Day 2 of NFL free agency wasn’t a loud day. Not too many major names moved, as it seems like a number of key players are waiting to see what the fallout is from POS Deshaun Watson’s choice of teams. That list seems to be set at New Orleans, Carolina, Cleveland and Atlanta. Apparently Atlanta got in the mix because Arthur Blank had a relationship with POS Watson when he was younger (no, not that kind of relationship, although with POS Watson I suppose everything is in play).
BEST signings of the day:
Marcus Williams: Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens desperately needed a new deep safety, and Williams is one of the best in the NFL (try to block the Minnesota Miracle out of your memory). This is critical for a team that loves to bring extra bodies into the rush, because if you don’t have someone to get the back end, you end up like the Ravens ended last year, getting torched by everyone everywhere. This signing should go a long way to getting the Ravens defense back to right, even if the money was a bit much.
D’Onta Foreman: Carolina Panthers. I really like this signing for the Panthers. Foreman did REALLY well when he got his chance in Tennessee, and I think he is the perfect balancer for McCaffrey. Even if they move on from McCaffrey, though, Foreman has shown he can be the guy. His numbers replacing Derrick Henry weren’t Derrick Henry light. They were Derrick Henry 2.0.
D.J. Chark: Detroit Lions. I have heard a lot of people criticizing this signing since Jared Goff doesn’t throw the ball down the field, so I must ask you. To whom did you have him making those throws last year? At least Chark offers a vague threat out there. They had to sign SOMEBODY. Chark had a down year where he struggled with depression and physical maladies, but his rookie year showed a lot of promise. This is a solid 1 year deal with minimal cost to check him out. If it works out, you solved your number 2 WR position. They will probably still draft a WR.
WORST signings of the day:
Randy Gregory: Denver Broncos. I’m sorry but this is just WAY too much money for a guy who has had major substance abuse issues. I have no idea if the Broncos protected themselves with language in the contract, but they are paying him for his exact production as if he never had an issue. He has. I also can’t help but notice he switched at the last second to state that has legal marijuana. This feels like a disaster waiting to happen. I genuinely hope I am wrong.
Tyrod Taylor: New York Giants. The Giants signed Taylor, who is a solid player, but who clearly has no upside, to a TWO year deal that can be worth up to 17 million, when the Dolphins signed Teddy Bridgewater (who is younger and better) to a significantly cheaper one year deal. I don’t understand throwing money away like this. The Giants need help EVERYWHERE.
James Daniels: Pittsburgh Steelers. James is actually a solid player who is young, so generally this is a signing I would like. But 9 million a year for a guard who is not elite is simply ridiculous. I know the Steelers want to get better, but I question in a major way whether this will really change anything for them. The Jets made a similar move for Laken Tomlinson who at least has a Pro-Bowl under his belt. Unless a guard is elite, I don’t see the point in paying this much. The Dolphins signed a similar player in Connor Williams for half this total contract. It just doesn’t make sense.
Biggest day three stories:
POS Deshaun Watson is scheduled to meet with Atlanta and HOPEFULLY make his decision on where he is going. This will open up a number of QB moves and some other players will finally decide as well. Once this domino falls, the rest will fall.
Which QB will throw the biggest tantrum because his team met with POS Watson? This is a tough one. Baker Mayfield shot the first salvo, sending out a farewell letter to the Browns faithful, despite not actually being gone yet. Matt Ryan is also reportedly unhappy (and I would be too, if a were a stand up guy who has represented the franchise with the utmost integrity for a decade and a half and they wanted to replace me with POS Deshaun Watson.
Which teams will get defensive? There are a number of big name defensive players left on the market. Von Miller, Tyrann Mathieu, Chandler Jones, Bobby Wagner, Melvin Ingram, Myles Jack and so on. Who will scoop up these big names? Will they get the contracts they are looking for? The one I am most interested in would be Jack, who is the youngest and the only one I would say is still in his prime.