NFL Free-Agent Signings: 5 Smart Signings That Will Yield Big Results in 2011

The NFL lockout is thankfully over, and the madness of the free-agent frenzy has become. There will be plenty more deals worked out over the next few days, so this list is sure to change.

However, some fantastic deals have already taken place, and of course, there have been some weak moves as well. 

The limited time to sign free agents has made for some surprising deals, and they will have a great impact on the 2011 season. 

The list that follows is all about the five best free-agent signings so far.  

Honorable Mention

Steve Breaston

The former Arizona Cardinal signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. It's a good pick up for the Chiefs considering wide receiver was a position they needed to upgrade. Matt Cassell has another speedy target to work with. 

Bruce Gradkowski

He signed a deal with the Cincinnati Bengals. If Carson Palmer is definitely going to retire, then this is a solid pick up. Having an experienced veteran on the depth chart will benefit the Bengals in 2011. Gradkowski wasn't terrible last season with the Raiders while Jason Campbell was injured. 

Ike Taylor

The Pittsburgh Steelers top corner re-signed with the team. The Steelers are under the salary cap, and it was unsure if they would be bringing back Taylor.

He may be aging, but this is a key player the Steelers needed to bring back. 

5. Jason Babin Signs With Philadelphia Eagles

Jason Babin blew up last year with the Tennessee Titans. He recorded 12.5 sacks last season, which was a career high. Prior to that, his career high had been four sacks. 

He was finally healthy for the entire season, playing in all 16 games. The Eagles desperately needed help on their defense, especially the defensive front. 

Babin wasn't too expensive for the Eagles (only $5 million or $6 million guaranteed), which works out well if he turns out to be overrated like everyone says he is.

Nobody knows for sure how well he'll produce, but Babin fills a big need for the Eagles. 

4. Charles Johnson Re-Signs with Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers may have been the worst football team in the league last year, but 2011 is looking to be better. They had a few key free agents they needed to re-sign this year, and Johnson was one of them. 

Johnson dominated in 2010 in the absence of Julius Peppers. He recorded 11.5 sacks last season, and many believe it may have been a fluke. He'll get a chance to prove himself this year, and Carolina is thankful Johnson is remaining with them. 

The Panthers defense won't be all that great this year, but they would have been down right awful had Johnson left for another team. 

3. Matt Hasselbeck Signs With Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans were going to struggle a lot this season if they went with Jake Locker as the starting quarterback.

Locker isn't a terrible QB, but because the NFL lockout prevented him learning anything, the Titans would be in deep trouble if he were the starter. 

Now that new head coach Mike Munchak has a veteran quarterback it will do wonders for this team. They're not headed to the playoffs, but they won't have a losing season.

Plus, Locker gets to develop into the starting role. 

2. DeAngelo Williams Re-Signs With Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers main priority during the free-agent period was to re-sign running back DeAngelo Williams. 

They did just that yesterday, and it's a move that will greatly benefit the Panthers in 2011. With inexperienced quarterbacks, it is very crucial for the Panthers to have a strong run game.

Williams makes the Panthers a much better team, and had they lost him, they may have struggled even more than they did last season.  

1. Santonio Holmes Re-Signs With New York Jets

The New York Jets had to chose between re-signing Santonio Holmes or Braylon Edwards. They couldn't afford to bring both back as well as sign top defensive free agents. 

They chose Holmes, which was the correct decision. Holmes does all the little things, and he is a big reason the Jets offense soared last season. With a full season this year, Holmes and Mark Sanchez will do very well this year. 

Holmes was the top receiver on the market this year, and the Jets had to make sure he remained on their team. He's a hard worker and a key piece to the Jets success in 2011.