The NFL Free Agency Frenzy is officially underway, as teams are now negotiating with players and deals are being announced (although not “officially signed yet”). I am sitting here in my newly funded bunker thanks to the Kelly Schultz for Maryland Campaign (just kidding… only a tremendous idiot would think this) where I have been monitoring the progress on my 7 TVs and 7 computers as news pours in every minute. I haven’t slept, haven’t eaten and haven’t slept. Let’s do this.
BEST signings so far:
Roger Saffold: Buffalo Bills. I am shocked to have not heard more about this. Saffold is a Pro-Bowl level guard, and a world beating run blocker. The Bills desperately needed help blocking for the running game, and got it in Saffold. It’s a 1 year deal, so any risk is fully mitigated. he has been healthy for most of his career, especially the last 5 years. The actual dollars don’t seem to be out there yet, but who cares. This is what the Bills had to address and they did.
CJ Uzomah: New York Jets. 3 years at around 8 mil per is a great price for a really good blocking and receiving tight end who is still in his prime as a player. This will provide a great option for Zach Wilson, and open things up in the running game. This is perfect for a team with a leadership void as well, as Uzomah was one of the primary leaders on a Bengals team that was just in the Super Bowl. Great find.
Cedrick Wilson: Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins were busy on day 1, and made several solid moves without overspending too much. My favorite of these is Cedrick Wilson, the Cowboys fourth receiver last season who quietly put up over 600 yards and 6 TDs. He is 27, which might seem old, but he entered the league as a 24 year old rookie just 3 years ago. He only has one full season really under his belt, and appears to be a real late bloomer. His ability to play any WR position offers his team desperately needed flexibility, and his contract is just 7 million per, when a similar player in Christian Kirk with more mileage got 18!.
WORST signings so far:
Christian Kirk: Jacksonville Jaguars. In a vacuum this is a terrible deal. 18 million a year for a player with a similar career average to what Cedrick Wilson did last year is bad. It’s really bad. And it’s several years, not just one. But this isn’t a vacuum. The Jaguars only have 4 more years to convince Trevor Lawrence not to leave. They are pulling out the stops to get him help to avoid another year like last year, and I don’t blame them. They DESPERATELY needed someone who can actually create separation, and Kirk can. I know Kirk can move into the slot full time and probably improve, but 18 million for a really good slot receiver isn’t much better than 18 million for a mediocre outside receiver.
J.C. Jackson: Los Angeles Chargers. Chargers fans are VERY excited about this, but they might regret it. This is a TON (40 mil guaranteed) of money for a cornerback with questionable coverage chops. Why do Chargers fans think he was available to begin with? Bill Belichick LOVES elite cornerbacks. Yet he seemed very willing to let J.C. go. It’s because, while J.C. makes big plays, he gives them up too. He is not a lock down top option. The Chargers are paying him to be though, so he needs to get better this year.
James Connor: Arizona Cardinals. James has a great story and I wish him the absolute best of luck and that he proves me 100 percent wrong here. I like him so much, I bought my son (a Steelers fan) his jersey even though he is gone now. HOWEVER, 30 million with 13.5 million guaranteed is too much for a running back with his mileage, a YPC under 4, and a fairly limited ability on 3rd downs. This feels like they are paying him for what he did (20 tds last year!) not what he will do.
Most interesting things today:
What will happen to POS Deshaun Watson? I am not going to go back into how he has DEFINITELY NOT BEEN EXONERATED, despite what his twitter account would have you believe. His meetings with the Panthers, Saints and possibly Browns make him the next major domino to fall. Where he heads will leave some major openings at QB, and likely guide some free agents like Terron Armstead and Will Fuller to their next stops.
Will the Dolphins address their line? The Miami Dolphins had the worst line in the NFL last season. Thus far, they have been very patient addressing it (aka: they haven’t), despite one of the highest cap space numbers. The Bengals, Steelers, Jags and Jets have all addressed their terrible offensive lines. Will the Dolphins?
Where will Allen Robinson go? One of the biggest names left, Robinson is by far the biggest skill player name left on the board. Rumored suitors include the Bears, Lions and Raiders. Will he make his decision today? Will he finally get a good QB?
My hunch is, he ends up with the Raiders. I’d want to take Derek Carr over those other guys.