Last-minute shopping

There are 704 starting jobs in the NFL. However, the final five roster spots can be as important to a potential playoff berth as the first five if the injury bug hits.

The hours following the NFL's final cut down can be just as frantic as the race to sign undrafted prospects in the 10-15 minutes following the NFL draft. Observing one of the preseason finales in person allowed me to witness team representatives constantly refresh their computers, check the outcomes of other games being played and interact with their department heads to get updates on roster moves elsewhere.

As a result of all the moving and shaking, we've compiled a list of the top 10 acquisitions made in the past week.

10. Offensive tackle Rob Petitti (New Orleans Saints)
A fifth-round pick of the Cowboys just a year ago, he had issues with his weight and consistency. He often fell off blocks or failed to drive defenders off the ball. The Saints lack any type of depth along the front line, and a young, big body like this was too good to pass up, especially since head coach Sean Payton, a former Cowboys assistant, already knows his strengths and weaknesses. He starts off as a backup left tackle, but could see reps on the right side once he learns the offense.

9. Running back Lee Suggs (Miami Dolphins)
In three years with the Browns, he managed just three career starts as health was a major issue. He averaged 4.0 yards per carry on 263 attempts, but has not shown the type of durability or big-play potential that made him desirable coming out of college. He had just seven plays of 20 or more yards on nearly 300 touches in the NFL. The Dolphins get a young back (26 years old) with very little tread used, but he may only get one week to show his value. The Dolphins are believed to be the favorites to sign veteran running back Antowain Smith following the season opener against the Steelers.

8. Tight end Zach Hilton (New York Jets)
An undrafted free agent who was signed by the Saints after the 2003 draft, Hilton started to show signs of development after two years of practice squad duty. He caught 35 passes for a poor Saints offense last season, including 21 for first downs. He has great size (6-7, 265) and the speed to get open down the middle of the field. He's a little mechanical as a blocker. He gets too upright and does not have a great base, but he works hard and should be a good situational pass-catcher for the Jets.

7. Wide receiver Todd Pinkston (Minnesota Vikings)
Pinkston was released by the Eagles after a slower than expected recovery from a torn Achilles which sidelined him for all of last season. He rejoins head coach Brad Childress, his former offensive coordinator in Philly. Pinkston, likely used as a deep threat early, averaged over 15 yards per catch his previous two years (2004-05) under the guidance of Childress. He seems to have a penchant for catching the deep ball or making plays along the sidelines. He still has to prove he can regain that extra step he had prior to his injury.

6. Running back Patrick Cobbs (Pittsburgh Steelers)
He was acquired from New England for a conditional draft choice. A record-setting running back at North Texas, Cobbs opened eyes with his preseason performance, which included 4.9 yards per carry and three touchdowns. He also looked good catching the ball and more importantly was able to pick up the blitz, proving his size (5-8, 205) is not an issue. He ran the ball hard between the tackles and while he may lack a great burst on the 40-yard dash, he does possess very good football speed. He has a compact build, keeps his pads low and plays with very good balance. Both Verron Haynes and Duce Staley may be listed ahead of him on the depth chart, but Cobbs can play on special teams, return kickoffs and would be on the fast track if starting running back Willie Parker ever gets nicked up this season.

5. Defensive lineman Robaire Smith (Tennessee Titans)
Smith is back with the Titans after a two-year stint with the Texans. He adds both veteran leadership and depth at the tackle position, but can also swing outside and play defensive end on certain downs. Also, he's a better fit in the Titans' 4-3 scheme. Injuries to defensive end Antwan Odom and the slow development of the team's younger backup interior linemen will result in Smith seeing a sizeable amount of playing time throughout the season. He has not missed a game in four years, and should be rejuvenated since he never really wanted to leave the Titans in the first place.

4. Center Hank Fraley (Cleveland Browns)
After losing his starting job, Fraley was traded by the Eagles for a 2008 conditional draft pick. He walks into a near-perfect situation as the Browns had gone through LeCharles Bentley (injured), Bob Hallen (retired), Alonzo Ephraim (suspended) and Ross Tucker (released) in the preseason alone. By trading for Fraley, who has started 71 of 72 contests the past five years, the Browns secure themselves a smart, tough-nosed leader to pair with a relatively inexperienced offense which features second-year quarterback Charlie Frye. This was a very good move by Browns GM Phil Savage.

3. Wide receiver Doug Gabriel (New England Patriots)
Acquired from the Raiders for an undisclosed 2007 draft pick, Gabriel gives the Pats a versatile deep threat that helps them overcome the loss of free agent wide receiver David Givens (Tennessee), the holdout of speedy Deion Branch and the inexperience of rookie Chad Jackson, who has been slowed in camp by minor injuries. Gabriel has good size (6-2, 215), averaged 15 yards per catch in '05, and 58 of his 71 career grabs have gone for first down. He also plays with a bit of a swagger to his game, which if the Patriots can harness they will have found themselves a 50-catch, 5-6 touchdown receiver.

2. Defensive end Michael Haynes (New Orleans Saints) A former first-round pick by the Bears, he fell out of favor with their coaching staff. He was asked to add weight and move inside to tackle. Ultimately, he was benched last season. He has only started four games in three seasons since being selected in 2003. Still, the Saints get a talented, young (turns 26 next week) defensive lineman that could not wait for a fresh start in a new scheme. He has 5½ career sacks and could match or better that total while getting his game back together in the Bayou. Since he's rotating behind Will Smith and Charles Grant, there is no pressure for him to perform early. Yet, the Saints stand a very good chance of getting good production from this waiver claim.

1. Running back Ron Dayne (Houston Texans)
Had a late-season run with the Broncos last year that resulted in him averaging a career-best 5.1 yards per carry. He had not averaged over 3.8 yards per carry in four prior NFL campaigns. He gives the Texans the added dimension of knowing the blocking scheme and offense that was installed under new head coach Gary Kubiak, who was also with the Broncos last year. But just because he has better size (5-foot-10, 245 pounds) than the current backs on the roster does not mean he will be a pounding runner. He has quick feet for his size and works best in the zone-blocking scheme the Texans are now employing. However, he has never been a great short-yardage runner. Plus he has scored only five times over his last 40 games (230 carries). Keep an eye on his current battle with a turf toe injury as it could lessen his initial workload.