2012 NFL Free Agents: Grading the 15 Best Signings Made so Far

Cornerback Stanford Routt being released by the Oakland Raiders and then signing a three-year deal with the Silver and Black's arch enemy the Kansas City Chiefs, is easily the biggest free-agency news so far.

Although the rest of the moves have been minimal in profile, NFL teams have still been busy. Not surprisingly, the 2-14 Indianapolis Colts have been amongst the busiest so far.

The AFC South cellar dwellers will be hoping that former CFL stars Jerrell Freeman and Justin Hickman can make the kind of transition to the NFL that explosive Miami Dolphins sack artist Cameron Wake managed.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have enjoyed some headlines after signing not only a former Rhodes scholar, but also an ex-Baltimore Ravens quarterback.

Practice squad players and former rookie free agents have also been signed to future roster contracts in the hopes of maybe finally having a shot at making it in the pros.

Here are some early grades for the 15 most intriguing free-agent signings so far.

1. Miami Dolphins Sign CFL Rushing Leader Jerome Messam (GRADE: B)

The Miami Dolphins may have pulled off a minor coup when they signed running back Jerome Messam last week. Messam was Canadian Football's leading rusher in 2011 and could bring another multi-purpose threat to a Dolphins backfield already containing the explosive Reggie Bush.

Messam starred for Edmonton last season and topped 1,000 yards on the ground, a rare feat in the CFL. He also proved to be a dangerous receiver by catching 27 passes for an impressive 248 yards.

If Messam can prove himself at the NFL level, he has the versatile skill set to be a more suitable backup to Bush. In new head coach Joe Philbin's more expansive offense, Messam could even become a useful third-down weapon.

2. Denver Broncos Sign Fullback Austin Sylvester (GRADE: A)

The Denver Broncos made an interesting decision when they opted to sign 2011 rookie free-agent fullback Austin Sylvester. The youngster was on the Broncos practice squad for much of the 2011 season and also saw time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

But the 6'1" 255 pounder has the potential to be a nice system fit for a Denver offense built around the power running game. The Broncos' ground game relies on brute force and finding another punishing lead blocker for the runs of Tim Tebow and Willis McGahee would certainly help.

Sylvester is in a position to compete with incumbent Spencer Larsen. The fourth-year pro ended the Broncos season on injured reserve, so Denver could use some insurance at fullback heading into next season.

3. Denver Broncos Sign Jason Hill, WR Jacksonville Jaguars (GRADE: C-)

The Denver Broncos decision to take a chance on perennial flop Jason Hill has the potential to turn out to be a wise investment. The AFC West Champions signed Hill last Thursday and the fifth-year pass catcher could contribute in the Broncos receiving corps.

Denver's stunning wild-card victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers showed how effective quarterback Tim Tebow can be when he is given a big target to aim for. At 6'0" and 202 pounds, Hill has the size to be an asset in the Broncos passing game.

Hill can help out on special teams and could find a spot on the Broncos' coverage teams. But to become a factor on offense, he will have to do more after managing only 76 receptions in five seasons.

Hill faces competition, but if he can stay healthy and find some consistency, he could be a useful member of the Denver offense next season. 

The 27-year-old could join 6'3" pair Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker to provide the Broncos with a trio of tall outlets for Tebow to look to.

4. Indianapolis Colts Sign Top CFL Pass-Rusher Justin Hickman (GRADE: B)

The Indianapolis Colts will be hoping they have found the next Cameron Wake in the form of top CFL sack artist Justin Hickman. Like Hickman, Wake was a standout in Canada and managed to successfully translate his pass-rush skills to the NFL.

The Colts inked Hickman to a two-year deal. The former Hamilton Tiger-Cats defensive end will be given the chance to prove he can be a threat as a rush linebacker in the Colts new hybrid 3-4 schemes.

The 6'2" 265 pounder has the size, speed and range to act as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 front. He led the CFL with 13 sacks in 2011 and it will be interesting to see if new Colts boss Chuck Pagano can help Hickman replicate the stunning form Wake has managed in the NFL.

5. Tennessee Titans Sign Huge DT Lamar Divens (GRADE: C)

As the Indianapolis Colts set about looking for more athletic defenders, their AFC South rivals the Tennessee Titans continue to try and get bigger up front. The Titans recently acquired hulking former Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Lamar Divens.

