NFL Free Agent Signings 2011: Steve Breaston and the 8 Most Underrated Signings

Transactions are flying off the board in the fast and furious 2011 NFL offseason. Take a look at the eight most underrated signings thus far.

Santonio Holmes, Reggie Bush and Nnamdi Asomugha may dominate the news this week with their new contract numbers, but it is often the unmentioned players brought in who are the building blocks a team needs to take the next step up the NFL ladder.

Which unremarkable signings are actually quite remarkable?

Stephen Bowen Signs with Washington Redskins

The Washington Redskins pulled off one of the best free-agent signings of the week by picking up former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Stephen Bowen.

The move was made all the better once it was reported that Albert Haynesworth was traded to New England this morning.

Bowen is a producer, and quietly had one of the best seasons I saw from a 3-4 defensive end in 2010. Dallas should have made a bigger push to re-sign the talented 27-year-old.

The Washington defense is slowly improving, on paper, to the point of respectability.

Paul Posluszny Signs with Jacksonville Jaguars

Had Paul Posluszny signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts or New Orleans Saints instead of the Jacksonville Jaguars, he would have been on the NFL Network live talking about how he was the missing piece on a defense that's going to win a Super Bowl.

Signing in Jacksonville pushed Posluszny down on the national radar, but it shouldn't have. Jacksonville is building a very solid defense, and Poz will be the centerpiece.

Jacksonville may not be ready to take the AFC South, but they are closer to competing than most realize.

Stephen Nicholas Re-Signs with Atlanta Falcons

Keeping the team together—that was the goal in Atlanta this season as the Falcons try to retain the best players from a 14-2 season in 2010.

Keeping Stephen Nicholas was a high priority for the team, up there with re-signing Tyson Clabo and Brent Grimes. Nicholas is an underrated, athletic linebacker who is starting to make a name for himself outside Atlanta.

It may seem like a minor re-signing, but Falcons fans know losing Nicholas would have been a major hit on defense.

Josh Wilson Signs with Washington Redskins

The signing of Josh Wilson was lost in the scramble to make sense of the Washington Redskins' many other moves. This one signing is just as impressive.

Wilson has never been a huge stud at cornerback, but he's a worthy No. 2 corner who will step in well in replacement of Carlos Rogers opposite DeAngelo Hall.

So many teams lose free agents and never try to replace them from outside their own team. Washington goes the extra mile to do so. Sometimes it pays off, sometimes it doesn't. Wilson should pay off.

Quintin Mikell Signs with St. Louis Rams

The Philadelphia Eagles' decision to not re-sign any of their own unrestricted free agents will pay off big time for the teams who pick them up.

They say one man's trash is another's treasure, something fans of the St. Louis Rams will soon realize with Quintin Mikell.

Mikell is a hard-hitting safety, able to cover tight ends and can come up in the box and make plays against the run. He's a perfect replacement for departed O.J. Atogwe.

Robert Gallery Signs with Seattle Seahawks

The Oakland Raiders wanted to move Robert Gallery's cap number, so they let him go before the NFL lockout began. Gallery, an underrated star at guard who was considered a draft bust early in his career at tackle, will be a big pickup—both literally and physically—for Seattle.

Gallery will help round out an impressive, young offensive line featuring Russell Okung, Gallery, Max Unger, John Moffitt and James Carpenter.

If Seattle can get any consistency at quarterback, they could be very good.

Steve Breaston Signs with Kansas City Chiefs

During the 2010 NFL season, the Kansas City Chiefs lacked the talent at wide receiver to routinely draw double-teams away from Pro Bowler Dwayne Bowe. That's all changed now.

Kansas City drafted receiver Jonathan Baldwin from Pitt in Round 1 of the 2011 NFL draft, and then they picked up a player with the potential to be one of the best slot receivers in the league in Steve Breaston.

The threat of Breaston, Bowe and Baldwin at wide receiver is downright scary. The Chiefs also have Dexter McCluster, Jamaal Charles and Tony Moeaki already settled into major roles on offense.

The Chiefs could become a high-powered threat on offense if they can gel quickly.

Ray McDonald Re-Signs with San Francisco 49ers

At 26 years old, Ray McDonald is just hitting his prime. He's also cashing in on a new payday with the San Francisco 49ers.

The Niners defense has been the one strength over the last three seasons, and keeping their young stars together is a huge priority. The re-signing of McDonald allows the team to move Isaac Sopoaga to nose tackle in replacing veteran free agent Aubrayo Franklin.

With McDonald, Sopoago and Justin Smith starting in the 49ers' 3-4 defense, Jim Harbaugh should feel confident in his team's abilities up front.