One Free Agent Every NFL Team Should Target in 2012

It may only be Week 10 of the 2011 NFL season, but we can always look forward to next offseason's free agent period.

By now, with 10 weeks in, we all have a good grasp on each team and what their biggest weaknesses and areas they lack talent are in.

With that being said, here's a sneak peak at next season's free agent period, with players like Ray Rice, Wes Welker and John Abraham available on the open market. 

Which players should each team target once free agency comes to a start next year? 

Here is one player that each NFL team should target in the 2012. 

Arizona Cardinals: Dwayne Bowe

The Arizona Cardinals have found their quarterback of the future in Kevin Kolb and need to start building around him. 

Kolb already has one of the NFL's best wide receivers in Larry Fitzgerald, but the two of them could certainly use some help—which makes Dwayne Bowe quite the appealing option.

The 27-year-old wide receiver has spent his entire career in Kansas City. He most recently has been playing in Todd Haley's offensive system, which is similar to Zona's, as Haley was the team's offensive coordinator from 2007-2008.

Atlanta Falcons: John Abraham

In my opinion, the Atlanta Falcons need to do whatever it takes to re-sign defensive end John Abraham, as he is the heart and soul of their defense.

Abraham may be 33 years old and is certainly going downhill, but he's still a leader and a reliable pass-rusher.

Atlanta cannot afford to lose Abraham. 

Baltimore Ravens: Ray Rice

Ray Rice is one of the most underrated running backs in the NFL—I personally believe that he's the most reliable as he's such a consistent north-south runner.

Rice will become a free agent at the end of the season and the Baltimore Ravens cannot afford to lose their miniature bowling ball. 

The Rutgers product is only 24 years old and is in the prime of his career. 

Buffalo Bills: Jermichael Finley

If the Buffalo Bills want to go all in this offseason, then they need to go after tight end Jermichael Finley.

I find it hard to believe that the Green Bay Packers will let Finely slip away, but if the Bills can offer him the right price, then I'm sure that they can snag him. Money does talk after all. 

Buffalo is a young, talented football team but is tremendously lacking at tight end. 

Finley is one of the NFL's best tight ends and would turn Ryan Fitzpatrick into an offensive machine. 

Carolina Panthers: Rashean Mathis

The Carolina Panthers are actually a solid football team but could always use help in the secondary, especially at cornerback. 

Jacksonville Jaguar Rashean Mathis is set to be a free agent in 2012 and could certainly be a serviceable player for the Panthers.

Mathis may be 31 years old, but he's been named an All-Pro in his career and would certainly bring experience to a young yet talented team in Carolina. 

Chicago Bears: Matt Forte

The Chicago Bears need to do whatever it takes to re-sign Matt Forte, as he's the juice that pumps Chicago's offensive attack.

Forte is a well-rounded running back that's only turning 26 this December and has a lot left in the tank. 

The Tulane product needs to remain a Bear if the team wants to have any offensive attack in the years moving forward. 

Cincinnati Bengals: Marques Colston

I honestly don't think that the New Orleans Saints would let Marques Colston walk, but if they do he'll be a highly targeted player.

The Cincinnati Bengals are fine defensively, but could use some weapons offensively to help out Andy Dalton and AJ Green. Colston would be one helluva fit. 

Cleveland Browns: Dwayne Bowe

If the Cleveland Browns want to actually help the development of Colt McCoy, then they desperately need to get him a No. 1 wide receiver—which opens the door to Dwayne Bowe.

Bowe is one of the NFL's most underrated wide receivers, but he does have all the tools to be an elite receiver. Bowe is 6'2" and would offer a huge target for the young McCoy. 

All in all, the Browns actually have a lot of holes to fill in both free agency and the draft. 

Dallas Cowboys: Brent Grimes

The Dallas Cowboys are an extremely talented team but can't find a way to make it to the playoffs.

One of their biggest weaknesses is their pass defense, and they have to address it as the NFL is such a pass-heavy league.

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Brent Grimes would be an interesting candidate for the Cowboys to target, as he's an underrated veteran defensive back that has all the skills to be play at a Pro Bowl level. 

