NFL Free Agents 2011: 10 Most Underrated Members of the Free Agent Class

The NFL free agent market has all sorts of players available to sign, but not every team can have Nnamdi Asomugha, Santonio Holmes and DeAngelo Williams.

A lot of the best signings end being the under the radar—one's with little publicity at the time of the announcement.

Remember how big of a deal it was when Albert Haynesworth signed with the Washington Redskins?

Rarely does the headlining offseason signing shift the balance of power in the league. It's the savvy moves that come with little fanfare that end up pushing a team over the edge.

Here are 10 players that have either already signed a new deal or are looking for a team that can end up being the difference between 6-10 and 10-6.

10. Josh Wilson: CB

The Washington Redskins are notorious for overpaying veteran players by millions of dollars. That's why it's a bit of a shocker they were able to land former Baltimore Ravens corner Josh Wilson to such an affordable deal.

Wilson started nine games for the Ravens last season, made three interceptions and broke up 14 passes.

The Redskins managed to sign him to a three-year contract worth just $13.5 million, with $6 million guaranteed. That is tremendous value for a guy that has terrific technique in coverage and has shown steady improvement through the duration of his career.

He will also become a fan favorite as he played his college ball just down the road at the University of Maryland.

With only $6 million guaranteed, the over-the-cap 'Skins had to be thrifty. Getting a player with Wilson's talent to take over the starting spot in place of the departing Carlos Rogers makes the deal a brilliant one for Washington.

9. Vernon Gholston: LB

He's been an incredible disappointment during his three years as a member of the New York Jets, but Vernon Gholston is finally getting the fresh start so desperately needed.

The 6'3", 265-pound linebacker has never recorded a sack in his NFL career; quite bizarre considering he recoded 14.5 in his final year at Ohio State.

But call it a victim of circumstance.

Gholston was never able to adjust to the 3-4 scheme of the Jets and flip-flopped between defensive end and linebacker during his career. The Jets never really knew where to put him and their depth at both positions didn't allow Gholston to see the field very often.

Now he is with the Bears and gets a new coach in defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli. The Bears have the playing time for Gholston and will have a lot more patience with him. Factor it all in and expect Gholston to finally display some of the talent that warranted the No. 6 pick in the 2008 draft.

8. Stephen Bowen: DE

A productive defensive end that has improved every season as a pro, the 27-year-old Stephen Bowen brings a bunch of potential with him to the Washington Redskins.

He did get a huge contract for a player with 11 career starts, ($27.5 million over five years, including $12.5 million guaranteed), but the Dallas Cowboys were extremely upset to let him go because of the lack of progression shown in his tenure.

At 6'5" and 310 pounds, he has the sort of body to be a very productive player in the trenches for the Redskins.

7. Vince Young: QB

It's pretty simple...Vince Young knows how to win.

His 30-17 record as a starter says it all, as does his national championship trophy at the University of Texas.

He is extremely mobile and has an NFL worthy arm.

Sure he isn't the greatest teammate and sure he doesn't have the best work ethic, but he has won 64 percent of his games in the NFL.

The Philadelphia Eagles are going to look like geniuses with this savvy signing.

6. Paul Posluszny: LB

A perfect fit, the Jacksonville Jaguars found the linebacker they so desperately needed in Paul Posluszny.

He was a tackling machine for the Buffalo Bills and has some of the best form in the NFL. He probably got a few more million than he should of, but the Jags knew they would have to overpay—hence the six-year, $45 million contract, with $15M guaranteed.

He recorded more than 100 tackles in three consecutive seasons. At Penn State he was the nation's best defensive player, winning the Bednarik Award two consecutive seasons.

He played in the 4-3 in college and should have a smooth transition with the Jags. It's not going to solve all of the defensive problems of the Jaguars...but it's a great step in the right direction.

5. Ray McDonald: DE

The Niners defense has been the better unit for San Francisco over the last three seasons, and securing the young star Ray McDonald was a huge priority.

Mission accomplished.

