Bargain shopping: Best free agents aren't biggest names

Buyer beware: Judge on risky free agents

What's in a name?

In the NFL free-agency period, it usually means money. And it usually happens for those name players in a hurry.

Kevin Curtis can look forward to a new opportunity and a payday. (US Presswire)

Like many fans, teams often get enamored with name players. Fans crave for their teams to sign them, and team executives often get caught up in the fever.

But the reality is a lot of the times those players are either on the downside of their careers or about to get there.

That's dangerous.

So while your neighbor might be calling for your team to sign a big-name guy this free-agency period, we offer the alternative: players you might not know who have yet to reach their NFL peaks.

For these players, their best football is in front of them, which is why they should be key targets.

We have five players listed, and here's a good bet that outside of their families, their own fans and the NFL personnel people who deal with them on a regular basis, they aren't that well known.

That doesn't mean they can't play. They all can. And they all have several good years left.

So let's forget about the aging passers (Jeff Garcia), the high-priced corners (Nate Clements) and the flavor of the month (Dominic Rhodes) for a moment and take a look at five guys who can actually help your team.

These no-names can play.

Kevin Curtis, WR, St. Louis Rams