We’re four days into NFL free agency, and nearly 100 of my top 150 players have come off the board, along with dozens of other signings and a handful of trades. Here are my biggest takeaways from the first week in the new league.
Live updates: Free agent news from the NFL
FA tracker: New teams and contract details for top 150 free agents
Best available players: Who is still on the market?
score: The best and worst free agent trades
Losing four of the top seven players on the roster could be devastating for many teams. Vikings edge players Danielle Hunter, DJ Wonnum and Marcus Davenport are all gone elsewhere, as well as linebacker Jordan Hicks.
But Minnesota has a plan to replace them with Jonathan Greenard (two years younger than Hunter), Andrew Van Ginkel (a young, rising player) and Blake Cashman, and their football The IQ, range and sliding ability make him a third-down inside linebacker and an upgrade over Hicks. This trio gives the Vikings a better defensive scheme than walking out of the gate. Sometimes plans have to be fluid, and the Vikings’ decision-makers gave me confidence in their evaluative abilities that I had some doubts about before.
I also like signing Sam Darnold to a one-year, $10 million deal while letting Kirk Cousins leave Atlanta for $45 million per year for four seasons. Year. The savings can still be used by upgrading their third wide receiver position and extending wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
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Kirk Cousins’ departure puts Vikings’ team-building plans into new phase
There’s no question that that’s what general manager Jason Licht has been doing with the Buccaneers’ roster this past week. No general manager can protect his roster and re-sign his core players like Licht. After tagging Pro Bowl safety Antoine Winfield Jr., he re-signed quarterback Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Mike Evans and found a way to retain linebacker Lavonte David . Licht also brings back defensive tackle Greg Gaines and safety Jordan Whitehead, who was a member of the 2020 Super Bowl championship team. The band got back together at a crucial moment.
Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht called it the “greatest free agent deal ever,” re-signing players like Mike Evans, Antoine Winfield Jr., Lavonte David, and more. Including possible Hall of Fame players.
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSROUD) March 13, 2024
Licht also added a third-round pick to the Detroit Lions on draft day by trading cornerback Carlton Davis — who had a massive cap number in the final year of his contract — to the Detroit Lions to round out his roster. some young people. This is another shrewd move in my opinion. Sportsbooks have positioned the Atlanta Falcons as clear favorites to win the NFC South after Cousins and others were added, but I’m still leaning toward the Buccaneers after they maintain that streak.
If this were an old-school game of “Battleship,” the Ravens’ ship would be at least listing to starboard and maybe even on the verge of tipping over. That’s to be expected considering how many pending free agents Baltimore has, as I wrote about last week.
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The Ravens retained Justin Madubuk and added Derrick Henry, but they’ve lost Patrick Quinn, John Simpson, Gus Edwards, Geno Stone and Ronald Darby , Jadeveon Clowney, Odell Beckham Jr. and Kevin Zeitler are still on the market. Combined with the decision to move on from starting right tackle Morgan Moses (let’s call it “friendly fire”), they’ve already been dealt a blow.
Rebuilding this roster will present the biggest challenge for general manager Eric DeCosta and his staff. They always have a plan in mind when something happens, so I don’t doubt that their answer is obvious. I’m just concerned that this excessive change will cause a natural adjustment period, which may take time. No one wants to turn a reorganization into a reconstruction. Time will tell how much change a lineup can absorb.
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The Giants added former Green Bay Packers linebacker Jon Runyan Jr. and former Las Vegas Raiders linebacker/tackle Jermaine Elumuno to the offensive line. Proven but still rising players like Jermaine Eluemunor. It’s rare to add two starting offensive linemen with clear job responsibilities. They are two of the top five forwards on our free agent board. The Raiders’ 2023 Elumuno is very good at right tackle, but can also play guard. That flexibility is valuable given Evan Neal’s issues at right tackle. Runyan possesses elite initial speed and the ability to make contact with his lower body, which is rare in our world of spread offense.
