Poll: Which Team Has Been The Biggest Winner In Free Agency?
With March drawing to a close and many of the game’s top free agents already inked to deals with their new teams, it’s time to take a look at the winners of free agency so far.
Entering the period, the focus was solely on Kirk Cousins and where the former Redskins signal-caller would sign and likely become the highest-paid player in the league. He expressed interest in wanting to win and followed through with his word, selecting the Vikings over a host of other suitors that included the Jets, Broncos and Cardinals. Landing a top quarterback on the open market is a rarity, which makes Minnesota easily one of the top beneficiaries of the early free-agent period. 
The team wasn’t done there, however, and added an impact defensive tackle in Sheldon Richardson to a defensive unit that was already arguably the best in the league. Coupling Richardson with Linval Joseph in the middle of the front four will make for one of the most impenetrable run defenses in the league. Minnesota also added Trevor Siemian to back up Cousins, re-signed kicker Kai Forbath and tabbed Kendall Wright to replace Jarius Wright, who the team released shortly after free agency opened.
Adding Cousins to an offense that already includes Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, Dalvin Cook and Kyle Rudolph, and slotting Richardson into the fray on the other side of the ball left the Vikings as one of the top Super Bowl favorites in 2018.
While the Vikings swung for the fences with a pair of big moves, no team has had a more active few weeks than the Rams. Just this week, the team added five-time Pro Bowl selection and 2010 Defensive Player of the Year Ndamukong Suh to a defensive front that already featured arguably the game’s most dominant defender in Aaron Donald. Needless to say, that pairing is sure to cause plenty of chaos for opposing offensive lines.
Despite losing Sammy Watkins to the Chiefs and trading Alec Ogletree to the Giants, the team did retain safety Lamarcus Joyner by placing the franchise tag on him. It also retained center John Sullivan to maintain some continuity up front on offense.
Where the Rams were the most active was not in signing players, but trading for them. In late February, the team traded for Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters and then later dealt for Broncos star cornerback Aqib Talib. The pairing, coupled with the Suh signing, gives the Rams a defense that is just as good on paper as the team’s high-powered offense.
The Browns entered the free-agent period with tons of cap space and they didn’t wait long to get to work. In one day, the team traded for Tyrod Taylor from the Bills, dealt DeShone Kizer to the Packers for Damarious Randall and used another trade to snatch up Jarvis Landry. All those moves were accomplished with the team still holding onto a majority of their stockpiled draft assets. The move of Taylor provided the team with a more than capable quarterback who can serve as a bridge to the signal-caller the team is expected to draft with either the No. 1 or No. 4 pick in the upcoming draft.
Though the team did lose Joe Thomas to retirement and a big contributor in Isaiah Crowell, Cleveland did also secure the services of Carlos Hyde to serve as the team’s workhorse. After addressing the offense in free agency, the team is set up to pursue top defensive talent in the draft after it nabs its quarterback of the future. 
The Bears made it a point to surround 2017 first-round pick Mitch Trubisky with plenty of weapons in his second season under center. They did just that by tabbing Allen Robinson, Super Bowl-hero Trey Burton and Taylor Gabriel, giving the team a steady group of pass catchers for new head coach Matt Nagy’s dynamic offense. On defense, it retained the services of breakout cornerback Kyle Fuller, who the team had to match an offer for from the Packers.
One under-the-radar signing was the deal to bring in veteran quarterback Chase Daniel. A longtime backup in New Orleans, Kansas City and Philadelphia, the former Missouri gunslinger should help Trubisky in the film room while also serving as a capable fill-in if need be.
The Buccaneers invested heavily in their offense early in free agency, re-signing wide receiver Mike Evans and tight end Cameron Brate to long-term deals. Where they made the biggest splash, however, was the signing of center Ryan Jensen from the Ravens. After just one season at the position, Jensen signed the largest deal for a center in NFL history, a four-year deal for $42MM with $22M in guaranteed money.
Tampa Bay didn’t ignore the defense, however, bringing in the likes of Jason Pierre-Paul in a trade and signing Vinny Curry. If things fall right, the Buccaneers could even add the top defensive end in the draft in Bradley Chubb, should a run on quarterbacks happen early in the first round.
Among the other teams with notable additions include: The Texans (Tyrann Mathieu), 49ers (Richard Sherman), Raiders (Jordy Nelson), Jaguars (Andrew Norwell) and Giants (Nate Solder).
So who has had the best offseason so far? Is it a team that made a flurry of moves or one who made one notable addition? Take PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section.
Who has been the biggest winner in free agency so far?
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Rams 27% (1,262)
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Vikings 22% (1,000)
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Other 17% (777)
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Bears 16% (743)
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Browns 16% (732)
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Buccaneers 2% (81)
Total votes: 4,595
Details On Ndamukong Suh's Contract
- Ndamukong Suh‘s $14MM base salary with the Rams is fully guaranteed, according to Albert Breer of The MMQB (on Twitter). With incentives, he can push the value of the deal to $15MM.
