It doesnt take a football genius to understand that Ndamukong Suh, Dez Bryant and Randall Cobb will immediately improve the fortunes of whichever teams sign them this offseason.After all, these are some of the biggest superstars in the entire league, and their presence alone opens up the field for their teammates to make plays when they arent the ones streaking down the field or sacking the quarterback.However, the superstars arent the only ones available on the free-agency market this offseason. There are plenty of players who could bolster a teams playoff chances on the board outside of the big-money guys.With that in mind, here is a look at some under-the-radar free agents who will help their new (or old) teams next season.Byron Maxwell, CornerbackByron Maxwell was a member of the Legion of Boom secondary in Seattle, which automatically lends some credibility to his game.Granted, he never got the attention superstars Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas did. But if Maxwell was a liability, opposing teams would have picked on him all season, and the Seahawks would not have reached the doorstep of another Super Bowl title.Maxwell is a physical presence in the secondary who can press a receiver at the line or get to the ball downfield with impressive speed. He has been overshadowed for most of his career, but this offseason could be his opportunity to land a starring role somewhere.There is a catch with Maxwell, though. He is probably the best option at cornerback this offseason in what could otherwise be deemed a thin market at the position. Without much available depth (unless teams look to the draft), Maxwell is a prime candidate to get overpaid by a desperate team.That is at least something to keep an eye on as the offseason unfolds.Henry Melton, Defensive TackleThe Dallas Cowboys defense was supposed to be a train wreck this season and the main reason Tony Romo and the offense didnt reach the playoffs. Instead, it was solid if not spectacular and helped the Cowboys win the NFC East.One reason why Dallas was at least passable on the defensive side and 15th in the league in scoring defense was the presence of Henry Melton in the middle.He is never someone who is going to rack up a ton of individual sacks (although he ended up with five this season), but he is capable of occupying two offensive linemen at one time and opening up rushing lanes for the defensive ends and linebackers to make plays. That type of team play improves the entire defense.Melton is certainly not as much of an impact player as Suh, but he is a solid and much cheaper option who will immediately improve both the passing and rushing defense with unselfish play.He should also be healthier in the 2015 season after struggling to bounce back from physical ailments this past year. He suggested as much, via Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News: I didnt get exactly where I wanted to get. It was just rough coming back. I had to get back into playing shape. It is what it is.Whichever team signs him should see a healthier and better version of Melton than Dallas did in 2014.Mark Ingram, Running BackMark Ingram was a superstar at Alabama and an early draft pick. When he didnt immediately take the NFL by storm, many people forgot about him.Forgetting about him on this offseasons free-agency list would be a mistake, as Gregg Rosenthal and Chris Wesseling of NFL.com pointed out: Still just 25 years old with little tread on his tires, Ingram should attract plenty of interest on the heels of a breakout 2014 season. The cap-strappedSaints can't afford a back of his caliber.There is something to be said for taking caution with a player who busted out in a contract year because motivations change with money on the line, but Ingram was a force for the New Orleans Saints in 2014. He finished with 964 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on the ground and 145 receiving yards, and he took advantage of light boxes with Drew Brees and the potent passing attack creating space.That is another potential worry with Ingram. Can he put up big numbers without Brees softening up the opposing defense for four quarters'Perhaps those concerns will lower Ingrams price tag, but he is worth the risk. There is plenty of value in a hard-nosed runner who will lower his head and pick up tough yards between the tackles, especially in the pass-happy NFL of today.Ingram fits that bill and would be a formidable red-zone option for a number of teams looking to improve the offense. He is just entering what should be his prime years and will ideally put up career-best numbers for whichever team signs him.Follow me on Twitter:Follow @ScottPolacek
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