Oh yeah: Adding Brian Burns in the second and fifth round picks — he was my highest-ranked player before he was franchise-tagged and my most recent The closest thing to a player seen on tape is Micah Parsons — as draft-day talent with the addition of a first-round pick. Any team would make a trade like this. The Giants run their offense in just the right way.
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Yes, they lost Saquon Barkley and Xavier McKinney, two of my favorite players in this class, but it’s hard to justify spending big money on a running back on a team that’s not competitive and safety-wise. Improving the offensive line and landing Burns will help them a lot.
favorite signature
Fantasy owners please take note. I like Edwards with the Los Angeles Chargers plus the Ravens. I’ve always thought Barkley would be a cultural upgrade for new coach Jim Harbaugh and his vision for the Chargers’ new offense. But as Barkley’s contract continues to increase, Edwards becomes more attractive.
He brings a full toolbox and good production, but a little less dynamic athleticism. The Ravens running backs are holding Edwards’ numbers down, but he’s a better player than that. He will be the Chargers’ lead 235-pounder, looking to add toughness and physicality to his new role.
The most puzzling signature
I’m not surprised at how many expensive veteran safeties were released before free agency.I yes It’s shocking that teams are still adding veteran safeties with limited athleticism. The Chicago Bears signing Kevin Baird is a perfect example of this. The Philadelphia Eagles bet on Byrd at last season’s trade deadline, acquiring him from the Tennessee Titans. Not only was it unsuccessful, it went horribly.
In passing leagues, it’s difficult to hide players who struggle in space, whether it’s a screen or a steal. No more “box safe” positions. Baird was a great player a few years ago, but he’s clearly taken a step behind. Bears fans have to hope things will be different when he joins his third team in six months.
deepest remaining position
rarely possible not at all Look for quality edge pass rusher or offensive outside speed on the open market. This year, even after the low-hanging fruit has been plucked from the free-agent tree, both options are on the market. Clowney and Van Noy — who both signed after training camp opened last fall — as well as Chase Young and Bud Dupree can still contribute as pass rushers for a team looking to upgrade. golfer. Teams may not have to pay retail price for them, either.
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The same goes for wide receivers. Highly underrated Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds can still make an impact as a solid WR2 or WR3. Beckham, who is loved and hated, is still very explosive and can change the game. I realize this year’s draft is filled with good young outside prospects, which may impact the market, but these guys are proven commodities and if the price is right, they’ll be in demand.
The value stage has arrived
There’s often a pause in free agency after the initial big signings and press conferences before the market enters the “finding value” phase. From my perspective, the market has reached this stage. I’ve seen players willing to accept less than the premium to avoid being without a chair when the music stops.
Gaines (returned to the Buccaneers for one year, $3.5 million), Zach Bowen (returned to the Eagles for one year, $3.5 million), Nick Harris (returned to the Seattle Seahawks for one year, $2.51 million) $2.51 million) and Sahdiq Charles (returned to Seattle Seahawks for one year, $2.51 million). Titan (one year, $2.5 million) may typically sit on the market for weeks or months after its market doesn’t materialize. Instead, they sign quickly and teams can find some value in those deals.
I commend agents for doing their homework — most likely in meetings with teams at the combine in Indianapolis — and team builders for figuring out which front-line personnel will fit them. These value trades are a great way to build depth and have contributors ready in case of injuries.
Has the team gotten wiser?
With the salary cap going up $30 million, teams have the freedom to spend, but I think — this year more than usual — teams are also spending more wisely. Usually at this stage I have questions about a few signings that seem difficult to justify. During the four days of free agency shopping season, I rarely had such question marks.
My goal in free agency is always to fill a need before the draft and get as many checks as possible within my salary cap constraints. This allows you to draft without thinking too much about need, often selecting the best player available rather than looking for inferior players in the early rounds. This has been a tried and true philosophy over the years, and I think teams are following it, using value signings to fill holes and add flexibility.
(Photo from left to right: Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, Brian Burns and Kevin Byard: Adam Bettcher, Grant Halverson, Mitchell Leff / Getty Images)
