NFL Free Agents 2011: The 7 Most Electrifying Signings

We're a week away from the start of the NFL preseason, and it seems as though the dust has settled on the most chaotic free-agency period in league history.

Some teams stayed relatively quiet, while perennial contenders like the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles added talented pieces that have made them Super Bowl favorites. 

Which free-agent acquisitions will have the biggest impact this year? What player will bring a new explosiveness to an offense that will put them over the top? Which defender will create nightmares for opposing offensive coordinators?

We will look back on these seven signings as the most electrifying moves of the 2011 season.

7. Vonta Leach: Baltimore Ravens

OK, usually when you think of a fullback, the word "electrifying" doesn't instantly come to mind.

However, Vonta Leach is arguably the best fullback in the league and will pave big running lanes for Ray Rice.

Baltimore is willing to throw the ball with Joe Flacco, but is much more efficient as an offense when their running game is consistent.

Rice will deservedly receive a lot of notoriety next season, but he'll have Leach to thank for most of his monster games on the ground.

6. Ray Edwards: Atlanta Falcons

Playing across from Jared Allen and on the same line as Kevin and Pat Williams, Ray Edwards was somewhat of an afterthought.

Certainly a talented player, it was thought by many that he always finished with solid numbers because of the talent around him.

He isn't a game-changer, but close, and he can make his living on a sound Falcons defense with John Abraham attacking the quarterback off the other edge.

5. Donovan McNabb: Minnesota Vikings

Once again, Donovan McNabb will have to prove his critics wrong.

The Redskins experiment was a total disaster, but I think Minnesota will be a great fit for McNabb, who has some gas left in the tank.

Playing indoors will help boost his numbers as will having Adrian Peterson behind him.

The Vikings defense is top-notch, and if the offense line can adequately protect No. 5, he could have a surprisingly big year in 2011.

4. Johnathan Joseph: Houston Texans

The Houston Texans made the right decision to go with Johnathan Joseph over Nnamdi Asomugha.

Both are elite corners, but Joseph was the more economical option and has lockdown potential.

Each season, we label the Texans as the "surprise team" to make the playoffs, but they undoubtedly needed an upgrade in their secondary.

They get that with Joseph who will take on the likes of Reggie Wayne, Marques Colston and Anquan Boldin this year and should only improve matching up with Andre Johnson in practice.

3. Chad Ochocinco: New England Patriots

Not a surprise here.

Chad Ochocinco, despite all of his off-field antics with the media and larger-than-life presence on Twitter, is in fact a very good wideout.

He will be on his best behavior in Foxboro, focused on returning to Pro Bowl form. 

He won't have as big of an impact as Randy Moss did when he was brought in to be Tom Brady's favorite target, but Ochocinco will definitely stretch the field and will be explosive after the catch for the Patriots. 

2. Nnamdi Asomugha: Philadelphia Eagles

Although Asomugha was the most highly-coveted free agent this year, he just misses out on the top spot.

He is a lockdown corner who will blanket just about ever team's No. 1 receiver, but I would characterize him as an electrifying player.

The Eagles definitely have the best secondary, on paper, in the NFC East, and if anything, Asomugha's presence in the defensive backfield will lead to a huge year from Asante Samuel.

1. Darren Sproles: New Orleans Saints

Shocked?

Here's my thought process.

Reggie Bush was labeled by some as a bust in a time as a New Orleans Saint, but he was a vital part of their offense.

He allowed Sean Payton to be very creative with his play-calling and created matchup nightmares for linebackers and some corners.

Sproles isn't the athlete Bush is but has the same effect on a football game.

The little lightning bug will be a huge facet of the Saints potent offensive attack in 2011 and will make fans forget that Bush is no longer a part of the team.