Power Ranking the Top 25 Most Explosive 2012 NFL Free Agents

The NFL free agency period is one of the most exciting times of the year.  This year there is an excellent group of guys who could hit the open market including Drew Brees, Arian Foster, Matt Forte and Ray Rice.  A team that signs any one of those guys could go from irrelevant to a contender overnight.

Here is a list of the 25 most explosive potential 2012 NFL free agents.

(All contract information found here.)

1. Drew Brees

There is no way the New Orleans Saints are going to let Drew Brees walk, but right now he is not under contract for the 2012 season.

Any team would be thrilled to add Brees.  He has thrown for at least 4,000 yards and 26 touchdowns every season since joining the Saints in 2006.

Brees is entering the twilight of his career, but there is no doubt he has a few years left of being one of the best in the league.

2. Arian Foster

Arian Foster has to be mentioned in the conversation of best running backs in the NFL today.  He still needs to do it over a long period of time to be up there with a guy like Adrian Peterson, but he is no doubt in the top five.

Foster is averaging 117 yards per game rushing in his last three.  The hamstring injury that slowed him at the beginning of the season appears to be fully healed.

Since he will be a restricted free agent, there is no way the Texans will let him test the open market, but he would command some huge money if he did.

3. Matt Forte

Matt Forte is having a monster season in his contract year.  He is averaging over 100 yards per game and 5.4 yards per carry.

There has been a lot of talk about Forte's contract already this season.  There was even a rumor, which Forte quickly squashed, that he could walk out in the middle of the season because he was not happy.  

Part of the reason Forte is so valuable is because he is an excellent receiver out of the backfield.

He will command big money in the offseason and will probably want to listen to what some other teams would be willing to pay him.

4. Ray Rice

Ray Rice will be looking to cash in next season.  The Ravens will do everything they can to keep him because their offense would have some major issues if he left.

Rice is another duel threat guy.  He piled up over 1,200 yards receiving in 2009 and 2010.

This will be Rice's first opportunity at a big payday because he was a second round pick by the Ravens in 2008.

5. Mike Wallace

Mike Wallace is another restricted free agent who would command huge money on the open market.

Wallace has really developed as a complete receiver.  He has always been a deep threat with elite speed.  His yards per catch average for his career is 19.7.

That number is down a little bit this year, 18.5, but that just means he has become a better route runner and is getting open more underneath.

This is a passing league, and a receiver with big play potential can pretty much write his own check.  Wallace is one of those guys.

6. DeSean Jackson

Speaking of big play guys, DeSean Jackson is also playing in the final year of his contract.  So far in his NFL career he has only been under 1,000 yards receiving once, and that was his rookie season when he had 912.  He averages 18.1 yards per catch in his career.

Jackson also has the potential to break a game open with his punt return ability.  He has returned four punts for touchdowns in his career.

7. Vincent Jackson

Vincent Jackson's time in San Diego has been tumultuous to say the least.  He is finally in the last year of his contract.

Jackson is one of the most explosive receivers in the league when healthy.  This year has been a healthy year, and he has 34 catches for 613 yards and six touchdowns.  

Jackson can transform a passing attack the minute he walks in the door.

8. Wes Welker

Wes Welker is 30-years-old and is having the best year of his career.  He already has 960 yards receiving and 6 touchdowns in nine games.

Tom Brady will make a big push for New England to re-sign him because they have such a good rapport.  The organization listens when Brady talks, so the safe money would be on him remaining with the Patriots.

9. Brandon Lloyd

Brandon Lloyd had the best season of his career last season with 1,448 yards and 11 touchdowns.  This season he got off to a slow start and was traded to the Rams.

That trade re-united him with Josh McDaniels who brought out the best in Lloyd.  Look for him to have a much better second half and increase his value on the free agent market.

10. Jermichael Finley

Jermichael Finley has yet to reach his potential.  He has the ability to be one of the best receiving tight ends in the league.  This season he has 378 yards and five touchdowns.

Guys with big play potential always get paid when they hit the free agent market.  Finley will be no exception.

11. Reggie Wayne

Reggie Wayne will be entering his 12th NFL season in 2012, but he still has some big plays left in the tank.

There are a lot of issues to be sorted out in Indianapolis before next season.  There is a good chance there will be a youth movement and Wayne will have a new address next season.  

