NFL Free Agency 2011: The 20 Most Underrated Free Agents on the Market
Due to the current NFL lockout, free agency has yet to take place, which allowed teams to fill major voids during the draft last month. Teams on the brink of winning a Super Bowl championship in 2011 now have less holes to fill, and will be able to focus their money on definitive free agents this time around.
It always comes down to value, though, during the draft and free agency. Which players will provide a major impact now to help the organization achieve its main goal. We have a host of restricted and unrestricted free agents who are being undervalued by the public and most likely, NFL teams in need of their services.
Even some of the top-tier free agents’ value is being underrated heading into the spending spree.
From Terrell Owens and Randy Moss to Darren Sharper and Ike Taylor, here are the top 20 underrated free agents on the market.
20. Ahmad Bradshaw, RB
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We start the list off with one of the best free agents in the entire pool. How then can he also be one of the most underrated free agents? Simple—he’s also one of the most underrated players in the entire league.
Fumbling issues aside, Bradshaw has the talent to be one of the best running backs in the entire league. He is pound-for-pound one of the toughest and most powerful runners in the league. At this point, I trust him to push the pile and get the ball into the end zone more than Brandon Jacobs.
He is fine in pass protection and has excellent speed, vision, receiving ability and quickness. This is a player who should be at the top of most team’s free agent wish list.
19. Laurence Maroney, RB
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Maroney has fallen off after having a fine start to his career. Injuries have plagued him in recent years, but he can still assist a team in search of a powerful, downhill runner for their one-cut system. He can still hit the hole with authority and now just needs a team to give him an opportunity to regain his form.
18. Bo Scaife, TE
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Scaife is one of the most underrated tight ends in the game. Although often-injured, he is a dependable target when on the field. He is not the biggest, strongest or fastest tight end, but he has deceptive speed and separation skills. Most importantly, he is a sure-handed receiver who can rack up receptions and be used as a viable red zone threat.
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17. Kirk Morrison, LB
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Morrison is an underrated inside linebacker who could benefit a team as a run stuffer. Teams always need bodies to throw at the ball carriers and Kirk is a solid tackler with fine speed, closing ability and instincts. He is one of the better inside linebackers on the open market but will probably be overlooked in free agency.
16. Adam Vinatieri, K
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Yes, Adam Vinatieri is one of the most underrated free agents despite being the best kicker on the open market and the most clutch kicker in league history. With these accolades, how is he underrated?
Simple.
Every Super Bowl contending team should be lining up to knock on his door with a multi-year contract. This is a man who can help a contending team win a Super Bowl with his experience and ability to stand tall in the face of pressure.
15. Brodney Pool, S
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Brodney Pool is an athletic, do-it-all safety as he is solid in both run support and pass coverage. He has quality instincts, which allow him to attack ball carriers and passes. He has very good speed and could start for most teams in the league, or at the very least be an excellent reserve.
14. Darren Sharper, S
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Sharper was bothered by a knee injury last season, so many are going to believe that he is just about done as he is on the downturn of his career. He is going to prove a lot of people wrong this year as he helps a contender compete for a Super Bowl championship.
He is still one of the better safeties in the game with his experience, high-football IQ, instincts, tackling ability and remarkable ball-hawking skills. He is one of the most complete corners in the game, despite his age.
13. Aubrayo Franklin, DL
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Any team in need of defensive line depth needs to take a look at Franklin, who offers versatility as a defensive tackle or defensive end. He is a strong lineman who will help create pressure on the opposing quarterback. He may best assist a team by plugging the middle to open space for his fellow defensive ends.
12. Mike Vrabel, OLB
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Vrabel is still a solid outside linebacker despite his diminishing athletic abilities. He may not be a great pass rusher at this point in his career, but he is a very good wrap-up tackler. He will more importantly become a leader in the locker room and on the sidelines during games. He is a proven winner who has the experience and character to teach younger linebackers the art of the position.
11. Takeo Spikes, LB
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Although not the elite linebacker he was during his prime, this experienced veteran can still greatly assist every team in this league. It is extremely important to have depth at the linebacker position given the amount of punishment they dish out and receive each week.
