The biggest NFL free-agent steals of all time

Some great NFL free agent signings are predictable, while others have been under the radar. Here are the biggest NFL free agent steals of all time.

A situation pass rusher during his first five seasons in Denver, Barrett signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Bucs in 2019. He had an enormous impact as a starter for Tampa Bay's revamped defense and led the NFL with 19.5 sacks.

Williams saw playing time with Miami late in the 2017 season but apparently failed to impress enough for the Dolphins to retain him. He went west to sign a one-year, $1.5 million contract to add depth to K.C.'s backfield in 2018. While Williams failed to see more than one carry in a game until Week 13, he came up big late in the year after Kareem Hunt was released. He scored four touchdowns in two playoff games and remained a huge part of the running game in 2019 after signing an extension. Acting as the true starter throughout the 2019 playoffs, Williams scored six touchdowns in three games and was arguably deserving of Super Bowl MVP LIV MVP over Patrick Mahomes.

Davis signed a three-year, $24 million contract to help improve the Saints run defense, and he had an immediate impact. New Orleans came just short of advancing to the Super Bowl in 2018, but Davis helped lead an elite run defense. During the second year of the contract in 2019, Davis was named an All-Pro.

Philadelphia brought in Foles to back up second-year quarterback Carson Wentz in 2017. The move seemed somewhat inconsequential at the time, but it helped lead Philadelphia to its first-ever Super Bowl victory. Foles started the final three games of the regular season and went on to win Super Bowl MVP.

Bennett returned to the team that signed him out of the draft on a one-year, $4.8 million deal after four seasons in Tampa Bay. He spent five years with Seattle, becoming an anchor on an elite defense with 39 sacks in five seasons. The Seahawks also appeared in two Super Bowls during his stay, winning one.

The 2012 NFL offseason was also the Peyton Manning sweepstakes, as the elite quarterback went looking for a new team after sitting out the 2011 season with a neck injury. Led by the recruitment efforts of John Elway, Denver got their Man-ning. Manning put up spectacular numbers in his first three seasons with the Broncos, including a record-breaking 2013 season, but his one Super Bowl victory with the franchise came in an injury-plagued 2015 season as a result of Denver's elite defense.

Fantasy football owners remember Turner fondly. After four seasons as a backup in San Diego, Turner signed with the Falcons and immediately became an elite running back. He was an All-Pro in his first season with 1,699 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns and went back to the Pro Bowl two years later. During five seasons with the Falcons, Turner had three 1,300-plus yard rushing seasons.

Smith was a good player during his first seven seasons in Cincinnati, but he turned into an elite one after signing a massive six-year, $45 million deal with the 49ers in 2008. During his seven seasons in San Francisco, Smith made five Pro Bowls and a record 43.5 sacks while missing a total of two games. He also appeared in one Super Bowl with the team.

The diminutive Fletcher was a key part of defenses in St. Louis and Buffalo, but arguably his best seasons came in his mid-30s after signing with Washington. He made four Pro Bowls in seven seasons with Washington and totaled a whopping 955 tackles after signing in 2007.

Possibly the most significant free agent signing in the history of the NFL, Brees joined the Saints in 2006 as the team returned to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. Coming off a shoulder injury, Brees went from being a good quarterback in San Diego to an elite one under Sean Payton with the Saints. Since the signing, Brees has made 11 Pro Bowls in 13 seasons, won one Super Bowl victory and led the NFL in passing yards seven times.

Coming off an injury-ravaged 2005 season in Oakland, Woodson signed a seven-year deal with Green Bay in his age-30 season. He would be well worth the money, making four Pro Bowls in his seven seasons with the Packers, with a staggering 38 interceptions. He moved to safety later in his time with the Packers and finished his career with Oakland.

Warner signed a one-year deal with Arizona in 2005 after one season with the Giants. He was benched in his first year with the Cardinals and also played sparingly the following year before being replaced by rookie Matt Leinart. The Cardinals kept Warner around to help break in the young Leinart, but he eventually showed the form that won him two MVP Awards with the Rams. Warner shocked the football world in 2008 by leading the Cardinals to the Super Bowl, losing a close game to the Steelers. He would retire following another successful season in 2009.

Burress signed a lucrative six-year deal with the Giants in 2005 and immediately became the team's No. 1 receiver. Over four seasons, Burress had two 1,000-yard seasons and scored 33 touchdowns. The Giants also won a Super Bowl during Burress' tenure in 2007. Of course, his stay with the team ended after an accidental shooting that resulted in two years of prison time.

