An annual spending-spree reminiscent of the housing market boom, NFL free agency is just around the corner. The focus during this tumultuous financial period consistently and unfortunately surrounds high-dollar assets. This year, these hopefuls include the NFL’s rushing leader DeMarco Murray and receiving touchdown leader Dez Bryant.
Yet it is not these high-dollar attractions that make or break teams, but the second-tier players. These undervalued assets are the jumping point taking teams from good to great, and deserve more attention that they receive during free agency.
Take a look at the most-undervalued free agents this year.
10. Dan Herron, Running Back, Indianapolis Colts
Far from a household name, Dan “Boom” Herron led the Indianapolis Colts’ rushing attack throughout their playoff run. A versatile back with great receiving skills, Herron does lack experience as a professional, having only played in 16 games over his three-year career. However, Herron’s upside is through the roof after his performance down the stretch for the Colts. Herron started all three playoff games for the Colts this past year, catching 20 passes for 128 yards. In addition to that, he accrued 170 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Likely to be overlooked during the early stages of league bidding wars—largely due to his lack of a sample size—Herron has tremendous upside for teams looking to add a secondary back during the free agency period.
9. Stevan Ridley, Running Back, New England Patriots
Herron is not the only youthful back with something to prove on the open market. Ridley flourished in his four years as a New England Patriot, gaining 2,817 yards and 22 touchdowns in 52 appearances. Never a favorite of Bill Belichick due to his perceived lack of ball control, Ridley fumbled nine times in four years. Ball security is not the only black-mark on Ridley’s resume. The running back is coming off an ACL tear suffered in Week 6 against the Buffalo Bills. Due to his health concerns, Ridley will be a bargain on the open market, and will likely seek a short-term deal due to his age. At 26, Ridley will have a rare chance to cash in twice before the dreaded age of 30 for running backs.
8. Cecil Shorts III, Wide Receiver, Jacksonville Jaguars
After leading the Jaguars in receptions over the past two seasons, Shorts hits the open market at just 27 years of age. Despite his small frame of 6’0″ and 200 pounds, Shorts has the talent to be one of the best possession receivers in football. He has a skill-set perfectly applicable for a high-volume role in an offense. With excellent route-running ability and a quick first step, Shorts’ physical attributes are ideal for a complementary receiving weapon. In 2014, Shorts caught 53 of 60 catchable balls thrown in his direction. That’s a sign that with more targets, he should be able to produce at an even higher level with better quarterback play.
7. Nick Fairley, Defensive Tackle, Detroit Lions
A first-round pick in the 2011 draft, Fairley disappeared on the national spectrum while being buried on the Detroit Lion’s depth chart. Sidelined due to reportedly poor work ethic and then more recently due to PCL and MCL injuries, Fairley now toes the line between remarkable resurgence and a wasted professional career. NFL.com writer Kevin Patra writes that Fairley had a turnaround season in 2014, a sentiment echoed by the Lions’ in their interest in re-signing the defensive tackle. Now heading into the first free agent period of his professional tenure, the defensive tackle could excel in the right situation.
6. Justin Forsett, Running Back, Baltimore Ravens
At 29 years of age, Forsett will be overlooked by the majority of teams looking to upgrade their running back position. Each of those franchises will be sorely disappointed, especially considering this aging back led the Baltimore Ravens in rushing in 2014 with 1,266 yards. A veteran of five teams and seven seasons, most rushers at Forsett’s age are heading into the twilight of their careers. Here we see an exception to the norm. Forsett—a career-backup prior to his resurgence in Baltimore—has just 582 professional carries. While the 30-year mark is the proverbial age of death for running backs, those with true knowledge of the game know the actual mark of the end of relevancy to be 2,400 carries. Forsett has less than a third of the wear and tear expected of a back his age, creating a deadly combination of skills. With youthful legs and veteran knowledge, Forsett is both a tremendous gamble and an asset on the open market this offseason.
5. Kenny Britt, Wide Receiver, St. Louis Rams
Written off by many prior to the 2014 season due to poor attitude and lack of work ethic, Britt had a resurgence and was St. Louis Rams’ quarterback Austin Davis’ favorite target in the passing game. In addition to the pure athletic ability that made him a first-round pick, Britt has the size (6’3″ and 215 pounds) to succeed. Now at just 26 years of age, he also has the maturity to match his on-field talent. This could make the receiver a coup on the open market.
4. Charles Clay, Tight End, Miami Dolphins
A former sixth-round pick in 2011, Clay plays his respective role as well as anyone in the NFL. A blocking tight end by trade, Clay held down the line for Ryan Tannehill and the Miami Dolphins in 2014, and was valuable in the passing game to boot. Clay caught 58 of the 60 passes deemed catchable in the 2014. He also added 605 receiving yards and three touchdowns to his resume. Likely to be targeted during free agency behind lauded targets such as Julius Thomas and Jordan Cameron, the Dolphins tight end has potential to be more valuable to his club than the aforementioned high-dollar targets. Clay is the best blocker of the bunch, has a high football IQ, and is no slouch in the receiving game. Expect Clay to be a hot commodity on the open market.
3. Brandon Graham, Pass Rusher, Philadelphia Eagles
Locked in depth chart hell since being drafted 13th overall in the 2010 NFL Draft, this Eagles defensive end is one of the best little-known players in the NFL. Though he started just 13 of his 64 career games, Graham has accrued 99 tackles and 17 sacks despite limited play time. Graham will draw league-wide interest as a cheaper-option at defensive end. With a tenacity for rushing the passer, Graham epitomizes the word undervalued.
2. Chris Culliver, Cornerback, San Francisco 49ers
The backbone of an injury-plagued defense last season, Culliver has been widely ignored by the public behind such high-profile stars as Aldon Smith and Patrick Willis. Yet Culliver has made the most of his time by the bay, accruing seven interceptions and forcing two fumbles in 46 appearances. A cornerback with an ability to create takeaways, Culliver will garner some high-dollar bidding during free agency.
1. Mark Ingram, Running Back, New Orleans Saints
A first-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, Ingram has been buried on the New Orleans Saints’ depth chart for years. Yet with free agency just around the corner, Ingram has the chance to break free of the dreaded Sean Payton backfield and find his new role as a starting back. Fresh off the best season of his career in which he rushed for 964 yards and nine touchdowns in just 13 games, Ingram is one of the most-talented free agent running backs on the market. Unfortunately for Ingram’s wallet, the talent level at running back on the open market is palpable. Behind rushers like C.J. Spiller, Frank Gore, Ryan Mathews, and DeMarco Murray, Ingram is a major talent that can be had for mid-level dollars. Teams would be wise not to overlook this undervalued asset.
Photo: USA Today