With the frantic beginning of Free Agency over, we can now look closer at all of the pick-ups that were made by teams. Many teams with lots of cap space did well, while others failed to rise to the challenge or just sat out entirely. I have come up with the teams that won and lost Free Agency.
Who won Free Agency?
Jacksonville Jaguars:
Key Pickups: TE Julius Thomas, RG Jeremy Parnell, DB Davon House
Key Losses: WR Cecil Shorts, DE Red Bryant, CB Will Blackmon
The Jaguars had the most cap room out of any of the NFL teams, having over $70 million to spend on available players. They were not shy about using this money to lure players to the Sunshine State. With so many problems with his 4-12 team, where was one to start? The Jags got it right with getting a big time receiver like Julius Thomas from the Broncos. He alone accounted for 12 TDs last season, even with being injured and playing alongside three of the best wideouts in the league. Next, the Jags addressed the protection of not only the QB, but also their halfbacks. Getting Jeremy Parnell from Dallas was great due to Parnell being part of the best offensive line in the league. This will help the Jags with protection on offense. Finally, Jacksonville needed some help on the defensive side of the ball, being one of the worst in the league in overall yards allowed per game. Going out into Free Agency, the Jags landed a player at each of the key positions. With LB Dan Skuta, DT Jared Odrick, DB Davon House, and DB Sergio Brown, the Jags look like they made all of the right moves this offseason. Looking to the draft though, every analyst is looking towards the pass rush of Jacksonville to be filled by either Dante Fowler Jr. or Leonard Williams.
Indianapolis Colts:
Key Pickups: RB Frank Gore, WR Andre Johnson, OLB Trent Cole
Key Losses: WR Reggie Wayne, RB Trent Richardson, DE Ricky Jean-Francois
The Colts were able to kill it in Free Agency with the signing of some seasoned vets. The addition of a healthy Andre Johnson will help boost the experience of younger receivers like T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief. Having Frank Gore lining up behind Andrew Luck will be huge for the run game as long as Gore can get some blockers. The Colts run game was inconsistent all of last year with the switching between Richardson, Herron, and Bradshaw along with a sub-par offensive line. Gore will bring a veteran mindset to the position, something the Colts have not had for a long time. Adding Trent Cole to the defense was, I think, the best signing for the Colts. With being alone on the Eagles for so long as one of the only playmakers, you will see his stats rise as he will now have some more help along side Robert Mathis and Vonte Davis. Do not think though that the Colts will stop here. In the draft, they will probably address the offensive line trouble first and then move onto the defensive side of the ball. There is one acceptation: even with the addition of Frank Gore, do not be surprised if the Colts draft a RB.
Miami Dolphins:
Key Pickups: DT Ndamukong Suh, TE Jordan Cameron, WR Kenny Stills
Key Losses: WR Mike Wallace, CB Cortland Finnigan, TE Charles Clay
The Fins definitely signed the most big names of the Free Agency period. The key word to describe these past two weeks was passing. With the acquisition of one of the top TEs in the league and a young receiver like Stills, I expect to see a much different passing game from Miami come September. Even with the loss of Wallace, Hartline, and Gibson, Miami will most likely go after one of the top 5 receivers in the draft to fill that WR3 role below Stills and Landry. Defensively, Miami landed the number one Free Agent of the year. Suh has been the most feared man in the NFL since his arrival in 2010. Not just because he will get fined for unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, but he clogs the middle of the field, forcing a RB to move left or right, giving his LBs a chance to catch the runner for a loss. The loss of Cortland Finnigan is difficult due to his presence opposite of Brent Grimes, but this will likely be addressed with the second pick by the Dolphins.
Who Lost Free Agency?
Dallas Cowboys:
Key Pickups: CB Corey White, RB Darren McFadden, LB Jasper Brinkley
Key Losses: RB DeMarco Murray, DT Henry Melton, LB Justin Durant
The Cowboys sat back in Free Agency and watched as their players left for greener pastures. By that, I mean they are getting paid more. With the loss of Melton, Durant, and even Carter to either rush the QB or defend the pass, the Cowboy's defense is looking worse than it did last season. The loss of Murray was huge for Dallas, but not entirely a bust. With Dallas' offensive line, plug any back into that system & they will have at least a 1,200 yard season. The only reason I can still have hope for Dallas is the idea that they will build around young talent through the next two drafts. With the exception of a RB either first or second round, I highly expect the other picks in the draft to be defensive only.
There is one bit of hope for Dallas: signing DE Greg Hardy. Later today (3/18), Hardy will make his decision to either sign with the Cowboys or the Bucs for the upcoming season. Since Dallas has not used a large chunk of cap room on any of their pickups, I would expect to see Hardy to be signed to at least a 3-year deal worth somewhere over $25 million.
San Francisco 49ers:
Key Pickups: CB Sterling Moore, WR Torrey Smith, RB Reggie Bush
Key Losses: LB Patrick Willis, RB Frank Gore, S Perish Cox
The 49ers are in a state of woe right now. Over the past 2 months they've lost a coach, a 7-time Pro Bowl LB, a Veteran RB, and rumors of their star QB on the trading block. This offseason is literally leaving all 49ers fans on suicide watch. With all of the losses sustained by San Francisco, it is hard to think that they could be fourth place in the NFC West come next season. The Niners did the best they could this offseason by adding people at positions where they lost some names. Swapping Gore for Bush, Stevie Johnson for Torrey Smith, but these could all be in vain. Without that star-studded defense we have come to expect out of the Bay area, how do they expect to contend in a conference that now has Nick Foles, Larry Fitzgerald, and Jimmy Graham? To my friends who are 49ers fans, I hope you have a great draft, you'll need it.
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