2012 NFL Free Agency: 10 Teams That Are in Desperate Need of Positional Upgrades

With just three weeks to go in the NFL regular season, 11 teams have already been eliminated from playoff contention.

Thoughts are turning to the future across the league—two head coaches have been fired this week, with more expected to go at the end of the season.

At this time of year, coaches and general managers know where the holes are on their rosters. Scouts are ramping up their player evaluations—not just of the rookie class of 2012, but the free agent pool that will dominate the headlines in March.

Most franchises with multiple needs will attempt to address them through April's draft, and rightly so. Look to Philadelphia's "Dream Team" for evidence that championship-caliber teams are not simply bought overnight.

What's more, the college quarterback class headed by Stanford's Andrew Luck is being billed as the most talented in recent memory—at least on a par with the 2004 edition featuring Eli Manning, Philip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger.

But with so many star names hitting free agency in 2012, teams looking for the final piece of their Super Bowl puzzle will be tempted to make a splash.

The available pool of veterans is loaded at running back, wide receiver and cornerback. Here are 10 teams who desperately need to re-tool in the offseason, in positions of free agency depth.

Buffalo Bills

Buffalo has plenty of cap room and a multitude of needs, making them one of the most likely candidates for a free agency overhaul.

Ryan Fitzpatrick has shown in flashes that he can play at a high level in the NFL. Now that the Bills have financially committed to him for the next couple of seasons at least, they must support their investment with a revamp of their receiving corps.

Stevie Johnson is a playmaker, but his re-signing comes with just a small caveat: his attitude. If the Bills front office is comfortable with his professionalism, then his extension should be a formality.

A second receiver is essential, but whether veterans like Reggie Wayne or Dwayne Bowe can be convinced to move to upstate New York is debatable.

A pass-catching tight end would give Fitzpatrick a security blanket and some consistency when moving the chains. If Jermichael Finley is an unrealistic target, Visanthe Shiancoe is a credible alternative.

Drafting Marcell Dareus at the top of the first round in 2011 has helped to shore up one of the worst rushing defenses in the league, but he needs more help. Tackling, run-stuffing linebackers should top the shopping list, and Jonathan Goff or Barrett Ruud could fit the bill.

Shawne Merriman may never get back to his San Diego level of play, and the 32nd-ranked pass-rush needs a shot in the arm. 3-4 outside linebackers are thin on the ground in this free agency class, but Matt Roth could be a sensible target, providing the Bills address this as an area of need at the top of the draft.

St. Louis Rams

Sam Bradford has endured a difficult second season in the pro ranks, but his play has by no means been the only problem for Steve Spagnuolo in St. Louis.

Inconsistent receivers, an injured stud running back, a decimated secondary and an offensive line that has allowed 36 sacks of their franchise signal-caller have all played their part in a miserable two-win season that promised far more back in August.

Their top need—a true No. 1 receiver—is likely to be filled at the top of the draft. Even if they trade down for multiple selections, they should still target Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon in the first half of the first round.

Blackmon's size and safe hands would provide Bradford with a possession receiver he can rely on to consistently move the chains, which the Rams have sorely lacked this year.

Any moves in free agency will be made on a tight budget. Going into the 2011 season, the Rams were stuck to the salary cap ceiling. Relief is on its way, as the 2012 cap should grow, but purchases will be limited to role players rather than elite talent

Bradley Fletcher and Ronald Bartell will return at cornerback next season, but the unit could still use a boost, and the departure of O.J. Atogwe left an experience gap at safety.

The Tennessee Titans could struggle to re-sign all their free agents this offseason, leaving players such as Chris Hope, Michael Griffin or Cortland Finnegan as realistic targets for St. Louis.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts are another team giving their cap manager a headache.

If Peyton Manning is healthy to return for another season and the Polians want to keep him around—still the most likely scenario—then his $28 million roster bonus will become payable early March, taking his total cap hit for 2012 to $18.4m.

They would still hold the (soon to be confirmed) top pick in the 2012 draft, which they can either use on a top prospect such as Andrew Luck—adding further strain on the total 2012 cap—or they can trade down for multiple, cheaper picks, giving Manning one final run at a championship ring.

Even carrying out the unthinkable—releasing their future Hall of Fame quarterback—would accelerate $16 million of unamortized bonus payments into next year's cap, so whatever the outcome, the Colts are on the hook for a significant investment at the key position in football.

In most of the above scenarios, the Colts will struggle to add more than a role player or two through free agency, and their long-term strategy has always focused on building through the draft.

But losing Manning this year has brought their deficiencies into sharp focus, and the draft alone won't cure their ills. Robert Mathis and Reggie Wayne are free agents themselves, and cheaper, younger replacements are a possibility.

