2012 NFL Free Agents: 10 Veteran Free Agents Who Need One Last Chance

Football is a young man's game, but not every experienced free agent should be shirked for a younger player.

With age comes wisdom.

Many of the players selected for this list have endured their trials. That understanding will enable them to excel both on the field and in the locker room.

Before looking for a cheaper option or a player with more potential, teams would be smart to give these guys a shot.

Jason Campbell

Jason Campbell is the human equivalent to Wile E. Coyote: Something always seems to go wrong.

Campbell improved each year with the Washington Redskins, ending his fourth season with 20 touchdowns and a 64.5 percent completion rate. However, he contributed to his exile to the Oakland Raiders by committing 24 turnovers during that same time.

Campbell was traded to the Raiders after the Redskins picked up Donovan McNabb.

In Oakland, he was steady but unspectacular. After a Week 6 injury, the Raiders traded the franchise for Carson Palmer.

Campbell is not going to transform into an elite passer, but he can be a solid contributor. Fumbles can be corrected with coaching.

If he is placed in a situation similar to the Denver Broncos', he may thrive.

Kyle Orton

If Jason Campbell is Wile E. Coyote, Kyle Orton is Rodney Dangerfield.

Orton is not the new mold of quarterback that will throw for 5,000 yards. Yet he is capable of being a solid contributor on a well-balanced team.

Orton has a respectable career touchdown-to-interception ratio of 80-to-57. In addition, he only had fumbling issues his rookie year.

Given the right opportunity, Orton could end his playing days with a ring much like Brad Johnson.

Cedric Benson

Cedric Benson's window is closing as he nears 30. Most running backs fail to make it more than a few years after, much less to that dreaded age.

He still has some life left in his legs that could be utilized as a complement to a quicker counterpart. His banging style led to 53 first downs on only 273 carries in 2011.

Benson needs to take a page from Tiki Barber and develop a new technique for securing the football. He had 12 fumbles in the last two years, which is five more than he had in his first five seasons.

Steve Slaton

Nothing gets a player benched quicker than putting the ball on the turf. 

Steve Slaton fits nicely with the previous three players on this list. His five fumbles on only 131 carries in 2009 opened the door for Arian Foster to take his job.

Slaton, 26, is the youngest player in this slideshow. He most likely suffers from confidence issues as compared to the physical impediments that plague most veterans. 

Once he gets a couple games under his belt without fumbling, the explosive runner of 2008 could emerge.

Reggie Wayne

Reggie Wayne fell 40 yards short of breaking the 1,000-yard plateau despite receiving passes from the immortal duo of Curtis Painter and Dan Orlovsky. 

Most NFL personalities have a short memory as people have been unequivocal in stating that Wayne's career is winding down. Yet the longtime Indianapolis Colts star had his best statistical season in 2010 in terms of receptions and yardage.

He has been a model of consistency and durability. He not missed a game since his rookie year.

Wayne can certainly be a major contributor on a championship-caliber team. 

Brandon Lloyd

The St. Louis Rams would be foolish to allow Brandon Lloyd to leave.

Sam Bradford will end up on this list someday if Jeff Fischer doesn't retain the only worthy receiver on the roster.

Lloyd has suffered from a lack of stability throughout his career.

His three years with the San Francisco 49ers represent his longest association with a single team. During that time, the quarterbacks were Jeff Garcia, Tim Rattay, Alex Smith and Ken Dorsey. 

Lloyd was given ample opportunities in 2010 with the Denver Broncos and responded with almost 1,500 yards and 11 touchdowns. 

He has the ability; now he just needs some environmental consistency.

Jeff Backus

The old man can still get down.

Despite early season struggles linked to a torn pectoral, Jeff Backus turned in another decent season for the Detroit Lions.

He finished 2011 as the 25th-best tackle according to ESPN. Pro Football Focus had him ranked in the top 15 in pass-blocking efficiency for 2010.

Backus' play has understandably begun to slip, but there are few options for a solid pass-blocking left tackle. Considering how much the Detroit Lions rely on their passing game, they need to bring back the elder statesman for one more run.

John Abraham

The NFL is a passing league, and good pass-rushers are hard to find. Therefore, even an aging prospect like John Abraham will be able to extend his career so long as he can still provide some pressure.

If fumbling lands players on the bench, forcing fumbles should certainly keep you on the field. Abraham still has a knack for getting after the football by forcing four turnovers in 2011.

The Atlanta Falcons won't be able to draft an instant-impact defensive end with any of their picks .

Although they have the cap space to make a play for a young defensive playmaker, their best option may be to bring back Abraham and his 9.5 sacks

London Fletcher

At 5'10", 245 pounds, London Fletcher should have struggled to make a NFL roster. He went undrafted in 1998, but still managed to win the St. Louis Rams Rookie of the Year Award.

Fletcher has been thriving ever since. The stalwart middle linebacker has not missed a game in 14 years despite playing one of the most physical positions.

He has not had fewer than 128 tackles since 2001. In fact, he turned in his best statistical season with 166 tackles this year.

Don't bet against London Fletcher. Just sign him.

Rashean Mathis

The Jacksonville Jaguars need all the talent they can find. Rashean Mathis may not have the same burst he once did, but he still has enough to contribute to an above-average defense.

In only nine games, he was able to accrue 34 tackles, which is solid for a cornerback.

A real concern is that his season was cut short with an ACL injury.

A knee injury is troubling for a position that requires so much agility. However, he could be shifted to safety to provide run support if his coverage skills slipped drastically.