NFL Free Agency 2011: 15 Unsung Free Agents Who Could Be Clutch Signings
If not for the current lockout, this offseason was set to feature a rare collection of talent hit free agency. As it stands, free agency is on hold, but that hasn't stopped teams from gearing up for a frenzy once the lockout ends. There are a number of big names projected to hit the open market, all of which will certainly have their own impact.
There are just as many potential signings that won't include a big name, but will have big impacts on their new teams.
While there is plenty left to be decided before free agency can begin, the demand for talent will be great. It doesn't take a marquee name to make a team better, and here are some players who should provide a big impact with little fanfare surrounding their signing.
15) Alex Smith, Quarterback
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Alex Smith has done just about everything possible to earn himself a one-way ticket out of San Francisco, but it isn't entirely his fault. He suffered from awful line play and a lack of consistent playmakers or quality coaching. He may never live up to his status as a No. 1 overall pick, but he has the skills to succeed for some team willing to take a chance on him.
He won't win any Super Bowls, but he could show the world that he is not the player he looked like with the 49ers.
Smith is a good athlete with above average accuracy and arm strength who had the bad luck of being picked by a team without the tools to protect him or help him excel. Smith is only 26 and has not had the opportunity to be anything but disappointing. With the right coaching and a team with a quality group of skill players and an offensive line fit for the NFL, he could be a great addition as a starting quarterback.
14) Cadillac Williams, Running Back
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After capturing Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2005, Cadillac Williams caught the injury bug and was never quite the same. He suffered from some nasty injuries, including tearing the patellar tendon in his right knee, and had to play behind an inconsistent offensive line.
He won't capture the starting job anywhere, but is the type of running back who will fight for every yard and soften up defenses for a home-run threat.
The Buccaneers have no incentive to keep Williams, and he doesn't have the appeal to draw any huge contracts from anyone. However, he still has plenty left in the tank for any team looking for a gritty running back with some good hands for third downs. Third-down backs are underrated in the NFL, and Williams could find a role as a dependable third-down option.
13) Ronnie Brown, Running Back
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The years have not been kind to Ronnie Brown or his legs. Injuries have limited him to just one full season as a starter and a handful of others spent between dominating and recuperating. With Miami, he thrived in the Wildcat and could be a good addition for a team willing to subscribe to a running back by committee approach on offense.
He is 29 and has some injuries on his legs, but he has never exceeded 250 carries in a season and has minimal wear and tear on his body.
Brown found his niche in the Wildcat, but never really excelled as a pure running back in the NFL. He came out of a two-running back system at Auburn and needs that type of environment to succeed again. He won't be an unquestioned starter in the future, but could provide a team with a scoring threat and a versatile running back.
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12) Vonta Leach, Fullback
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In front of every great running back is a good fullback clearing out linebackers and would-be tacklers. Vonta Leach is among the best in the NFL at clearing the way, helping Texans running back Arian Foster explode for 1,616 yards and 16 touchdowns. Fullbacks often seem ageless, so at 29 Leach is not at risk of seeing any decline in his run-blocking abilities.
Though it is unlikely that he will leave Houston, he would have a big impact on any team's running game.
Leach was also paving the way for Steve Slaton's big 1,282-yard, nine-touchdown rookie year. He is one of the primary targets for the Texans to re-sign this offseason, though fullback signings rarely echo through the league. If Houston can't lock him up, Foster may find it difficult to repeat his tremendous 2010 season numbers.
While he doesn't get many carries, he is capable of being a goal-line back. He is an underrated receiver, with 71 receptions for 518 yards and four touchdowns.
11) Ryan Harris, Tackle
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Under Mike Shanahan, the Denver Broncos had some of the best offensive lines in the NFL. Ryan Harris is one of many linemen to be drafted by Shanahan, though he has not had the best career to this point. A 16-game starter in 2008, Harris missed parts of the 2009 and 2010 seasons with two dislocated toes and a severe ankle sprain.
