2012 NFL Free Agents: David Garrard and the Best Offensive Vets Still Available

Without a doubt, the available offensive talent has dwindled down rather quickly since free agency began.

This in turn, however, favors the less appealing veterans into getting a little more dough on a short contract. After all, simply just getting another opportunity is all a player can ask for.

Peyton Manning and other newsworthy players aside, let's take a look at the best available veterans on offense who have been patiently waiting.

Brandon Jacobs, RB

He's hitting the undesirable age of 30 for running backs before the 2012 season kicks off and had his worst season since 2006.

Still, Brandon Jacobs, as he was in New York, can be a reliable ball-carrier in a two-back system. While with the Giants, Jacobs won two Super Bowls, has a good amount of postseason experience and is tough to stop in short-yard situations.

Jacobs also has a nose for finding the end zone. Despite only rushing for 571 yards this season, Jacobs still scored seven touchdowns, added another in the passing game and scored once in the playoffs.

He's a better receiving back than given credit for and has only scored less than five touchdowns once in his career (2007). In a two-back set, Jacobs can provide short-yard dependability and is even tougher to stop near the goal-line.

This also helps set up the play-action pass. To that end, any team needing a postseason experienced ball-carrier in a limited role, Jacobs is that guy.

Cedric Benson, RB

Cedric Benson's career undoubtedly got off to a rocky start.

While in Chicago from 2005-2007, Benson gained just 1,593 rushing yards and scored 10 touchdowns. Getting another opportunity in Cincinnati, Benson gained a career-high 747 yards in 2008.

Then in 2009, 2010 and 2011, Benson averaged over 1,100 yards per season, scored a total of 19 rushing touchdowns and revived his career.

He is, however, turning 30 years by late next season but can provide as a solid No. 2 back. Benson may not be the most explosive or punishing running back, but he had good vision and knows how to slither his way through the line.

We're seeing running backs last a little longer these days, so Benson can provide another three or four reliable years as a role-playing back to a stud No. 1 guy.

David Garrard, QB

It's no surprise that multiple teams needing a quarterback waited to pursue David Garrard, because he did miss all of 2011 and is 34 years old. But, according to Tania Ganguli of the Florida Times-Union, Garrard has some visits planned:

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That will start on Monday, when Garrard goes to South Florida to visit the Dolphins, a source confirmed, and said Garrard's next likely stop is with the St. Louis Rams.

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Garrard had arguably his best NFL season in 2010 with 23 touchdowns to 15 picks, over 2,700 yards and a 64.5 completion percentage.

If anything, Garrard played with a solid level of consistency from 2006-2010. In addition, Garrard never had one legit receiver to target, and his tight end Marcedes Lewis made just one Pro Bowl (2010).

Now yes, it's reasonable to make the argument that Garrard didn't take any of his receivers to the next level. However, during his five-year span of consistent contributions, Garrard finished with a 62.44 completion percentage, 81 touchdowns to just 50 picks and an 87.74 rating.

Those are pretty damn impressive numbers considering the lack of receiving talent around him.

Dallas Clark, TE

The last two seasons Dallas Clark was plagued by injuries and only played in 17 games.

He'll be 33 years old before the 2012 season begins, but provided that Clark can get back to being fully healthy, age at the tight end position is not as detrimental as it is to other positions.

With Clark's route-running, catching and downfield blocking skills, the savvy veteran will make for a serviceable role player (at worst).

From 2004 through 2009, Clark was arguably the NFL's most reliable tight end. He scored at least four touchdowns (11 in 2007) and averaged no less than 10.6 yards per catch (as much as 16.9 in 2004).

Clark's best seasons came in 2007 through 2009; there, he caught 235 passes for 2,570 yards and scored 27 touchdowns.

Now, it would be unfair to ask for Clark to revert back to this type of production; but if he can manage to beat single coverage on a consistent basis like normal, Clark will revive his career and be a significant contributor in 2012.

John Rozum on Twitter.