The sports betting world is getting ready for free agency in the NFL in the hopes that some big moves are made with some significant players. There are a few names that pop up in the NFL free agency market for 2012 that create the NFL’s own version of betting March Madness. Some teams would like to retain their free agents and other teams are looking to improve their odds of making it to Super Bowl XLVII by making the right pick-ups. Let’s take a look at the top free agents for 2012 and where they could wind up before the 2012 training camps open.
Peyton Manning – QB
Peyton Manning just signed a brand new deal and is years away from being a free agent. But with questions still swirling around about Manning’s ability to play with his neck injury and the inevitability of the Indianapolis Colts choosing quarterback Andrew Luck with the first overall pick in the draft, Manning’s future with the Colts is done. The Colts will not have two extremely high-priced quarterbacks on its roster. Some people are speculating that, if Manning can play, then he will go to New York where the Jets are ready to give up on Mark Sanchez. The Colts are trying to avoid paying Manning a $28 million roster bonus that is due and that seems to be the thing that will trigger the deal. If Manning demands his bonus, then he will either be traded or cut.
Matt Forte – RB
The price per head bookie experts expect certain free agents to stay with their teams. Quarterback Drew Brees is not leaving New Orleans and running back Ray Rice is not leaving Baltimore. But Matt Forte may be out of Chicago if the Bears do not hit him with the franchise tag. The stock in running backs has dropped a lot in the last few years. But teams like the Houston Texans and Miami Dolphins may be very interested in talking to the current Bears running back.
Jermichael Finley – TE
The Green Bay Packers have developed a revolving door policy on tight ends. A bodog review of the last few tight ends to play in Green Bay shows that when it came time to really pay up, the Packers let them leave. That may be the case again with Finley. Teams such as the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens and maybe even the Tampa Bay Buccaneers all need tight ends and may be interested in Finley.
DeSean Jackson – WR
There is so much speculation about DeSean Jackson’s future that even the soccer blog writers are trying to keep up. Jackson made it very clear that he was unhappy with how the Eagles treated him in last year’s off-season and he had asked to be traded. But the Eagles know that they need Jackson, so do not be surprised if Philadelphia throws the franchise tag on Jackson and then negotiates a multi-year deal with the star receiver.
