First, before we get to the free agent signings, lets look at the two blockbuster trades that went down.
Saints trade Jimmy Graham (and Pick) to Seahawks for Max Unger (and Pick)
Big move made by both football clubs. New Orleans were WAY over the salary cap heading into the 2-15 season, so you knew they were going to be looking to get rid of some of their parts. But not too many people would have figured it would be one of their best receiving threats in Jimmy Graham. Don't get me wrong, New Orleans gets a solid player in Center Max Unger, a guy who has talent to fill a void that the Saints need in their offensive line help. I'm sorry but its not worth getting rid of Graham. I know the saints needed to cut salary cap, but it leaves me wondering a bit why you would give up a player who you just handed a 4 year deal worth $40 million. From a Seattle standpoint, this is a great The Seahawks get a player who is possibly the NFL's best at his position in his prime. They get a guy who has averaged over 1,000 receiving yards and double-digit scores over the past four years. Its a huge boost to what was a somewhat weak passing game last season. Now its adding another threat for Russel Wilson & Company to work with.
Rams Trade Sam Bradford To Eagles for Nick Foles
I, like most other people, were kinda left scratching their heads after this move was announced. Chip Kelly has done a lot of wheeling and dealing the last few days. There was the trade of LeSean McCoy to Buffalo, now this move. Both QB's are good but I really thing, from an Eagles perspective, this is a downgrade. Foles was hurt last year, playing in only eight games. But when he did play, he threw for 2,163 yards and 13 touchdown passes, to go along with 10 interceptions. Foles has been a serviceable QB, unlike Sam Bradford. For whatever reason, Bradford can't stay healthy. Foles accomplished more in 2013 than Bradford has in five NFL seasons. Bradford has missed 25 games over the past two years alone thanks to a pair of ACL tears. To make matters worse, Bradford is set to make $13 million for 2015. That's a lot of money for a quarterback with a career winning percentage well below .400. St. Louis is making out like gangbusters in this trade. They get a stable quarterback for a team that is on the upswing. So St. Louis comes out the big winners in this trade.
Jets acquire Brandon Marshall from Bears for Draft Pick
I like this trade I really do. This was made before the start of free agency but still a big move for Gang Green. Here you have a guy who has had over 1,000 yards receiving every year in the league except two, his rookie year of 2006 and last year due to injuries. The guy has all the talent in the world, enough to be a top ten wide receiver in the entire league. The one thing that has me even a little bit worried is how cheap the Jets got him for. All they gave up is a 5th round draft pick. It makes me wonder if him possibly being a headcase could be a problem. Another thing that could worry me is that, as good a receiver as Marshall is, can he produce with somebody as bad as Geno throwing to him?
Now that we got some of the big trades outta the way, heres a look at some of the big free agent signings.
Darrelle Revis to Jets: 5 Years, $70 Million; $39 Million Guaranteed
Revis was set to make $20 million this year in New England. That was before the Patriots decided not to pick up the Cornerbacks option for this year. Revis spent the first six years of his eight year career here in New York, and is coming off a Super Bowl title in New England just a season ago. Now he's back in New York, but at a bit of a price. The deal pays $70 million over five years, including a staggering $39 millionin guaranteed money. It's the largest deal for a cornerback in NFL history. Is he a bit of a headache when it comes to his contracts and money? Yes he is. But is he worth every penny of it? Yes he is. Revis is still arguably the NFL's top player at a premium position, and given that Jets secondary has been a 14-alarm dumpster fire since the moment Revis left, his return coming back here is very welcome indeed.
Julius Thomas to Jaguars: 5 Years, $46 Million, $24 Million Guaranteed
I have to say I give the Jaguars credit for going after Thomas. His numbers dipped a little last year from what he produced in 2013, but still he a very solid tight end. Even though he had ankle trouble, which limited his playing time, he still managed to grab 12 TD catches a season ago. Its a downgrade slightly going from having Peyton Manning throwing to him a year ago, to now having Blake Borttles throwing to him. Still he was the best available free agent at the tight end position, now property of the Jaguars. Since Denver lost their top tight end target, they brought in Owen Daniels to replace him. Daniels, who had 48 grabs for 527 yards and four scores for the Ravens in 2014, does have a habit of getting nicked up. However, when he's on the field, Daniels is a steady veteran with intimate familiarity with Kubiak's offensive scheme.
Frank Gore to Colts: 3 Years, $12 Million; $8.5 Million Guaranteed
So far as I could tell, not since Edgerrin James have the Indianapolis Colts had a stud, power running back. Last year experiment with Trent Richardson didn't work out the way the Colts wanted. Indy's biggest hole, from an offensive standpoint, has been the running game. That issue has finally been addressed. Enter Frank Gore, who has proven out in San Francisco that he can be a stud back in the NFL. Gore has had over 1,000 yards rushing in every year he's been in the NFL except for two seasons, 2005 and 2010. I know Frank Gore's age might be an issue, after all he is 31 years old. Still he's now gained over 1,000 yards in four straight seasons and eight of the last nine. It's a no-brainer for a team trying badly to keep up with the Joneses in the AFC.
Torrey Smith to 49ers: 5 Years, $40 Million; $22 Million Guaranteed
It had been a bit of a rough go for the 49ers leading up to the kickstart of free agency. Things haven't really looked good in San Fran as of late. Last year didn't go so well for the 49ers. Running back Frank Gore signed with the Colts. Guard Mike Iupati already bolted for the Arizona Cardinals. Linebacker Patrick Willis stunningly announced his retirement Tuesday. San Fran finally gets themselves a break by adding the presence of Torrey Smith. San fran needed to make something happen, considering that Michael Crabtree becoming a free agent and Stevie Johnson potentially the victim of a cap-cutting move, the 49ers were desperate to upgrade their pass-catchers.
Andre Johnson to Colts: 3 years, $21 Million
Houston lost its star wide out. Andrew Luck has a new weapon to work with in an already explosive offense. Johnson spent twelve years in the NFL, playing his entire career in Houston to this point. In his time with the Texans, he caught 1,012 passes on 1,599 targets for 13,597 yards. He had injury problems at times but is, overall, one of the best threats in the league. The Johnson signing was almost a way to replace Reggie Wayne in the Colts lineup, as Wayne was let go earlier this week. In fact, adding Johnson is more of an upgrade than Wayne in that Indy lineup. Team Johnson with TY Hilton as targets for Andrew Luck, then you really have something to work with for the Colts.
Ndamukong Suh Signs Record Deal With Dolphins
$114 Million. That how much the Dolphins feel Suh is worth, making him the highest paid defensive player in the NFL. There no denying how good a football player Suh is. Since 2010, he's led all defensive tackles in sacks (36), disruptive plays (50 percent) and total snaps (4,107) (ESPN). This guy knows how to create havok in a backfield. As good as a defensive player as Suh is, he can also cause headache. Suh has had a tendency to get into trouble with the league.In all, Suh has lost $420,669 because of fines and suspensions. Still he can add a valuable intimidation factor to the Dolphins defensive line.
So there you have it. Some of the big moves done at the start of free agency. We will keep you posted ona ll the other moves made during the offseason!
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