2012 NFL Free Agents: 3 Players San Diego Chargers Shouldn't Overlook

It happens every year. The entire football world gets blinded by all the top free agents. Most of the NFL teams do as well. San Diego, on the other hand, does not.

A.J. Smith may not be a very smart GM, but he knows talent when he sees it. His main problem is holding on to that talent. Last season, the Chargers started with Laurent Robinson but cut him at the end of the preseason. His explosive talent could've been a huge help for the Chargers last season.

The players' parts are done and now its time for the front office to take control. They need to spend their money wisely on players who will make San Diego a playoff team once again. Here are three players the Chargers should not overlook in free agency this offseason.

Eddie Royal

Patrick Crayton needs to start working out with other teams pretty soon because his time in San Diego should be done.

Crayton was amazing at the start of the 2010 season until he broke his wrist and was forced to sit out the rest of the year. Many, including myself, expected Crayton to be back to his normal self and play at a high level. Surprisingly, it was just the opposite. He played with no heart or desire. Half the time, it looked as if he wasn't even trying. His punt returns were little to nothing and he was nowhere near a threat in midfield.

It's time to move on to another slot receiver. Vincent Brown had a solid rookie season and stepped up when asked to do so. He is a great talent, and with time he will excel at the wide receiver position. The Chargers need more depth, though. They have the vertical and backfield threats, now they need one, besides Antonio Gates, over the middle.

Hello, Eddie Royal. Royal is a solid receiver, though his production has been down the last two seasons because of his quarterback, Tim Tebow. When he had a decent quarterback in Kyle Orton, Royal was making plays all of the field. Imagine what Philip Rivers could do with him.

Royal would find it much easier to get open in San Diego with receivers alongside him like Vincent Jackson, Malcom Floyd and Antonio Gates. Royal just might be what we all thought Crayton—or should I say, Buster Davis—was going to be.

James Sanders

The Chargers have been looking for their safety these last couple of seasons. Steve Gregory just hasn't stepped up and Bob Sanders was a complete fail. San Diego hasn't really had a dominant strong safety since Rodney Harrison. Eric Weddle has become an All-Pro free safety, but the truth is he can't do it all by himself.

James Sanders comes to mind for this position. He's very skilled, very smart and plays with the most heart I've ever seen from a defensive back. In the Falcons' playoff game against the Giants, he looked as if he was the only one on the team giving it his all. Sanders will be very productive if San Diego gives him an opportunity and he won't ask for too much money either, even though he deserves it.

It would be pretty cool to have a former Patriot start at safety. It'd be a Rodney Harrison the other way around.

Jacob Hester

While all the hype is around the Charger's top free agents in Vincent Jackson, Mike Tolbert and Nick Hardwick, there should still be some attention given to Jacob Hester. Unless San Diego is going to sign Le'Ron McClain, Jacob Hester needs to be back. He may not be a Lorenzo Neal, but he gets the job done.

Hester is another one of those guys who won't ask for a ton of money, but the Chargers shouldn't risk letting him test free agency. The Chargers are the type of team that loses its own free agents every year because other teams outbid it. This could happen with Hester.