Poll: Which Big FA Spender Made The Most Of Its Money?
The first wave of free agency is over, and a number of starter-quality players remain available. That list includes the likes of Justin Houston, Ndamukong Suh, and Ziggy Ansah, all of whom could still command lucrative multi-year pacts.
However, much of the big money has already been spent, and while it seems that the the free agency “winners” often have difficulty translating their offseason success into regular season wins, it is always worth taking an early guess at how the top free agents will impact their new teams (or how well the contracts of players who were eligible for free agency but who re-signed with their original clubs will age).
Yesterday, we directed our readers to a page provided by OverTheCap.com that tracks team-by-team spending on all contracts that free agents have signed since the Super Bowl. The page breaks down spending into categories like total contract value, total guarantees, and full guarantees.
For purposes of this poll, we will examine the top five spenders thus far in terms of total contract value. We realize that may be an imperfect measure, given that even blue chip free agents often do not play out the entirety of their contacts, but we also feel as though it accurately depicts which teams were most prepared to make big commitments to immediately improve their rosters. Plus, the list of the top five spenders in terms of total contract value is almost identical to the list of the top five spenders in terms of total guarantees, though the Bills, not the Packers, would be a top-five team if we were using total guarantees as a guide.
In any event, let’s quickly review what the big spenders have done with their money so far.
New York Jets
The Jets entered free agency with the most money to spend, and they did not disappoint. GM Mike Maccagnan, on a quest to keep his job, has doled out contracts worth nearly $200MM, and about half of that money is fully-guaranteed. The big fish, of course, are C.J. Mosley and Le’Veon Bell, both of whom should immediately improve their respective units, although both come with some question marks. Mosley is a high-character, intelligent player who is generally strong against the run but who is not particularly gifted in coverage, so it’s fair to wonder whether he will justify the Jets’ commitment to him. Bell, meanwhile, is undoubtedly explosive, and the Jets structured his contract in a team-friendly way, but he also comes with obvious character concerns and a lot of wear-and-tear. Re-signing Henry Anderson was a more low-key move that could nonetheless pay major dividends.
Green Bay Packers
Packers fans are not used to seeing their team mentioned as a big free agency spender, but the club has given out over $184MM to its signees thus far (though less than one-third of that figure is guaranteed). Green Bay has made a concerted effort to upgrade its pass rush as it prepares to bid adieu to long-time QB hunter Clay Matthews, and to that end, it acquired former Raven Za’Darius Smith and former Redskin Preston Smith. Neither player has a double-digit sack season to his credit, but both are young and come with plenty of upside. Za’Darius Smith has also shown an ability to provide a pass rush from the interior of the line, and Preston Smith is a strong overall edge defender who still has room to grow. Former Bears safety Adrian Amos was also acquired to add some much-needed physicality to the back end of the defense.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers made two big splashes at the outset of free agency, signing former Buccaneers linebacker Kwon Alexander and trading for (and extending) former Chiefs pass rusher Dee Ford. Alexander is coming off a season-ending ACL tear, but San Francisco is betting that he can make a full recovery and return to form. The club was also in dire need of someone who can get to the QB, and they believe Ford is that guy. Ford has had an up-and-down career thus far, and though the Niners gave him what appears to be a massive contract (five years, $87.5MM), they can get out of that deal fairly quickly with minimal salary cap ramifications. The club is also taking a low-risk, high-reward gamble on talented but injury-prone corner Jason Verrett, and they added Tevin Coleman to their stable of running backs.
Oakland Raiders
The Raiders grabbed headlines when they traded for star wideout Antonio Brown, but because he wasn’t a free agent, the new deal he landed from the club doesn’t factor into the $165MM worth of contracts that the team has handed out in free agency. That number does include deals for Tyrell Williams — who will pair with AB to lead what could become a prolific passing attack — and Trent Brown, who will likely be tasked with protecting Derek Carr‘s blindside. The Raiders were also in on Bell, and they added safety Lamarcus Joyner to serve as Karl Joseph‘s running mate in their defensive backfield. They still need some pass rush help and could be players in the market for Houston and Ansah.
Detroit Lions
The Lions were projected by many to be active in the free agent market, and they spent some money to try and keep pace in a crowded NFC North. The big-money acquisition was former Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers, who may end up replacing Ansah as the club’s top sack artist (though the Lions have not ruled out re-signing Ansah). The Lions brought in tight end Jesse James, who offers some ability as a pass catcher and who is also a strong pass blocker, and they added Danny Amendola in the hopes that he can provide Matthew Stafford the type of reliable slot target that he lost when the club traded Golden Tate last season. Another free agent acquisition, Justin Coleman, should represent an upgrade at nickel corner.
So have at it. Which of the five big spenders made the most of their money? Let us know what you think in the poll and in the comment section.
Which Big FA Spender Made The Most Of Its Money?