Since Jerry Gray took over as defensive coordinator prior to the start of the 2011 season, the Titans have been looking to get bigger along the defensive line. They signed Shaun Smith and drafted Jurrell Casey last offseason and moved defensive tackle Jason Jones to defensive end.

But the defense was still led in sacks by a lightweight lineman in the shape of rookie tackle Karl Klug. At 340 pounds, the 26-year-old Divens certainly gives the Titans a big body who can compete for playing time in the line rotation.

He has been on the practice squads of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Baltimore Ravens and San Diego Chargers so far in his short career. Whether Divens makes the team or not, his signing certainly reinforces Tennessee's commitment to changing the physical makeup of their defense.

6. New York Giants Sign Experienced Offensive Lineman Chris White (GRADE: C+)

The Super Bowl champions haven't hurt themselves by bringing in former Houston Texans starter Chris White. The Giants need some fresh options and better depth behind a solid, but ageing offensive line.

White was on the Giants practice squad for a brief time in 2011, so he is familiar with team and the blocking schemes favoured by offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride. The 6'2" 303 pounder has the versatility to play either guard position and has also seen time at center during his career.

White will be expected to try and push veterans like David Diehl and provide strong competition along the interior. The 28-year-old could turn out to be a useful backup for Big Blue.

7. Kansas City Chiefs Sign Stanford Routt, CB Oakland Raiders (GRADE: C)

The Kansas City Chiefs certainly sprung a surprise when they signed former Oakland Raiders cornerback Stanford Routt. Then again, Routt's offseason has already been full of surprises.

It must have come as something of a shock to the 30-year-old veteran cover man when the Raiders released him after he had played just one season of a five-year contract. But with a new regime in Oakland obviously anxious to take a fresh approach, Routt suddenly found himself on the open market.

Signing for the Raiders' division nemesis is a good way for Routt to try and exact some revenge on his former employers during the two times he will face them each season. The 6'1" 195 pounder has the ideal size to execute the tight press coverage often favoured by Chiefs head coach Romeo Crennel.

Although he didn't play up to his Raiders contract in 2011, Routt has the ability to offset the possible loss of young Chiefs corner Brandon Carr via free agency.

8. Pittsburgh Steelers Sign Safety Myron Rolle (GRADE: D)

The Pittsburgh Steelers have offered a second NFL chance to safety Myron Rolle. The ex- Florida State standout was out of football in 2011 after failing to make the Tennessee Titans roster as a 2010 sixth-round draft pick.

But the Steelers have a weakness at safety, particularly when it comes to coverage. This problem was brutally exposed during the wild-card playoff loss to the Denver Broncos. Ryan Mundy has failed to provide adequate cover behind free safety Ryan Clark and box player Troy Polamalu.

So there is a chance for former Rhodes scholar Rhodes to make the team if he responds well to the teachings of legendary defensive guru Dick LeBeau. Either way, the Steelers needed to bring in some competition and try to improve depth at safety after their postseason nightmare.

9. Oakland Raiders Sign Brandon Underwood, CB Green Bay Packers (GRADE: D)

New Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie maintained a connection with his old team by signing ex-Green Bay Packers cornerback Brandon Underwood last week. Underwood's career has been blighted by off-field legal troubles, including an arrest following a domestic incident in mid 2011. 

The 25-year-old has played at both corner and safety during his time with the Packers. He has experience of the zone blitz schemes favoured by Dom Capers.

McKenzie saw a successful 3-4 conversion first hand with the Green Bay Packers and new Raiders defensive coordinator Jason Tarver has plenty of 3-4 experience, having coached with the San Francisco 49ers from 2005-10.

If the Raiders do make the switch to a zone blitz-based 3-4, Underwood's scheme knowledge could prove invaluable.

10. Pittsburgh Steelers Sign Ex-Baltimore Ravens QB Troy Smith (GRADE: D)

In one of the more surprising acquisitions since the season ended, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed former Baltimore Ravens quarterback Troy Smith. It's impossible to imagine some Ravens not being at least slightly irked by the idea of a former touted prospect donning the uniform of their hated rivals next season.

Smith could have a chance to compete for a backup role with the Steelers. Reserve quarterback trio Byron Leftwich, Charlie Batch and Dennis Dixon are all pending free agents.