Spikes is still a very good playmaker with his experience and instincts. More importantly, he is still a premier tackler in this league and will be a force in run support.
10. Thomas Davis, OLB
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Davis missed time last year with a knee injury, but he is expected to be fine for the season. He is still a highly athletic outside linebacker who is very good in all areas. A converted safety, he has the speed to attack the quarterback, close in and wrap-up ball carriers and help in pass coverage.
A complete, veteran safety with experience, Davis would greatly improve any defense in this league. Rumors have circulated that he is open to returning to Carolina, but he is still expected to test the open market. Any contender should be knocking on his door with his versatility and skill set.
9. Ike Taylor, CB
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Ike Taylor is one of the most underrated cornerbacks in the game today.
He has exceptional speed and can keep up with any receiver in the league. He is a bit undersized, but he more than makes up for it with his speed, agility, quick hands and instincts. He is often overlooked because he plays in a secondary with safety Troy Polamalu and the four elite linebackers in Pittsburgh in James Harrison, James Farrior, LaMarr Woodley and Lawrence Timmons.
Still, he is a great cornerback and could benefit every team in this league. After Nnamdi Asomugha, Taylor and Johnathan Joseph rival each other for the next best cornerback option on the open market.
8. Tommie Harris, DL
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Early in his career, Tommie Harris was one of the most dominant defensive tackles in the game. He is an extremely athletic big man who is light on his feet and can shred blockers with his quickness, speed and strength.
We often see defensive lineman trail off in the middle of their careers, only to regain form and duplicate their success with a new team. Every team needs depth on the defensive line, and Harris offers the versatility to play defensive tackle and defensive end.
7. Ernie Sims, OLB
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In Detroit, Ernie Sims was one of the most promising outside linebackers in the league. He’s lost steam around the league, but he is still one of the finer linebackers in the league with his instincts and athleticism. He is a sound tackler who can also rush the passer and is decent in coverage. He is an all-around solid football player who will continue to improve in this league.
6. Vonta Leach, FB
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Vonta Leach loves to hit people. He is a very good and underrated blocking full back. More importantly, he could even be used as a check down option in the flats when a quarterback gets in trouble scrambling for his life.
I would expect Leach to stick with Houston, but with his versatility, determination and passion, I wouldn’t put it past one team to scoop him up. He would make a solid addition for most teams in this league on and off the field.
5. Troy Smith, QB
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Troy Smith is a solid quarterback who has great instincts, athleticism and intangibles. He can be a great asset to any team with his winning mentality and solid quarterback skills.
In the right system he could be a viable starter, but right now every team could use a player with his skill set at the backup position to be a spot-starter like he was in Baltimore and San Francisco. He would be the perfect fit to backup Michael Vick in Philadelphia.
4. Jason Snelling, RB
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Snelling has feature back potential with his brute power and strength. This is a destructive running back who can demolish would-be tacklers. Even better, he can receive out of the back field to offer versatility for offensive coordinators and running backs.
In spot-starts for Michael Turner, the Falcons offense never missed a bit with him in the backfield. He has experience and talent to be a successful running back on any team in this league, he just needs the opportunity. Snelling would be an excellent signing for any team.
3. Brad Smith, WR
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Brad Smith is one of the most underrated players in the game today.
He has fantastic versatility as he can play quarterback, run from the backfield, play receiver and make a major impact in the return game.
Coaches can exploit defenses with his all-purpose talents. For that, he is an invaluable weapon for any team in this league. With his talent, I wouldn’t put it past him to even play some cornerback…
2. Randy Moss, WR
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Right now, Moss is a disgruntled veteran and it is greatly hindering his value and public perception. I still believe he has the ability to be a game-changer in today’s game despite his declining skills. He is still one of the best deep threats in the game with his height, speed, hands and leaping ability. Like most disgruntled receivers, he just needs to be on the right team to keep him happy.
1. Terrell Owens, WR
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Aside from his trip to “Revis Island,” Terrell Owens was excellent last year when healthy. He is still one of the most physically imposing receivers in the game. He has great speed, strength and separation skills and can clearly dominate each week. He is often downgraded for his poor attitude, but I still believe he can be a great asset to a contending team in this league.
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