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Packers 30% (974)
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Raiders 21% (687)
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Jets 18% (596)
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Lions 18% (571)
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49ers 13% (418)
Total votes: 3,246
Vikings Interested In Josh Kline
The Vikings are interested in former Titans right guard Josh Kline, per Darren Wolfson of KSTP.com (via Twitter). Kline, whom Tennessee released several days ago, would compete for Minnesota’s starting RG job, which Mike Remmers had held down since the end of the 2017 campaign. The Vikings released Remmers last week.
It is difficult to say, however, whether Kline would be a marked upgrade. He has been a full-time starter since 2015, his last season with the Patriots, and the advanced metrics appreciated his play in 2016 and 2017, his first two years with the Titans. However, he took a noticeable step back last season after signing a four-year, $26MM deal with Tennessee. Pro Football Focus graded Kline 50th among 77 eligible guards in 2018, while Remmers was graded 48th. Remmers, soon to be 30, is less than one year older than Kline.
Of course, advanced metrics don’t tell the whole story, and Kline has proven he is capable of more than what he showed last year. Minnesota’s biggest need entering free agency was the offensive line, and the club has still not made any moves to address that need.
But given the Vikings’ limited cap space, it was clear they would have to wait until the second wave of free agency anyway, and it appears they may be on the verge of two signings. In addition to its interest in Kline, Minnesota has made an offer to Nick Easton, who was expected to serve as the team’s left guard in 2018. Easton, though, suffered a herniated disc in training camp and missed the entire season as a result.
Easton has several offers in hand and is expected to make his decision by tomorrow.
Lions To Sign Andrew Adams
After meeting with him earlier today, the Lions will sign former Tampa Bay safety Andrew Adams per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter). It will be a one-year pact for the 26-year-old free agent.
Adams had four interceptions last season, but he did not receive a restricted free agent tender from the Bucs. He did play for Lions defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni at UConn, so he could be a natural fit in Detroit. He will help to replace Glover Quin, who was released in February.
Adams, a former undrafted free agent, compiled nine passes defended and 38 tackles in 2018, giving him his third-straight season with at least 30 tackles. On the flip side, he ultimately ranked 78th in Pro Football Focus‘ safety rankings, and he earned his worst score in three years.
Chiefs To Sign DE Alex Okafor
After two major subtractions to their pass rush, the Chiefs are trying to add some reinforcements. The club is expected to sign former Saints defensive end Alex Okafor to a three-year deal, $18MM deal, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Through incentives, the pact can reach up to $24MM. 
Okafor was having a strong year in 2017 before tearing his Achilles and then re-upped on a cheap deal with the Saints before the 2018 season started. Now fully healthy, Okafor is moving on to KC.
Just days ago, the Chiefs shipped Dee Ford to the Niners in exchange for a 2020 second-round pick. In need of ammo to bolster the pass rush, they’ve added Okafor, a younger and cheaper substitute. Ford’s franchise tag would have called for a $15MM+ salary in 2019. Okafor, meanwhile, stands to earn a $6MM average annual value on his new deal, sans incentives.
Okafor, 27, broke out with eight sacks in his second NFL season. Since then, he’s been productive, but has yet to revisit that mark. Last year, he put up four sacks for the Saints across 16 games (all starts), giving him 22 for his career.
Raiders Release Jordy Nelson
The Raiders are doing some early spring cleaning today. The club has released veteran wideout Jordy Nelson, per Vic Tafur of The Athletic (via Twitter).
The release itself isn’t that surprising after the club traded for Antonio Brown and signed top free agent wideout Tyrell Williams, but the circumstances surrounding it are a bit odd. At the end of December, head coach Jon Gruden announced that Nelson would be back in 2019 to finish out the two-year pact he signed last offseason, and they even moved up a $3.6MM roster bonus to be paid at the time of the announcement. Essentially, then, the Raiders gave Nelson $3.6MM for no real reason.
Of course, they did not know at the time that they would be adding two top wideouts to their club, and they still create some cap savings with the move. And, as Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal tweets, the door is not closed on a Nelson return.
Nelson, though, may find a better opportunity on the free agent market. Even though he will turn 34 in May, he showed he still has a little something left in the tank in 2018, bumping his yards-per-catch average from a career-low 9.1 (in the largely Aaron Rodgers-less ’17 Packers slate) to 12.2 with Derek Carr.
He ended the 2018 season with 63 catches for 739 yards and three scores, and he played particularly well down the stretch.
Raiders Release A.J. McCarron
The Raiders have released backup quarterback A.J. McCarron per Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). The moves comes one day before McCarron was due a $3MM roster bonus, and three days before $1.1MM of his $1.8MM 2019 salary became fully guaranteed.
Just two weeks ago, the team indicated that it may keep McCarron around to serve as Derek Carr‘s backup in 2019. At the time, new GM Mike Mayock said, “I think Jon [Gruden] and I both believe that the backup quarterback is one snap away from playing. It’s important to have someone like McCarron ready to go.”
The roster bonus and salary guarantee proved too much to stomach, though the club could theoretically bring McCarron back on a new deal.
This continues a disappointing year for McCarron, who signed with the Bills last offseason with the expectation that he would become Buffalo’s starter. However, things changed in April when Buffalo drafted Josh Allen to be their QB of the future. Just before the start of the season, the Bills shipped McCarron to Oakland for a fifth-round pick.
