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Offseason In Review: New York Jets

July 10th, 2014 at 6:24pm CST by Zachary Links

Notable signings:

Notable losses:

Draft picks:

  • Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville (1.18): Signed
  • Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech (2.49): Signed
  • Dexter McDougle, CB, Maryland (3.80): Signed
  • Jalen Saunders, WR, Oklahoma (4.104): Signed
  • Shaquelle Evans, WR, UCLA (4.115) Signed
  • Dakota Dozier, OT, Furman (4.137): Signed
  • Jeremiah George, LB, Iowa State (5.154): Signed
  • Brandon Dixon, CB, Northwest Missouri State (6.195): Signed
  • Quincy Enunwa, WR, Nebraska (6.209): Signed
  • IK Enemkpali, DE, Louisiana Tech (6.210): Signed
  • Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson (6.213): Signed
  • Trevor Reilly, OLB, Utah (7.233): Signed

Other:

You can criticize the Jets for a lot of things. And I mean a lot of things. But you can’t call them risk averse. The Jets love nothing more than stealing the tabloid back pages from the Giants and they did just that this offseason with three high-profile singings.NFL: New York Jets-Minicamp

For all the hoopla surrounding Michael Vick this offseason, the veteran is telling anyone who will listen that he’s just there to hold the clipboard and give sage advice to sophomore Geno Smith. “Geno’s the starting quarterback for that football team,” Vick told Dom Cosentino of NJ.com at an event earlier this offseason. “Ultimately our goal is to try to help Geno become the best quarterback that he can be. Myself and [third-stringer Matt Simms] are all trying to put him in a position where he can get better from year one or year two.”

Of course, after watching Smith’s many, many hiccups last season, that might not be the case three weeks into the season. Some may have already forgotten, but before Nick Foles established himself as one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL, Vick was off to an insanely hot start in the early weeks of the 2013 campaign. At 34, Vick is no longer a spring chicken, but he still offers mobility and in the second act of his career he has become a much more judicious signal caller. Vick can climb to the top of the Meadowlands’ ugly shopping mall in development with a megaphone and announce that he’s only there to be No. 2 on the depth chart. No one will believe him. Smith will be under center against the Raiders for Week 1 but a couple of errant throws could vault Vick into the starting job rather quickly. Vick knows it too. After all, with so many QB vacancies this offseason, would Vick have signed a one-year deal with the Jets only to ride the pine?

Smith and/or Vick will have the pleasure of throwing to one of this offseason’s top free agent wide receivers. Eric Decker surely benefitted from getting to play alongside future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning, but he’s still a significant upgrade in the passing game for Gang Green. Decker hauled in 87 catches for a career-high 1,288 yards and found pay dirt 11 times. At 6’3″, Decker gives the Jets another tall passing target capable of huge plays, filling the void left by the over-the-hill Santonio Holmes.

The question is – do the Jets have enough firepower in their receiving corps outside of Decker? Georgia Tech product Stephen Hill looks like the favorite to come out as the No. 2 wide receiver with David Nelson, Jeremy Kerley, and fourth-round picks Shaquelle Evans and Jalen Saunders in support. The Jets were tied to other notable wide receivers in free agency – like James Jones – but Jacoby Ford wound up being the only other WR inked on the open market. They were also expected to use one of their top two picks on a wide receiver but they went defense with their first round choice and were unable to trade up for USC’s Marqise Lee in the second round. It’ll be up to Hill to take some of the pressure off of Decker in his first year in green. Texas Tech tight end Jace Amaro, hailed by many as an underrated gem in this year’s draft, will also be in the mix and fighting incumbent Jeff Cumberland for the starting spot.

