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10 Under-the-Radar Free Agents Every NFL Team Should Consider Signing

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By @ConnorFultonRS

10 Under-the-Radar Free Agents Every NFL Team Should Consider Signing

Akeem Ayers New England Patriots
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Free agency is a splashy, frenzied time on the NFL calendar characterized by big-name signings. However, it is often the acquisition of a lesser-known player that really catapults a team. Here are 10 under-the-radar players worthy of the attention of every NFL team in free agency.

10. Matt Moore

Matt Moore Miami Dolphins
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

10. Matt Moore

Matt Moore Miami Dolphins
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

He isn’t under consideration to be signed as a starter like Josh McCown and Brian Hoyer, but Moore is as good of a backup quarterback as there is out there. A team with an at-risk-for-injury quarterback, like the Redskins, would benefit from picking up Moore to solidify the depth chart.

9. Jacquizz Rodgers

Jacquizz Rodgers Atlanta Falcons
David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

9. Jacquizz Rodgers

Jacquizz Rodgers Atlanta Falcons
David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

It’s looking like the Falcons will let Rodgers walk, which means that one of the other 31 teams will have a shot at acquiring one of the more underrated backs in the league. Although his career yards per carry average is only 3.7, Rodgers is worth a look as a change-of-pace back with his electrifying speed and agility.

8. Jerome Felton

Jerome Felton Minnesota Vikings
Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

8. Jerome Felton

Jerome Felton Minnesota Vikings
Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Felton paved the way for Adrian Peterson in Minnesota, and he can do the same for a running back near you. Fullbacks don’t get much attention these days, or else Felton would be a household name.

7. Leonard Hankerson

Leonard Hankerson Washington Redskins
Brace Hemmelgam-USA TODAY Sports

7. Leonard Hankerson

Leonard Hankerson Washington Redskins
Brace Hemmelgam-USA TODAY Sports

Hankerson’s injury-plagued 2014 season shuffled him into the more destitute ranks of the NFL’s wide receivers. But in the right situation, the Miami product could certainly resurrect what once was a very promising career.

6. Eddie Royal

Eddie Royal San Diego Chargers
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

6. Eddie Royal

Eddie Royal San Diego Chargers
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

In 2014, Royal had his best season since his impressive 91-catch rookie campaign back in 2008 with the Broncos. He was a dependable target in the San Diego aerial attack and will definitely draw some interest -- the question is just how much. Rumor has it that Denver is mulling over a reunion with Royal in anticipation of the departures of Wes Welker and Julius Thomas.

5. Virgil Green

Virgil Green Denver Broncos
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

5. Virgil Green

Virgil Green Denver Broncos
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

All eyes are on the Julius Thomas situation, but the Broncos could be without another tight end after free agency. The Bears and Buccaneers may be targeting Green despite the fact that he has logged just 23 receptions in four seasons. Don’t be surprised if another team gives Green a gander considering how vital tight ends are becoming to the health of offenses these days.

4. Akeem Ayers

Akeem Ayers New England Patriots
Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

4. Akeem Ayers

Akeem Ayers New England Patriots
Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

One could argue that the 2014 Patriots would not have won Super Bowl XLIX without Ayers. Besides the game-saving wrestling down of Marshawn Lynch, Ayers contributed steadily during Chandler Jones’ midseason absence. It’s not guaranteed that the Patriots will hang on to their relatively recent addition, so other teams should consider signing Ayers.

3. Alan Branch

Alan Branch New England Patriots
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

3. Alan Branch

Alan Branch New England Patriots
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Here’s another front seven force that came on during the Patriots’ super season. The journeyman defensive tackle will likely don his fifth jersey in his ninth career season this September, as the Patriots are expected to give sophomore Dominique Easley an expanded role. It should be noted just how instrumental Branch was in maintaining the rigidity of the Pats’ run defense in the playoffs.

2. Buster Skrine

Buster Skrine Cleveland Browns
Rick Dole-USA TODAY Sports

2. Buster Skrine

Buster Skrine Cleveland Browns
Rick Dole-USA TODAY Sports

It’s tough for a Browns cornerback to make a name for himself playing opposite Joe Haden, but Skrine has earned respect across the league after intercepting four passes in 2014, two of which propelled the Browns to a crucial Week 10 upset of the Bengals. The Redskins and Steelers come to mind as suitable landing spots for the No. 2 corner who wants to take the next step in his career.

1. Patrick Robinson

Patrick Robinson New Orleans Saints
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

1. Patrick Robinson

Patrick Robinson New Orleans Saints
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Two of the best interceptions in 2014 came from Robinson. In addition to his ball skills, Robinson has slowly but steadily rose in the NFL’s cornerback ranks and will be looking to earn a salary that reflects his accomplishments. The Saints are aggressively trying to retain Robinson, but any number of cornerback-needy teams, like the Jets, could make a move to sign him when free agency begins.

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