5 Underrated Free Agents Worthy Of Respect

The free agent market hits us like a tidal wave of possibilities. Fans are eagerly waiting and wondering how their team is going to make an upgrade quickly, while others want to know the affects it will have on fantasy football. The following is a quick list of players I think are flying under the radar who could have a huge year with a change of scenery.

#5 WR Antonio Bryant

Bryant had an amazing season in 2008, racking up 1,248  receiving yards and 7 touchdowns, but was franchise tagged last year to play on a team he wanted out of. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were desperate to keep this unhappy wide receiver around for another year, but now they are letting him loose. Before playing two seasons in Tampa, Bryant bounced around the league, playing in Cleveland and in San Fransisco after the three seasons in Dallas in which he was drafted from.

At 28, this receiver is a lot more in tune with what he wants and where he thinks could be the best possible destination for his skills. Bryant still has a few more good years left in him, and a team looking to add an instant starter could land themselves a great wide receiver weapon.

4) DE Aaron Kampman

I am not Kampman’s doctor, but if the light is green, teams would be stupid not to gamble on this sack monster. Aaron suffered a knee injury earlier in the year, forcing him to miss time and play somewhat average football for the Packers. If you look at the three previous years in Green Bay you would see Kampman combined for an amazing 32 sacks. The 3-4 transition didn’t fit so well with this long time Packer veteran, but their loss is another team’s gain; watch for a 4-3 defense to snatch this pass rusher up in a hurry.

3) TE Ben Watson

The New England Patriots and their constant juggling of personnel hurt Watson’s stock over the years. Highlight reel catches in the endzone were thrown to linebackers or fullbacks lining up in a tight end position. Screw Vrabel,  Watson is a player that could be not only a huge gem for a team looking for an upgrade at the tight end spot, but a fantasy sleeper option as well. At 6’3″, 250 lbs and with great speed, teams will be fighting to sign this underrated free agent.

2) RB LaDainian Tomlinson

How big of a chip do you think LT has on his shoulders now? After everything this guy has done for the Chargers, Tomlinson finds himself out by the curb next to the garbage. For pure motivational purposes I would take a shot on him, especially if you were in line to play San Diego this year. No real need for a write up here, we all know what Tomlinson can add to a team; if someone is smart and doesn’t hand the guy 25+ carries per game, they can keep him healthy and use him as a secret weapon all year.

1) WR Derrick Mason

Sounds crazy right? No, I haven’t been drinking. Derrick Mason is a hugely underrated free agent available this coming weekend. Yes he’s 36 years old, but 8 out of the last 9 years the guy has had 1,000 yards receiving…5 of which were in Baltimore.

The Ravens have never been known as a team that throws the ball, but when they do, expect Mason to make the grab. Think about it: for a player who continues to be the only real passing threat on a team that up until last year has never had a quarterback, Mason has done it all. Not to mention there have been seasons where Mason has had over 90 receptions (103 rec in ’07) all in which he has not missed a game in 7 years. Old? You’re old, this guy can play. Any team looking to add a sure-handed receiver who is used to being covered by the best will get a huge upgrade if they can convince him to sign.

I expect the same type of numbers out of Derrick Mason this year, but at the same time I expect whoever signs him to see a noticeable increase in first downs and third down receptions…sounds good to me.