Harrison was one of the league's best safeties when he signed a six-year deal with the Patriots in 2003. He had many injuries during his six seasons with New England but also won two Super Bowls and was an All-Pro in 2003.

Harrison wasn't much of a prospect early in his career, going through stints with the Steelers, Ravens and Rhein Fire. He eventually went back to Pittsburgh in 2004 but didn't work his way into the lineup regularly until 2007. That season started a streak of five straight Pro Bowls, with Harrison winning the 2008 Defensive Player of the Year after recording 16 sacks. He also won two Super Bowls with Pittsburgh.

After winning Super Bowl XXXV in Baltimore as Jamal Lewis' backup, Holmes signed with the Chiefs in 2001. He was expected to fight for snaps in the revitalized offense under head coach Dick Vermeil but turned into a superstar almost immediately. His first three seasons in Kansas City rank among the best ever by an NFL running back, as he gained more than 2,100 yards from scrimmage in each season with a total of 61 touchdowns. Holmes was voted the 2002 Offensive Player of the Year. He played only 19 more games over four years following 2003, struggling through injuries.

Rice signed a huge five-year deal with Tampa Bay after five seasons in Arizona. Already a great pass rusher, he took the Bucs defense to another level with 67.5 sacks and one Super Bowl victory in his first five seasons with the team.

Vrabel never started an NFL game before signing with the Patriots from Pittsburgh in 2001. He became a key part of the team's defense over the following eight seasons, totaling 604 tackles and 48 sacks and winning three Super Bowls.

After a brilliant 10 seasons in Denver that included seven Pro Bowls, Sharpe signed with Baltimore in 2000. He had two 800-plus yard seasons, as the team won the Super Bowl during his first year. Sharpe would return to Denver in 2002-03 to finish his career.

The Chiefs made the controversial decision of sticking with Elvis Grbac in 1999 despite Gannon's success in Kansas City. Gannon signed with the rival Raiders in his age 34 season and made four straight Pro Bowls. He also won the 2002 MVP, leading the league with 4,689 passing yards, but Oakland was blown out by Tampa Bay in Super Bowl XXXVII.

Woodson had 10 seasons in Pittsburgh and one year in San Francisco, but he became a free agent in 1998 after the 49ers cut him. After eventually signing in Baltimore, he helped complete one of the greatest defenses in league history. Woodson made four straight Pro Bowls and won Super Bowl XXXV in 2000-01.

Bill Parcells coached Martin in New England during the running back's first two seasons and managed to bring him to the Jets in 1998. Martin signed in New York as a restricted free agent and would spend the rest of his career in New York. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards in seven straight seasons with the team and led the league with 1,697 yards rushing in 2004.

Jacksonville signed McCardell to a lucrative contract in only its second season as a franchise, and it turned out to be a perfect fit for team and player. McCardell had his first 1,000 yard season in 1996 and would surpass that mark four times in his six years with the Jaguars.

Few free agent signings in history got better immediate returns than Buffalo's signing of Paup in 1995. He recorded a league-high 17.5 sacks in his first season with the Bills, winning Defensive Player of the Year after five years in Green Bay. Paup had a total of 33 sacks in his three seasons with Buffalo.

After winning a Super Bowl with the rival 49ers in 1994, Sanders signed a seven-year contract with Dallas. He would end up spending only five of those years with the Cowboys but was an All-Pro three times and made four Pro Bowls. The Cowboys also won the third Super Bowl of their 1990's dynasty run with Sanders in 1995.

White had already established himself as the top defensive lineman in football when he left Philadelphia to sign a four-year contract with Green Bay in 1993. He recorded 68.5 sacks over six seasons with the Packers, winning 1998 Defensive Player of the Year and one Super Bowl.

After going undrafted in 1978, Moon became a star in the CFL with five consecutive Grey Cup victories. He entered the NFL in 1984, signing with the Oilers and eventually proving he could play in the league. He spent 10 years in Houston, leading the league in passing yards twice and winning the 1990 Offensive Player of the Year.

Plunkett revitalized his career with the Raiders after San Francisco released him in 1978. He spent two years as the Raiders backup but replaced the injured Dan Pastorini in 1980. Plunkett would go on to win 1980 Comeback Player of the Year and lead his team to two Super Bowl victories.