NFL Free Agents 2012: Lucrative Signings Who Will Justify Big Deals

Oftentimes, we say a team overpaid for a specific player after having seen what he has done in previous seasons in the NFL.

However, these five players, who many believed were overpaid, will justify the mega-deals they signed during this year's rambunctious free-agency period.  

The teams that inked them to big contracts saw these guys as ideal fits to their system and will ultimately reap the benefits of their expensive acquisition. 

Pierre Garcon: Washington Redskins

Garcon received a five-year, $42.5 million contract from the always-active Washington Redskins in free agency. 

The deal is more lucrative than Stevie Johnson's, and even Marques Colston's. 

Even if you believe this was a vast overpayment by Washington, you've got to realize what they're getting with Garcon and the situation he'll be in throughout the life of the deal. 

Firstly, the Mount Union alum is only 25 years old and is yet to enter his prime as a receiver. He flashed his immense deep threat and possession wideout potential while Peyton Manning was his quarterback during the first three years of his career. 

Even last season, with Curtis Painter and Dan Orlovsky throwing him the football, Garcon posted career highs in receptions and receiving yards. 

He'll join a club that will most likely have the dynamic Robert Griffin III throwing him passes. Santana Moss and Jabar Gaffney are still in the mix and can teach Garcon the intricate facets of getting opening and becoming a more well-rounded receiver.

Griffin III should find Garcon to be a Kendall Wright-esque target and he'll be a guy to fill the void left by a slowing Moss down the field.

Garcon should flourish in Washington with RG3.  

Mark Anderson: Buffalo Bills

Initial reports stated that the Bills agreed to pay Anderson $27.5 million over four years, but Mark Gaughan, the longtime Bills beat writer for the Buffalo News, corrected the report, revealing the deal is for four years and is worth $19.5 million. 

A drastic monetary difference, but some still believe Buffalo overpaid for a spotty defensive end that's been relatively inconsistent during his career. 

Again, look at the situation Anderson finds himself in. 

He's a part of a defensive line that features Kyle Williams, Marcell Dareus and Mario Williams. 

A situational pass-rusher's dream. 

Although Chan Gailey insists Anderson is an every-down player, he was alluding to the fact that teams throw more frequently now than ever before. 

Many think the coaching and the system in New England were the main reasons that led to Anderson's reemergence, but it'll be hard for him not to produce playing on that defensive front in Buffalo. 

Carl Nicks: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Nicks was paid "offensive tackle money" to the tune of a five-year, $47.5 million contract. The deal made him the highest-paid guard in the NFL. 

While some believe a guard should never be paid that much money, Nicks is totally worth it and will justify the extravagant amount of money he received from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

He'll be 27 in May and has many years left in his massive tank.

At 6'5'' and 343 pounds, Nicks is one the most devastating run-blockers in the NFL. With new head coach Greg Schiano, who loves to feature the run, Nicks will provide an instant boost to a rushing attack that finished 30th in the NFL last season.

They need the help on the interior of their offensive line.

I see no reason why Nicks won't provide that help, and, he's gone from the divisional rival Saints.

Robert Meachem: San Diego Chargers

The San Diego Chargers signed Colston to a four-year, $25.9 million deal, and instantly, some thought that was too much to shell out to a guy that has never caught more than 45 passes in one season. 

Well, his lower-than-expected reception total was due to the insane distribution habits of every wideout's best friend, Drew Brees. 

At 6'2'' and 210 pounds with fantastic straight-line speed, Colston fits perfectly into San Diego's vertical passing system. 

He may not be on Vincent Jackson's level, but he's an extremely similar player who can excel down the field and is a full year younger than V-Jax.

With ample room to be the true No. 1 in the Chargers offense, Colston will flourish.  

Cortland Finnegan: St. Louis Rams

There's a bit more risk with this move, but Finnegan will be a fantastic addition to the St. Louis Rams in 2012. 

He signed a five-year, $50 million deal that took some heat. 

However, with the amount of passing that's featured in today's NFL and the ability to reunite with former Tennessee Titans coaching Jeff Fisher, this deal is dynamite for the Rams. 

They had a stingy secondary in 2011, but those numbers were skewed due to the success opposing teams had running the football against them last season. 

Finnegan brings a fiery No. 1 cornerback to their defensive backfield who's a strong tackler and run defender. 

Fisher knows how to get the most out of Finnegan, so expect an increase in St. Louis' defensive production this year.