15 NFL Free Agents Who Could Secure Massive Paydays with Strong Playoff Showing

As we all already understand, football is a team sport. This is intensified further once the playoffs hit.

Rarely does one player put an entire team on his back and lead them to the Super Bowl Championship. Of course, we have seen this happen in the past—the most recent examples being Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers—but they are few and far between. 

That said, players have utilized postseason success for massive paydays in the past.

Anyone remember Dallas Cowboys corner Larry Allen, who intercepted Neal O'Donnell twice en route to earning game MVP honors following Super Bowl XXX? Well, he signed a massive contract with the Raiders a few months later, only to become a major bust for Al Davis and Co. 

Today, I am going to focus on 15 players who could earn massive paydays with huge postseason performances. You will see individuals like Drew Brees, who have already earned that payday, but may be in the market for much more money if they succeed in bringing a Lombardi Trophy to their city. 

Additionally, you will see players that have struggled in the past who have picked up their game in 2011 and led their teams to the playoffs. 

15. Tracy Porter, New Orleans Saints

Postseason statistics: four games, two interceptions and one touchdown. 

Tracy Porter was a primary reason that the New Orleans shocked the world and won Super Bowl XLIV.

He had game-clinching interceptions against Brett Favre in the NFC Championship Game and Peyton Manning in the Super Bowl. 

All that said, Porter has struggled to an extent in coverage this season and might be a reach as a No. 1 corner on the free-agent market. 

A huge postseason performance would go a long way in cementing his legacy as a big-game player, something that teams do look at when it comes to signing free agents. 

14. Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints

Postseason statistics: six games, 29 receptions, 372 yards and two touchdowns. 

The New Orleans Saints are going to have to worry about retaining the services of Carl Nicks and Tracy Porter this offseason while focusing on getting Drew Brees re-upped for a long-term contract. 

This could mean that Marques Colston may be a lesser priority for New Orleans moving forward.

He is averaging nearly five receptions and more than 60 yards in six postseason games.

His best postseason performance came on the biggest stage, when the former seventh-round pick had seven catches in the Super Bowl two seasons ago. 

If Colston can prove himself to be a true No. 1 wide receiver this postseason, he will garner a lot of interest from teams that are missing that solid possession receiver on the outside.

If not, it may just be concluded that he is nothing more than a product of the Saints' pass-happy offense. 

13. Anthony Spencer, Dallas Cowboys

Postseason statistics: two games, 12 tackles and two sacks. 

Anthony Spencer gets overshadowed by the play of DaMarcus Ware opposite him in Dallas.

This doesn't mean that the Purdue product isn't a good player himself.

He continually gets pressure on the quarterback and plays the pass extremely well. 

With so many roster uncertainties following the 2011 season, I can envision a scenario where the cash-strapped Cowboys let Spencer walk. 

Assuming that Dallas does wrap up the NFC East, Spencer will be given an opportunity to showcase his game in the postseason.

With opposing teams focusing a great deal on Ware, this will give Spencer an opportunity to rack up some sacks and gain a huge payday from a 3-4 team looking for an outside pass-rusher. 

12. Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers

Postseason statistics: three games, 51 rushes, 294 yards, 5.8 average and three touchdowns

Ryan Grant will turn 31 in January, so his age is a major concern at this point.

Still, he only has 900 career rushes, which isn't a huge total at this point.

That means that Grant probably still have a nice amount of traction on those tires. 

A breakout 201-yard performance in the 2007 playoffs put Grant on the map big time, but he has since fallen through the cracks to an extent.

The Packers were set to release the former Notre Dame standout before he agreed to a restructured contract. With the emergence of James Starks, there is a strong possibility that Grant won't return in 2012. 

If Grant is able to show that he can still put up the tough numbers this postseason, you can expect some team to take a flier on him and give the man a nice annual salary. 

11. Plaxico Burress, New York Jets

Postseason statistics: 11 games, 46 receptions, 688 yards and three touchdowns. 

Plaxico's last playoff appearance came in the New York Giants' upset victory over the New England Patriots four seasons ago.

His last offensive play in the playoffs was the game-winning catch from Eli Manning in the back of the end zone in that game. 

Obviously, Burress has a history of coming up big when it counts the most. 

At 34 years old, he is not going to receive a long-term contract, but if the former Michigan State star can show enough this postseason, you can expect him to receive a huge annual salary when free agency starts. 

10. Cliff Avril, Detroit Lions

No postseason experience. 

The Detroit Lions used their franchise tag on Cliff Avril last season, which made him a top-five paid defensive end in the league.

That was following a season that saw him acquire single-digit sacks.

This year, Avril has recorded 11.5 sacks through 14 games and continues to impress in nearly every aspect. 

If the Lions make the playoffs—which isn't a foregone conclusion—Avril will have to step up against the likes of Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers in order for the Lions to make some hay. 

This gives him a perfect opportunity to show that he is one of the premiere 4-3 defensive ends in the game. If Avril does succeed, look at a contract hovering around $60 million. 

9. Carlos Rogers, San Francisco 49ers

No postseason experience.

It took Carlos Rogers to be on an elite team with one of the best defenses in the league for the nation to understand that he is one of the best all-around corners in the entire NFL.

He has continued to make big play after big play for the San Francisco 49ers, while remaining extremely consistent in coverage. 

The 49ers will face some stiff competition in the playoffs with the likes of the New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions lurking.

This means that Rogers will be able to showcase his premier coverage ability and show the league that he is a true No. 1 corner. 

8. Brent Grimes, Atlanta Falcons

Postseason statistics: one game, one tackle. 