Re-signing of McDonald gives the 49ers the luxury to move Isaac Sopoaga over to nose tackle to replace veteran free agent Aubrayo Franklin.

With McDonald, Sopoago and Justin Smith starting in the 49ers 3-4 defense, new head coach Jim Harbaugh has himself a terrific trio upfront.

In 2010 the 26-year-old McDonald recorded 19 tackles for San Francisco and returned his lone interception 31 yards for his first career touchdown.

Expect even better production in 2011 as he lines up in a front line that will be scary to face.

4. Mike Sims-Walker: WR

Danny Amendola, Brandon Gibson and Daniel Fells. Those were the top targets for St. Louis Rams QB Sam Bradford in his rookie year. Somehow he still finished with 3,500 yards and 18 TD's.

Bringing in any sort of productive wide receiver would be a huge boost and signing former Jag Mike Sims-Walker was just what the doctor ordered.

Over 38 career games in his three-year career, Sims-Walker has 122 receptions for 1,648 yards and 14 touchdowns.

He has scored seven touchdowns each of the last two seasons in a subpar Jaguars offense. Add a recovering Donnie Avery and a tantalizing young guy in Mardy Gilyard, and the Rams are going to be the favorites to win the worst division in football.

It's a great signing and one that will pay instant dividends for the Rams.

3. Roy Williams: WR

It's not Roy Williams' fault that the Dallas Cowboys thought it was a good idea to trade a boatload of draft picks in order to secure him.

He never lived up to expectations and some would consider him washed up at this juncture in his career. But if you ask Williams, going to the Chicago Bears is the perfect move for him. Williams offered up a simple explanation for why he failed to put up big numbers in Dallas to the media, rrom Jeff Dickerson of ESPN Chicago:

"

“Martz wasn’t there,” Williams said.
And as for the system he ran in Dallas compared to the Martz offense?
“Big difference,” Williams said. “Just big difference. Real big difference.”
The former first-round draft choice out of the University of Texas was then coy when asked if he was relieved to be out of Dallas, saying only “Relieved? I’m happy to be in Chicago.”

"

In the 28 games he played under Martz in Detroit, he recorded 146 receptions for 2,148 yards and 12 touchdowns.

With a QB in Jay Cutler who can sling it down the field with the best of them, expect a revived Williams in 2011.

2. Robert Gallery: OT

Robert Gallery was considered a bust for the first part of his career. He was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2004 draft and was yanked around the O-line with little success.

Then Tom Cable came to town and put him at left guard. Finally Gallery had found his spot on the field and has been a force ever since.

When the Raiders had to part ways with him due to cap reasons, the Seattle Seahawks immediately wanted to scoop him up.

Guess who is the new offensive coordinator in Seattle? Tom Cable.

Gallery is following the coach that resurrected his career and will be joining a line that improved much this offseason. He joins a young offensive line featuring Russell Okung, Max Unger, John Moffitt and James Carpenter.

Sure you won't be hearing his name much, as he is an offensive lineman, but his effectiveness will show up in the win-loss column.

1. Steve Breaston: WR

Steve Breaston is not a No. 1 receiver. This is not breaking news. But he is the perfect piece to fit into the Kansas City Chiefs puzzle.

They had the best running game in the league a season ago and a defense that shocked everyone with their terrific play.

The only thing missing was a solid passing game. Matt Cassel isn't the greatest QB, but he is more than capable with the right combination of receivers. Dwayne Bowe is a great player, but that was the extent of notable receivers in Kansas City.

Breaston thrives in the slot and is a reliable route runner that will reach the 1,000 yard mark. Why am I so confident? Because of the coach he is reuniting with.

Breaston will be playing under former offensive coordinator Todd Haley.

He put together his greatest season under Haley's watch in 2008 when Breaston recorded 1,006 receiving yards as the Arizona Cardinals' third receiver.

The Chiefs are on the brink of something special and got the kind of player that can push them over the top. It's nowhere near the top story on SportsCenter now...but check back in January.