Top Offensive Free Agents: A Mid-Season Report Card

Most Valuable Free Agent? He's Got My Vote

HT: To ESPN Hashmarks and others who've correctly noted that Welker and Schaub were obtained via trades. Our apologies for the mistake and thanks for keeping us in check. We were using the following as our research reference and failed to do our due diligence...

Every offseason fans get overly excited about the potential new additions to their NFL teams. Outside of a few big names, though, it's rare to find many whom you'd be willing to bet the house on to have any real impact on the NFL season. Yet, every fall some of those "names who could help a team" end up doing just that...and a whole lot more.

Now that we've reached the halfway point, The Legend takes a look back at the top 10 free agents donning new uniforms in 2007 based on expectations entering the season, production versus past performance and the difference they've made to date on their new teams. Our ranking does not take into account things like cost to teams in terms of contracts, because, well, our research team consists of one, and the work week is long.

So, in essence, what follows is a completely arbitrary and unscientific listing mainly predicated on casual observations of highlights and such. Deal with it. This is meant to spark debate and discussion, so leave your venomous remarks in the "comments."

1. Wes Welker, Miami Dolphins: Everybody knew he could "help" Brady and the Pats. Heck, I even predicted he'd have 90 catches after week one. But find me the guru who figured he'd be tied for second in the NFL in receptions halfway though. How about six touchdowns, five of which are on receptions over 20 yards? By the way, he's got nine more catches than the #3 guy -- some kid by the name of Moss.

2. Jeff Garcia, Tampa Bay Buccanneers: Bottom line...it boggles my mind that this team wins any games. I attribute their ability to do so to one man: Jeff Garcia. He is proving Philly wasn't a fluke. He's a winner. I don't care what the stats say. But, if you are one of those number-crunching dorks, he happens to be seventh in passer rating among QBs with more than 100 attempts. His back is Earnest Graham. Joey Galloway is his stud receiver. No disrespect to Galloway, but his days as a bonafide numero uno were supposed to be over awhile back. Yet, the Bucs are somehow 4-4. Magician.

3. Jamal Lewis, Cleveland Browns: I was pretty sure this guy was done. And while he ain't tearing up the league, he's averaging 4.7/carry and has given the Browns a legitimate option in the backfield for the first time in what seems like forever. He also brings a bit of toughness to a team that's recently had a reputation for being soft. Plus, the Brownies are 4-3 and a game out of first in the AFC North!!

4. Shaun McDonald, Detroit Lions: You got someone else you want to put in front of him? McDonald had 12 catches in 16 games last year for the Rams. He's got 33 receptions for the 5-2 Lions and is thriving in Martz's offense to form a formidable one-two punch with Roy Williams. Plus, he's got the same number of touchdowns as the Pizza Boy (3).

5. Kevin Curtis, Philadelphia Eagles: One of the few bright spots for the totally-not-soaring birds and their bald-eagle leader Mr. McNabb. Curtis follows the McDonald recipe almost to a "T." After starting one game and nabbing 40 balls for four touchdowns with the Rams in 2006, Curtis has started every game in Philly in 2007. His stats: 32 catches, 4 touchdowns and a gaudy 18.2 yds/reception.

6. Travis Henry, Denver Broncos: Positive. Fourth in the NFL in yards/game at 91.5. Negative. Drug test = Positive. Negative. Only one touchdown and a likely suspension coming. No doubt a talent, but it's hard to make the case that he's been a difference maker in the Mile High City (although it's a bit scary to think where they'd be had he not been around the better part of the first half). By the way, SO not sold on Cutler yet. He's got talent, but he's got a few years to go. But that is neither here nor there...

7. Matt Schaub, Houston Texans: Another one who early in the season could've been a bit higher on the list. While the Texans are 3-5, their last three losses have not been a cakewalk by any stretch: @ Jacksonville, Tennessee and @ San Diego. Schaub's numbers aren't off-the-charts good, but they're not that bad either. Regardless, he's undeniably increased the competitiveness of this team with his on-field demeanor and presence alone. It's clear to casual or die-hard fans that he's no white-gloved fairy-boy. It might help if the other big-name Texans signee could add a bit more of a helping hand.

8. Sammy Morris, New England Patriots

9. Donte' Stallworth, New England Patriots

Those of you who know me are aware how much this Pats-fest pains me (it's truly agonizing). But how can you leave these two Pats additions off the list in good conscience? After a full season in Miami where he rushed 92 times for 400 yards and a touchdown, Morris came to N.E. to be an occasional spell for Kool-Aid Maroney. But, alas, "Praise, Jesus! The miracle-worker Bill Belichick and the healing waters of New England hath saved and rejuvenated him!" But, seriously, 85 carries for 385 and four touchdowns through eight games? 4.5/carry as the feature back? You've got to be kidding me.

Meanwhile, the Philadelphia malcontent Stallworth has become the dangerous third cog of a three-headed monster along with Moss-Welker that few really thought he could become. Go figure.

10. Brandon Stokley, Denver Broncos: Stokley hasn't set the world on fire, but he's been decent for the Broncos with a 14.5 ypc, his best since a career year with Indy in 2004. It seems he's also becoming Cutler's security blanket.

Dishonorable Mentions: Joey Harrington, Ahman Green, Ashley Lelie, T.J. Duckett.