NFL Free Agents 2012: Drew Brees and Top QBs on the Market

After New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees broke the NFL record for passing yards in a season on Monday night against the Atlanta Falcons, it's worth noting that he'll be a free agent in 2012.

It's also worth noting that he's set for huge payday in 2012.

Here are the top quarterbacks of the 2012 free agent class.

3. Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers

Alex Smith had a lot of excuses headed into this season.

He had worked with a different offensive coordinator each season in the league. The San Francisco 49ers had been bad as a whole for almost a decade. His head coaches were not fit to lead an NFL franchise.

But the reality is, a lot of that blame should have been placed on himself as well. He simply hadn't performed the way a No. 1 overall pick or even first-rounder is expected to perform.

But that all changed this season under new head coach Jim Harbaugh. Smith looks comfortable in the pocket for the first time in his career, the offense has an identity and a game plan that sets Smith up to succeed and Smith simply looks like a leader out there.

I doubt the 49ers will let him go after clinging onto him all these years, but there should be some interest around the league come 2012.

2. Jason Campbell, Oakland Raiders

Jason Campbell, like Alex Smith, has made his living as a game manager.

The Raiders shoved him aside this season in favor of more game-changing ability in Carson Palmer, but the fact of the matter is that Campbell was part of the Raiders' resurgence last season.

Campbell isn't going to wow you, but for a defensive-minded team or a team that likes to run the ball a lot, Campbell is a good fit. He's tossed 74 touchdowns to 50 interceptions during his career and had 13 touchdowns to eight interceptions last season. He also can run the ball when he's in trouble.

Campbell isn't too old at 29 years of age, and he's likely headed out of Oakland now that the Raiders have Palmer.

1. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

This may be Drew Brees' greatest regular season as a pro.

He's passed for an NFL-record 5,087 yards, while completing 70 percent of his passes for 41 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

He buried the Falcons on Monday night, 45-16, tossing for 307 yards and four touchdowns along the way.

After handing the Saints their first Super Bowl in franchise history two seasons ago, Brees has them set up for another push deep into the playoffs.

It's hard to imagine the Saints not using their franchise tag on Brees.