He does not have any major injuries on his body, and is young enough to adapt to a new offense.
Harris struggled in Josh McDaniels' offense, but he wasn't the only player to have troubles. He is a good zone-blocking right tackle, and could find his way back to Shanahan. He will have plenty of teams interested in his services and should offer stability on a line with some established players or a group growing together.
10) Thomas Howard, Linebacker
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Thomas Howard has seen a decline in playing time since starting 62 of 64 games to start his career. In 2010, he played in just 12 games with no starts, losing time to Oakland's newly added Quentin Groves. At just 27 years of age, Howard is entering his prime, and has shown himself to be a good tackler and flashing some good hands with six interceptions in 2007.
The level of talent in the Raiders' linebacking corp saw Howard rotting on the bench for most of last season.
Howard is by no means a second-rate player, Oakland just loaded up on younger players and cast its proven commodity aside. He can be a tackling machine and is particularly strong against the run. He's worth a good investment from a team in need of a weakside linebacker.
9) Jacoby Jones, Wide Receiver/Kick Returner
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Jacoby Jones has been inconsistent through the first four years of his career, but has the potential to be a big-time playmaker. He's got the size and speed to be a great wide receiver, but he hasn't quite brought it together with the mental aspect of the game. His real skills lie in his versatility, being a good receiver and return man.
Jones has just 12 touchdowns on his career, but playing alongside Andre Johnson doesn't leave many opportunities for scoring.
His potential to be a consistent playmaker is evident in how he finished last season. He had 22 receptions for 287 yards and a touchdown in his last four games, possibly playing himself into a decent contract. Jones may not be starting receiver material, but his size and skills make him a good complement to a legitimate No. 1 threat. His consistency in the return game is an added bonus to his potential as a receiver.
8) Danieal Manning, Safety/Kick Returner
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Danieal Manning has been constantly overlooked as a solid contributor at safety for the Chicago Bears. He's durable, versatile and just hitting his prime. He'll be 29 once the season gets underway, and can fill both a safety and kick returner role, having 101 returns on his career.
With names like Michael Huff, Eric Weddle and Dawan Landry hitting free agency, the understated Manning may get lost in the shuffle.
Perhaps he is another beneficiary of a quality defense, but Manning was playing well when the Bears had some down years. He lost his starting job in 2008, but was able to reclaim it in 2009 before starting every game in 2010. He has good ball skills and is a sure tackler who will be a welcome addition to any team.
7) Marshal Yanda, Guard/Tackle
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The Ravens have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL year in and year out, but they have some work to do this offseason. Marshal Yanda is just one of three Ravens linemen in search of a new contract, and he may be the odd man out. He's just 26 and hard the best season of his career last season, surrendering just four sacks on the season.
His ability to play both right guard and tackle positions will earn him a decent payday, but nothing like teammate Jared Gaither may receive to stay in Baltimore.
Yanda is a big right guard, and his size lends itself to being able to play the tackle position. Most teams look for a specialist in a starter, but a desperate team will certainly bank on Yanda's versatility being the biggest gain. He isn't a big name, and he isn't a left tackle, so he won't get the kind of attention he deserves for his hard work. He'll just make whatever team that signs him happy they did.
6) Justin Blalock, Guard
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The Atlanta Falcons built their offensive line over the course of a few seasons of quality drafting. Justin Blalock, a second-round pick in 2007, had experience at tackle but was ultimately settled into the left-guard slot. Since 2008, Blalock and Co. paved the way for Michael Turner to amass 3,941 yards and 39 touchdowns at 4.5 yards per carry.
Blalock is in line for a new contract, but so are fellow Falcons Tyson Clabo and Harvey Dahl.
Blalock has the ability to play guard and maybe some right tackle, but the real appeal is that he is just 27 and has no major injuries on his legs. He was part of a great offensive line and elevated his play to meet their level. He will benefit from his time spent in Atlanta, but they may not have the resources to keep him. He will be a great addition to a team looking for a bruising guard who excels in run blocking, and he is also good in pass blocking.
