdowns in a season once in his career, so he isn't the starter the Dolphins need at this point.

Honorable Mention: Matt Flynn, Seattle Seahawks 

Running Back

Michael Bush, Chicago Bears 

Michael Bush saw his stats jump dramatically a year ago with the Oakland Raiders as he received more carries than he ever has in his career thanks to an injury to starting tailback Darren McFadden.

Bush rushed for 977 yards and seven touchdowns with a 3.8 average per carry in McFadden's absence. It was very apparent as the season wore on that Bush was beginning to wear-down under the amplified workload. 

As it stands now, Bush could see the majority of the carries with the Chicago Bears as the organization wrestles with starter Matt Forte over a new contract. If he ends up taking the majority of the snaps next season he will likely tire quickly because of his physical running style. 

A 3.8 yards per carry average isn't going to cut it as a starting running back in the NFL. Bush has shown he isn't capable of much better thus far in his career, so there is a good chance he could be a bust in Chicago.

Honorable Mention: Peyton Hillis, Kansas City Chiefs 

Wide Receiver

Mario Manningham, San Francisco 49ers

Mario Manningham entered free agency believing he is capable of  being a No. 1 receiver in the NFL, and expected to be paid as one as well. He then had to settle for a measly two-year contract with San Francisco to the tune of only $7.3 million.

The market brought Manningham back down to Earth. With the New York Giants he was the third option after elite receivers Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks. Last season he only caught 39 passes for 523 yards and four touchdowns.

This year with the 49ers Manningham will struggle to see any passes thrown his way as he will be as low as the fourth target on the offense. He finds himself behind tight end Vernon Davis and receivers such as Michael Crabtree and possibly Randy Moss.

Add in the fact the offense isn't one built to throw the ball down the field thanks to quarterback Alex Smith and there is a disaster brewing here for Manningham. 

Honorable Mention: Randy Moss, San Francisco 49ers 

Tight End

Martellus Bennett, New York Giants 

On paper the signing of Martellus Bennett by the defending Super Bowl Champions made a lot of sense thanks to injuries that have depleted the tight end portion of the depth chart.

That is until Bennett showed up to training camp weighing 291 lbs. No, Bennett is not attempting to switch his position to the offensive line. Instead, he thought it would be a good idea to balloon up to almost 300 lbs. 

Bennett could use his new-found strength to be an effective run-blocker, but the weight isn't helping his speed or ability to catch passes. It doesn't matter how ripped Bennett is, if he can't lose some weight a position change could be in order. 

Honorable Mention: Dallas Clark, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Offensive Guard

Steve Hutchinson, Tennessee Titans

Steve Hutchinson was cut as a result of his $7 million salary the Minnesota Vikings were set to pay him for next year. The move made sense as Hutchinson is going on 35 years old.

The Tennessee Titans decided to sign Hutchinson to a three-year deal worth $16 million. The move makes sense as the team is attempting to upgrade the interior of the offensive line. 

There was a time when Hutchinson was considered a top-five guard in the NFL, but those days have passed. Hutchinson is approaching the age of no return, and this could be the year where his age and injuries finally catch up to him.

Honorable Mention: Nate Livings, Dallas Cowboys 

Center

Samson Satele, Indianapolis Colts

Samson Satele has been hailed as one of the better run-blocking centers in the NFL, but the Oakland Raiders couldn't afford to pay him. 

Days before inking his new deal with the Indianapolis Colts, Satele was arrested for disorderly conduct. The arrest didn't appear to have any impact on his deal with the Colts as the team will pay him almost $11 million over three years. 

The risk outweighed the reward for the Colts here as the team had to find a solid center to protect their new franchise quarterback Andrew Luck. 

Not only does Satele have to protect the successor to one Peyton Manning, he has to live up to the expectations left by former Colts center Jeff Saturday, a mainstay in Indianapolis for the pas 13 seasons.

Satele could fold under the pressure. 

Honorable Mention: Nick Hardwick, San Diego Chargers 

Offensive Tackle

Demetress Bell, Philadelphia Eagles 

Demetress Bell incited a bidding war for his services this offseason as he elected to not re-sign with the Buffalo Bills. The Philadelphia Eagles were the highest bidder with a five year, $35 million contract. 

The big pay-day is puzzling for a player like Bell. He is one of the better tackles in football when he is actually on the field. Bell however, is injury-prone, to say the least.

He has appeared in more than eight games during a season just once during his four year career. Bell has shown nothing yet to prove he can play another full season, so he could be a feature on a slideshow like this one this time next year yet again. 

