NFL Free Agency: 7 Players Who Deserve More Buzz

Free agency is finally drawing near. It won't be long until the floodgates are let open and deals are made in record time.

Many teams already know exactly who they will be targeting and who to target in the event their first choice falls through.

It should also be noted that compared to years past this one is the most player-friendly in a while. Ironic for the owners isn't it?

In previous years the blue chip players demanded heavy attention and signed lucrative deals. The rest of the class tested the market and then settled on the best offer. However, time is short this year, teams will be looking to get everyone into uniforms and on the practice field as soon as possible. Thus, I expect to see some overpaid players in new uniforms next year.

Regardless of this financial flux we will soon witness, there are going to be plenty of pro-bowl caliber players who can be had for a reasonable price.

Such as...

Marc Bulger, QB

Here we have one of the most fragile, yet accurate quarterbacks the NFL has seen.

Bulger is by no means what he used to be, but the same was said of the man he kicked out of St. Louis, Kurt Warner. Perhaps Bulger has some of the same kind of magic left in that feeble frame.

The asking price on Bulger is already a little high if a team is thinking backup. But for a starter with the potential to lead the league in completion percentage, his price isn't too bad.

Bulger has not generated the attention of Vince Young and Donovan McNabb, and that will help a team looking to pull off a sweet deal for the veteran. Look for a team with an established offensive line to make a run at Bulger early in the game.

Quintin Mikell, S

Mikell is one of my favorite players available. He is used to playing in a tough division with tough receivers and running attacks. His skills can complement any defense he ends up playing for. I truly hope my team can land him this offseason.

What makes Mikell such a commodity, besides his skill set, is that he can be had for less money than a player like Eric Weddle of San Diego. He would certainly come cheaper than the ridiculous amount recently paid for OJ Otagwe. Mikell's health is also more reliable than Bob Sanders.

Needless to say, Mikell is an underrated safety who has the potential to surprise people the way Wes Welker did at his position.

Steve Smith, WR

Smith is a sure-handed open field target with football speed. In a receiver class filled with aging, greedy or bad-tempered players Smith stands alone. His character has never been brought into question, and neither has his ability.

A team looking to add a complement to their number-one receiver would find themselves in a good situation with Mr. Smith. His yearly contract shouldn't be too steep, if teams are patient that is, and his performance will be steady.

Look for Smith to become one of the bigger surprises in free agency as teams pass on the disgruntled babies at his position.

Ahmad Bradshaw, RB

Bradshaw is a running back that carries plenty of concern with him. His health is so-so. And his fumbling is maddening. It hardly matters if you can run 200 yards in a game if you can't bring the ball safely to the ground on every play.

Thus, Bradshaw is going to be one of the more talented options for teams searching for a running back, and one of the cheapest options.

I expect Bradshaw will be one of the hold-outs as he tries to push teams into a panic for more money. I don't expect the number of suitors pursuing him to be limited though.

Malcom Floyd, WR

Floyd is going to be the odd man out in San Diego. Philip Rivers does not need high quality receivers to have success and so the Chargers will invest the money elsewhere, namely in the receiver they value more than Floyd, Vincent Jackson.

So Floyd will hit the market. With his size and ability he is sure to be a future number-one receiver with the ability to make the other receivers on his team better. Why he has remained so far under the radar is a wonder to me.

Teams that lose out in the Sidney Rice and Santonio Holmes sweepstakes will quickly put their target on this man. If your team's general manager is smart his target will be on Floyd from the beginning.

Jonathan Joseph, CB

Joseph is not exactly flying under the radar here. He probably ranks as the second best corner available and will be targeted right away. With the desperation factor in play for many teams, his price could be run up. But corners don't make much so I included him.

His size and strength make him an ideal candidate for any team looking for secondary help. He can play island or zone defense. His success against taller receivers won't go unnoticed either.

My argument is that he really should be getting more buzz than a certain Nnamdi Asomugha who is expecting to be given the farm and in return cover one half of the field. Joseph, on the other hand, will ask a respectable amount.  He'll also take the other teams' top receiver down wherever he is on the field.

Desmond Clark, TE

What many people don't realize about Clark is that he has pretty good hands in the passing game and great blocking skills in a running attack.

Sure he is getting older now. But for a team looking to add some power at the line with pass-catching ability, Clark could be your man.

At this point in his career Clark will be looking for something stable to finish out with. With the talent at tight end limited this year you can expect he will get what he wants.