2011 NFL Free Agency: The Best Bargain Free Agent at Each Position
Thrifty Spending: The Best Bargain Free Agent at Each Position in the 2011 NFL Free Agency Period
Fortunately for the NFL, Super Bowls are very rarely won by writing checks in free agency. It's unlike baseball, for instance, where you can sign the best players every winter and have it immediately translate into wins.
In the NFL, certain players are better fits for different teams, and the creation of a salary cap makes it necessary for GMs to take only calculated risks.
While not all GMs adhere to that thinking, the best ones do. Drafting well and making smart decisions in free agency are the hallmarks of those kind of GMs.
Every summer, savvy GMs find cheap players in free agency who can help their team. Even with the lockout still in place, there will be players who fit that mold once the labor situation is finally figured out.
Here's a look at the best bargain free agents at each position for the 2011 NFL free agent class.
Quarterback: Marc Bulger
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Bulger is one of the better quarterbacks in free agency, which is more of a statement on the quality of the class than the talent that Bulger still possesses.
Still, Bulger could make an impact for a team in need of a stop-gap quarterback. The Cardinals seem like a natural fit, as Bulger comes from the same passing tree as Kurt Warner. He did just fine for himself resurrecting his career in Arizona.
But he could be a bargain starter for other teams in the league, and the Redskins, Dolphins, Titans, Seahawks and Vikings could all be options if those teams were to target a veteran quarterback.
No matter which city he lands in, however, Bulger isn't going to break the bank. Remember, the Ravens gave him just a one-year, $3.8 million deal last season.
Running Back/Fullback: Vonta Leach
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During this day and age of the NFL, spending big dollars on free agent running backs makes little sense. It's the most overloaded position in the game, and if you're not a game-breaker, than you're probably not worth your price tag.
The same can be said for this year's class of backs. Only DeAngelo Williams even comes close to being an elite guy, and he'll likely be overpaid because of it.
Instead of overpaying for a player like Williams, why not spend a fraction of the price on a player like Vonta Leach? A 2010 First Team All-Pro, Leach would immediately help a running game without spending big money.
Because don't forget—Leach helped turn Arian Foster from a no-namer to the NFL's rushing champion, and that was on a team that has historically struggled to run the football. He could have a similar impact for his next franchise.
Receiver: Santana Moss
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Moss has stated that he would prefer to be back in Washington, but why?
He's 32 years old and the Redskins haven't won a playoff game since January 2006. His chances of winning now with Washington are slim to none.
If he does move on, however, Moss does have value. He's played in every game of the past three seasons, posting at least 70 catches in each year. Moss had one of his better seasons in 2010 with 93 catches and 1,115 yards.
He won't be dirt cheap, but at his age, Moss shouldn't command a huge sum. For a team in need of a quality possession receiver, Moss is an ideal fit.
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Tight End: Dante Rosario
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There isn't much for difference-makers at tight end, especially if Zach Miller and Marcedes Lewis are back with their teams like everyone expects.
Yet if you're a team that wants to add a capable pass-catcher at the position, Rosario could be a bargain find.
He's caught 58 passes over the past two seasons in an offense without a steady influence at quarterback, and he has the athleticism to be a factor as a team's No. 2 tight end.
Rosario won't revolutionize your offense by any means, but for the price, he can provide another option in a league that has begun trending towards the tight end position.
Offensive Tackle: Ryan O'Callaghan
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There are very few options at tackle who either won't be re-signed by their respective team or getting a big contract. With the position increasing in importance every year, this free agent scenario makes sense.
But even with that being the case, team shouldn't be overspending on the free agent market.
Good teams find their franchise tackles through the draft, and there's likely a reason why a team would let their own hit the free agent market.
For that reason, the best bargain on the market is a player who can compete for a starting job but isn't going to cost much.
Insert Ryan O'Callaghan, who spent a handful of years as a backup in New England before landing in Kansas City. He's a massive tackle who could compete for playing time at right tackle.
Interior Offensive Line: Chris Spencer
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The Seahawks offensive line was a mess last season, and Spencer hasn't lived up to his first-round selection back in 2005. Still, he can be a starter on a good front five.