Latest On Giants, Odell Beckham Jr.
The Giants are seeking at least two first round picks for Odell Beckham Jr., but right now it doesn’t look like any team will meet that price. Other teams around the NFL believe that GM Dave Gettleman might have to settle for “a couple second-round picks, [or] something in that neighborhood,” according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (Twitter link). 
Meanwhile, Pelissero (Twitter link) hears that the Rams rumored interest in OBJ is real. There are a few complications, however, including his contract. Beckham Jr. is under contract for this season for about $8.5MM. He could be kept under control through 2020 (and, theoretically, even 2021) through the franchise tag, but Beckham is insistent on getting a contract extension this offseason. Apparently, Beckham is prepared to sit out this year if he doesn’t get the high-priced long-term deal that he is after.
Even beyond the contract, there are concerns about Beckham’s health and off-field behavior. Acquiring teams are well aware of the potential headaches involved here and the Giants’ potential return may be limited by those issues. Still, considering the remarkable performances the LSU product put up before last year’s ankle injury, there will be a market for him.
OBJ’s name started making the rounds in trade rumors in recent days, but this isn’t the first time it has became a topic for the Giants. The G-Men got their first trade offer for the wide receiver right after the viral pizza video surfaced, Rapoport tweets, and it was a lowball offer that was quickly rejected.
Publicly, the Giants insist that they are not shopping the young phenom.
Rams Sign Ndamukong Suh
The Rams have agreed to sign Ndamukong Suh, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). It’s a one-year, $14MM deal for the defensive tackle. The team has also confirmed the deal via press release.
“We are excited have Ndamukong as a part of the Los Angeles Rams,” general manager Les Snead said in a statement. “He’s been an outstanding player in this league and we are looking forward to him being a part of our defense.”
Suh has long been regarded as one of the game’s best interior pass rushers. Now, he is slated to join defensive tackle Aaron Donald and defensive lineman Michael Brockers on the front line of Wade Phillips’ 3-4 scheme. Then again, given their aggressiveness in recent weeks, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Rams listen to trade offers for Brockers rather than moving him permanently to the outside. Brockers is slated to carry an $11MM cap charge this season and the Rams could perhaps use that extra flexibility and draft capital to add an impact wide receiver.
After being released by the Dolphins earlier this month, at least five teams got in on the chase for Suh, including the Titans, Saints, and Jets. The Jets reportedly more money that everyone else but, in the end, he took a little bit less to play in sunny Los Angeles with a chance to win a Super Bowl ring. Suh was also scheduled to meet with Jon Gruden‘s Raiders, but that visit was called off.
Suh has racked up 51.5 sacks and four forced fumbles over the course of his career. The five-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro has also been remarkably durable, missing only two games in eight years.
Suh also hasn’t slowed much with age. He is now 31 years old, but he still managed 20.5 pressures and and 4.5 sacks from the interior last year while grading as the league’s No. 5 defensive tackle in 2017, per Pro Football Focus. Last season, Suh played on 883 snaps for Miami, the second-most of any defensive tackle in the league.
[RELATED: Rams Depth Chart]
Giants Aren’t Shopping Odell Beckham Jr.
Despite some rumors to the contrary, it sounds like Odell Beckham Jr. is staying put. The Giants are not shopping the wide receiver, according to a source who spoke with Kimberly Jones of NFL.com (on Twitter). 
[RELATED: Rams To Sign Ndamukong Suh]
On Monday, a report from the New York Daily News indicated that there have been trade talks between the Giants and the Rams regarding Beckham Jr.. However, the Giants know that they are better off with a healthy OBJ and a trade “probably won’t happen,” the source tells Jones.
The 25-year-old (26 in November) lost most of this past season to injury, but outside of that, he has been nothing short of spectacular. In 2016, OBJ had 101 catches for 1,367 yards and ten touchdowns en route to his third career Pro Bowl selection. Beckham Jr. is reportedly considering a holdout if he does get a contract extension, but the Giants plan on working things out with him in one fashion or another rather than trading him.
The Rams have already shaken things up on the defensive side by adding Ndamukong Suh, trading for cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib and signing corner Sam Shields. They also completed one trade with the Giants already when they shipped linebacker Alec Ogletree out east. The Rams have Dave Gettleman’s number saved, but it doesn’t sound like they’ll be pulling off a second deal to land one of the game’s most dynamic playmakers.
Rams Are Favorites For Ndamukong Suh
The Rams are now the front-runners for free agent defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). While Suh has not officially ruled out the Titans or Saints, he seems to be focusing in on Los Angeles.
Suh has been linked to five clubs since being released by the Dolphins earlier this month. In addition to the Rams, Titans, and Saints, Suh also received an offer from the Jets, and that proposal was believed to have been the largest in terms of dollars. New York, however, rescinded their offer on Sunday, with owner Christopher Johnson indicating Suh “wasn’t in keeping with [the Jets’] long-term plans.” Suh was also scheduled to meet with the Raiders, but that visit was ultimately canceled.
