NFL Free-Agent Pickups That Will Pay off in a Big Way

For every Albert Haynesworth acquisition, there's a Julius Peppers signing in NFL free agency. 

Some players simply don't work out in their new cities, while others flourish. 

This season, there are a crop of pickups that will make a major impact on their new teams. They've been put in prime situations to succeed and their overwhelming talent will lead to terrific years. 

Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning. Tim Tebow.

Advantage Peyton Manning.

Though the Broncos' receiving corps didn't strike fear in opposing secondaries last season, Manning changes everything. 

He's got it done with all types of pass-catching talents throughout his career, and Demaryius Thomas has the skill set to be a menacing outside receiver at 6'3'' and 230 pounds. 

The 2012 Broncos offense will be an aerial assault on its opponents and will be extremely fun to watch. 

Manning may be in the twilight of his career, but I fully expect him to pick up right where he left off in 2010. 

Mario Williams 

After slowly becoming acclimated to the 3-4 defense as an outside linebacker, Williams goes to Buffalo and moves back to his more comfortable and natural position as a 4-3 defensive end. 

He won't be asked to drop into coverage. Instead, his main objective will be getting after the quarterback, and that's what Williams does best. 

Another huge plus for the former No. 1 overall pick is that he's playing on a defensive line with interior studs Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus. 

Offensive lines will have their hands full with those two in the middle, leaving Mario one-on-one on the outside more often. 

He couldn't be in a better situation and is still in the prime of his career at age 27. 

Brandon Carr

Carr will once again get to play opposite a sound cornerback in Dallas with Morris Claiborne, just like he did in Kansas City with Brandon Flowers. 

In Rob Ryan's aggressive defensive scheme, Carr will be able to play tight bump-and-run coverage with top receivers. 

At 6'0" and 207 pounds, Carr's big and physical enough to stay with bigger receivers. In 2011, he hauled in four interceptions to go along with 49 tackles.  

With a terrorizing defensive line in front of him that features DeMarcus Ware, Anthony Spencer and Jay Ratliff, Carr will have a fine 2012 season. 

Jason Jones

The Seahawks have one of the most underrated defenses heading into this upcoming season. They ranked ninth in the league in total defense in 2011 and allowed a mere 3.8 yards per carry. 

Jones isn't a superstar, but he's a quality defensive lineman that's entering the prime of his career. Playing alongside Brandon Mebane, Red Bryant, Alan Branch, rookie edge-rusher Bruce Irvin and Chris Clemons—a guy that racked up 11 sacks last year—Jones could be in for his best professional season. 

The 6'5'', 275-pound defender had three sacks with the Titans in 2011. 

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