The Jets’ third major signing came late in the game when they signed longtime Titans tailback Chris Johnson. It’s unclear what CJ?K can provide the Jets, but there’s no question that the two-year, $8MM deal with just $3MM guaranteed is a phenomenal value. The Jets got Johnson at a bargain basement price for two reasons. One, it was a depressed market for running backs with big names like Ben Tate ($3.1MM guaranteed), Knowshon Moreno ($3MM), Rashad Jennings ($2.5MM), and Maurice Jones-Drew ($1.2MM) getting a whole lot less than anyone would have predicted a year ago. However, that great value was mainly thanks to the fact that the Titans released Johnson late in the game after most teams already had their RB situations squared away.

The 28-year-old is recovering from a torn meniscus, and even though he reached 1,000 yards in 2013, those yards were hard to come by — he graded out as the league’s 42nd-best running back out of 55 qualified players last season, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). It was widely expected that Johnson would have signed a one-year deal to try and re-establish his value, but the Jets got him on a two-year pact that includes a team option on year two. Johnson will be the feature back for the Jets with the powerful Bilal Powell and the crafty Chris Ivory there to mix things up. Gone from the roster is the troubled Mike Goodson, who will have to get his house in order before getting back to the gridiron.

Protecting the Jets suddenly star-studded backfield at right tackle will be former Seahawks lineman Breno Giacomini, brought in on a four-year, $18MM deal ($7MM guaranteed). It’s hard to find fault with Giacomini and his price and GM John Idzik is familiar with the journeyman from his time in Seattle. However, Giacomini will be stepping in for Austin Howard, whom the Jets have watched develop into a pretty solid tackle as of late. The Raiders inked the still up-and-coming Howard to a five-year, $30MM deal (50% of which is guaranteed) after the Jets were unable to reach a deal before he hit the open market. Howard is probably the better player for 2014 and beyond, but dollar-for-dollar Giacomini is probably the better bet. Of course, after years of watching the turnstile that was Wayne Hunter man the right tackle position for a number of seasons, Jets fans want to see a steady force hold down the position. The physically gifted but sometimes absent-minded Vlad Ducasse is also out of the picture after hooking on with the Vikings.

On the other side of the ball, the Jets bid farewell to veteran Antonio Cromartie and replaced him with free agent Dimitri Patterson. The journeyman is talented, but talent doesn’t mean much if you can’t stay healthy. Patterson has missed a boatload of time in recent years and some say that he’s more a slot assignment type of guy, not someone who should be charged with locking down the outside receivers. Patterson is pegged to be opposite of Dee Milliner with Kyle Wilson, third-round choice Dexter McDougle, and Ellis Lankster behind them on the depth chart. That could work out just fine, but this won’t resemble the secondary that featured Darrelle Revis just a couple of years ago.

With the Mark Sanchez era in the rear view mirror, it’s time for the Jets to erase the memories of the butt fumble and the futility of the last few years. If they don’t, coach Rex Ryan and GM John Idzik will be on the chopping block.

Spotrac and Over The Cap were used in the creation of this post. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Offseason In Review: Miami Dolphins

July 9th, 2014 at 6:10pm CST by Zachary Links

Notable signings:

Notable losses:

Trades:

  • Acquired a conditional 2015 seventh-round pick from the 49ers in exchange for Jonathan Martin. Will receive pick if Martin makes 49ers’ opening week 2014 roster.
  • Acquired a second-round pick (No. 57) and a fourth-round pick (No. 125) from the Chargers in exchange for a second-round pick (No. 50).
  • Acquired a second-round pick (No. 63) and a fifth-round pick (No. 171) from the 49ers in exchange for a second-round pick (No. 57).
  • Acquired a third-round pick (No. 67) from the Raiders in exchange for a third-round pick (No. 81) and a fourth-round pick (No. 116).

Draft picks:

  • Ja’Wuan James, OT, Tennessee (1.19): Signed
  • Jarvis Landry, WR, LSU (2.63): Signed
  • Billy Turner, OT, North Dakota State (3.67)
  • Walt Aikens, CB, Liberty (4.125): Signed
  • Arthur Lynch, TE, Georgia (5.155): Signed
  • Jordan Tripp, OLB, Montana (5.171): Signed
  • Matt Hazel, WR, Coastal Carolina (6.190): Signed
  • Terrence Fede, DE, Marist (7.234): Signed

Other:

The Dolphins threw around some cash this offseason, but it wasn’t all blown on one or two blockbuster signings. By dispersing their resources all over the field, Miami has managed to fill a number of holes and position themselves to contend in the AFC East.

