Top free agent signings: Players who can make an impact
There were two kinds of phone calls received by lower-tier NFL prospects on Saturday afternoon: ones in which a team notified a player he had been selected last in the draft and others testing the waters to gauge interest in signing as a "priority" free agent.
Players generally like getting the former call because it is an honor to be drafted, even late on Saturday. But being a free agent does provide more freedom to choose the ideal situation. While late-round draft picks are typically fighting long odds to make a roster, a priority free agent can often choose between several teams interested in bringing him into their offseason program and seek the best opportunity.
The best player agents actually set up team needs boards before the draft and update them throughout the event to see where their clients would have the best chance of making a team. They know that getting a chance to play leads to much more money down the line than the $10,000-20,000 offered up front to coveted free agents.
Here are reported free agent signings since the end of the draft that seem to present not only great opportunities for players to make rosters, but to potentially make impacts as rookies:
WR Freddie Barnes, Bowling Green State; Chicago Bears: Forget the slow 40-yard dash time (4.67 seconds). His crisp routes and sure hands will convince QB Jay Cutler to find him whenever possible.
SS Barry Church, Toledo; Dallas Cowboys: If Gerald Sensabaugh doesn't watch out, the prolific and durable Church might take his strong safety job in 2011.
FS Bryan Evans, Georgia; Cincinnati Bengals: Cincinnati needs depth at both safety spots, and Evans' athleticism gives him a great chance of making the team.
TE Riar Geer, Colorado, Nathan Overbay, Eastern Washington and Michael Palmer, Clemson; Denver Broncos: It's not very often that a team brings in three highly rated free agent tight ends. Tony Scheffler is gone, and the team might want to get younger (meaning Daniel Graham could be fighting for a roster spot) behind 2009 second-round pick Richard Quinn.
OLB Simoni Lawrence, Minnesota; St. Louis Rams: The undersized but strong and active 'backer will be a special teams demon and potential Pisa Tinoisamoa-type starter.
DT Andre Neblett, Temple; Carolina Panthers: Athletic big man is a potential starter at the nose tackle position in the next couple of seasons.
TE Colin Peek, Alabama; Atlanta Falcons: Gives the Falcons a blocker on the line and a fair receiver to move the chains.
FS Terrell Skinner, Minnesota Vikings: The team isn't thrilled with the play of starters Tyrell Johnson and Madieu Williams, so Skinner could play some special teams as a rookie and challenge for time in 2011.
WR Blair White, Michigan State; Indianapolis Colts: An Austin Collie clone who seems to be a perfect fit for the Colts as a potential fourth receiver. Will be a factor as a returner and on coverage units.
Chad Reuter is a Senior Analyst for NFLDraftScout.com, distributed by The Sports Xchange.
