NFL Free Agents 2012: Projecting This Year's Biggest Steals

Looking back on the NFL's free agency period so far, several teams have landed big-time steals. 

Here is a look at the three free agents from the 2012 who will end up providing their new franchises with the biggest bang for their buck next season.

Jarret Johnson, San Diego Chargers

Johnson was a rock for the Baltimore Ravens over the past nine years. He is a hard-nosed, blue-collar outside linebacker who is one of the top run stoppers in the NFL.

The Chargers were in desperate need of some toughness along the edge of their 3-4 defense and targeted Johnson immediately. They inked the 30-year-old to a four-year, $19 million contract with $10 million guaranteed. That should be a bargain for a guy who could change the culture of the team's defense and give them some attitude. 

Mario Manningham, San Francisco 49ers

Manningham was a Super Bowl hero who was then cast-off by the Giants, and the San Francisco 49ers snatched him up. Manningham signed an extremely cheap two-year, $7.375 million deal that includes just $3.2 million in guarantees. 

Manningham is just 25 years old and could be a legitimate No. 2 receiver for the Niners this year. In 2009, the Michigan product had 57 receptions for 822 yards and five touchdowns, then in 2010, he hauled in 60 passes for 944 yards and nine scores.

Though he had a down year in 2011 (39 catches for 523 yards and four touchdowns), he was sharing catches with Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz. In San Francisco his production should jump back up.

Jeff Saturday, Green Bay Packers

Saturday will turn 37 this summer, but he's still one of the best centers in the NFL. After Scott Wells skipped town and landed with the St. Louis Rams, Green Bay needed someone to replace him. They grabbed Saturday with an incredibly manageable two-year, $8 million contract. 

As a member of the Indianapolis Colts, Saturday made five-straight Pro Bowls from 2005-10. Mentally, there isn't a better center in the NFL, and when combined with Aaron Rodgers, there may not be a better quarterback-center tandem in the NFL next season.

Saturday will probably be spending the final two seasons of his career in Green Bay. But he also could hoist the Lombardi Trophy in both years. He'll certainly be a great, affordable addition to the Packers.