NFL Free Agency: 25 Bargain Buys That Could Make an Impact in 2011
There may or may not be football next fall, but for now we're going to talk as if there will be. We'll assume that there will be a new collective bargaining agreement worked out between both parties.
There are some big names out there in free agency and they will cost a pretty penny. There are other guys out there that you've heard of but won't cost an arm and a leg to get.
Here are 25 free agents that could make an impact in 2011 and won't cost too much.
25. Plaxico Burress
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Burress has been serving time for the past two seasons. He is set to be released in June and wants to make a comeback to the NFL.
It would be a huge risk signing Burress to any deal because he hasn't played football in awhile. You're not too sure how much he can contribute. However, the success of Michael Vick could spark interest in Burress.
He'll come at a cheap price and if he has remained in good shape, he should be able to help a team out.
24. Kevin Faulk
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Kevin Faulk does all the right things. He isn't going to be a 1,000-yard rusher or score 10 touchdowns, but Faulk is a guy you can always count on.
On third and short, Faulk will get those yards. He will pick up the block to protect the quarterback. Faulk can also contribute very well in the passing game.
He's a clutch guy who is a great teammate. Any team would be glad to have this veteran and his leadership. Faulk missed the majority of 2010 with a torn ACL, but will be ready to go for 2011. He is a great versatile back that won't cost a team very much.
23. Kevin Boss
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Kevin Boss is a dual tight end. He can catch and block. It's sad that we have to label a tight end that way. A true tight end can block and catch, not one or the other. However, there are many out there who excel at one or the other.
Boss recorded 35 receptions for 531 yards and five touchdowns. He will help whatever team decides to sign him.
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22. Owen Daniels
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Daniels didn't have quite the 2010 season he wanted. He missed five games with an injury, which will hurt him this offseason.
Daniels will be looking for a good deal, but since he didn't produce two full seasons these past two years, teams won't drop too much money on him.
However, Daniels can still play, and if he has a healthy 2011 season, expect solid numbers from him. He's a guy who can contribute very well in the passing game if he is used correctly. A team will take a risk on the injury-prone tight end and it'll pay off if he stays healthy.
21. Fred Taylor
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Taylor is getting up there in age but has the ability to be a solid third-down back for any team. He doesn't see many touches on the Patriots roster. If another team gave him the ball more, his numbers would be better.
Taylor's problem is staying healthy. Teams know that the past two years he has gone down with an injury. Therefore, they can get him at a cheap price and hope he stays healthy all season. Taylor still knows how to run the ball well.
20. Brady Quinn
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Brady Quinn has only been given one shot at a starting quarterback job, playing in 10 games in 2009 for the Cleveland Browns. Quinn put up decent numbers before going down with a foot injury.
There are several teams in need of a quarterback. Quinn is a possible option for teams to pick up, to have him compete for the job. He's a guy who, given the chance, could finally prove himself. He's a solid backup at this point in his career. If the starter goes down, Quinn can come in and still give a team hope.
19. Matt Leinart
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Leinart is another guy who never lived up to the hype. Arizona had enough of him and let him go a season too early in my opinion. The Cardinals struggled at quarterback last season and Leinart knew the system well enough to help them.
Those teams looking for a quarterback may consider Leinart because he won't cost them too much. He too is a backup guy, but he has potential to be a good starter.
Leinart could be a good fit for the Tennessee Titans. Kerry Collins isn't the answer and if they draft a quarterback, it could take time for the rookie to develop. Leinart gives them another option while they wait for the rookie.
18. Bruce Gradkowski
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Gradkowski proved this past season that he can still play. He stepped in for the injured Jason Campbell and put up solid numbers.
Gradkowski threw for over 1,000 yards in only six games. It won't cost much at all for a team to sign him. Gradkowski is a very strong backup quarterback who adds great insurance in an injury-prone league. The NFL is getting tougher and injuries happen all the time. Gradkowski is a very reliable backup and a potential starter.
17. Derrick Ward
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Derrick Ward can still play. He's a good option for any team in need of a running back.
Ward saw his carries cut in half this season with the Texans. He was a 1,000-yard rusher in 2008 with the Giants. He is dangerous with the ball and won't cost much this offseason.
Some team will take the risk on Ward, hoping he finds his old form and can produce for them. The potential is there, he just needs to step up.
16. Tarvaris Jackson
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The Vikings are faced with a number of questions. The biggest question is: Who is going to play quarterback? They liked what they got from Joe Webb at the end of the season, which means Tarvaris Jackson could be on his way out. The Vikings may also consider drafting a quarterback with the No. 12 pick in the draft.
Jackson is a dual-threat quarterback who could start for one of those teams in need of a QB. He was inconsistent at times with Minnesota, so he won't come at a big price for any team interested. He has the ability to start and could see the field if signed by the right team.
15. Seneca Wallace
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The perennial backup finally got his chance to start in 2010. It was going to be his year to finally prove himself worthy of a starting role, but in Week 5, Wallace went down with an ankle injury and lost his job to Colt McCoy.
Wallace is a cheap option for a quarterback. He will probably be re-signed by the Browns as insurance to McCoy and Delhomme. But Wallace may head elsewhere if he gets any offers. He has the football intelligence to be a starter in this league and some team will take a chance on him.
14. Steve Breaston
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Breaston didn't have the 2010 season he would have liked to, as he was plagued by an injury. He still managed 47 receptions and 718 yards, but only one touchdown.
