Acquiring veteran NFL talent is always a risky ordeal, given that it often involves parting with future draft picks or writing Oprah Winfrey-sized paychecks. The biggest key is finding a player who fits your system. Here are four good offseason pickups.

QB Matt Cassel

Background: Age 27, traded with LB Mike Vrabel to Kansas City from New England

Cost: 2^nd round pick

The Hope: Cassel resumes his late-season form and becomes the long-term quarterback for new coach Todd Haley to build his offense around.

The Reality: You have to give the Chiefs a lot of credit with this acquisition. Not only did they get Cassel for a mere second-round pick (they can thank New England’s abhorrence for the absurd salaries paid to first-round rookies for that), but they also got Cassel on a one-year contract. If, for some reason, Cassel bombs, the Chiefs’ financial books don’t suffer after 2009.

It’s unlikely that Cassel will bomb. His skills are tailor-made for Haley’s spread offense. (Some proof: 78 percent of Cassel’s passes last year were from the shotgun. In Arizona, Haley had Kurt Warner throwing out of the shotgun 69 percent of the time.)

Projected Return on Investment: 130%*

*not taking into consideration the long-term contract KC will eventually have to give Cassel, should he succeed.

TE Tony Gonzalez

Background: Age 33, traded to Atlanta from Kansas City

Cost: 2^nd round pick in 2010

The Hope: Gonzalez continues to build on his record numbers as the steady over-the-middle target that Matt Ryan needs.

The Reality: He will – no problem. Some people have bought into the rumor that Gonzalez, at 33, is too old to be an elite tight end. That farce crumbles with one quick glance at the future Hall of Famer’s 2008 statistics: 96 receptions for 1,058 yards – both league-highs amongst tight ends – and 10 touchdowns. And that came in a dreadful Chiefs offense that had no run game.

Gonzales isn’t just a pass-catcher – he’s also a solid blocker. This ensures that his style of play is a perfect fit for a Falcons offense that already moved the ball effectively through the air and on the ground a year ago. Gonzalez’s numbers will likely decrease simply because he’ll be behind Michael Turner and Roddy White in the pecking order. But his overall impact could be the extra bit that puts Atlanta into Super Bowl contention.

Projected Return on Investment: 125%

OT Jason Peters

Background: Age 27 traded to Philadelphia from Buffalo

Cost: 28^th overall pick in ’09, plus $60 million over six years ($25 million guaranteed)

The Hope: The immensely talented Pro Bowl left tackle can protect the quarterback’s blindside for at least the next half-decade.

The Reality: After long being regarded as one of the greenest but most promising blocking talents in pro football, Peters fulfilled his potential by blossoming into a Pro Bowler two years ago. Bloggers have been eager to point out that the 340-pound former tight end was imputed with giving up a league-worst 11.5 sacks in 2008. But most of those sacks could be attributed to early-season rust after Peters’s long holdout. The bottom line is that Peters is one of the most gifted athletes in the NFL. He will keep Donovan McNabb’s jersey clean while also opening up new opportunities in the run game. He has a remarkable ability to naturally get to the second level. Yes, the Eagles spent a lot to get him. But thanks to shrewd, discipline salary cap management over the years, it was an expense this team could easily afford him.

Projected Return on Investment: 105%

ILB Bart Scott

Background: Age 29 (at season opener). Signed with New York Jets as an UFA from Baltimore.

Cost: $22 million guaranteed

The Hope: With his experience in Rex Ryan’s system, Scott can be the Ray Lewis of the Jets.

The Reality: The talent is there. So is the character. Scott is a smart downhill player who performs every task with excellent speed. And, as a former undrafted free agent from Southern Illinois, the benchwarmer-turned-Pro Bowler has paid his dues. When he’s focused and level-headed – which is most of the time – Scott’s a tremendous leader. The question is whether he’s tremendous to the tune of $22 million in guarantees. Most inside linebackers lose a step around age 31. The really good ones can still stay effective until 34 or so. Scott is 29, but he’s only been a starter for half of his seven years in the league. Thus, New York should have a productive inside force for at least four seasons. Playing in a new stadium in front of PSL-owning fans from America’s biggest market, the Jets can afford the costs.

Projected Return on Investment: 100%