Patriots Were In On Cole Beasley
The Patriots have been trying to upgrade their wide receiver corps this offseason, and they are reportedly interested in Golden Tate, who is the best free agent wideout on the market. However, the club was also in on another slot receiver, Cole Beasley, who ultimately signed with the Bills.
At his introductory press conference, Beasley said his final decision came down to the Cowboys (his original club), the Bills, and the Patriots (Twitter link via Joe Buscaglia of WKBW). He is the type of sure-handed, quality route-runner that has made hay in New England’s Tom Brady-led offense in the past, and he likely would have had plenty of opportunities in the club’s aerial attack in 2019. As of right now, the Pats’ wide receiver depth chart is currently topped by Julian Edelman and Bruce Ellington, who just signed today.
Phillip Dorsett, whom the club re-signed yesterday, is back in the fold but is far from a sure thing. And Beasley turned down the Pats before either Ellington or Dorsett were under contract, opting to head to upstate New York on a four-year, $29MM pact.
That will leave the Pats searching for another pass-catcher or two in free agency and/or the draft, though the team always seems to find a way to make the most out of what they have.
Bears To Sign Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
The Bears are replacing the recently-departed Adrian Amos with Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). It will be a one-year deal for Clinton-Dix, who comes back to the NFC North after a brief hiatus in Washington. Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network tweets that Clinton-Dix will earn $3.5MM in 2019.
We learned yesterday that Clinton-Dix would be meeting with Chicago, and that visit apparently well for both sides. Although he is not as physical as Amos, who signed with the division-rival Packers (Clinton-Dix’s original team), Clinton-Dix does offer arguably better coverage ability. His skill-set is somewhat similar to that of new teammate and fellow safety Eddie Jackson, but the Bears, who boast one of the best overall defenses in the league, should be able to make it work.
The Redskins picked up Clinton-Dix from the Packers at the 2018 trade deadline in exchange for a fourth-round pick. In nine games in the nation’s capital, Clinton-Dix posted 66 tackles, three passes defensed, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. All told, Pro Football Focus graded him as the league’s No. 17 safety last season.
Washington wanted him back, but the prospect of suiting up for a more legitimate contender and for a better defensive unit was the deciding factor. Indeed, Garafolo says that Clinton-Dix turned down more money “elsewhere” to play for Chicago and to reunite with Jackson, his former teammate at Alabama (it is unclear whether the Redskins’ offer was higher than the Bears’ proposal, but at least one team was offering more than $3.5MM).
Browns RB Duke Johnson On Trade Block
The Browns are shopping running back Duke Johnson, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. Cleveland extended Johnson just last year, but after Nick Chubb performed admirably in his rookie campaign, and after the club acquired the troubled but uber-talented Kareem Hunt in February, it seems that Johnson may be on the outs.
We heard earlier this month that three teams had inquired on Johnson’s availability, and although the Browns publicly said they were committed to the Miami product — and that they were going to keep him at running back rather than move him to wideout to take advantage of his receiving talents — it appears they are willing to deal him for the right price. Speculatively, that could mean that the team is optimistic that Hunt will be eligible to play sooner rather than later.
Although Johnson is coming off something of a down year, it is clear that he can be very dangerous when utilized correctly. He has averaged 4.3 yards per carry in his four-year career (including a career-high 5.0 yards per tote in 2018), and he is averaging nearly 60 catches per season.
But the splashy acquisition of Odell Beckham Jr. means that Jarvis Landry will be spending even more time in the slot, further reducing Johnson’s role as a pass-catcher. The Browns are in no hurry to move Johnson, as he still has value even in a stacked offense, and he is set to carry a fairly modest cap number of $3.05MM. But if they get an offer they like, they are prepared to pull the trigger.
Le’Veon Bell Contract Details
Le’Veon Bell received a four-year, $52.5MM contract from the Jets, thereby bringing an end to one of the most-discussed storylines in recent memory. And although that is a hefty sum for a running back, even one as explosive as Bell, New York appears to have managed the risk-reward aspect of the contract quite nicely. Here are some details:
- Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News provides a breakdown of Bell’s payouts (via Twitter). He notes that the total guarantee is $25MM, as opposed to the $35MM that was first reported, and he also points out that the Jets will pay out $26MM in cash through the first two years of the deal.
- Bell’s base salaries in 2019 and 2020 ($2.5MM and $6MM) are fully guaranteed, but after that, the guaranteed money is gone. That means that the Jets can cut bait after two seasons –having paid just $26MM — and would incur a fairly modest $4MM dead cap charge while saving $11.5MM against the cap.
- Mehta also tweeted Bell’s salary cap hits for each of the four contract years. He will count for just $8MM against the cap in 2019.
- As Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network tweets, the deal also includes $3MM training camp reporting bonuses in 2021 and 2022, which could disincentivize Bell from staging another holdout after his guarantees dry up.
All in all, then, the Jets appear to have secured a great player on a reasonable contract, and if things don’t work out as planned, the deal will not handicap them in the long-term.