Denver Broncos: Alex Smith

This is probably the biggest stretch out there, as the San Francisco 49ers would be crazy to let Alex Smith go after his incredible season thus far.

But if Smith becomes a free agent and tests the open waters (and that's a huge if), then the Denver Broncos should show some interest in his services. 

The Broncos may want to go out and draft a quarterback, but if that doesn't work out then Smith would be a nice addition. 

Detroit Lions: Stephen Tulloch

In Stephen Tulloch's first year with the Detroit Lions he has made one hell of an impact and definitely deserves to be re-signed at the end of the season.

Tulloch has recorded 52 tackles and three sacks through the first eight games and has been arguably the team's best linebacker. 

Green Bay Packers:Jermichael Finley

Jermichael Finley is one of the NFL's best tight ends and some could definitely argue that he's an absolute beast.

Green Bay's tight end is set to become a free agent by the end of the season and the Packers need to re-sign him—he is a game-changer. 

Finley is turning only 25 years young next March and has yet to enter the prime of his career. 

Houston Texans: Mario Williams

This is a toss-up between re-signing Arian Foster and Mario Williams—but the Houston Texans still have running back Ben Tate under contract, so they could live without Foster. 

Williams' season may have come to an end with a torn pectoral, but he was an elite pass-rusher in his first year in Wade Phillips' 3-4 defensive system.

In five games this season, Williams had five sacks as well as 11 tackles and one forced fumble. 

Indianapolis Colts: Arian Foster

If the Indianapolis Colts do end up drafting Andrew Luck, then a nice running game would be quite the addition to the development of the Stanford product and bridge from Peyton Manning to Luck. 

Arian Foster is a restricted free agent, and if the Colts are willing to give up a few draft picks, then they should definitely go out and sign him. 

Imagine if Indy had Foster right now—maybe they wouldn't be so terrible. 

Oh, and that's not to mention the Colts would be stealing him away from a divisional rival. 

Jacksonville Jaguars: Reggie Wayne

Reggie Wayne has had an absolutely dreadful season without Peyton Manning and could possibly be let go by the end of the season. 

Wayne is turning 33 years old this month and could be an interesting signing for the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

The Jaguars have no wide receivers and could certainly use a well-rounded player like Wayne—not to mention that he'd also be putting people in the seats in Jacksonville, as they'd be snagging him away from Indy. 

Kansas City Chiefs: Dwayne Bowe

The Kansas City Chiefs would be crazy if they let Dwayne Bowe walk, as he's one of the best wideouts in the NFL.

Bowe caught a league-high 15 touchdowns last season and has caught 39 passes for 346 yards and four touchdowns this season—those stats are definitely screaming for a new contract. 

Miami Dolphins: Kyle Orton

The Miami Dolphins were on the verge of acquiring Kyle Orton through a trade late this summer, but they could actually end up with the former Denver Broncos starting quarterback this offseason.

Let's assume that Miami does not win the Andrew Luck sweepstakes and are forced to draft a quarterback that isn't necessarily NFL ready—then their best bet is to sign a veteran passer like Orton. 

Orton is definitely a serviceable quarterback that could be used as a bridge in a rebuilding process. 

Minnesota Vikings: Pierre Garcon

Imagine Pierre Garcon and Percy Harvin lining up opposite of each other—do you realize how fast that pair would be? They could outrun any secondary.

The Minnesota Vikings could definitely use help on the defensive side of the ball, but are better off doing that through the draft. 

With a young quarterback like Christian Ponder, you can't have enough talent around him. 

New England Patriots: Wes Welker

This one is somewhat obvious: Without Wes Welker, New England's offense will not work—he is the juice that keeps New England's offensive machine running.

Welker is scheduled to become a free agent by the end of the season and I am sure that teams will swarm for his talents. 

New England needs to do whatever it takes to keep Welker, as Tom Brady does not have much time left in his career. 

New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees

Just think about how screwed the New England Patriots would be without Wes Welker. Now think about the New Orleans Saints without franchise QB Drew Brees.

Brees will be a free agent by the end of the season and I am sure he'll remain a Saint and that New Orleans will offer him quite the appealing contract. 

Drew Brees is the heart and soul of the city of New Orleans. 

