NFL Vets Looking Comfortable in Their New Surroundings

The NFL's free-agency era has forced many veterans over the years to head for greener pastures. This past offseason that trend continued.

Amid an ever-changing landscape of personnel decisions, these veterans wound up in places you never would have expected them to. A wide receiver with a chip on his shoulder, one of the best edge-rushers of the last 15 years and the greatest return man in NFL history all changed cities.

Out of all the players who found new homes last spring, we went out and selected a handful who look comfortable in their new surroundings. Without waiting around longer, let's take a look at those names.

Branden Albert

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The only way to kick off this list is by showing a little love to the big guys who earn their paychecks slugging it out in the trenches.

Miami Dolphins left tackle Branden Albert signed a five-year deal worth $46 million with the team during free agency to help fill a major need. A few weeks into the 2014 season, he's been everything the Dolphins could ask for.

Pro Football Focus (subscription required) has graded him as one the top tackles in the game today. His positive-9.6 overall grade ranks him No. 2 on that coveted list. Watching him work on film, it's great to see the seven-year veteran use his 6'5" frame to keep edge-rushers at bay.

It sure looks like their general manager, Dennis Hickey, made a heck of a football move luring Albert over from Kansas City.

Antonio Cromartie

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When the Arizona Cardinals signed Antonio Cromartie, they were banking on him returning to form after a tough year with the New York Jets. So far, that wish has come true for head coach Bruce Arians' unbeaten team.

Cromartie has spent all of his snaps this season lining up as the right cornerback. Alongside Patrick Peterson, his presence has helped the Cardinals secondary become one of the most formidable units in the league today.

Two weeks ago during a victory against the San Francisco 49ers, he went down with a knee injury. After getting checked out, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reported the injury was "less serious than expected." That's tremendous news for the 30-year-old.

His beaming athleticism and strong ball skills are exactly what you want out of a cover cornerback. The only concern remains his health. With that in check, it's going to be tough to throw the ball downfield on the Cardinals.

Devin Hester

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Ladies and gentleman, the greatest return man in NFL history is none other than Devin Hester.

Hester's departure from the Chicago Bears last offseason turned out to be huge for the Atlanta Falcons. Outside of his work on special teams, Hester has also spent 103 snaps at wide receiver, according to PFF. He's been a valuable piece to the puzzle for Atlanta no matter where he lines up on the field.

Smack-dab in the middle of the Falcons' 56-14 shellacking of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers two weeks ago, Hester finished with a rushing touchdown and also took a punt back to the house—breaking Deion Sanders' all-time record.

To say he looks comfortable in his new surroundings would be an understatement. The Falcons coaching staff has done an excellent job of utilizing his skill set to help move the chains. Right now his three-year, $9 million contract is looking like a bargain.

DeMarcus Ware

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DeMarcus Ware will always be remembered for his days wearing a Dallas Cowboys uniform. Ware led the Cowboys defense for nine seasons before he was released last offseason.

One of this generation's most explosive pass-rushers decided that the best move for the tail end of his career would be to ink a deal with the Denver Broncos. It makes total sense. The Broncos went to the Super Bowl last season and by all means have improved.

PFF's data shows that Ware has taken 167 snaps out of a possible 242 this season for the Broncos. He may not be the same explosive enigma he was five years ago, but so far he's still been productive.

Lining up at defensive end, Ware has pieced together 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble and six combined tackles. The 32-year-old still has some ability, and the Broncos need that ability to shine through if they want to be effective on the defensive side of the ball.

All you can say is, right now, he looks comfortable sporting that orange-and-blue ensemble.

Steve Smith Sr.

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Steve Smith Sr. has aged better than a slab of meat hanging in Del Frisco's Steakhouse. The 35-year-old veteran wide receiver joined the Baltimore Ravens earlier this year after spending 13 seasons with the Carolina Panthers.

Since making that transition, the tireless worker has been a perfect fit for his new club. Among the NFL's leaders for targets, Smith is tied for third with 41. Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has done his best to feed the wide receiver wherever he turns up on the field.

Today, the NFL is a league loaded with talented pass-catchers. However, even with all of those guys out there, Smith has found a way to stay atop the stat sheet. His 29 receptions for 429 yards and three touchdowns give him more receiving yards than Jimmy Graham, Calvin Johnson, Dez Bryant and Victor Cruz.

Smith has given the Ravens a downfield target they can rely on. At this juncture, the Ravens' decision to give him a three-year deal worth $11.5 million looks like it was worth every penny.

Unless noted otherwise, all game scores and information come courtesy of ESPN.com.