NFL Free Agency: 15 Potential Bargain Buys That Could Make an Impact in 2011
Football in the fall is only guaranteed at the collegiate level, but that has not stopped the intrigue and wonder that accompanies the NFL offseason every year.
We are going to have an NFL draft, and we are all hopeful and expecting to see a deal to avoid a lockout at some point before the season.
A new CBA will affect free agency in some fashion, but we should still expect to see big names heading to new places at some point this offseason.
We know many of the big names, and a lot of them will receive most of the attention when we finally head into the free agency period.
Here are 15 players that can be had for lesser monetary value but could still make a big impact in 2011.
15. Derek Hagan, WR
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Derek Hagan was not even playing football at the beginning of the season and was eventually brought back to the New York Giants due to major injury issues at the wide receiver position.
The fourth-year wide receiver has shown the ability to find holes in zones and make tough catches, and he was a solid option that Eli Manning got very comfortable with on third down situations.
Hagan proved that he can make plays in the NFL, recording 24 catches in seven games in 2010, and should continue to be a viable threat in the league.
While he is not a No. 1, there are so many wide receivers on the market this season that will demand big money that he could be had for cheap and still make an impact for a team next season.
14. Leon Washington, RB/KR
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Leon Washington can change a game in a single play, and he knows it.
He may not be super cheap, but his impact on a team that needs a playmaking special teamer with third down running back ability and experience could be very valuable to the right buyer.
He would bring good bang for his buck if the team utilizes him the right way.
13. Alex Smith, QB
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The former No. 1 overall selection has worn out his welcome in San Francisco and has never become the player he was expected to be out of Utah.
He is, however, still relatively young with good mobility and has shown flashes at times.
At the very least he could be had for relatively cheap and could compete for an open starting job for a number of teams.
Granted, I do not think he will be completely successful as a starter, but he could at least bring some competition and potential for a small amount of money.
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12. Marcus Spears, DE
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The Cowboys' former first-round draft pick has not played up to his potential and may be ready to move on from Dallas.
A change of scenery might be exactly what Spears needs right now to try to jump-start his career.
Spears is a big, big man at 6'4", 311 pounds and is still only 27 years old.
His lack of production should allow a team to get him for cheap, and he could turn his career around somewhere else in 2011.
11. Roman Harper, S
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Roman Harper had a very good season in New Orleans, but he likely cost himself some money with his dismal performance in the playoffs.
It is only one game and does not exemplify everything else he has done, but that was a burning image of terrible football against Seahawks.
He is still relatively young at 28 years old and will attract attention as a starting safety.
Harper will not be paid like a top safety and should be able to find home at a reasonable price for his abilities.
10. Plaxico Burress, WR
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Ah, Plaxico Burress.
The embattled wide receiver is getting out of jail and is ready to come back to the NFL.
Already the talk has started in New York, and it is no secret Giants fans are intrigued about bringing back the man who caught the winning pass in Super Bowl XLII.
If he is not going to be brought back to New York, then he will take his talents somewhere else and should be had for a cheap price.
Burress will be 34 years old next season and will have to prove he can still play at a high level.
9. Brodney Pool, S
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The Jets safety is one of many potential free agents in New York and is likely one of the lowest on the totem pole to return.
Pool is still very young at 26 years old and has the potential to be a very good player.
He was not great this season but put together some solid seasons in Cleveland before joining the Jets.
New York has too many other players to deal with, and Pool can be had for a good price on the open market by teams in need of a safety.
8. Derrick Ward, RB
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The Texans running back saw his productivity and chances knocked down in 2010, and the emergence of Arian Foster makes him completely expendable at this point.
He does not have a ton of mileage on his legs but is going to be on the wrong side of 30 years old next season.
Ward can still be very productive as a third down running back and should be had for a low price.
He was once a 1,000-yard rusher as a member of the New York Giants, and while he is unlikely to return to that form, the potential is still there to be a solid running back at the right price.
7. Ricky Williams, RB
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Ricky Williams is a bit of a risk, especially at 34 years old, but he still has the legs to churn out some yards in the NFL.
Ricky can still be effective in spurts and can make plays out of the backfield as well.
He still averages four yards per carry, could benefit from a change of scenery and has certainly surprised us before.
The right price, the right team—Ricky can still make an impact.
6. Matt Leinart, QB
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Matt Leinart did not make the best of his time in Arizona, and he looked completely strange in Houston and was never there to be a starter. However, he is still only 28 years old with potential.
He obviously has little to no chance at demanding any serious money, and if he can become a remotely effective starter for any team, it will be considered a win.
There are a ton of quarterback-needy teams in the NFL, and not all of them can count on getting a rookie to come in and be their guy.
Leinart will be cheap, has potential and deserves another shot.
5. Kevin Boss, TE
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Kevin Boss has been a playmaker from time to time for the New York Giants but has not always been consistent.
He has surprising ability in the open field, often makes the tough catch and is an effective blocker as well.
Boss does not make every catch though and is not always a factor in games.
He does not have the production or the consistency to warrant big money but could be an impact player on any team if used correctly.
4. Brady Quinn, QB
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This is simple: Brady Quinn deserves a shot.
While we do not know what went down on the practice field in Denver, he obviously did not do enough to fend off Tim Tebow—neither did Kyle Orton, for that matter—but Quinn can still be a starter in this league.
Whether or not you believe he has the potential to do so is irrelevant because he can at least challenge for a starting job somewhere at very low cost.
The 26-year-old still has the arm and potential to make things happen but just needs a chance to show it.
3. Randy Moss, WR
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He may be a headache, and he may demand more money than the other players on this list, but Randy Moss still has talent.
The wide receiver can bring a ton of ability to any team and can still catch touchdowns at a ridiculous rate.
He is an experienced veteran that will have something to prove next season.
For an exclusive look at Moss' potential impact, read "10 Ways Moss Can Help a Contender."
2. Cadillac Williams, RB
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The 28-year-old running back still has a ton of ability if he can stay healthy.
That is the catch—his lack of durability will make him a cheap target in free agency and a low risk-high reward player.
He is an effective weapon out of the backfield and has not put a ton of miles on his legs in the NFL due to injuries, and if he could ever stay healthy, he could still be an impact player.
A lot other running backs will want more money, but Williams should be had for a reasonable price and could be a great surprise.
1. Mathias Kiwanuka, DE
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Mathias Kiwanuka was the Giants' best defensive lineman early this season before suffering a serious injury to his neck.
He has displayed a ton of versatility in the NFL, playing defensive end, defensive tackle and outside linebacker in certain schemes.
Kiwi is still coming into his own as a true pass rush threat off the edge, is a young player at 27 years old and can be had for cheaper than expected.
The neck injury should limit teams from throwing too much money at him, which makes him the best potential bargain player for next season.
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