NFL 2013 Free Agency Preview: Offence

NFL's free agency period is just ahead on March 12^th. So with that in mind, I'm taking a look at potential landing spots for - in my opinion - the top players at each position and why I think they are going to that team.

Quarterbacks:

Joe Flacco- Ravens, Matt Moore- Browns, Jason Campbell- Buccaneers

Joe Flacco is clearly the main man here for this year's free agents at quarterbacks. I don't think he moves an inch in free agency, riding his Super Bowl win to make the Ravens pay up. It's just a question now of how much. Matt Moore was a tough call. Many teams could use him as a potential starter, or a quarterback who can put a fire under the behind of the current starter. In Cleveland, he would push Brandon Weeden to either live up to his draft position or make him a 29 year old 2^nd year back up. Tampa Bay is looking to shore up it's quarterback depth. Their current backup isn't going to push anyone to get better and Coach Schiano wants to bring a quarterback in to push Josh Freeman. Campbell is a similar quarterback to Freeman with more experience to create a definite competition.

Running Backs:

Reggie Bush- Lions, Rashard Mendenhall- Falcons, Cedric Benson- Packers

Bush is clear and away the best back hitting free agency and with Jahvid Best's career pretty much over, why not bring in a better version of Best to get the Lion's running game going again? The offense was incredibly one dimensional without anyone for Matthew Stafford to hand the ball off to consistently. Mendenhall was a tough choice. He could be a great number two and fringe number one ball carrier for most teams. I think the Falcons would be a great choice for him to get back on track behind Michael Turner, who has been slowing down the last couple years. So another bull in the backfield who can churn out tough yards would wear defenses down for Matt Ryan, Julio and White to take shots down field. Cedric Benson would be smart to resign with the Packers. He had several good weeks for them at the end of the season. Short of them drafting someone like Eddie Lacy from Alabama, Cedric would be the number one back for the Packers.

Fullbacks:

Jerome Felton- Vikings, Greg Jones- Jaguars

Don't expect any either of the top two fullbacks to stray from their teams this season. These gentlemen get to block for two of the best backs in football in Maurice Jones Drew and Adrien Peterson. Enough said.

Wide Receivers:

Dwayne Bowe- Chiefs, Mike Wallace- Dolphins, Greg Jennings- Bills, Wes Welker- Texans

I'll just come out and say I believe Bowe will be franchised between now and free agency. If the Chiefs let Bowe go, they will absolutely screw their offense out of any production from the wide receiver position. Mike Wallace wants to be the big man, the number one guy. Miami needs a number 1 guy desperately. Expect this to be done as soon as an hour into in free agency opening. I'm that sure. Jennings to Buffalo makes sense. They need another guy to take pressure off Steve Johnson, CJ Spiller, and mostly Ryan Fitzpatrick (or whatever quarterback is starting for Buffalo in 2013). Greg is a team guy. Expect big results out of the Buffalo offense if this happens. [Editor's note: I really hope this happens. Enjoy the rest, Brett] I was looking down the list of teams who would require Wes Welker's services and by far Houston was the best answer. Welker - with Andre Johnson on the other side of the field, Owen Daniels in the middle of the field, and that running game - would absolutely have massive years down in Houston. Matt Schaub will be put into that elite category with this signing.

Tight Ends: Fred Davis- Redskins, Dustin Keller- Arizona, Jared Cook- Titans

The Redskins are quite hard pressed against the salary cap. But coming off a torn Achilles and the chance to be the tight end for wunderkid quarterback Robert Griffin, the 'Skins can retain Davis on a cheap, one year deal. They'll see if he can get his production back up to 2011's year. Dustin Keller would be a fantastic option in the desert in Arizona with no other options but Fitzgerald. Keller would become an instant threat for teams to look out for and possibly open it up for Fitzgerald to have a great season. If only they could find a quarterback to throw to either man. Jared Cook is a beast of a tight end who's just about to bust out and have a massive season, an Aaron Hernandez type season. Look for him to be franchised.

Offensive Tackles:

Andre Smith- Bengals, Branden Albert- Chiefs, Jake Long- Bears, Sebastian Vollmer- Miami

I fully expect the first 2 guys on the list to be resigned by their teams, either franchised by their teams or signed to 4-5 year deals. Either way they will not make it to the market and that would be a smart move. Jake Long on the other hand is not coming back to Miami. He's made that very clear by turning down multiple offers from the Dolphins. I definitely see the Bears make a big play for Jake Long, shoring up that offensive line to prevent Jay Cutler from being murdered on the field. To replace Jake in Miami, I see Vollmer staying in the AFC East to replace Jake as the man protecting the back side of Ryan Tannehill.

 

Offensive Guards:

Andy Levitre- Buffalo, Louis Vasquez- Lions, Eben Britton- Chargers

An extremely weak crop of guards this year in free agency, which is why Buffalo will have to pay a premium to keep Levitre in Buffalo, but he is worth it as a very versatile interior lineman. The Lions need help on the inside of the line. After swinging and missing on Levitre, Vasquez will be a good back up option. He was a solid right guard for the Chargers and will be an anchor in middle of line for Lions. I have Britton signing with the Chargers to replace Vasquez. Britton is coming off a very pathetic season, but he does have the talent and should turn it around in San Deigo with Philip Rivers behind him.

Centers:

Brad Meester- Jaguars

Honestly the crop of free agent center this year is absolutely garbage, Todd McClure and Dan Koppen have already resigned with their teams leaving Meester as the “best” left heading to free agency. Expect him to either retire, or resign with the only team he's ever known. Either way none of the centers in free agency will make a difference to any team.