Remaining NFL Free Agents Likely to Receive 'Prove It' Contracts

While writing this slideshow, I'm living in fear that one of these guys will sign and my oh so eloquent NFL deepest thoughts will be dead on arrival.

Well, here goes.

"Prove it" deals—you know them, you love them. Whether they're for players who suffered a major injury and are coming back, have declined rapidly, come with off-the-field issues or possess a combination of these traits, these certain players fall into this peculiar basket.

These types of deals also have very little risk, with upside. Team friendly!

Think about it—you get a guy who is hungry and flat-out irritated by his previous team or just his situation of being released or not re-signed.

These guys want to prove not only that team wrong but the world wrong.

So hey, if you ask me, I'd dish out a contract like this or two.

Here are 10 guys who fit this mold.

(Please don't reach contract agreements in the middle of the night, guys).

Courtney Upshaw, LB, Baltimore Ravens

David Richard/Associated Press

When the Baltimore Ravens drafted Courtney Upshaw in the second round in 2012, they didn't expect him to end up like this—not being the pass-rusher we all thought he could be.

At this point, Upshaw has been nothing more than a run-stopper throughout his career and has just five career sacks.

Whichever team pursues Upshaw knows what to expect—he's simply just a run defender.

Maybe a one-year deal will help push him to refine his game in 2016.

Percy Harvin, WR, Buffalo Bills

Bill Wippert/Associated Press

So does anyone really know what the deal is with Percy Harvin?

After starting off 2015 playing better than fellow Buffalo Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins, Harvin suffered knee and hip injuries and then just went into a presumed early retirement.

It's unfortunate that NFL teams can't do the same thing as NBA teams—give 10-day contracts.

That would be perfect for Harvin.

His talent is unquestioned, but Harvin should only receive a one-year, incentive-laden deal, if anything.

Andre Smith, OT, Cincinnati Bengals

Ron Schwane/Associated Press

Man, did things go downhill quickly for Andre Smith.

A former first-round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals, Smith earned by far his worst grade of his career on Pro Football Focus, finishing as the 64th overall tackle.

That's not good, in case you were wondering.

At this point, no team will rely on Smith as its starter at right tackle, but someone might take him on as a depth piece.

Maybe a change of scenery can revitalize Smith's career?

One thing is for sure, he is not getting any younger at 29 years old. If he keeps declining, we could soon see the end.

Greg Hardy, DE, Dallas Cowboys

Brian Blanco/Associated Press

If Greg Hardy was an upstanding citizen, he would have made a lot of money already.

But, he's not.

Probably the most volatile player in the NFL, Hardy played well for the Dallas Cowboys in 2015, recording six sacks.

It's doubtful you need to be convinced even further about this one.

Will Hardy even get signed?

Chris Long, DL, Los Angeles Rams

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Long has perhaps one of the most interesting Pro Football Focus grade charts throughout his NFL career.

As recently as 2013, Long was a top defensive lineman in the league for the now former St. Louis Rams, having double-digit sacks from 2011 and 2012.

However, the past two seasons have been riddled with injuries; he has missed more than a dozen games over that span.

A team with a need for a pass-rusher will give Long a shot.

He's bound to improve in 2016 coming off one of the worst seasons of his career, both statistically and health-wise.

Long could be a fit for the Atlanta Falcons, who hosted him for a visit Thursday, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport via NFL.com.

Mike Wallace, WR, Minnesota Vikings

Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

You have to give him credit—Mike Wallace has made a killing in his career off being a deep threat.

That's just it, though—he's a deep threat and nothing else.

Throughout the past few seasons of his career with the Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings, both of the quarterbacks, Ryan Tannehill and Teddy Bridgewater, are not known for throwing the deep ball.

In 2015, Bridgewater completed just 15 of 48 pass attempts of 20 yards or more, while Tannehill completed just 16 of 53 passes of the same length in 2014 when Wallace was there.

If Wallace can land on a team with an effective deep passer, he could make more of an impact.

He has limited talent. This isn't all on his quarterbacks, but it is a factor.

Maybe a team like the New Orleans Saints gives Wallace a look.

Will Beatty, OT, New York Giants

Matt York/Associated Press

Will Beatty's 2015 season was over before it even started, as the offensive tackle had surgery on a torn pectoral in May and later had rotator cuff surgery during the season.

While there's no way to project how well Beatty will be health- and performance-wise in 2016, we do know that he was, well, pretty good in 2014.

In that season, Pro Football Focus graded him as a top-15 overall tackle and a top-10 run-blocker.

His market could potentially broaden if he's open to playing right tackle.

Coming back from those two serious injuries may prove to be insurmountable, but Beatty has shown he can be a productive offensive lineman in this league. Still, his injuries may make a one-year deal a necessity.

Antonio Cromartie, CB, New York Jets

AJ Mast/Associated Press

Based on his Pro Football Focus grades, Antonio Cromartie looks like one of the most volatile stocks someone could buy.

However, in 2015, he performed poorly in basically every facet of the game. Nevertheless, given how critical and shallow the cornerback position is, a team will definitely take a chance on Cromartie.

Approaching 32 years old, he definitely isn't getting any younger.

If a team can get a serviceable season out of Cromartie, it should consider that a win. Maybe the Dallas Cowboys give him a call? He's been stumping to play for them on Twitter.

Russell Okung, OT, Seattle Seahawks

Elaine Thompson/Associated Press

Perhaps the best offensive tackle remaining in the 2016 free-agency class, Russell Okung offers some level of upside to his future team.

Over the past couple of seasons, he has declined, according to Pro Football Focus. Yet, in his first few seasons in the league, he was one of the better offensive tackles.

Toward the end of the season, Okung suffered a shoulder injury. This is, of course, another question mark to interested teams.

One interesting aspect of Okung's free agency is that he is representing himself—it's curious to see how that will work out for him.

With his overall decline and injury, it's time for Okung to pull himself up by his boot straps, take the one-year deal and show teams that he can still be a solid left tackle in this league.

Robert Griffin III, QB, Washington Redskins

Manuel Balce Ceneta/Associated Press

While a "prove it" deal is usually in the form of a one-year contract, Robert Griffin III will likely receive a contract that's for no more than a couple of seasons.

It wasn't long ago that RGIII was one of the most valuable young assets to have on your football team.

Just ask the Redskins; they know what I'm talking about.

Maybe the San Francisco 49ers end up being RGIII's new home.

Stats courtesy of Pro Football Focus.

Follow me on Twitter @RichardJanvrin.