NFL Free Agency 2011: Most Astute Additions in Terms of Value/Need so Far

The biggest players to move on in free agency do not always have the greatest impact. Not every big name player turns into a Julius Peppers type of reward.

The most successful teams in the league tend to look for value rather than the biggest talent.

Adding cost effective pieces that can help a position of need is a low risk high reward way of building your football team.

Here are the most astute additions so far for the 2011 off season.

*Trades and free agent signings are included

Serial tweeting about NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAA, Soccer and Rugby    @Cianaf

I also write for Irish Central and Fantasy Football Life.

Josh Wilson

Former Seattle Seahawk and Baltimore Raven Josh Wilson has been one of many moves made by the Washington Redskins that liked.

Wilson was more than capable after being acquired by Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome from the Seahawks last season. His size isn't overwhelming and he's not an imposing tackler but will be a good starter for the Redskins.

Wilson is a smart corner that uses his quickness and agility to stick to receivers. With a formidable pass rush forming in Washington, he could really enjoy his time in Washington and become a big player for Jim Haslett's defense.

A starting corner of his caliber for three years and only $13 million, is a valuable addition by anyone's standards....never mind the fact that it was a Daniel Snyder move.

Nick Eason

A good 3-4 defensive end isn't as easy to acquire as it used to be.

That is why Nick Eason of the Pittsburgh Steelers move to Ray Horton's defense in Arizona is a very valuable pickup. Eason was never a full time starter in Pittsburgh but impressed as part of the rotation and on the few occasions he did start.

At 31 years of age he is definitely not one for the future but his two year deal in Arizona will give the team a very solid addition to their defensive line. Most fans around the league won't ever notice Eason but Cardinals fans will definitely see his value as a run stuffing 3-4 defensive end.

Quintin Mikell

Quintin Mikell may be coming at a big cost but his signing with the St. Louis Rams gives the team a huge boost.

Mikell is a former Pro Bowler who still has plenty of good years left. He has previously worked with Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo during his stint with the Eagles and fits a big need for his current defense.

Rams fans will be looking for Mikell to replace OJ Atogwe's impact after he left for Washington but Mikell is a very different type of player to Atogwe. He will bring a tough tackling safety that can play in the box while still improving the team's coverage.

The Rams have a lot of money to spend and Mikell figures to be a key addition on their journey to the playoffs next year.

Donte' Stallworth

Before being suspended by the NFL for the 2009 season for an off the field conviction, Donte Stallworth was a brilliant receiver.

In New England and Philadelphia the only knock against Stallworth was the fact that he could never stay healthy. When on the field Stallworth was electrifying and repeatedly posed questions to opposing defenses.

He was severely underused by the Baltimore Ravens last year as the Ravens looked to the washed up TJ Houshmandzadeh as their third choice receiver. That was likely because Stallworth suffered an injury and missed a substantial portion of the season early on.

With a fair shot in Washington Stallworth could return to the burner that he once was. Even if he is at the tail end of his career, he showed in (very) limited action last year that his speed hasn't escaped him just yet.

Chad Ochocinco

The Patriots essentially gave up nothing to acquire Chad Ochocinco.

While I am not a big fan of the Albert Haynesworth deal because Haynesworth is motivated by money and doesn't fit the system as well as having some discipline problems; The addition of Ochocinco is a good move.

He does not perfectly fit what was the Patriots biggest need entering the season because he cannot threaten defenses deep at this point in his career but he is still an above average receiver worthy of sitting atop most depth charts in the league.

Unlike Haynesworth Ochocinco has never been in trouble off the field and while he is erratic and passionate, he has never had any major issues with teammates. In a strong organization and locker room with a player looking to finally attain some team success before he retires, I expect this to be a very valuable addition.

The fact that he reworked his contract to suit the team's cap is another factor that tells you Ochocinco just wants to win at this stage in his 10 year career.

Danieal Manning

Manning is an upstart player with great energy. He had been a starter for most of his career in Chicago with the Bears—only started one game in 2008—but has now moved on to be part of Wade Philips new defense in Houston.

Manning is a sure tackler with solid coverage skills. The Texans secondary was overwhelmingly bad last season and the addition of Manning—along with star cornerback Johnathan Joseph—will vastly improve the team's coverage.

The four year deal that he signed for $20 million will almost certainly be justified on the field.

Bruce Gradkowski

It's never a good thing when you are an Oakland Raiders quarterback and you're deemed expendable enough to hit free agency.

Check that.

It's never a good thing when you are an Oakland Raiders quarterback.

Bruce Gradkowski has been somewhat of a journey man during his time in the NFL with three teams during his five year career.

Statistically Gradkowski is a terrible quarterback that has thrown three more interceptions than touchdowns during his whole career. However when you watch him on the field there is a lot to like about the 28 year old.

Gradkowski has never been part of a good offense. In Tampa Bay, Cleveland and Oakland it was unfair to judge him considering that those teams were each bottom dwellers of the league with underwhelming offensive talent.

The Bengals offense will give him some very young and talented pieces to work with that he has never had in his career. Needless to say he has never thrown a pass to a receiver as good as AJ Green projects to be in the NFL. That's not to overlook the added value of Jermaine Gresham and Jerome Simpson who showed flashes last year.

Gradkowski will be a good holdover for the Bengals until Andy Dalton fully develops.

Steve Breaston

The Kansas City Chiefs have a lot of money to spend in free agency but as of yet haven't made many big splashes. Their most notable move is one of the best pickups to date. While many teams fought it out for Santonio Holmes and Sidney Rice, the Chiefs brought in Steve Breaston from Arizona.

Breaston is the perfect complement to deep threat Dwayne Bowe and completes what looks like a play making array of weapons for quarterback Matt Cassell. With Bowe sitting atop the depth chart, Breaston will become the second choice receiver ahead of rookie Jonathan Baldwin while the offense also features Tony Moeaki at tight end and the electrifying Jamaal Charles in the backfield.

Chiefs head coach Todd Haley is reunited with his former receiver with the Cardinals and at a very cost effective price. Breaston is reportedly guaranteed only $9.5 million of his five year contract.

Breaston is talented, has just entered his prime and is coming at a good price filling a position of need for the Chiefs.

With the offense in place around quarterback Matt Cassell now, the Chiefs will be relying on the former Patriot to carry them deep into the playoffs.

Willie Colon

Willie Colon may have got a big deal in returning to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Many will be wondering how he is considered a value signing after getting $29 million for five years.

What many won't realize is that Colon was easily the team's best offensive lineman before the addition of rookie Maurkice Pouncey last season. His recovery from a torn Achilles will restore him to the starting right tackle spot as Flozell Adams has now been released.

Colon turned down more money with the Chicago Bears in order to return to the team he won a Super Bowl with. Whenever a player is giving a home town discount it is a victory for the signing team, when that player is as talented as Colon is and entering his prime, it is even greater.

Dominique Rodgers Cromartie (and 2nd Round Pick)

The Philadelphia Eagles completely robbed the Arizona Cardinals. While Dominique Rodgers Cromartie is not an elite cornerback in my mind, he is an above average starter who has plenty of experience with time to improve.

He is only 25 years old and already has three full seasons as a starter under his belt which include an appearance in the Super Bowl. Playing across from Asante Samuel and next to Nate Allen will give the Eagles a very talented secondary.

This is not to mention the fact that they also got a second round pick and only gave up their backup quarterback.

They then proceeded to replace with a better backup quarterback who has more experience and probably more potential than the player they sent out—Vince Young.

Serial tweeting about NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAA, Soccer and Rugby    @Cianaf

I also write for Irish Central and Fantasy Football Life.