The Dolphins’ most expensive move was signing offensive tackle Branden Albert to a five year, $47MM deal with $20MM guaranteed and that’s no surprise when you consider what a mess their offensive line was in 2013. The entire locker room was derailed by last year’s scandal, but the offensive line in particular was decimated with starters Jonathan Martin and Richie Incognito unavailable. Some were critical of the Albert signing since he is coming up on his 30th birthday and could wind up transitioning over to the less crucial right tackle position. Yes, this might have been something of an overpay for the veteran. However, he recorded positive grades for four straight seasons, according to Pro Football Focus, and the Dolphins desperately needed him. Albert’s deal might have been foolish for any other team, but it made complete sense for the Dolphins.NFL: Miami Dolphins-Minicamp

Joining Albert on the o-line will be Shelley Smith at one of the guard positions. The 26-year-old received a +7.0 grade from Pro Football Focus last season, which placed him 23rd out of 81 qualified guards, despite his lack of playing time. To fill the hole at right tackle, the Dolphins tabbed Tennessee’s Ju’Wuan James with the 19th overall pick. The Dolphins were said to be infatuated with James in the weeks leading up to the draft and it’s easy to see why. At 6’6″ and 311 pounds, James brings serious size and four years of experience in the extremely tough SEC. Most saw James as a second round talent, but the Dolphins weren’t willing to chance it. Miami’s o-line of Albert, Dallas Thomas, Mike Pouncey, Smith, and James figures to be a significant upgrade over last season.

Those five men will be charged with protecting third-year starter Ryan Tannehill and a backfield including Daniel Thomas, Lamar Miller, and newcomer Knowshon Moreno. The 12th overall pick in 2009 came the Dolphins on a cheap one-year, $3MM deal that is less than 50% guaranteed. Moreno posted his first 1,000-yard season in 2013, racking up 13 overall regular-season touchdowns and although Denver’s explosive offense aided those numbers, Moreno figures to be an upgrade over Thomas and Miller. Moreno should also be motivated to perform and cash in next offseason after this one-year pact. Second-round wide receiver Jarvis Landry isn’t a freak athlete like LSU teammate Odell Beckham but he’s a crisp route runner that should provide Tannehill with an additional weapon.

Moving to the other side of the ball, the Dolphins made some significant changes on their offensive line. Defensive tackle Paul Soliai was not retained by Miami (and might not have even gotten an offer) and cashed in on a five-year, $32MM deal. Meanwhile, his partner in crime Randy Starks was kept with a reasonable two-year, $10MM deal ($5MM guaranteed). The 6’4″, 344 pound Soliai is a disruptive force, but free agent Earl Mitchell should be able to fill that space just fine. At $16MM over four years ($5MM guaranteed), the former Texans defensive end is a whole lot cheaper, too.

In the secondary, the Dolphins surprised some when they gave a two year deal to cornerback Cortland Finnegan. The Rams released Finnegan back in March when they couldn’t get him to take an acceptable pay cut and weeks later the Dolphins gave him a two year, $11MM contract with $5.5MM guaranteed. Finnegan, whose 2013 season was cut short by a fractured orbital bone, was one of the league’s worst corners even before the injury, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). PFF ranked Finnegan 109th out of 110 qualified corners, with a grade of -19.7 in just seven games. A longtime starter for the Titans, the former seventh-round pick was named to the All-Pro first team in 2008, but has seen his production fall off in recent years. Presumably, the Dolphins are hoping that Brett Grimes will shoulder most of the responsibility in the secondary, making things easier on Finnegan. Speaking of Grimes, he’ll be in South Florida for the foreseeable future after signing a new four years, $32MM deal. Safety Louis Delmas, who was cut loose by the Lions in February, also came aboard on a reasonably priced make-good contract.