Breaston is a great athlete and is a great option to possibly return kicks. He'll provide a team with great speed and solid route running. There are many receivers to choose from and Breaston is a good option for an inexpensive price.
13. James Jones
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Jones was second in receiving yards for the Packers this season with 679 yards. However, Jones only caught five touchdowns.
He was a vital part of the Packers success this season. He is a great option for a No. 2 receiver. Jones won't cost a team too much, but he will bring in great production.
12. Mike Sims-Walker
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Sims-Walker is also a great option for a No. 2 receiver. He led all Jaguars wideouts with seven touchdowns. The Jaguars leading touchdown grabber was tight end Mercedes Lewis.
Sims-Walker's numbers were down from a year ago, so he won't be asking for too much money this season. His biggest plus as a receiver is his ability to get into the end zone. He's been in the league for four years, so expect a good 2011 for Sims-Walker.
11. Jerious Norwood
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Jerious Norwood is a play maker. He is electrifying with the ball and very hard to bring down. His biggest problem is that he is injury prone.
He hasn't played a full season since 2008 and missed the majority of last season with a torn ACL. It won't cost a team that much to sign Norwood, because they know he is a risky. But he is a player who can contribute and has the potential to be very dangerous in 2011 if he can stay healthy.
10. Ricky Williams
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Ricky Williams can still play football. He rushed for over 1,100 yards last season but saw his numbers decrease greatly in 2010.
He'll be a cheap pick up for any team out there. Williams can still carry the rock with a purpose. It's a gamble to sign him, but the reward is very high. Williams will have a better 2011.
9. Tim Hightower
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Hightower rushed for over 700 yards in 2010. That was good enough for his career best. He rushed 10 more times this season than last year, but only scored five touchdowns. His first two years in the league he scored a total of 18 touchdowns.
His inability to find the end zone will hurt him in negotiations this offseason, but any team in need a of a running back should look into picking up Hightower. He'll be cheaper than a number of backs out there and Hightower can produce solid numbers.
8. Cadillac Williams
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Williams' numbers have decreased over the past couple of years. He can still produce in the league, especially for a team that uses multiple backs.
Williams saw his carries diminish this year because of the rise of LeGarrette Blount. Williams only found the end zone twice this season and rushed for just over 400 yards.
He's had knee problems in the past so teams will keep that in mind when negotiating a contract. However, he's still a beast with the ball and can contribute wherever he goes.
7. Darren Sproles
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Sproles has been in the league six years, all with the San Diego Chargers. Mike Tolbert gets the majority of the carries and Ryan Mathews will soon become the feature back. It's time for Sproles to pack up and move to another team.
He is very explosive with the ball and difficult to tackle. His elusiveness makes him a special player and any team would gladly add this speed back to their squad.
Sproles is a great receiving back and is also very dangerous in the return game.
6. T.J. Houshmandzadeh
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Houshmandzadeh put up his lowest numbers since his rookie season. This year was the first year since 2002 that Houshmandzadeh didn't have over 900 receiving yards.
Some will question his ability to play the game, but they don't need to. Houshmandzadeh was learning a new playbook and lacked chemistry with Joe Flacco. He wasn't targeted that much this season and it was frustrating for him.
Houshmandzadeh can still play football and will be a cheap pick up for a team this offseason. He'll put up much better numbers in 2011.
5. BenJarvus Green-Ellis
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Green-Ellis had a breakout season. He came out of nowhere and led the Patriots in rushing. He ran for over 1,000 yard on over 200 carries. A year ago he finished the season with 114 yards on 26 carries. Talk about a turnaround.
However, he won't cost a ton because teams may consider him a one-hit wonder. They're not going to pay him the big bucks off of just one year. Green-Ellis isn't a one-hit wonder and will produce solid numbers again next year. He'll see interest from other teams, but should re-sign with the Patriots.
4. Randy Moss
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The 2010 season was quite a whirlwind for Randy Moss. He played for three different teams last season and put up a career worst 393 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
Moss wasn't pleased with how 2010 turned out. It won't cost that much to get him this offseason because teams view him as problematic. He could be a distraction to a team and may not want to play. Moss can be a diva who likes to do things his way.
Moss will have a better 2011 season. The big question is: will a team take a chance on him this offseason?
3. Terrell Owens
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Terrell Owens may be a head case and a diva, but he can still play football. He proved it this year with 72 receptions for over 900 yards and nine touchdowns.
Owens will be on the move once again this offseason. Things have blown up in Cincinnati and he knows he should get out of there.
Owens will sign another one-year deal with a contending team and put up solid numbers once again. Just keep him happy by throwing it his way and all will be well.
2. Marc Bulger
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Bulger sat behind Joe Flacco this past season and never got to play. He is a great cheap option for a team in need of a quarterback.
Bulger still wants to start. If he can get a team with some talent on it, Bulger could win some games. When he played for St. Louis, Steven Jackson and Torry Holt where the only guys he could count on.
Bulger can give a team help right away, and it won't cost much to get him.
1. Alex Smith
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Smith hasn't played a full season since 2006. The San Francisco 49ers just got a new coach and he may want to start fresh with a different quarterback, one that can be counted on for a full year.
There are a number of teams in need of a quarterback and Smith has great experience. He can still throw it well and teams in need of a starter should consider Smith as an option.
They won't have to spend too much to get Smith because his value has decreased over the years. Smith has looked great at times and just plain awful on some plays. Some team will sign him and let him compete for the starting role.
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