5 NFL Players That Could Change Teams

With NFL teams free to sign whichever free agents they desire beginning on March 13th, teams will surely be looking to improve upon a roster that they already have. While perhaps making a few marquee changes, most teams will sit pat and make a few low-key changes to bolster their squads.

There will also be a number of players that are not free agents, but will surely be made available via trade or restricted free agency. Here are 5 of the most intriguing of whom could be wearing different uniforms come next September.

5. Reggie Bush, RB

Courtesy of Naples News

Bush makes this list not because of his skill and playmaking, but because of the intrigue that he carries because of his aforementioned skill. Coming out of USC, Bush was considered the once-in-a-lifetime, can't miss prospect. He was simply electric at Southern Cal, smashing records and making opposing collegiate defenses look absolutely foolish. Then when the Texans passed him up with the #1 overall pick, people were absolutely beside themselves with shock. As it would turn out, the Texans made the right choice by passing on Bush and selecting Mario Williams who was a stalwart on their defense for 6 years.

Bush went on to win a Super Bowl with the Saints, and was later traded to Miami for a 6th round pick and some shoulder pads. With the Dolphins, Bush resurrected his career. He's rushed for over 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons, something he never did in New Orleans, and he's gotten a crack at showing what he can do as an every-down type back. There are still durability questions about Bush, and there are certainly still questions about the type of player he is and whether he can carry the load, but his skill-set and dynamic playmaking potential make him very intriguing for a team searching for a ballcarrier who can catch out of the backfield and make defenders miss.

With him being tabbed as "highly unlikely" to return to Miami in 2013, Bush will almost certainly find a new home and try to elongate his up-and-down career elsewhere.

4. Matt Flynn, QB

After signing a lucrative 3 year, $19.5 million dollar contract with the Seahawks last post-season, it was widely assumed that Flynn would compete for, and win, the Seahawks starting QB position. After his signing, Seattle went out and selected Russell Wilson in the 3rd round of the 2012 draft, presumably to groom behind Flynn. Then, Wilson went out and set the world ablaze, earning the starting gig outright and relegating Flynn once again to the bench. Only this time instead of backing up a Super Bowl winner, he was now backing up a 3rd round rookie.

After Wilson's remarkable rookie campaign, he is surely the face of the Seattle franchise for the foreseeable future. This makes Flynn expendable, especially considering they are on the hook for the remaining 2 years of his deal and he's making more than their incumbent starter. Luckily for Seattle, Flynn looked like a potentially excellent starter, as he excelled in his spot-starts in Green Bay and showed the ability to be at the helm of an NFL offense.

If Seattle doesn't cut him outright, they'll certainly explore a trade to ship Flynn out of town and give him a chance to start in the league. There is always a market for starting QB's in the NFL, and Flynn could turn into a hot commodity come free agency. Teams like the Jets, Bills, Browns, Jaguars, Raiders and Chiefs are all in need of a reliable QB, and Flynn could find himself in one of these towns next season.

3. Alex Smith, QB

Similar to Flynn, Alex Smith is a high-profile backup QB who drew the short straw. After starting the 49ers first 9 games in 2012, and doing an admirable job, Smith suffered a concussion and was forced out of action in Week 11. Enter Colin Kaepernick.

Kaepernick stole Smith's gig, and led the Niners to a Super Bowl berth. Now, Kap is the QB of the future for the Niners and Smith is on the outside looking in. Smith himself has tabbed this season as incredibly bittersweet, but has shown total professionalism in his handling of the unenviable position of losing your job. The worst part for him is that he was playing well, and he was only dethroned following a head injury, rather than being replaced for poor play.

Courtesy of SF Gate

After being considered a total bust as the 1st overall pick in 2005, Smith has turned his career around and is now a very respectable starter who takes care of the ball, and can lead a team if he has a decent supporting cast around him. Smith certainly won't stay in San Fran next season, and it's just a matter of whether the Niners will choose to grant him his release to test free agency, or trade him in hopes of getting something in return. A lot should be said for how well Smith has handled everything surrounding this season, and that'll certainly add to his intrigue as teams are always looking for poised, professional leaders.

2. Ed Reed, S

Following the Super Bowl, Ed Reed may have played his final game in the purple and black that he's worn his whole career. The future Hall of Famer will surely test free agency, and it's been reported that the Ravens are willing to let him walk if he finds something elsewhere. And while Reed will be 35 years old, and isn't as effective as the 28 year old Reed, he is still an extremely cognizant, hard-hitting safety. He's also still an innate ballhawk, and will be nothing short of valuable for a team looking to add a veteran presence to their secondary.

If Reed walks, look for veteran teams who have a legitimate title shot look to add him. Someone like the Patriots, who are always in desperate need of secondary help, could pounce on Reed immediately. Especially since Bill Belichick's fondness for Reed is no secret, and Reed's presence would emulate that of the Rodney Harrison addition of the early 2000's.

The Ravens will take a huge risk by letting Reed walk after watching Ray Lewis retire, as they'd be losing both heart and souls of their defense in a single offseason. But it's a risk they're apparently willing to take.

1. Victor Cruz, WR

In what would be the biggest shock of the NFL offseason, Victor Cruz could potentially find himself not playing for Big Blue in 2013. While it is highly, and I stress highly, unlikely that Cruz will leave New York, he is still a restricted free agent which could allow other teams to sneak in and steal him from the Giants. What makes pursuing Cruz dangerous is that whichever team signs him will be forced to give up a first round pick in the event they land his services, and we saw that no one was willing to do that for Mike Wallace just a season ago.

Courtesy of The Daily News

Another snag in that plan is that if Cruz does agree to sign an offersheet put forth by another team, the Giants will then have 7 days to match that, which they almost certainly would do. But why wouldn't they? Cruz is a focal point of the Giants offense after being an undrafted free agent out of Massachusetts, and they are the reason that Cruz has found immense success in this league.

In 2011, he began the season buried on the depth chart and found his way on the field due to injuries in front of him. Not only did Cruz take this opportunity by the horns, but he annihilated the Giants record book, hauling in 80 catches for a franchise-record 1,536 yards and 9 touchdowns. He then went on to win the Super Bowl with the Giants and become a household name among NFL fans. Cruz followed up his breakout season this year with 1,092 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns, showing he was no fluke.

He has no fear of going across the middle, and his crisp route running and elite speed has given defenses fits the past two seasons. Cruz is certainly a top-tier receiver in this league, and someone is going to give him a huge pay day in a few months time. While I stress that I still think the Giants will pay him graciously, we've seen weirder things happen and there's always the off-chance that Cruz could wind up elsewhere in 2013.