2012 NFL Free Agents: The Stellar Yet Underrated Signings

While Peyton Manning to the Denver Broncos and Mario Williams to the Buffalo Bills will be the lasting memories of the most turbulent free-agency signing period in the history of the NFL, we must not forget about a handful of underrated moves. 

I instantly fell in love with these three deals the moment I saw them reported on Twitter. 

Red Bryant Re-Signing with the Seattle Seahawks 

The Seahawks were the busiest birds in free agency, after they inked Matt Flynn and James Jones, released Marcus Trufant and Robert Gallery and re-signed the Skittle-devouring, get-off-me running back Marshawn Lynch. 

On the first day of free agency, the team made an absolute brilliant idea when they got Red Bryant to sign on the dotted line for a five-year, $35 million deal. 

Don't let his 2011 stat-line of 32 tackles and one sack deceive you. At 6'4'' and 333 pounds, Bryant was a disruptive force on the edge of Seattle's defensive in all 16 games last year. 

As a team, the Seahawks allowed less than four yards per carry, a lot of that having to do with Bryant's penetrating ability. 

On an up-and-coming team, this former fourth-round pick was a must-have. 

Robert Meachem Signing with the San Diego Chargers

Due to their inability to re-sign the pricey Vincent Jackson, the Chargers needed to fill a major void in the receiving corps of their vertical passing offense.

Who better than Robert Meachem, the 6'2'' and 210-pound burner who spent his first four years as a professional with the New Orleans Saints?

Although he's never had more than 45 grabs in one year, he's now in position to erupt as a dangerous No. 1 wideout at the ripe age of 27.  

Mike Tolbert Signing with the Carolina Panthers

On Monday, running back Mike Tolbert reached a four-year agreement with the Carolina Panthers. To channel my inner Marv Albert—a spectacular move!

Tolbert was the do-it-all running back for the San Diego Chargers for the last two seasons and is one of the more reliable receivers out of the backfield in the NFL. 

He caught 53 passes last season and accounted for 10 total touchdowns. 

Cam Newton pieced together an epic rookie season, but I truly believe he hasn't even scratched the surface in terms of what he can become as a passer. 

While he found Steve Smith downfield early in the season, he was more comfortable finding underneath targets Greg Olsen and Jeremy Shockey as the year progressed. 

Mike Tolbert gives him another wily veteran target. 

Perfect. 

He also adds another punishing back to a trio of runners not easily brought to the turf. 

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