Repairing the secondary with a more robust cast list is a must. Rashean Mathis would add depth if Jacksonville's new coach decides to clear house, and safety Chris Hope could be persuaded to join a divisional rival for a shot at a championship.

A more reliable running game would take pressure off a surgically-repaired Manning or a young signal caller. The Raiders' Michael Bush would compliment Donald Brown nicely, giving the Colts a downhill runner that, at the very least, would reopen the play-action passing game.

Miami Dolphins

With Tony Sparano gone, the rebuilding project in Miami is already underway.

Matt Moore has restored some credibility to one of the most under-performing teams in the league, who were expected to push their AFC East rivals for a playoff spot before the season started.

That said, the Dolphins will almost certainly target a top-graded quarterback, such as Baylor's Robert Griffin III or USC's Matt Barkley, with their 2012 first-round pick.

Marc Colombo has been victimized on the right side of the offensive line this season, and protecting the franchise will take on added importance from next season. The options in free agency are slim, but the Giants' Kareem McKenzie is available for the right price.

They'll need to give their young quarterback some weapons to play with, too—Brandon Marshall has been anywhere between great and downright awful at times this year.

A tall, vertical threat like Vincent Jackson would transform the Miami offense, or, depending on their appetite for risk, DeSean Jackson could be acquired for a reasonable price. 

The concern of adding one too many malcontents to the roster is legitimate, so for a safer option, Robert Meachem would add a downfield threat, stretching opposing defenses.

Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks' mini revival this season has been in part due to the form of their running back Marshawn Lynch and the emergence of their undrafted rookie wideout Doug Baldwin.

Their play at quarterback has all but killed their chances of back-to-back postseason appearances. Tavaris Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst can do a job as short-term relief in a backup role, but Seattle desperately needs a franchise signal-caller and a consistent offensive line to protect him.

If we assume that the Seahawks take a top quarterback in the draft, they could use free agency to fill a number of other holes.

Given that Lynch is running himself into a lucrative contact extension, the running back position is less of a priority. Wide receiver is, though, but the front office might wait on a healthy Sidney Rice for their solution.

The pass rush could use a boost and a couple of lighter bodies. With Robert Mathis hitting the open market next year, he would add a skill-set that the current front four lacks. As an alternative, Cliff Avril in Detroit is an underrated rusher whose star is rising at the right time.

Better coverage in the secondary would improve the effectiveness of the pass rush, and adding another cornerback is a sensible option. Atlanta's Brent Grimes is in terrific form and figures to be a top offseason target for a number of teams.

New England Patriots

Bill Belichick has tinkered with his roster more than most in the NFL this year, but any fan watching the Patriots secondary play this season knows that the ingredients are still lacking.

It's odd to think of a 10-3 team needing major upgrades in multiple positions, but the strength of the quarterback and head coach partnership can cover a multitude of sins elsewhere.

Few are talking about it at present, but the wide receiver position looms on the horizon as a potential problem. With Wes Welker in the form of his life, a contract extension is a guarantee, but beyond that, there is little talent behind him.

Deion Branch is coming to the end of a stellar career in New England, and even if he returns next season, you can bet that Chad Ochocino's days as a Patriot are numbered.

Finding a vertical threat outside of Rob Gronkowski is an underrated need, and with Belichick struggling to develop receivers in-house—dating all the way back to Bethel Johnson back in 2003, through to Chad Jackson, Brandon Tate and Taylor Price—he could look to the free agency market.

A big-bodied receiver would be a star in New England's offensive system, but given Dwayne Bowe's lack of handling skills, Tom Brady would lose patience with the Chiefs wideout quickly. He has to be ruled out.

Reggie Wayne in a Patriots uniform, on the other hand, would make for a great story, and he could oversee the development of a rookie talent for a season or two.

If Belichick intends to return to a 3-4 base defense in 2012, there will be a heavy turnover in personnel at the defensive end and outside linebacker positions. I can't see Belichick breaking the bank to add an elite talent on the outsides, but Mario Williams is the marquee name on the market. He is clearly the Texans' top priority, but they are close to the current cap limit and may require other players to restructure deals, to squeeze his extension under the 2012 ceiling.

Arian Foster is a restricted free agent too, and you feel that something has to give.

The free-agent safety class is thin, so the Patriots should use the draft route to solidify the worst pass defense in the league.

The return of Asante Samuel via a trade with the Eagles is far from unrealistic, but other names at cornerback could appeal, such as Baltimore's Lardarius Webb or Aaron Ross or Terrell Thomas from the New York Giants.

Oakland Raiders

Thanks to Hue Jackson's blockbuster trade to put Carson Palmer in a Raiders uniform, the future has been mortgaged for a chance of success here and now.