While the Albert and Finnegan contracts were head-scratchers for a lot of people, the Dolphins undeniably got stronger on both sides of the ball with their moves this offseason.

Spotrac and Over The Cap were used in the creation of this post. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Free Agent Stock Watch: Jason Babin

July 9th, 2014 at 11:49am CST by Luke Adams

It’s been an unusual offseason for edge defender Jason Babin, who was the only player in the NFL to void his contract, re-sign with the same team, then get cut by that club a few months later. The sequence of moves leaves him on the free agent market, but there’s been no indication that Babin is considering retirement. As training camps approach, it’s worth considering which teams may have interest in the former first-round pick, who will likely try to catch on with a new club in time for the regular season.Jason Babin

Babin, who turned 34 in May, played in all 16 games last season for the Jaguars, racking up 31 tackles, 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and two passes defended. Those are solid numbers, albeit a far cry from the ones he was posting just three years ago — in 2011 for the Eagles, Babin set a career high with 18 sacks, earning his second consecutive Pro Bowl berth. The veteran’s days of ranking among the NFL’s league leaders in sacks may be over, but he’s still very capable of getting to the quarterback, finishing with 59 total QB pressures for the Jags in ’13.

Of course, as Dan Pompei of Bleacher Report observed last month, teams have some concern that Babin has become increasingly one-dimensional, a strong pass rusher but not a player who can contribute on non-passing downs. That sort of player has some value, but many clubs may be seeking backups with more versatility, who could be of greater use in the event of an injury to a starter.

Still, Babin’s one-dimensional style of play isn’t exactly a new development. During his two Pro Bowl seasons in 2010 and 2011, the Western Michigan recorded an incredible total pass rush grade of +52.1, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required). However, his overall grade was significantly lower due to below-average marks as a run stopper (-4.9) and an inability to avoid penalties (-17.3). His PFF grades maintained a similar pattern last year for the Jags, with a +8.6 pass rush mark to go along with -7.9 as a run defender and -8.0 for penalties.

The difference between Babin circa 2010-11 and last season’s version is that he’s no longer so exceptional at getting to the quarterback that it outweighs his deficiencies elsewhere. In his Pro Bowl seasons, Babin’s PFF grades had him ranked among the league’s top 10 defensive ends. In 2013, he placed just 35th of 52 qualified players at the position.

With his pass-rushing skills seemingly on the decline as he enters his mid-30s, Babin certainly won’t be in line for a lucrative deal this summer. However, his willingness to accept a fairly modest offer from the Jags in March suggests that the well-traveled defender could be had for a reasonable price. That three-year deal with Jacksonville had a base value of just $7.275MM and only included $500K in guaranteed money. Perhaps something in the range of $1.5-2MM per year would be enough for a club to bring Babin into the fold, and that wouldn’t be an exorbitant price tag for a part-time player with a knack for getting after the quarterback on passing downs.

Which team might be a fit for Babin? His apparent desire to return to the Jags suggests that it wouldn’t necessarily have to be a contender, though there are a few contending teams that could potentially use him. The Falcons, Bengals, Seahawks, and Giants are among the clubs that might be a fit, and several others could become suitors as well, depending on how their training camps play out.

Babin has experience in both 4-3 and 3-4 defenses, and as a veteran player wouldn’t necessarily need a full camp in order to be ready for the regular season, it may be in his best interests to wait until mid-to-late August to see if injuries or disappointing performances prompt any teams to become a little more desperate for a free agent pass rusher.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Offseason In Review: New England Patriots

July 8th, 2014 at 6:23pm CST by Zachary Links

Notable signings:

Notable losses:

Extensions and restructures:

Trades:

  • Acquired a fourth-round pick (No. 105) and a sixth-round pick (No. 179) from the Jaguars in exchange for a third-round pick (No. 93).

