NFL Free Agency 2012: 4 Potential Steals for the Arizona Cardinals

The Peyton Manning frenzy and the “bounty-gate” scandal have taken over the offseason so far, almost to the point that some have forgotten that we are just a day away from free agency.

Most of those who remembered have been focused on big-name players like Mario Williams, Dwayne Bowe and Cortland Finnegan who will all likely be switching teams before the offseason is over.

With that being said, some of the most important moves made during the offseason go unnoticed until football kicks back up and those late-round draft picks or no-name free agents turn into studs.

Featured over the next several slides are players who would be considered steals for the Arizona Cardinals in free agency.

Laurent Robinson

Whether they get Peyton Manning, Laurent Robinson would be a huge steal for Arizona in free agency.

While starting just four games for the Dallas Cowboys in 2011, Robinson caught 54 passes for 858 yards and added 11 touchdowns.

The 26-year-old will continue to get better and could wind up as a cheap alternative to someone like Reggie Wayne or Marques Colston.

Anthony Collins

It is no secret that the Arizona Cardinals have had one of the worst offensive lines in the league for years now, and a lot of that has to do with the play of tackles Levi Brown and Brandon Keith.

The Cardinals have put together a pretty solid interior and will have the chance to address the tackle position this offseason with Keith becoming a free agent and Brown expected to be released.

Jared Gaither, Demetrius Bell and most recently Eric Winston are the names that come to mind when you think of free agent offensive tackles, with the name Anthony Collins not being brought up much.

Collins has missed time due to injury, but if he can stay healthy, then he is an improvement over both Brown and Keith and would likely be considered a steal.

Kamerion Wimbley

Kamerion Wimbley is technically not a free agent yet, but the Oakland Raiders are set to cut the linebacker in an attempt to shed salary.

Wimbley recorded 16 sacks in two seasons with Oakland, but the knock on him was that he would get tired and take plays off. However in a rotation with both Sam Acho and O’Brien Schofield, that should not be too much of an issue.

Arizona has already shown interest in the 28-year-old, and if he indeed becomes available, then he would be a great addition to the Cardinals up-and-coming defense.

Larry Grant

With both Patrick Willis and Navarro Bowman occupying the middle linebacker position, Larry Grant will more than likely be available.

While starting in three games for San Francisco in 2011, Grant recorded 39 tackles, two sacks and forced a fumble.

His play, for the most part, was not as noticeable to many as the focus was on players like Justin and Aldon Smith. Grant could come cheap in free agency and would be the perfect player to replace an aging Paris Lenon within the next couple of years.