With next to no draft picks in 2012 and a likely second-round pick gone in 2013, the Raiders are unfortunate to have a number of needs in deep areas of the free agency class.

The loss of cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha to the Eagles was never going to be easy, and help in the shape of Brent Grimes or Aaron Ross would make plenty of sense.

The Raiders have never been shy when it comes to recruiting athletic talent, even if character issues scare off other suitors. On that basis, DeSean Jackson seems to be a perfect fit in Oakland, and such is the investment in the quarterback position, the Raiders need to continue the build-out of their offense.

Previously stocked at linebacker, the future now looks uncertain following Rolando McClain's brush with the law. Depending on the severity of any suspension from the league, another body could be added to the middle of the defense that is 29th in stopping the run.

London Fletcher could be persuaded to don the black and silver for one final season for the right price, or Stephen Tulloch would add the attitude associated with Raider defenses of yore.

On the defensive line, the Titans' Jason Jones is a flexible tackle or end who would give the Raiders a stout, run-stuffing presence at the expense of a pass rush.

Finding the right balance has been a problem at points this season, and Jones would allow Chuck Bresnahan to scheme for specific offenses a little more.

Arizona Cardinals

Regardless of the wins accumulating with John Skelton under center, Arizona has invested in Kevin Kolb at the quarterback position, and he will get plenty of opportunities to prove his worth.

The Cardinals are not in the worst shape offensively and are fresh off wins over the 49ers and Cowboys in the past two weeks. However, there are areas of need that could be addressed via the draft and free agency.

Finding a reliable second receiver to take the focus away from Larry Fitzgerald would open up the scoring potential of this team. Early Doucet might not be a long-term solution, but Pierre Garcon would be an underrated upgrade.

At the fantasy end of the spectrum, Vincent Jackson would form a devastating tandem with Fitzgerald—with both receivers enjoying single coverage, you could expect plenty of long bombs and a few jump balls in the red zone for guaranteed production.

Offensive tackle is a major priority for Arizona, but with the free-agency class so thin at the position, the top draft pick should go on an elite bodyguard for Kevin Kolb.

Cleveland Browns

Like Sam Bradford in St. Louis, the struggles of the Cleveland offense cannot be pinned on Colt McCoy alone.

Losing Peyton Hillis to a range of health and contract-related issues has been a blow to an offense not yet ready to air it out on a regular basis. His attitude appears to have ensured his passage to free agency, so the Browns need to find a replacement this offseason.

Michael Bush is a sensible target, particularly in a hard-nosed AFC North that places a premium on running hard yards between the tackles.

If you're looking for a less realistic option, the Texans have Arian Foster as a restricted free agent, limited cap room and a blockbuster contract for Mario Williams on their hands. Foster would revamp the running game in Cleveland, but whether he would be willing to leave a winning franchise and a happy setup in Houston is debatable.

Giving McCoy a top rookie wideout from the draft should be prioritized, but if the chance to add a veteran such as Brandon Lloyd or Stevie Johnson presents itself, then Mike Holmgren and Tom Heckert should consider it.

Finally, Joe Haden is a star at cornerback, and placing another talent opposite him would present opposing quarterbacks with serious headaches. Brandon Carr's contract is expiring in Kansas City, and whilst he would never be considered a shutdown corner, he could add plenty of playmaking ability to the secondary.

San Diego Chargers

Norv Turner's days as head coach in San Diego look numbered, and with Philip Rivers suffering from his worst statistical season in five years, the Chargers have been a shell of their former selves. For a team that has been so talented for so long, the status quo cannot continue. Expect A.J. Smith to make wholesale changes to a roster that has underperformed, minus a few notable exceptions.

The Chargers' anemic pass-rush must be the first area of attention in April's draft, and a tackle machine at the 3-4 inside linebacker position—in the mould of New England's Jerod Mayo—alongside Takeo Spikes is increasingly becoming a need.

At cornerback, Antoine Cason, the 2008 first-round pick, has struggled opposite Quentin Jammer in coverage this season. Adding a veteran such as Brent Grimes or Cortland Finnegan would bolster a secondary whose statistics are inflated by the quality—or lack thereof—of quarterbacks faced on the schedule.

The receiving corps will look completely different 12 months from now. Vincent Jackson is the team's only threat at wideout, and he may disappear in search of a richer contract elsewhere.

Malcom Floyd and Patrick Crayton have done very little to help Rivers through his slump, and a marquee investment could be an option in free agency.

Reggie Wayne, Stevie Johnson or DeSean Jackson can all gain separation on intermediate and deep routes, offering a range of options that would suit the Chargers' playbook.

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