2012 NFL Free Agents: The Underrated Boom-or-Bust Free Agents

We all know about the big-name players in the 2012 class of NFL free agents. 

What about the more underrated guys that, in the right system, could explode next season that also carry serious risk? 

No, I'm not just talking Philadelphia Eagles' controversial wideout DeSean Jackson or the Green Bay Packers' somewhat underachieving tight end Jermichael Finley. 

Let's dig a little deeper. 

These are the more unheralded guys I've identified that are oozing with boom-or-bust potential.

Roscoe Parrish, WR, Buffalo Bills 

Parrish is in the DeSean Jackson-mold, as a tiny, nimble and ultra quick slot guy that's magnificent out of the slot and excels on bubble screens with blockers in front. 

In 2010 with the Bills, in Chan Gailey's spread system, Parrish was on pace to set career highs in just about every receiving category.

Through eight games he had 33 grabs for 400 yards with two touchdowns.

He was lost for the season in the second game of the 2011 season when he injured his ankle.

Parrish will be 30 in July.

However, if fully recovered, he still possesses the necessarily attributes to be a reliable contributor to any team's offense.

He won't demand a huge contract, either.

On a team with other established outside threats, some organization could get two or three more productive years out of this former Miami Hurricanes star.

His injury issues make any deal with him a risky proposition, remember that. 

Joel Dreessen, TE, Houston Texans 

Dreessen is a 6'4'', 245-pound blocking tight end that has recently become a solid receiving threat for the Texans.

However, he's had to share duties with Owen Daniels during the duration of his professional career.

He's ready for a starting role in which he's the featured guy running down the seam.

Dreessen caught 28 passes for 353 yards with six touchdowns in 2011 and he's played in all 16 regular season games in each of the last four seasons.

This Colorado State product could be a relatively cheap option that could blossom into a steady producer in the right offense and could make a living in the red zone. 

However, he's not in that super-athletic tight end mold we've seen sprouting up across the league over the last few seasons and will be 30 in July. 

Andre Carter, DE, New England Patriots 

I'm not sure how underrated Carter really is, after his 10-sack campaign with the Patriots in 2011. However, he would undoubtedly come with a ton of risk after tearing his quadriceps at the age of 32 in the late-stages of the year. 

If a team wants to take a cheaper gamble on Carter and he fully recovers from his muscle tear, they'd get a bulky veteran pass rusher who understands how to play the defensive end position. 

There's a chance the injury will slow him down considerably and he won't ever be able to duplicate the kind of havoc he wreaked last season. 

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