2012 NFL Free Agents: How Underrated Signings Will Fit into New Teams

We all knew the top free agents headed into this offseason.

You know, the Peyton Mannings and Vincent Jacksons of the world.

But under-the-radar signings have a way of creeping up and surprising the league. All it takes is a couple underrated signings to shock the NFL and propel your team to the next level.

Here's a look at some underrated signings this year and how they fit into their respective teams.

Michael Bush, RB, Chicago Bears

Any Oakland Raiders fan will tell you how valuable Michael Bush was to the team when Darren McFadden went down due to injury last season.

The 27-year-old rushed for 977 yards and seven touchdowns last season while adding 418 receiving yards. He's one of the more underrated running backs in the league.

And given Matt Forte's dicey relationship with the organization, Bush may spell Chicago's Forte as he did Oakland's McFadden.

Brodrick Bunkley, DT, New Orleans Saints

The Saints have had trouble stopping the run for a while now, tracing back to the 2011 playoffs when Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch burned them. They gave up 5.0 yards per carry last season.

Bunkley has a variety of interior pass-rushing moves, but he's best as a run-stopper. The veteran will be a valuable member for a Saints defense in dire need of an impact player against the rush.

Cortland Finnegan, CB, St. Louis Rams

Obviously, Cortland Finnegan has had some times when he's lost his composure out on the field and he's sometimes too aggressive for his own good.

But Finnegan's in-your-face nature is also a strength. He's a pesky cover man with the quickness and burst to match up with some of the game's top wideouts. He will look good in former coach Jeff Fisher's defense next season.

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