2012 NFL Free Agents: Predicting Where Top Veteran Street Free Agents Will Sign

Although they're not the most ideal free agents on the market, street free-agents can provide reliable depth for any franchise.

After all, it is tough to evaluate a guy who has sat out most, if not an entire season due to injury or lack of production.

That being said, here's a look at some of the better street agents available and where they fit for 2012.

Lofa Tatupu, LB (New Orleans Saints)

Arguably the best street agent out there, former Seattle Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu already has someone of interest to him. According to Jason La Canfora of NFL Network, Tatupu met with the Saints in The Big Easy earlier this week:

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Former Seattle Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu visited the New Orleans Saints on Monday, a league source said.

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And for Saints fans, this is a player you want. For starters, Tatupu was a three-time Pro Bowler and an All-Pro selection in 2007.

New Orleans had quite a vulnerable defense in 2011 by allowing almost 370 total yards per game. Fortunately for the Saints though, Jonathan Vilma still resides in the middle so adding Tatupu on the outside will significantly boost their front seven.

He's a solid run defender, knows how to force fumbles and has great awareness while dropping underneath in zone coverage.

In short, the Saints defense can use any talented-depth they can get.

David Garrard, QB (New York Jets)

Although he's 34 years old, David Garrard has more year left in him since he rarely saw the field during his first four seasons.

Now, he did sit out all of 2011 due to injury but is expected to be healthy enough to play in 2012.

To that end, with what has appeared to be continuous drama for the New York Jets, it's a situation where Garrard can really revive his career. Considering that he threw for over an average of 3,115 yards with 71 touchdowns to 41 interceptions from 2007-2010, Garrard proved his ability to remain consistent.

Also, during that span he had averaged a 63.0 completion percentage and a rating of 89.5.

Not to mention he did all that without any well-established receivers and could do some solid work with Santonio Holmes, Dustin Keller and Plaxico Burress (if he remains a Jet).

Braylon Edwards, WR (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Unfortunately for Braylon Edwards and the San Francisco 49ers, his season was cut short due to injury and has been on the market since late December.

His career hasn't been all that impressive with just one season over 1,000 yards and one with more than 10 touchdowns. Edwards has never caught more than 80 passes in a season and has been quite inconsistent due to being injured on more than one occasion.

However, we also have to remember that despite health issues, Edwards have never had a stud quarterback under center. In Cleveland there was Derek Anderson, Mark Sanchez in New York and although Alex Smith is improving in San Francisco, he still has work to do.

So, a young team like Tampa Bay works just fine as the Bucs are basically starting over with new head coach Greg Schiano. Quarterback Josh Freeman needs a veteran wide out to target and Edwards just needs another opportunity.

Plus, it's not like the defenses in the NFC South are great at shutting down the passing game. Provided that Edwards can get healthy, a strong armed and mobile gunslinger such as Freeman will complement Edwards' potential ability to make plays downfield.

John Rozum on Twitter.