12. Mario Williams

The Texans were ridiculed for taking Mario Williams over Reggie Bush in the 2006 draft.  Six years and 53.5 sacks later it sure looks like the Texans made the right call.

Williams was off to a fast start before he tore his pectoral muscle this season.  He is entering his prime as a pass rusher and will command big money this offseason.

13. Dwayne Bowe

Dwayne Bowe has the potential to be the best player on this list.  The problem with him is that he is just too inconsistent to count on.

Bowe is one of the most explosive players in the league.  Last year he had 1,162 yards and 15 touchdowns.

14. Marques Colston

Marques Colston is a perennial 1,000 yard receiver.  He has crossed that mark four times in his five full NFL seasons.

Colston will be seeking his a big payday because his first contract came after he was drafted in the seventh round.  He has easily outplayed his draft spot and will get compensated accordingly.

15. Robert Mathis

Robert Mathis could be another victim in Indianapolis if they decide to go young for the 2012 season.

He is in his ninth season in the league and has 78 career sacks.  Pass rushers are at a premium in this league.  Mathis is a guy that can still pressure the passer with consistency.

16. Mario Manningham

Mario Manningham had a breakout season last year with 944 yards and nine touchdowns.  He averaged 15.7 yards per catch.

Manningham was slowed by an injury earlier this season but has bounced back.  He is the type of receiver that can change a game on one play.

17. Peyton Hillis

Peyton Hillis was supposed to be the next big star.  Last season he had 1,177 yards and 11 touchdowns.  That effort landed him on the cover of Madden.

Unfortunately for Hillis and the Browns, the Madden curse struck again.  He has been banged up all year and has been causing problems in the locker room.

Even with all of that in consideration, he still has the ability to be an explosive player.

18. Greg Olsen

Greg Olsen has found a connection with Cam Newton.  He is on pace to easily have the best year of his career.

Olsen was thought to have big play potential when he was drafted out of Miami.  He did not show that ability in Chicago, but his breakout season could not come at a better time than in a contract year.

The Panthers will probably look to re-sign him because it is important for a young quarterback to have a tight end he can count on.

19. Fred Davis

Fred Davis is another guy with big play potential that has not yet lived up to the hype.  He will get another chance with someone because of the match-up problems he can create.

Davis has had some big games this season, especially the first two weeks.  In the right system, he could be one of the most explosive tight ends in the league.

20. Pierre Garcon

Pierre Garcon might be the only player in Indianapolis having a good season.  He has 40 catches for 591 yards and four touchdowns.

Garcon has been inconsistent in years past, but there is no doubt he is an explosive player.  One thing that has never been in question is his ability to catch the deep ball.

21. Cortland Finnegan

Explosive might be the perfect word for Cortland Finnegan.  His game is explosive during the play and after the whistle.

He has been used in a hybrid role this season under Jerry Gray.  He is playing inside when they move to the nickel package and blitzing more than he has in years past.  

There are some problems with Finnegan, but he brings that nasty attitude that every defense needs.

22. BenJarvus Green-Ellis

The Law Firm is averaging 4.2 yards per carry in his three year NFL career.  He would have much better rushing totals if he was for anyone other than the Patriots.

Green-Ellis is not a speed guy, but he can get the tough yards and break off a big run every now and then.  He would be the perfect compliment for any team that already has a bruising back.

23. Cedric Benson

Cedric Benson's skills have never been in doubt.  The only question with him is can he stay out of trouble off the field?

Benson has gone over 1,000 yards rushing in each of the last two seasons.  He will be worth the risk for a team that is a running back away from making a Super Bowl run.

24. Early Doucet

Early Doucet already has a career high in catches, yards and touchdowns this season.  He has been a disappointment thus far in his career, but his current pace will put him in line for a big payday at the end of the year.

He would be a good No. 2 on any team that already has a stud receiver.

Marshawn Lynch

Marshawn Lynch has had a troubled NFL career, but when he is healthy and out of trouble he can be really good.  Just look back at his run in the playoffs last season against the Saints if you need evidence of that.

This has been an up and down season for Lynch, but he had his best game of the year last week against Dallas.  He had 23 carries for 135 yards and a touchdown.