2012 NFL Free Agency: Ranking the Top 8 Value Deals so Far

NFL free agency is known for players being overpaid, but the best surprises are those players who sign for less than what they're worth. 

This year is no different, as many players have signed for less than expected. 

These guys will leave it all on the field every Sunday, play like there's no tomorrow and become overnight fan favorites. 

In a money-hungry world, these are the guys who do it for more than the fortune and fame—these are the guys who do it for the love of the game. 

With plenty of blood, sweat and tears to come, these players will be worth every penny. 

The Extra Point: Brandon Carr May Have Signed for Big Bucks, but He'll Pay Off

Cornerback Brandon Carr may have felt jilted by the Kansas City Chiefs when they signed Stanford Routt earlier this season.

He probably feels a lot better now that he's signed a $50.1 million contract with the Dallas Cowboys. 

The young, shutdown corner is exactly what the Cowboys need. After all, they were ranked No. 23 in the NFL against the pass last season. 

Carr also eliminates the need for the Cowboys to draft a corner with their first-round pick. 

Cowboys fans should be overjoyed with this one. 

The Kansas City Chiefs Found a Gem in Tackle Eric Winston

Because of a failed physical, the Houston Texans released right tackle Eric Winston this offseason.

The Kansas City Chiefs jumped on the opportunity to fill one of their biggest needs.  

Winston, 28, signed a four-year deal worth $22 million with the Chiefs. Considering that he can come into Kansas City and start immediately, the Chiefs got a great deal. 

Things are looking good for the Chiefs in 2012. They should be playoff contenders. 

Brandon Lloyd Proved He Wants to Win and Signed for Less

Brandon Lloyd should be all smiles after signing with the New England Patriots on March 17.

The 30-year-old receiver is now reunited with his former coach, Josh McDaniels. Under McDaniels, Lloyd led the NFL with 1,448 yards receiving in 2010.

What this means for the Patriots is that quarterback Tom Brady now has someone who can stretch the field and allow the likes of receivers Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez to get open underneath.

If Lloyd can play anything like he did in 2010, this deal is a win-win situation for all parties involved.  

The Dallas Cowboys Got Quite a Deal on Dan Connor

The Dallas Cowboys scored big when they signed linebacker Dan Connor to a two-year, $6.5 million deal this offseason.

Connor is a four-year pro that now joins fellow Penn State alum Sean Lee in the huddle.

Whether or not Connor signed on to play with Lee, the Cowboys found themselves a good defender in Connor. 

With Connor and Lee's chemistry, the Cowboys made a solid move toward their future. 

Reggie Wayne Surprised Everyone by Re-Signing with the Colts

In the end, wide receiver Reggie Wayne didn't go anywhere. 

Wayne stayed put in Indianapolis and will remain a member of the Colts for the rest of his career. 

For just $17.5 million over three years, the Colts retained their future Hall of Fame receiver.

What this means is that future No. 1 overall draft selection Andrew Luck will have someone to catch his passes.

Wayne will earn his money being a tutor to Luck and the Colts' youth movement. 

This is a great deal for both sides.

Fans everywhere should respect and love when one of the game's best players stays with same team for their entire career. 

Ben Grubbs Is a Cheaper Version of Carl Nicks for the Saints

The New Orleans Saints may have lost All-Pro guard Carl Nicks to free agency, but they didn't do badly by signing guard Ben Grubbs. 

Grubbs is a five-year veteran who signed a five-year, $36 million deal. 

He may not be as good as Nicks, but not many are. Nonetheless, he's a worthy replacement and will do just fine in New Orleans. 

Grubbs is above average in all facets of the game and Saints quarterback Drew Brees will take a liking to him quickly. 

Peyton Hillis Is a Big Bonus with a Reasonable Contract for the Chiefs

Peyton Hillis exploded in 2010 before having a forgettable 2011 with the Cleveland Browns.

With grumblings of trade rumors and injury before the end of the 2011 season, Hillis, 26, now finds himself with the Kansas City Chiefs, after signing a one-year, $3 million deal. 

He joins a Chiefs team that looks to rebound from an injury-riddled 2011 season themselves.

Hillis gets the fresh breath of air that he wanted and knows that he has to prove himself in 2012.

Given a healthy Jamaal Charles, the Chiefs will have a hellacious thunder-and-lightning combo in their backfield.

Hillis will quickly become a fan favorite in Kansas City, as the Chiefs are on their way to prominence. 

The Seattle Seahawks Did Well for Themselves in Signing Matt Flynn

The Seattle Seahawks have won the Matt Flynn sweepstakes. 

Flynn signed a three-year, $26 million deal with the Seahawks in what has become a much-improved NFC West this offseason.

Considering what backup quarterback Kevin Kolb got last season from the Arizona Cardinals, Flynn took a much smaller deal.

It appears Kolb may have ruined it for all backups, but that doesn't mean that Flynn won't earn his money.

He comes from Green Bay Packers, one of the league's finest organizations. Flynn also knows what it takes to win it all and has been mentored by Aaron Rodgers, one of the game's best.

Knowing that the fate of the Seahawks' organization is now on his shoulders, Flynn will win with the Seahawks.

In the end, the Flynn deal was good for the league—if he excels for two seasons, give him a worthy extension; if he doesn't, at least the Seahawks aren't in the poorhouse.  

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