2015 NFL Free Agents: Under-the-Radar Moves That Will Pay off Big

While a number of elite players who signed huge-money contracts made headlines—think Ndamukong Suh to Miami and DeMarco Murray to Philadelphia—a number of under-the-radar signings could go a long way toward impacting the NFL's playoff picture.

In order for a signing to be classified as "under the radar," it cannot have been the recipient of fanfare and media hype. So while the Eagles' signing running back Ryan Mathews was more of a secondary move, it cannot be considered because it was heavily analyzed by media and fans alike.

The moves on this list haven't been as heralded, but they will resonate during the 2015 season. 

Here are the under-the-radar moves from 2015 NFL free agency that will pay off big.

NY Giants Signing RB Shane Vereen

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

In Year 1 of coordinator Ben McAdoo's offense, the New York Giants lacked a true receiving threat out of the backfield.

But thanks to the signing of former Patriots running back Shane Vereen, what was once a weakness is now a strength.

The Giants inked Vereen to a three-year, $12.35 million contract with $4.75 million guaranteed, and he'll fill a major need in their offense. While batterymates Andre Williams and Rashad Jennings fit more in the "thumper" category, Vereen is an accomplished pass-catcher, and one can argue New England wouldn't have won the Super Bowl without his 11 receptions in the Big Game.

Vereen caught 52 passes last year for New England and will be a safety valve for Big Blue quarterback Eli Manning on third downs. With Vereen, Williams, Jennings and receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Victor Cruz, the Giants offense has the potential to be explosive in 2015.

Cleveland Browns Signing CB Tramon Williams

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

The Cleveland Browns might have lost cornerback Buster Skrine in free agency, but they moved quickly to replace him, signing former Packers corner Tramon Williams to a three-year, $21 million contract with $10 million guaranteed.

And while the transaction hasn't generated a tremendous amount of fanfare, make no mistake about it: Williams will help improve the Browns defense immediately.

He finished 2014 as Pro Football Focus' 34th-ranked cornerback, just behind batterymate Joe Haden (28th). He has 28 career interceptions, and his pick-six of Matt Ryan in the 2010 divisional round helped propel Green Bay toward a Super Bowl championship.

Browns general manager Ray Farmer waxed poetic about Williams upon the signing, telling Andrew Gribble of ClevelandBrowns.com: "Tramon is a really good and consistent player. He has had success in this league because he’s a pro’s pro who believes great preparation leads to great performance. We are very happy to be able to sign a player of his caliber to our secondary.”

With second-year cornerback Justin Gilbert still maturing as a player and person, the Browns needed someone like the 32-year-old Williams to steady the ship. He'll provide leadership—both on and off the field—which is sorely needed in Cleveland.

For more superlatives on the Williams signing, check out this column from Bleacher Report's Andrea Hangst.

Oakland Raiders Sign DT Dan Williams

Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press

While the Oakland Raiders might have struck out on Ndamukong Suh in free agency, they landed a solid fallback option in former Cardinals defensive tackle Dan Williams.

The 6'2", 330-pound Williams is an absolute monster in the interior of a defensive line and an adept run-stopper. He finished 2015 ranked as Pro Football Focus' eighth-best defensive tackle against the run and should be a force for the Silver and Black.

Oakland inked Williams to a four-year, $25 million deal with $15.2 million guaranteed, so he'll be expected to perform up to that contract. But as Bleacher Report's Christopher Hansen writes, Williams could quickly become the centerpiece of new coach Jack Del Rio's defense. 

Last year, the Raiders finished 22nd overall against the run, allowing 4.0 yards per carry. Expect that number to improve with the colossal Williams in tow.

Houston Texans Sign WR Cecil Shorts

Gary McCullough/Associated Press

When the Houston Texans released receiver Andre Johnson—inarguably the greatest player in franchise history—it left a gaping hole at the position for general manager Rick Smith and coach Bill O'Brien to fill.

And while no one can replace Johnson (who signed with division-rival Indianapolis), the Texans made a quality signing in former Jaguars pass-catcher Cecil Shorts, giving him a two-year, $6 million contract.

Shorts has tallied 55, 66 and 63 receptions in the past three seasons and has 12 career rushing touchdowns. While he wasn't a true No. 1 receiver in Jacksonville, he won't have to fill that role in Houston, as DeAndre Hopkins was already in that spot. Shorts is a terrific complement, and it stands to reason that Smith and O'Brien will add another receiver in the draft.

Considering the Texans' other receivers on the depth chart included the likes of DeVier Posey and Damaris Johnson, bringing in someone of Shorts' caliber should not be understated. He'll help relieve pressure on Hopkins while giving Houston's quarterback (probably Brian Hoyer) a second reliable option.

Pittsburgh Steelers Sign RB DeAngelo Williams

Bob Leverone/Associated Press

Last season, the Pittsburgh Steelers watched as their No. 2 running back to begin the year—LeGarrette Blount—helped the Patriots win a Super Bowl title. And after the team jettisoned Blount from the club, there wasn't much behind starting back Le'Veon Bell.

And indeed, the Steelers felt the loss of Bell acutely during the team's loss to Baltimore in the Wild Card Round—a game in which Pittsburgh rushed 19 times for 68 yards, an average of 3.6 yards per carry. And no, that's not good enough.

With Bell expected to be suspended for at least two games (with a maximum of four) for violating the league's substance-abuse policy—per Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio—it was imperative that the Steelers add a quality back. And they did just that with the free-agent signing of former Panthers rusher DeAngelo Williams, whom they inked to a two-year, $4 million contract.

The 31-year-old Williams might not be the player he once was, but he's still a viable option, owning a career mark of 4.8 yards per carry. Injury limited him to only six games last year, and he didn't put forth his best season, but it stands to reason that he'll bounce back with a full offseason of rest.

In Williams, Pittsburgh has a player it can lean on to handle the load in Bell's potential absence. His signing could go down as an important one in the AFC North.

 

Nick Kostos is a featured NFL columnist for Bleacher Report and a host for Bleacher Report Radio on SiriusXM. Follow Nick on Twitter here and become a fan of his on Facebook here.