Let's play matchmaker: Finding the ideal free agent for each NFL team
Who is the best free-agent fit for your team?
Is it bringing back one of your own? Or could it be signing a high-priced, top-ticket player? It could even be a player who fits a need at a cheap price, especially for cap-restricted teams.
The best players in this market will get paid, and they will have a lot of suitors. How many teams would love to add the speed of Steelers receiver Mike Wallace or the pass-rush ability of a quality defensive end?
That's why in playing our 2013 version of "Match the Free Agent," some players fit with more than one team.
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In your ideal world, who fits best for your team? I took a shot at some of the players I think work best for all 32 teams -- including some teams bringing back their own.
Arizona Cardinals
Best match: Jake Long, T, Dolphins
Yes, he would cost a lot of money. But he can still play at a high level and it would put an end to all the problems at left tackle and lets them move Levi Brown inside.
Atlanta Falcons
Best match: Sam Baker, T, Falcons
With the way they throw the ball, getting Baker back to protect Matt Ryan's blind side makes sense. Baker had his best season in 2012 when he was finally healthy.
Baltimore Ravens
Best match: Dannell Ellerbe, LB, Ravens
Keeping your own makes sense here since Ray Lewis is retiring and Ellerbe is on the verge of stardom.
Buffalo Bills
Best match: Mike Wallace, WR, Steelers
They lack a deep threat at receiver and he would team with Stevie Johnson to give the Bills a nice 1-2 punch. Of course, they need a quarterback with an arm big enough to reach him.
Carolina Panthers
Best match: Desmond Bryant, DT, Oakland
The middle of their defense is horrible. They could use a rising player inside and, despite his arrest, Bryant is that type of player.
Chicago Bears
Best match: Long
Have you watched the number of hits Jay Cutler takes? If they could get Long, it would upgrade a position of need for a team that will throw it more under Marc Trestman.
Cincinnati Bengals
Best match: Glover Quin, S, Texans
They need a player next to Reggie Nelson and Quin is a former corner who can cover and play in the box.
Cleveland Browns
Best match: Paul Kruger, OLB, Ravens
They are going to a 3-4 scheme and they need a pass rusher on the outside. This would also weaken a division opponent.
Dallas Cowboys
Best match: Andy Levitre, G, Bills
Did you see the interior of that offensive line in 2012? They have to do a better job of protecting Tony Romo. Too bad Levitre will cost too much.
Denver Broncos
Best match: Ellerbe
They need a nasty, fast player in the middle of their defense. Ellerbe is that guy. A corner could also be in play.
Detroit Lions
Best match: Michael Bennett, DE, Buccaneers
They might lose Cliff Avril and Kyle Vanden Bosch is gone. They need a defensive end in the worst way. Bennett is coming off his best season.
Green Bay Packers
Best match: Dashon Goldson, S, 49ers
With Charles Woodson moving on, they need to get a safety who can lead the back-end players. Goldson could be that guy.
Houston Texans
Best match: Greg Jennings, WR, Packers
They have Andre Johnson for the deep game, now they need a smart route runner on the inside. Jennings can be that guy.
Indianapolis Colts
Best match: Andre Smith, T, Bengals
They have to improve the right side of their line. Smith would be an immediate upgrade and would help keep Andrew Luck clean.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Best match: Sebastian Vollmer, T, Patriots
Their right tackle spot has been horrible for years. Vollmer could step in and fix it. If Eugene Monroe were to leave via free agency next year, he could move to the left side.
Kansas City Chiefs
Best match: Sean Smith, CB, Dolphins
They need a corner to pair with Brandon Flowers and Smith makes a ton of sense. He is big and can play man. Their coverage was down in 2012.
Miami Dolphins
Best match: Wallace
They have to get some weapons for Ryan Tannehill. Wallace's speed is really needed for an offense that lacked it last season.
Minnesota Vikings
Best match: Jennings
They have an emerging deep threat in Jarius Wright and they have Percy Harvin for the underneath stuff. They need a smart, veteran receiver and this move would hurt a division foe.
New England Patriots
Best match: Wallace
Does any team need speed more than the Patriots? They have to do a better job of stretching the field.
New Orleans Saints
Best match: Kruger
They have to get help for their 3-4 outside rush game. Kruger could do that.
New York Giants
Best match: Phil Loadholt, T, Vikings
They locked up Will Beatty and signing Loadholt would give them a nice 1-2 combination to improve the protection in front of Eli Manning -- and amp up the run game.
New York Jets
Best match: Connor Barwin, OLB, Texans
The pass rush is pathetic. Barwin is coming off a down season, but he was productive two years ago.
Oakland Raiders
Best match: Andre Smith
They had major issues at right tackle last season and Smith would give them a nice 1-2 combo with Jared Veldheer.
Philadelphia Eagles
Best match: Quin
The safety play has been bad the past couple of seasons. Quin would help mitigate that. He can cover and play up near the line.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Best match: Keenan Lewis, CB, Steelers
This is a case where bringing one of your own back makes too much sense. Lewis is 26 and coming off his best season at a position of need. They are nuts if they think William Gay is the answer.
St. Louis Rams
Best match: Loadholt
Jeff Fisher loves to pound the football. Getting a right tackle like Loadholt would help that become a reality.
San Diego Chargers
Best match: Long
Fix that left tackle spot, will you? Philip Rivers took a beating last year and until the left tackle spot is solidified it will continue that way.
San Francisco 49ers
Best match: Goldson
Keeping your own here is the smart move. He fits what they want to do. And he knows the system.
Seattle Seahawks
Best match: John Abraham, DE, Falcons
Chris Clemons is coming off a torn ACL and Bruce Irvin might not be ready to start yet. Abraham could come in and give their defense some pop off the edge.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Best match: Bennett
I know they like their young defensive ends, but Adrian Clayborn is coming off a torn ACL. Why not just keep Bennett -- if the price is right?
Tennessee Titans
Best match: Avril
This is a team looking for help for their pass rush. Avril could help in a big way.
Washington Redskins
Best match: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Eagles
Jim Haslett would love to add an aggressive man-cover corner like Rodgers-Cromartie.