Honorable Mention: Frank Omiyale, Seattle Seahawks 

Defensive End

Frostee Rucker, Cleveland Browns 

The Cleveland Browns signed former Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Frostee Rucker this offseason after having a chance to see him up close and personal for the past six seasons. The Browns brought Rucker in to be the starting right defensive end.

The problem with this signing is that Rucker has never truly been a starter. In Cincinnati he was used as one piece of an extremely deep rotation along the defensive line. It is hard to tell how Rucker will do as a full-time starter, and if he even has the endurance to be effective on every down throughout the course of a game. 

Add in the fact last season was the only time Rucker has appeared in a full 16 games in six seasons, and the Browns could be praying for their millions back by next season's end. 

Honorable Mention: Derrick Harvey, Cincinnati Bengals 

Defensive Tackle

Amobi Okoye, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers decided to sign the 24 year old Amobi Okoye this offseason despite the fact he is currently recovering from knee surgery. 

Okoye will likely be used as part of a rotation on the defensive line and be in to provide a boost to the pass-rush on passing downs.

Unfortunately for the Buccaneers, Okoye has only registered 15 sacks in five years. He is a bit undersized for a defensive tackle at 6'2" and 290 lbs as well. Add injuries to this overall equation and Okoye could be a massive bomb down in Tampa Bay. 

Honorable Mention: Justin Bannan, Denver Broncos 

Outside Linebacker

David Hawthorne, New Orleans Saints

It appears as if David Hawthorne is going to be seeing a lot of time at the outside linebacker position this season with the New Orleans Saints because the team added middle linebacker Curtis Lofton via free agency as well.

Hawthorne's previous employer, the Seattle Seahawks, didn't want to pay Hawthorne a lot of money because they were concerned with his ability to stay healthy and the fact that he was a bit slow for the inside linebacker position.

If Hawthorne is considered too slow by some teams for the middle linebacker spot, he is likely too slow for the outside spot as well. Hawthorne registered big numbers last season in the middle with 115 tackles, two sacks and three interceptions, but what the Saints are asking him to do could be too much. 

Honorable Mention: Jarret Johnson, San Diego Chargers 

Inside Linebacker

Barrett Ruud, Seattle Seahawks

Barrett Ruud is a risk for the Seattle Seahawks, albeit a necessary once since they lost starting middle linebacker David Hawthorne. 

The Seahawks organization has publicly admitted that Ruud is not healthy or ready to play football as he recovers from a variety of injuries. These injuries limited Ruud to only nine games last season in which he posted only 57 tackles.

If Ruud can't stay healthy or get on the field, the Seahawks lose in a big way with this signing. If last year is any indication, Ruud will have a hard time staying on the field in 2012.

Honorable Mention: Lofa Tatupu, Atlanta Falcons 

Cornerback

Stanford Routt, Kansas City Chiefs 

Stanford Routt was brought in by the Kansas City Chiefs this offseason to replace the loss of starting corner Brandon Carr. However, Routt is a downgrade at the position. 

Last year alone Routt gave up eight touchdown passes and committed 17 penalties while only registering four interceptions. 

Routt is a good fit for the scheme in Kansas City, but the $20 million over three years the team is paying him could prove to be too much for what Routt will accomplish. Routt is being paid like a starter and will have to perform like one in order to not disappoint. 

Honorable Mention: Terence Newman, Cincinnati Bengals 

Safety

LaRon Landry, New York Jets

LaRon Landry has had a lot of injury issues over the past couple of seasons, which has limited his ability to stay on the field. Last season he recorded only 48 tackles, playing in just eight games. 

Despite the health concerns, the New York Jets elected to sign Landry in the hopes that he can upgrade the secondary. Landry has yet to practice with the team because he is still recovering from a torn Achilles. 

The Jets need Landry to have an impact next season as a starter. There is a high bomb potential here because if Landry can't stay healthy it could deal a massive blow to the Jets' overall defense. 

Honorable Mention: Brandon Meriweather, Washington Redskins 

Kicker/Punter

Josh Brown, Kicker, New York Jets 

Josh Brown is beginning to decline as he approaches the age of 34 years old. The New York Jets brought him in as a free agent to compete with Nick Folk in the hopes that competition can bring out the best in one or the other.

Brown missed seven field goals last year on only 28 attempts. His average has dropped significantly as has his longest field goal made over the past few years. 

It is hard to imagine Brown winning the starting job in New York, which means he could be out on the street again just as quickly as he was signed. 

Nick Harris, Punter, Carolina Panthers 

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