NFL Free Agency: Matt Leinart and 5 Players Who Could Have Biggest Impact

With the NFL lockout coming to a close—Amen!—NFL free agency speculation is heating up, with teams scrambling to find the biggest impact players in this season's free-agent class. 

Every player that's readily available on the free agent market offers something, but some should have larger impacts on their team's success than others. 

Some players fall under the radar in this category, while others would obviously pump up a team's total in the win column. 

Regardless, teams would be wise to find the player who will provide the best source of improvement on their team. 

Here are five NFL free agents who could have huge impacts on their new teams. 

5. Matt Leinart

It's hard to vouch for Matt Leinart nowadays—since he was drafted, he's had this annoying sense of entitlement, is ridiculously cocky and lacks work ethic, seemingly ignoring every ounce of criticism sent his way.

His is a classic case of narcissism. 

However, he's been down in the dumps, and may have reached rock bottom. 

Leinart now knows what it's like to be exiled from the playing field when a game is in session. He knows that it takes a lot of work just to get the backup role he was given in Houston with the Texans. 

There's a fire lit under his behind, and he feels it. 

Leinart could possibly be the steal of this free-agent class. If he's hungry to prove he's a starter, he'll excel immediately with the experience he's had sitting behind Hall of Famer Kurt Warner with the Arizona Cardinals and Pro Bowler Matt Schaub in Houston.

Leinart has a good arm and decent accuracy, even if he never showed it during games—it's not as if all of that talent just left.

If Matt Leinart signs with a team for which he can compete for a starting job and has a solid quarterback coach, he could (still) prove to be the quarterback that can turn around a franchise's fortunes. 

4. Nnamdi Asomugha

Nnamdi Asomugha was an All-Pro cornerback last season for the fourth time in five years, and he has proven himself as one of the best cover corners in the league. 

Of course, the Raiders can't guarantee his return, because Asomugha's numbers didn't do justice to his season. 

So Asomugha can shop himself on the market, and whoever picks him up will find their (defensive) fortunes turned around completely. With his ability to cover most receivers, Asomugha can bolster any defense with his play.

3. Santonio Holmes

Santonio Holmes had a good season in his first year as a New York Jet. Though he missed out on four games, he had one of the better statistical seasons of his career. 

The Jets want to retain him, but he's expressed interest in shopping himself on the market. 

There are concerns with Holmes' character, but he's also one of the top receivers in the NFL. He plays passionately and comes up huge in some of the most dire situations. 

A team that takes him could be a team that reverses their fortunes, especially in the playoffs.

2. Cullen Jenkins

Cullen Jenkins proved to be an absolute animal on the Green Bay Packers' defensive line last season—he caused hell for every quarterback the Packers had to face on their Super Bowl run.

The Packers might not be able to pay the cash that Jenkins wants, so it's likely he'll hit the free-agent waters.

Jenkins could be an absolute fortune-turner for a team that's ailing defensively. He's an amazing pass-rusher, and can provide the aggression that a team needs to become elite.  

1. Matt Hasselbeck

It makes sense why people are considering Matt Hasselbeck to be a solid backup quarterback in the league; his output has decreased pretty rapidly in Seattle since 2007. 

However, let's not forget that he's also had subpar talent around him since then, too. 

Matt Hasselbeck has proven to be a smart veteran who won't hurt you in the postseason, and he can manage a game fairly well. 

Hasselbeck will have his largest impact on a team that has everything else in place, save for a smart quarterback. He won't excel as the main source of offense, but he'll make plays when absolutely necessary and won't screw up at the worst times possible.