Other teams benefited that way, too.

Indianapolis, last year’s champion, has consistently drafted and signed well. Its version of Bradshaw is Ed Johnson, an undrafted free agent who was kicked off the team at Penn State, and started all year at defensive tackle after Anthony McFarland was hurt.

The Colts also have a player like Smith, Anthony Gonzalez, chosen with the last pick of the first round last April.

Smith was the nominal No. 2 receiver at Southern Cal behind Dwayne Jarrett and Gonzalez was No. 2 behind Ted Ginn Jr., at Ohio State. They had big-game experience in top-level college programs and turned out better as rookies than the guys who overshadowed them.

Yes, the Giants have key players they signed in past years as free agents, led by Burress and middle linebacker Antonio Pierce. Also in that group are two offensive linemen, center Shaun O’Hara and tackle Kareem McKenzie, plus Mitchell and cornerback Sam Madison, picked up when he was cut for salary cap reasons by Miami.

But the heart of the team remains young players acquired through the draft; as undrafted free agents (S James Butler, TE Mike Matthews and CB Kevin Dockery); or off the waiver wire (FB Madison Hedgecock and KR Domenik Hixon). By contrast, San Francisco, which spent a bundle on free agents last season, finished 5-11, and Snyder in Washington has been spinning his wheels in free agency since buying the team in 1999.

So pay attention to the scouting combine, which starts next week — although not too much. Plenty of teams have been fooled over the years by speed or strength stats in shorts that don’t translate to playing with pads on.

Consider that last season’s best teams have all drafted well. That includes Indianapolis, San Diego, Dallas, Green Bay, the Giants and New England, who got Wes Welker and Randy Moss last season for draft picks. “They were our draft,” coach Bill Belichick said.

The best free agents plug immediate needs at moderate prices. The worst overload salary caps and underproduce.

Good drafts are guaranteed to produce winners.

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