There are dollar store-level bargains in free agency every year. Often the buyer has to look past a flaw of some kind, with those in the second or third waves of free agency passed over because of an injury, character concern or a simple fear of the unknown.
But each year there are sweet deals to be found. A year ago Antonio Cromartie was signed by the Arizona Cardinals to a one-year contract that paid him only $2.25 million. Cromartie then allowed a passer rating of only 74.9 in coverage, according to Pro Football Focus, and was an ideal complement opposite Patrick Peterson.
Here are three possibilities for this year’s Cromartie, ranging from a receiver with character baggage, to a young and promising tight end.
Kenny Britt
There was a time not so long ago when Kenny Britt was doing his best to fade away from the NFL forever. He had unfortunate luck with a torn ACL in 2011, and then the struggle to recover that followed. But his multiple run-ins with the long arm of the law have been the product of his own stupidity.
All of that is in the past now, and Britt seemed to have both his head and legs screwed on properly during a successful 2014 season with the St. Louis Rams. Sure, 48 receptions for 748 yards might seem mediocre at first. But it’s downright Herculean production when you remember Britt spent the entire season receiving those passes from Austin Davis and Shaun Hill.
The former first-round pick is still young, and will turn 27 just after the 2015 season starts. At 6’3” and 223 pounds he’s a large target in the open field, and has a wide catch radius to battle for contested balls.
If Britt doesn’t re-sign with the Rams he’ll be available at a cheap rate still because of his past injuries, and character concerns that may still linger.
Dan Williams
Enough money to run the governments of several small countries will be thrown at Ndamukong Suh. But teams in need of a defensive tackle and some serious beef up the middle can settle for a fine consolation prize.
Dan Williams has youth on his side (he’s 27), and he’s gently used after seeing the field for only 40.7 of the Arizona Cardinals’ defensive snaps in 2014. But Williams was effective as a 314-pound run stuffer despite that minimal use.
Williams finished 2014 with 19 defensive stops, according to Pro Football Focus, which was 16th among all defensive tackles. He also recorded 15 pressures, again a fine total for a situational defender.
Virgil Green
This one requires a bit of an imagination, because Virgil Green hasn’t had many opportunities as a Denver Broncos tight end while playing behind Julius Thomas. He’s recorded only 15 receptions over the past two seasons for 119 yards.
But in a league that still values and schemes for (and against) explosive tight ends, Green could become the ultimate free agency steal. During the 2011 Scouting Combine his 42.5 inch vertical was the best result ever recorded by a tight end at the time. He’s 6’5” and still ran a 4.64 in the 40-yard dash.
The price for Green’s services will be affordable because of his limited opportunities in Denver, and in a larger role the 26-year-old could quickly flourish.