Brent Grimes has clearly taken over as the Atlanta Falcons' No. 1 corner this season if he wasn't already before.

He continues to get better in coverage and has really good playmaking ability. 

I think it is safe to assume that the Falcons will be in the playoffs when the regular season ends.

This means that Grimes will actually be able to play on the biggest stage as the Falcons' top defensive back.

It wont be easy, as he will be asked to go up against the likes of Greg Jennings, Calvin Johnson, Marques Colston, Michael Crabtree or Dez Bryant. 

Either way, Grimes will get his money this offseason. His success in the playoffs may just dictate how much it will be. 

7. Jermichael Finley, Green Bay Packers

Postseason statistics: one game, six receptions, 159 yards and zero touchdowns. 

Reports indicate that the Green Bay Packers plan on using the franchise tag on him once the offseason begins.

While this is extremely likely, I wouldn't draw a final conclusion in regard to that.

Jermichael Finley, although talented, has not been the most consistent tight end in the NFL this season.

This is pure speculation on my part, but I think the Packers may reserve judgment internally until following the postseason before making a decision to either sign Finley to a long-term contract or place the franchise tag on him.

With Green Bay nearly set to wrap up home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, Finley will get an opportunity to up his game at home, a place where he seems to play much better.

He has one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the modern history of the league and an offense that loves to utilize his talents. It is time he takes that next step and proves himself to be one of the top tight ends in the NFL.

6. Wes Welker, New England Patriots

Postseason statistics: four games, 34 receptions, 270 yards and two touchdowns. 

Why the New England Patriots haven't paid Wes Welker is beyond description.

He has been the most productive wide receiver in the league over the course of the last three seasons and deserves that money.

While there is no way that the former Texas Tech star hits the open market, this postseason could just re-instill into us that he deserves No. 1 wideout money.

Welker has only played in one postseason game since the Patriots' run to the Super Bowl in 2007.

That said, Wes Welker has come up big when it counts the most. He has 34 receptions and two touchdowns in just four playoff games, including an 11-reception performance in the Super Bowl against the New York Giants.

If he continues this performance, expect Welker to get a huge annual salary from the Patriots in the offseason.  

5. Mike Wallace Pittsburgh Steelers

Postseason statistics: three games, 13 receptions, 115 yards and one touchdown. 

Another restricted free agent, Mike Wallace will have the ability to showcase himself in the biggest stage the NFL has to offer.

Sound familiar? It should.

He had a coming out part of sorts in the Super Bowl last season, compiling nine receptions against the Green Bay Packers.

This postseason will give Wallace another chance to show that he is truly an elite receiver in the league.

He has taken over as the Steelers' unquestioned No. 1 receiver and should earn a relatively huge payday if he puts out another stellar postseason performance.  

4. Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers

No postseason experience. 

Barring a trek by Peyton Manning on the free-agent market, Alex Smith will be the most sought-after quarterback once the offseason begins—imagine that.

Teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins will surely come calling.

With San Francisco 11-3 and currently the favorites to land a first-round playoff bye in the NFL, Alex Smith is going to have an opportunity that has never presented itself for the seven-year veteran signal-caller.

He will be able to show to a national audience on the biggest of stages that he can in fact be a quarterback to count on for postseason success.

As crazy as this would have sounded just a year ago, Smith has already earned himself an annual contract in excess of $8 million if you compare his play to other quarterbacks in that range.

Therefore, a coming-out party in the playoffs would probably put that in the $10-12 million range.

That said, Alex Smith is firmly entrenched in Jim Harbaugh's system, and it would take a major development for him not to re-sign in San Francisco.  

3. Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens

Postseason statistics: five games, 65 rushes, 317 yards, 24 receptions, 177 yards and fie touchdowns. 

Make no mistake about it—Ray Rice is the engine that makes the Baltimore Ravens offense go.

The dude is as multi-dimensional as they come. He hits the hole quick, blocks extremely well and is a great receiver out of the backfield.

Rice has nearly 500 yards and has scored five touchdowns in as many postseason games.

That said, his 2010 performance in the playoffs isn't anything to write home about. Rice gained just 89 rushing yards on 29 carries for an average of just over three yards per rush.

He needs to pick it up a great deal in order for the Ravens to get out of the AFC.

Either way, Ray Rice will not be leaving the friendly confines of Baltimore anytime soon. His postseason performance may just dictate how big that next contract is going to be.  

2. Arian Foster, Houston Texans

No postseason experience. 

Arian Foster is set to be a restricted free agent this offseason, which means that the Texans can match any offer for him.

Make no mistake about it—they will.

This doesn't mean that Foster is going to get the short end of the stick when it comes to cash money heading into the offseason.

Arian Foster makes up the better part of one of the best running back tandems in the entire league.

His running abilities will be on full display this postseason with the rookie T.J. Yates starting at quarterback. On an individual level, this means that Foster is going to be able to show that he can shoulder the load and carry an offense on his back.

If he is successful in doing this, you can expect a huge payday sooner rather than later. Also, don't rule out the possibility of Indianapolis or Jacksonville placing an incredibly high offer sheet on Foster, so that his price skyrockets.  

1. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

Postseason statistics: seven games, 66.3 completion percentage, 2,052 yards, 15 touchdowns and two interceptions.

Some may ask how it is possible that Drew Brees' stock could rise any more than it is right now.

While that is a good question to ask, it is possible that he could even find himself with a larger payday than we envision right now.

If Brees is able to lead the Saints to a second Super Bowl Championship in three seasons, he will make his mark on the history of the league.

This also means that he will be rewarded with the richest annual contract in the history of the NFL.