An athletic quarterback with the ability to make plays outside the pocket, Smith could have a real shot and being the deputy to Ben Roethlisberger next season. He would need to prove that he can offer the offense the versatile playmaking skills that Dixon, a passer with a similar skill set, could not.

If nothing else, this move is just one more point of friction in arguably the most heated rivalry of the NFL's modern era.

11. Indianapolis Colts Sign CFL Defensive Star, LB Jerrell Freeman (GRADE: C)

The Indianapolis Colts continue to look for suitable fits for their new defensive schemes and have brought in former Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker Jerrell Freeman. 

The move continues a time-honoured connection between the Colts and the CFL outfit. Freeman is the third Saskatchewan player to join the Colts since 2006.

Freeman was Canadian Football's leading tackler in 2011, notching 105 stops. The 6'0" 234 pounder is a quick and capable run defender. He would likely be asked to compete for an inside linebacker spot in the Colts 3-4 front.

Speed is what stands out in Freeman's game and he has the athleticism and mobility to compete for a spot on Chuck Pagano's defense. 

12. New York Giants Sign Ryan Purvis, TE Tampa Bay Buccaneers (GRADE: C)

It isn't easy to find a weakness on a Super Bowl-winning roster. But if there is one area where the New York Giants are short on offense, it's at tight end. That's why former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Ryan Purvis is an intriguing signing.

While Jake Ballard is certainly an above-average starter, he did suffer a series of injury problems as the season wore on. He also lacks a credible complement for the two-tight end sets the G-Men often like to employ.

Travis Beckum has not made enough plays and has also suffered injuries, while Bear Pascoe remains a pure blocker, best suited to a role as an auxiliary fullback. This means that Purvis should have a good opportunity to try and stake his claim for a roster spot.

The 25-year-old has good size at 6'4" and 260 pounds, is a competent receiver and spent time at the Giants 2011 training camp.

13. Kansas City Chiefs Sign Kyle McCarthy, S Denver Broncos (GRADE: D)

While their signing of Stanford Routt may have garnered more headlines, the Kansas City Chiefs also managed to capture another AFC West defensive back. The Chiefs raided the Denver Broncos to acquire free-agent safety Kyle McCarthy.

The 6'1" 205 pound safety has failed to make much of an impact in two pro seasons. He has appeared in only 12 games for the Broncos. But McCarthy might prove to be a useful addition for Romeo Crennel's secondary.

After losing Eric Berry, Tony Moeaki and Jamaal Charles to season-ending injuries in 2011, the Chiefs need to boost depth ahead of next season.

If McCarthy can improve under the tutelage of renowned secondary coach Emmitt Thomas, he would have a decent shot of making the final roster.

14. Minnesota Vikings Sign CFL Star LB Solomon Elimimian (GRADE: D)

The Minnesota Vikings have been busy since falling to a disastrous 3-13 finish. First they re-signed their entire practice squad from last season, in the hopes that some of those players can make the final roster this time around.

They also brought in CFL defensive stud Solomon Elimimian. The British Columbia Lions star established a reputation for ferocious tackling during two highly successful seasons in the CFL.

The Vikings are clearly exploring all avenues in the hopes of getting younger and improving their general talent level. Elimimian could have a chance to make the roster but would face strong competition on a Vikings team with established veterans like E.J. Henderson and Chad Greenway already in place at linebacker. 

15. New England Patriots Sign Three Pass-Rushers to Future Contracts (GRADE: C+)

Super Bowl 46 losers the New England Patriots recently signed seven players to future and reserve contracts. The group was highlighted by three young pass-rushers.

Linebackers Markell Carter, Mike Rivera and defensive end Aaron Lavarias will all be hoping to follow a similar path to current Patriots starter Rob Ninkovich. The big outside linebacker spent time on the practice squads of the New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins, before becoming a key member of the New England defense.

That could be encouraging for Rivera, who has been on four practice squads since entering the NFL in 2009. Carter was a sixth-round pick by the Patriots in the 2011 NFL draft, but didn't make it past the practice squad.

Both players have the size Belichick looks for when recruiting linebackers for his preferred hybrid 3-4 schemes. Lavarias possesses a similar frame and with the Patriots always on the lookout for talented edge rushers, one of this trio could actually wind up playing a part in the 2012 NFL season.