NFL free agency winners and losers
NFL free agency has slowed down considerably, even though there are still several older, established players available waiting to find the price they feel is appropriate for their services. The whirlwind of activity changed the direction of several individual players and franchises.
Here’s a look at the winners and losers from the free agency cycle:
Winner: Tyler Linderbaum
Landing a blockbuster, fully guaranteed $81 million contract to reset the center marketplace, Linderbaum cashed in big-time with the Las Vegas Raiders. He should provide a nice foundational piece to go with incoming rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza as the projected top overall pick of the draft. His new average per year: $27 million, well above the other interior linemen.
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Quarterbacks Who Benefited Most From the Market
Winner: Malik Willis
The former Green Bay Packers backup and dual-threat is now the Miami Dolphins starting quarterback. He impressed general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hatley during his time in Green Bay. Now. he gets a prime opportunity to prove he can be a full-time starter on a three-year, $67.5 million contract after starting three games in the past two seasons.
Franchises That Maximized Cap Space and Flexibility
Winner: Baltimore Ravens
Getting out of a potential disastrous situation by scuttling the Maxx Crosby trade due to injury concerns, the Ravens hold onto two first-round draft picks. And they pivoted well by landing former Cincinnati Bengals star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson to replace Crosby. Jaylin Hawkins and John Simpson should be good additions that didn’t cost a ton.
Winner: New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye
After moving on from Stefon Diggs, the Patriots reloaded with an up-and-coming receiver in Romeo Doubs. The offensive line should be fortified by Alijah Vera-Tucker, as long as his hard luck with injuries is behind him.
Winner: Tennessee Titans
Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi and new coach Robert Saleh utilized their $90-plus million in salary-cap space. They added John Frankin-Myers and Alontae Taylor and Cor’Dale Flott on defense and a good receiver to help out young quarterback Cam Ward by signing Wan’Dale Robinson.
Free Agency Decisions That Backfired
Loser: Las Vegas Raiders
Although the Raiders get back Maxx Crosby after the Baltimore Ravens backed out of a trade agreement, they lost a pair of first-round draft pick compensation that had been negotiated. Crosby’s knee surgery triggered long-term durability concerns for the Ravens and they didn’t pass him on their physical. The top rallying point for the Raiders of course was
Loser: Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy
Although McCarthy hasn’t officially lost the starting job yet, the former first-round draft pick’s struggles led to the arrival of former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray. It’s hard to see a viable scenario where McCarthy remains the starter and stays in Minnesota for the long-term future. The Vikings are only on the hook for the league minimum as the Cardinals have to pay Murray $36.8 million. McCarthy completed just 57.6 percent of his throws with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions last season.
Teams That Lost Key Talent Without Adequate Replacements
Loser: Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars won their final eight games of the regular season and made the playoffs for the first time in three years. However, they took on some serious water in free agency as they lost running back Travis Etienne Jr., linebacker Devin Lloyd and cornerback Greg Newsome II all left the organization.
Loser: Buffalo Bills
The Bills traded for former Chicago Bears wide receiver D.J. Moore, but his production has been in steady decline. It’s unclear if Bradley Chubb can stay healthy. The defense needs serious reinforcements.
Loser: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The fact that Mike Evans joins the San Francisco 49ers and could have made more money by staying in Tampa Bay has to sting. He’s the Buccaneers’ top player on offense in franchise history with 866 career catches for 13,052 yards and 108 touchdowns. Evans gave up on the Buccaneers to head to the West Coast in hopes of chasing an elusive Super Bowl ring
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