5) Josh Wilson, Cornerback/Kick Returner
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Before last season, Josh Wilson was not a common name among NFL corners. He spent some time in Seattle, quietly intercepting six passes over three seasons, and pulling a bit of kick-return duty. He had his big moment last season with the Ravens when he had the game-winning interception return for a touchdown against the Houston Texans.
He's due for a nice contract from a team looking for a dependable starting corner.
Playing for the Ravens, with the perennially dominant defense, makes Wilson seem like the beneficiary of the talent around him. However, before reaching Baltimore he had already tallied three defensive touchdowns and a kick return for a touchdown.
Wilson, just 26 years old, is a playmaker who deserves some offseason attention, but will likely be overshadowed by the likes of Nnamdi Asomugha and Antonio Cromartie.
4) Barry Cofield, Defensive Tackle
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The New York Giants have stocked up on defensive line talent to the point where they may have to let some of it go. Barry Cofield is one of most consistent performers along the Giants' rotation-style defensive line. He has started all but two games in his career and has produced good numbers each and every year.
Cofield is just 27 and has the size and skill set to play either a 4-3 defensive tackle or 3-4 defensive end.
It is hard for a defensive tackle to stand out in the Giants' rotation, but Cofield managed to do so each and every year. He tallied four sacks and four pass deflections with 54 tackles last season. He is a disruptive force who is rarely thrown off of the ball or found out of place. He isn't a flashy player and won't demand any $100 million contracts, but he will greatly improve the front seven of any NFL defense.
3) Mike Sims-Walker, Wide Receiver
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If the Jacksonville Jaguars had any quarterback better than David Garrard, they had the talent at their skill positions to be a serious offensive force. Aside from Maurice Jones-Drew, Mike Sims-Walker made his fair share of big plays over the last two seasons.
Though he battled injuries last season, he still scored seven touchdowns and showed himself to be a legitimate deep threat.
Walker made it known that he would like to play in Miami a la LeBron James, but he will have more than the Dolphins looking for his services. He is not the biggest name on the market, and having played for the Jaguars he is not so easily recognizable. He'll fly under the radar, but if he can stay healthy he will be a big playmaker next season and beyond.
2) Zach Miller, Tight End
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The Raiders already spent their franchise tag on Kamerion Wimbley, which means one of their best offensive weapons may have the chance to walk away. Tight end Zach Miller has been a consistent contributor in each of his four seasons, with 226 catches and 2,712 yards to show for it.
He's big, strong and only 25, all of which could earn Miller a nice deal with a team that has a quality quarterback and some idea of how to utilize his talents.
Oakland decided to become a run-first team under Tom Cable, relying on Darren McFadden and Michael Bush to do the heavy lifting. All the while, Miller was carrying the receiver game with Darrius Heyward-Bey being a bust and Louis Murphy being inconsistent. When it comes to tight ends, if you aren't Antonio Gates, Dallas Clark or Tony Gonzalez, hitting free agency isn't a big deal.
If he can find a good passing attack that uses tight ends regularly, Miller will be top 10 at his position.
1) Le'Ron McClain, Fullback/Running Back
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Le'Ron McClain is more of a hybrid back than a pure fullback. He has the ability to be a punishing blocker, but he excels when the ball is in his hands. He burst onto the scene in 2008 as a real playmaker, rushing for 902 yards and 10 touchdowns. Since then, the Ravens have used Ray Rice and Willis McGahee as their tandem, leaving McClain to pick up whatever carries are left over.
McClain is a big back with the potential to be a big threat for any team willing to give him a steady diet of carries during the season.
He is only 26 and doesn't have many carries on his body, making him the perfect candidate for a good deal and new life with another team. Whether splitting carries, or shouldering the load, McClain would be a tremendous player to have on offense. The intimidation factor alone would be a great asset, sending all 260 lbs. of McClain at opposing defenses with regularity.
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