Spencer is a solid athlete for his size, and he has versatility, having played both center and guard in the past.
There won't be many teams that expect him to be a game-changer, and he certainly won't get paid like one. There's little chance that Spencer sees a contract in front of him this offseason that trumps the $2.42 million a year he was paid in Seattle last season.
For the right price, Spencer can be a solid addition. You never know when the light will click on for former first-rounders.
Defensive End: Mathias Kiwanuka
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His neck injury might scare off a few teams, but Kiwanuka has been given medical clearance to restart his football career.
And if the Giants don't decide to bring him back in 2011, he could have an impact for a team that needs a pass-rushing defensive end.
Kiwanuka is a natural pass rusher, as evident by his four sacks in three games last season and the eight he posted as a regular starter in 2008.
Yet he never got the play time along the Giants talented defensive line, and their continuing depth at the position might allow Kiwanuka to test his hand at free agency.
The neck injury should keep his price tag down, but he has the potential to be a 10-sack player in the right situation.
Interior Defensive Line: Daniel Muir
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Aubrayo Franklin, Brandon Cofield and Brandon Mebane are the difference makers at defensive tackle, but they'll get paid accordingly. That leaves the rest of the position pretty thin, no pun intended.
However, Daniel Muir of the Colts could be a guy that helps improve a team's defensive line rotation for a cheap price.
He's started 24 games for Indianapolis over the past two seasons, and he has the kind of high motor that will give him value.
Muir will probably return to the Colts, but he's worth a look for any other team in need of help along the defensive line.
Outside Linebacker: Manny Lawson
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Lawson has just 14.5 sacks in 56 career starts, but there's no doubt that he has the tools to produce much better numbers.
He has tremendous athleticism, with the size to muscle smaller blockers and the speed to get around the edge. For one reason or another, however, Lawson has never been able to be a consistent pass rusher.
While I'd hesitate to blame the system he's in, the 49ers have struggled to generate pass rush over the past few seasons.
Lawson is a part of that, but he could also benefit from more productive pass rushers around him. And don't sleep on a 4-3 team signing him, as he wouldn't be expected to be such a straight-line rusher.
His physical skills could put him in line for a contract that is too rich for his past production, but even that scenario wouldn't be overwhelming to a team's cap. For a team like New England, signing Lawson could pay off huge.
Middle Linebacker: Rocky McIntosh
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He's not the biggest name in a crowded middle linebacker class, but McIntosh has played in all but one game the past three years and produced nearly 300 tackles during that time.
McIntosh played inside in 2010 when the Redskins switched to the 3-4, but his size (240 pounds) might make him better suited to play outside in a 4-3. Either way, McIntosh has the experience to do both.
And for a linebacker as athletic as he is, the Redskins only spent $1.76 million on McIntosh last season.
If you can sign him for a contract in that range, he's worth the flier.
Cornerback: Eric Wright
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Don't get me wrong—Wright did not play well last season. He was beaten up and down the field to begin 2010 and was benched midway through the season before landing on the IR in December.
Yet that doesn't mean that Wright's NFL career is over. It may be in Cleveland, but some team will want to find out if they can bring out the 2009 version of him.
During that season, Wright looked like he could be one of the game's breakout young corners. And despite his struggles in '10, he's still got the size and athleticism that teams covet in a cover man.
He'll come cheap because of his 2010 tape, but a team that has the patience with Wright might find a potential starting cornerback.
Safety: Dashon Goldson
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Goldson's 2010 season wasn't close to as impactful as his '09 season, where he intercepted four passes and had three sacks and forced fumbles, but he's still an attractive option for a team in need of safety help.
Goldson is solid in almost all areas of safety play, and he's one of the brighter young players at the position. His '09 performance shows that he has the ability to make the kind of big plays that defensive coordinators love in their safeties.
But like so many other players on this list, his underwhelming 2010 season will keep his price down. If you miss out on Michael Huff—the best safety in the class—Goldson is a fine consolation prize.
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