The 2012 offseason is shaping up to be a busy one for a lot of teams. With lots of talent from every team fixing to hit the free agent market, every team is scrambling to re-sign the big play makers and role players while letting others go to free up cap space.
Who are the top available free agents?
1. Drew Brees: After throwing for 5,476 yards and 46 TDs last season, the Saints are putting all their time into inking Brees to a long term multi-year deal.
2. Arian Foster: After missing the first three games of the season, Foster came back strong rushing for 1,224 yards and 10 scores. The Texans will be trying to sign Foster to a long-term deal.
3. Matt Forte: Forte was leading the league in yards from the line of scrimage until he went down for the last four games. Matt Forte has made it very clear that he wants to sign a long-term deal with the Bears, who are reluctant to pay him big money.
4.Mario Williams: After recording five sacks in the first five games before being placed on IR, Williams value might have taken a slight hit, but he will still receive a big contact. However, with Williams and Foster scheduled to hit Free Agency, do the Texans have enough to sign both of them?
5. Ray Rice: Rice ran for 1,364 and led the league in yards from scrimmage, which will earn him a very nice contract from who ever is lucky enough to sign him.
6. Dwayne Bowe: Bowe had a big year with 81 catches for 1,159 yards and 5 scores in 2011. He will add another dimension to whatever team he decides to sign with.
7. Cortland Finnegan: Finnegan is in upper echelon of cover corners in the league. He should be one of the Titans top priorities to re-sign this offseason, so they can keep their secondary together and address other needs in the draft.
8. Jermichael Finley: Finley is one of the best young tight ends in the NFL. He had 55 catches for 767 yards and 5 scores. With the importance of having a good tight end at it’s peak, Finely will get lots offers and will have his pick of teams to sign with.
9. Curtis Lofton: Lofton is quietly one of the best inside linebackers in the NFL. He lead the Falcons in tackles in 2011 with 2 interceptions to go with that. The Falcons main priority should be to resign their talented leader on defense.
10. Cliff Avril: Avril had a career high 11 sacks in 2011. He has made it clear he wants to stay with the Lions for the 2012 season.Avril would prefer a long term deal, not the franchise tag, and could hold out if he gets slapped with the tag.
11. Matt Flynn: All eyes will be Matt Flyn this offseason. He might be the franchise quarterback that the Dolphins or Redskins have been looking for — only time will tell.
12. DeSean Jackson: After a tumultuous 2011 season where he didn’t live up to expectations and had his attitude question, some teams might be turned off of Jackson, but he still has expolsive and dangerous speed, making some teams that need a deep threat to take a chance if the Eagles end up re-signing him or tagging him.
13. Carlos Rogers: Rogers had a big season for the 49ers and was a big reason that they had the defensive success that they had. After such a good 2011 season, the 49ers should ink him to a long term deal solidifying the corner position for years.
14. Carl Nicks: His teammate Jahri Evans got the long-term, big money deal in the last offseason, but with so many other big players on the Saints as free agents this off-season will the Saints have the cap room to re-sign Nicks? If not where ever he goes will have an immediate upgrade and stronger interior line.
15. John Abraham: Abraham has been the anchor for the Falcons pass rush for the past 12 years, he is active career sack leader with 112, but he is getting old and how productive can he be for much longer? He should be a priority for the Falcons, but not the number 1 priority.
To stay up to date on the latest from NFL Spin Zone, become a fan on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.