New York Giants: Jermichael Finley

This is definitely a stretch, but if the New York Giants have a chance at grabbing Jermichael Finley on the open market, then they need to do so.

I find it hard to believe that the Green Bay Packers will even let Finley test the open waters, but if he does teams will be all over him. 

New York Jets: Robert Mathis

Robert Mathis may not be a perfect fit in Rex Ryan's 3-4 defensive alignment, but he's one of the best pass-rushers available, and the New York Jets need a presence on their defensive line. 

Mathis racked up 11 sacks a year ago and has four in nine games this season for the Indianapolis Colts.

At the right price, I would definitely bring in Mathis if I was Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum. 

Oakland Raiders: Plaxico Burress

Could Plaxico Burress be a fit in Oakland? Well for starters, the Oakland Raiders don't really have a true No. 1 wide receiver and Burress could easily be that for Oakland.

Burress signed a one-year deal with the New York Jets after serving nearly two years in prison. So far this season, Plax has played very well with 23 receptions for 322 yards and five touchdowns. 

If the Jets let him test the market, I would suggest that Oakland would take a look at his services. 

Philadelphia Eagles: Dan Koppen

You may find this one a bit odd, but I believe that the Philadelphia Eagles needs someone to stabilize their offensive line, and Dan Koppen can do so. 

The New England Patriots center has been placed on injured reserve with a fractured left ankle and fibula, but will be healthy by the start of next season. 

The Eagles don't have a great center in Jason Kelce, making Koppen a significant upgrade. 

Pittsburgh Steelers: Moran Norris

The Pittsburgh Steelers could use some help at the fullback position, as their starting fullback, David Johnson, is more of a tight end type than an actual fullback.

Pittsburgh loves running the ball and Moran Norris could certainly open up a few holes as the team's lead-blocker. 

Rashard Mendenhall would love this possible acquisition. 

San Diego Chargers: Antonio Garay

The San Diego Chargers don't have too many needs, so re-signing Antonio Garay should be one of their top priorities this offseason. 

Garay is one of the NFL's better defensive linemen, as he recorded six last season in his first season as a full-time starter and has two thus far in 2011. 

San Francisco 49ers: Alex Smith

Alex Smith has had the best season of his career thus far. 

The 2005 No. 1 overall pick is finally living up to expectations as he's completed 64.1 percent of his passes for 10 touchdowns and only two interceptions, while recording a stellar 97.3 quarterback rating.

I think that it's safe to say that Smith deserves an extension. 

Seattle Seahawks: Jason Campbell

The Seattle Seahawks have so many holes and the biggest one is at quarterback. 

If the Seahawks are unable to draft an NFL-ready quarterback in this year's draft, Jason Campbell would be a nice short-term answer.

Campbell has a career 82.8 quarterback rating and had been playing very well for the Oakland Raiders this season before breaking his collarbone in a season-ending injury. 

St. Louis Rams: Reggie Wayne

Reggie Wayne is exactly what Sam Bradford and the St. Louis Rams need: a seasoned veteran that has the talent and ability to be a true No. 1 wideout. 

Pair Wayne up with Brandon Floyd, then the Rams could suddenly evolve into one of the league's better passing teams—not to mention it would help out Bradford's development as a passer. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Marques Colston

How intriguing would this be? The Tampa Bay Buccaneers stealing Marques Colston away from the New Orleans Saints. 

For starters, this transaction does make some sense as the Buccaneers could use a seasoned veteran at wide receiver to pair up with Mike Williams.

It's definitely safe to say that Williams and Colston with Josh Freeman at quarterback could be a dangerous passing attack. 

Tennessee Titans: Robert Mathis

When healthy, Robert Mathis is one of the better pass-rushers in the NFL and would be a nice addition to Tennessee's 4-3 defensive front.

The Titans lost Jason Babin a year ago via free agency, and Mathis would certainly be a nice replacement. 

Washington Redskins: Alex Smith

I could see Alex Smith working out very well in Mike Shanhan's run-first offensive system. 

Several teams need a quarterback and Smith could be a hot commodity this offseason, considering how well he's played thus far in 2011—including the Washington Redskins.