Los Angeles uses a 3-4 scheme, meaning Suh would be moving away from a 4-3 defense for the first time in his career. The Titans and Jets also deploy 3-4 fronts, so working in a new look clearly doesn’t present an issue for Suh. With the Rams, Suh would play end opposite superstar Aaron Donald, providing the club with what would be the most feared defensive line in the NFL.
Suh is now 31 years old, but he’s still a dominant player: he managed 20.5 pressures and and 4.5 sacks from his defensive tackle position while grading as the NFL’s No. 5 interior defender in 2017, per Pro Football Focus. He’s also incredibly durable, as he hasn’t missed a single contest since 2012. Last season, Suh played a whopping 883 snaps, the second-most of any defensive tackle in the league.
At present, the Rams possess roughly $28MM in cap space, per Over the Cap, so they’ll have enough room to fit a hefty Suh salary on their 2018 books.
Rams, Browns Interested In Junior Galette
The Rams and Browns both have interest in Redskins free agent edge rusher Junior Galette, according to Chick Hernandez of CSN Washington (Twitter link). While Los Angeles and Cleveland are indeed eyeing Galette, neither club has made an official offer, reports John Keim of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
Galette, of course, was once a double-digit sack force with the Saints from 2013-14, but injuries and off-field issues have turned him into more a rotational player. After suffering torn Achilles tendons in both 2015 and 2016, Galette finally got in a full season with the Redskins in 2017, and played extremely well on 37% of the club’s defensive snaps.
While he only posted three sacks, Galette managed 25 pressures and graded as the league’s No. 30 edge defender among 106 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus. Reports last week indicated Washington was working to retain Galette, but Keim says the Redskins expect another team to make a better offer. Washington has already lost one free agent pass rusher this offseason, as Trent Murphy inked a three-year deal with Buffalo.
The Rams make sense as a Galette destination not only because they need edge rushing help (especially after trading Robert Quinn), but because Los Angeles coaches Sean McVay and Joe Barry each worked with Galette in Washington. If signed by the Rams, Galette would likely be in for a major role, as the club’s current crop of outside linebackers — Matt Longacre, Samson Ebukam, and Carlos Thompson — don’t offer a ton of experience.
The Browns, too, have connections to Galette, as front office consultant Scot McCloughan brought Galette to Washington as the Redskins’ general manager, while defensive coordinator Gregg Williams held the same title in New Orleans during the early portion of Galette’s career. Cleveland ranked 17th in adjusted sack rate a season ago, and its only free agent addition on the edge (thus far) is former Bengal Chris Smith, although the Browns did attempt to trade for Quinn.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/22/18
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Claimed off waivers: WR Cobi Hamilton
- Re-signed: OL Daniel Munyer
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: LB Ramik Wilson
Oakland Raiders
- Re-signed: LB Shilique Calhoun (ERFA)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Re-signed: DT Daniel McCullers
Ndamukong Suh Won’t Visit Raiders
Ndamukong Suh’s visit to the Raiders has been called off, sources tell Ian Rapoport and Mike Silver of NFL.com (on Twitter). The free agent defensive tackle has returned home and is not likely to make a decision today, Rapoport adds. The Rams made a strong impression on Suh, but he’s also considering the Saints and Titans. 
The reason for Suh’s visit being cancelled is not immediately clear. Assuming the Raiders stick with a 4-3 scheme, they would presumably like to upgrade from Eddie Vanderdoes as one of their starting interior line spots. Vanderdoes appeared in all 16 games last season and started 13 of those contests, but he suffered a torn ACL in the 2017 season finale and it’s not clear how he is viewed by new defensive coordinator Paul Guenther. Suh would have been a phenomenal addition to the defense, but the Raiders now appear to be out of the running.
All three teams would present Suh opportunities to win, but the Rams have the best defense of the bunch. Suh could thrive under Wade Phillips‘ tutelage and put himself in position to cash in again in 2019 if he signs a one-year deal.
RB Mike Davis Meets With Rams
Mike Davis has another suitor. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the free agent running back met with the Rams today. The veteran previously visited the Lions.
Davis, a 2015 fourth-round pick by the 49ers, was claimed off waivers by Seattle last May. He didn’t make the Week 1 cut, but he ultimately landed on Seattle’s practice squad. In November, Davis finally earned a promotion to the varsity squad when C.J. Prosise landed on IR.
Davis’ stat line wasn’t overly impressive in 2017, but he did have a handful of solid games for the Seahawks. On Dec. 10 against Jacksonville, he ran for 66 yards off of 15 carries, good for a 4.4 yards per carry average. Then, in the season finale against Arizona, he had 48 yards off of ten attempts. In six games (six starts), Davis finished with 240 rushing yards on 68 carries. He also added another 15 receptions for 131 yards.
The Rams could use some depth behind Todd Gurley and backup Malcolm Brown. Davis would likely compete with Justin Davis and Zach Laskey in Los Angeles.