5 NFL free agents you need to know more about

Most of the NFL’s blockbuster free agents have already signed deals, but here are five under-the-radar players who can still help your team.

There are still some high-profile guys out there on the market such as wide receiver Dez Bryant and safety Eric Reid who should surely find a home soon enough.

On the flip side, there is a slew of talent on the free-agent market whose names don’t garner much attention to the average fan but have the talent on the field to make a real impact on Sundays. Let’s look at five free agents who are flying a bit under the radar and where they could potentially end up this season.

Orleans Darkwa – Running Back

Darkwa was the New York Giants go-to back last year as he finished the season averaging over 4.0 yards per carry on 171 rushes for 751 yards and five scores. Those numbers are not jaw-dropping by any stretch but take into consideration that he was running behind possibly the worst offensive line in football.

Darkwa also played with a surgically-implanted plate in his leg to help heal a slight fracture to his tibia which he injured during the 2015 season. The 26-year-old recently underwent minor surgery to remove the plate.

He is now healthy, ready, and determined to showcase his hard-nosed physical style of running for a new team this upcoming season. Any guy who can handle the job of a top running back on an NFL team with a leg injury should be fun to watch when he’s at his physical best.

Potential Landing Spot – Indianapolis Colts

The Colts starting running back last year was 34-year-old Frank Gore. The veteran Gore was released this offseason, leaving the reigns to shifty speedster Marlon Mack. Although the Colts did also draft two running backs in Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins, they are rookies and will need some time to get used to their first NFL system.

Darkwa would make a great compliment to Mack as the more hard-nosed runner who likes to mix it up between the tackles for the tough yards. With Andrew Luck set to make his return this year, establishing a reliable rushing attack will be paramount. Darkwa will help provide some much-needed stability to that backfield.