2012 NFL Free Agents: 7 Underrated Players Teams Should Take a Chance on

The crop of free agents in the 2012 talent pool offer all NFL teams a chance to load and fill holes that were exposed during the season for one reason or another.

In other words, there are plenty of players to help EVERY team in the NFL.

While the big stars (Drew Brees, Arian Foster, Ray Rice) will be on everyone's wish list and then be snatched up by their current franchises, there are still some great talents who may be underrated or are second and third options for teams to fall back on.

In the right scheme, these players could excel and prove teams wrong for overlooking them when they could have acquired a diamond in the rough.

Lardarius Webb, Defensive Back, Baltimore Ravens

Webb's importance to the Ravens can be felt in pass coverage and on special teams.

At only 26 years old, he could be a star on another team's defensive unit. The Ravens depend on Ed Reed and others to dominate opposing offenses for 60 minutes, and lost in the success of the top-five unit in the NFL is the play of Webb and others.

Webb may be a gem that is one of the first players to come off the free agent board to a team looking to revamp their defensive unit.

Harry Douglas, Wide Receiver, Atlanta Falcons

I am not sure why, but I believe Douglas can be a faster version of Wes Welker.

Trapped in an offense in which he is the third and even fourth option at times, moving to a new team (Jacksonville) would allow him to become a solid second option, if not the first option on a team looking to draft a starter to grow into a lead pass catcher.

Douglas also becomes more attractive during free agency because he can help in the return game.

With three defensive starters to re-sign, it will be difficult for the Falcons to keep him on the roster.

D'Qwell Jackson, Linebaker, Cleveland Browns

Did anyone notice the Cleveland Browns are a better football team?

Yes, I did not stutter. The Browns are a better football team-on the defensive side of the ball.

Dick Jauron implemented a great scheme this year that allowed the pass rush and run defense to shine, and part of the that reason was the continued play of D'Qwell Jackson.

Jackson will be playing in his seventh season out of Maryland. He has 158 tackles on the season and 3.5 quarterback sacks.

Could a team use a 6'0", 240-pound brick in the middle of their front seven? Yes.

Will teams take notice of Jackson? Yes.

Will he seek a new opportunity outside Ohio? We aren't sure yet.

Jason Campbell, Quarterback, Oakland Raiders

Campbell may be the second-most sought after quarterback next to Matt Flynn.

When Campbell suffered a broken collarbone, he was playing on a team that looked like a playoff contender. But injuries and missed opportunities cost them a playoff berth. And before all that, the team sent draft picks and hope to Cincinnati in exchange for Carson Palmer.

Can Campbell find a team to call his own, and more importantly, become a starter again in the NFL? Right now, I can think of six teams who could use his services, whether in a starting role coming in or as a veteran to challenge for a starting position.

He still could garner plenty of offseason attention.

Laurent Robinson, Wide Receiver, Dallas Cowboys

Robinson had a career year as a nice addition to the Dallas Cowboys receiving corps.

With over 800 yards in pass receiving on 54 catches, Robinson filled in nicely when both Miles Austin and Dez Bryant were nursing injuries.

Robinson would be a fine pickup for a team needing a good-sized receiver (6'2", 194 lbs.). He is only 26 years old and has plenty of upside.

Reggie Wayne, Wide Recevier, Indianapolis Colts

It's hard to think that someone who has been so instrumental to the Indianapolis Colts passing game could be underrated, but his pass-catching ability may not be the most important part of his game.

At 33 years old, Wayne was still able to catch 75 passes for 940 yards despite there being three quarterbacks and rumors all season about Andrew Luck and Peyton Manning. There may not be another player on the Colts team that wants to see Manning back in the lineup. The only problem is that Wayne may not be back to enjoy the return party.

Wayne would be a great addition to a team that has a young receiving corps and needs some direction or leadership. He would also be a great pickup for a team needing a good possession receiver on their way to making a run at the playoffs.

Jeremy Mincey, Defensive End, Jacksonville Jaguars

The free agent acquisitions for the Jacksonville Jaguars helped the defensive unit finish the season as the sixth overall defense in the NFL. But while players like Clint Session, Matt Roth and Dwight Lowery all went down with injuries during the season, Jeremy Mincey helped keep the unit together.

Mincey, a free agent signee himself, has led the Jaguars in sacks the past two seasons and looks to cash in on his better-than-average pass rushing skills.

Recently, Mincey said he wants to remain in Jacksonville. The former Florida Gator did say, however, that he would not give his current team a "hometown" discount.

Any team that scoops him up will get a player who never stops moving toward the quarterback.