NFL Free Agent Signings 2011: The 5 Most Underrated Acquisitions

While analysts and fans alike are obsessing over the Philadelphia Eagles’ big-name transactions, there have been a handful of solid signings that haven't received any hype.  Nnamdi Asomugha, Jason Babin, Cullen Jenkins and Vince Young will not make this list, neither will Albert Haynesworth or Chad Ochocinco, who have been praised additions by the New England Patriots.

The players on this list not only came cheap for their new teams, but they also filled major needs.  These are the signings that have gone unnoticed, but they definitely won’t go unnoticed after the season begins. 

Here are the five most underrated free-agent acquisitions this offseason.

5. Josh Wilson

Starting cornerback Carlos Rogers and nickel back Phillip Buchanon both became free agents this offseason, so the Washington Redskins needed plenty of help at cornerback. While they wasted time bringing in wide receiver after wide receiver without finding a respectable quarterback, the Redskins did make a nice move on the other side of the ball by adding the Baltimore Ravens' Josh Wilson.

Wilson started nine games for the Ravens last season and recorded three interceptions, while also breaking up 14 passes. The Skins managed to sign him to a three-year contract worth just $13.5 million with $6 million guaranteed.

For once, Daniel Snyder managed to find a quality starting player without overpaying. The 26-year-old Wilson is young and will able to start across from DeAngelo Hall next season in Washington.

4. Mike Sims-Walker

The only reason the St. Louis Rams didn’t win the NFC West last season is because Sam Bradford had absolutely no one to throw the ball to. Somehow, Bradford managed to throw for 3,500 yards and 18 touchdowns with Danny Amendola, Brandon Gibson and Daniel Fells as his starting targets.

St. Louis had to upgrade his arsenal in 2011, and they definitely did that this offseason.

Three picks in a row in the NFL draft, the Rams selected tight end Lance Kendricks and wide receivers Austin Pettis and Greg Salas. The receiver corps was already twice as good as last season, but after adding the Jacksonville Jaguars' Mike Sims-Walker, Bradford now has the weapons to shred the weak NFC West.

Despite struggling with injuries, Sims-Walker has scored seven touchdowns each of the last two seasons. Throw in a recovering Donnie Avery and a developing Mardy Gilyard, and the Rams' offense should be a force in 2011.

3. Vernon Gholston

In his final year at Ohio State, Vernon Gholston recorded 14.5 sacks. He then blew up the NFL Combine, weighing in at 6'3" and 266 pounds, and running a 4.58 in the 40-yard dash with a 41" vertical.

In his three-year NFL career, Gholston has failed to come up with one sack.

You heard it here first: Gholston will shred his bust label in Chicago. He was a fish out of water in the Jets' 3-4 defense. Gholston was a monster with his hand on the ground, and playing in the Bears' always-elite defense, he will turn around his career. 

Of course, it doesn’t hurt to have Rod Marinelli coaching him either. The Bears didn’t need much more than depth at the defensive end position, but Gholston may just turn into an upgrade starting across from Julius Peppers.

2. Steve Breaston

The Kansas City Chiefs' biggest offensive need going into 2011 was giving Matt Cassel some more quality weapons at the wide receiver position. Dwayne Bowe is a phenomenal No. 1 option, but they had no other wideouts to prohibit defenses from doubling him. 

After signing Steve Breaston, the Chiefs are definitely set at the position.

Breaston is reuniting with former offensive coordinator Todd Haley, who helped the receiver put together his best season as a pro by far. In 2008, Breaston recorded 1,006 receiving yards under Haley as the Arizona Cardinals' third receiver, and if he can even come close to those totals this season, he’ll provide a solid second option for Cassel. The Chiefs are now loaded on offense with Bowe, Breaston, first-round draft pick Jonathan Baldwin, Jamaal Charles and the developing Dexter McCluster.

1. Roy Williams

Johnny Knox is a solid No. 2 receiver, and Devin Hester and Earl Bennett are each high-quality reserves.  The Chicago Bears also have a talented trio of running backs in Matt Forte, Marion Barber and Chester Taylor.

Besides a power back, which has been addressed by the signing of Barber, the only thing the Chicago Bears' offense was missing going into the offseason was a true No. 1 wideout. 

They have found that No. 1 in Roy Williams. Sure, Williams struggled mightily in his time in Dallas, but reuniting with Mike Martz will reignite his career. In the 28 games he played under Martz in Detroit, he recorded 146 receptions for 2,148 yards and 12 touchdowns. 

Right now, the only thing holding back the Bears' offense is their line.

David Daniels is an NFL Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report and a Syndicated Writer. Follow him on Twitter.