Draft picks:

  • Dominique Easley, DT, Florida (1.29): Signed
  • Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Eastern Illinois (2.62): Signed
  • Bryan Stork, C, Florida State (4.105): Signed
  • James White, RB, Wisconsin (4.130): Signed
  • Cameron Fleming, OT, Stanford (4.140): Signed
  • Jon Halapio, G, Florida (6.179): Signed
  • Zach Moore, DE, Concordia-St. Paul (6.198): Signed
  • Jemea Thomas, DB, Georgia Tech (6.206): Signed
  • Jeremy Gallon, WR, Michigan (7.244): Signed

Other:

The Patriots didn’t come into this offseason with a ton of cap space but somehow they found a way to make some solid upgrades and fill holes with what little they had. Pound-for-pound, it might have been one of the best offseasons of any team in the NFL.NFL: New England Patriots-OTA

Things didn’t look so great for the Patriots when the Broncos plucked free agent cornerback Aqib Talib earlier this offseason. After all, how do you respond to losing one of the better cornerbacks in the NFL? Answer: sign a better one. New England was able to convince Darrelle Revis to come aboard on a deal that basically amounts to a franchise tender, making their secondary even stronger. Revis’ status beyond this season is anything but certain, but in the interim, Bill Belichick & Co. must be champing at the bit to get the season started. If all goes according to plan, Revis Island will reestablish itself in Foxboro before he moves on elsewhere, giving New England cap space to work with beyond this season.

The Pats also made another strong upgrade to their secondary with their signing of Brandon Browner. Yes, the cornerback will be sidelined for the first quarter of the season thanks to his suspension, but he’s a bargain on a deal that tops out at $3.46MM and will leave the Pats without any real penalty should they cut bait. If Browner stays on the straight and narrow, he could be a strong partner on the other side of the field for Revis, with veteran Kyle Arrington there to man the slot. Former Eagles safety Patrick Chung, who was signed to a $1.1MM deal, will be an asset in reserve as well as a strong special teamer. Safety Adrian Wilson, who tore achilles during preseason last year, will be seeking employment elsewhere.

There was also change in the front seven. Veteran linebacker Brandon Spikes left to join up with the Bills and the Pats will work from within to help fill the gap. Dont’a Hightower will shift back over to middle linebacker with Jerod Mayo and Jamie Collins likely joining him in the starting lineup. Hightower is a deceptively fast LB who should be able to do just fine with his increased coverage demands. Collins, who found the spotlight in last year’s playoffs, has the athleticism to keep the pressure on opposing QBs.

To bolster the d-line, the Patriots picked up talented defensive tackle Dominique Easley out of Florida. Easley was arguably the most explosive defensive lineman in the draft but fell to the Pats at No. 29 thanks to an injury history that includes two torn ACLs. If he’s healthy, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him stand as one of the best talents from the 2014 draft. If he’s not, then the Pats’ d-line will be hurting. Veteran Will Smith will also be on board to provide additional depth.

On the other side of the ball, the Patriots wisely waited out the market to get a reasonable deal done with wide receiver Julian Edelman. While Edelman looked to be an extremely hot commodity at the start of free agency, the Patriots stayed cool and signed him to a four-year, $17MM deal that has $8MM guaranteed. To strengthen things up further down the depth chart, the Pats signed longtime Panthers receiver Brandon LaFell. Often dwarfed by No. 1 target Steve Smith, LaFell has shown flashes of brilliance in Carolina and should do quite well out of the slot. A three-year, $9MM deal ($3MM guaranteed) seems like a fair deal for both sides.

There will be some change in the backfield this season after LeGarrette Blount left to join the Steelers. Blount wasn’t a central part of the gameplan last season, but he came on strong at the end of the year and showed promise as a power rusher. Fourth round pick James White out of Wisconsin could come in and fill fill his spot on the depth chart admirably, even if he’ll do it with less brute force than his predecessor.

Second-round pick Jimmy Garoppolo doesn’t want to hear it, but there has been non-stop talk of the Northern Illinois signal caller becoming the heir apparent to Tom Brady. Brady isn’t going anywhere right now, so more immediately, Garoppolo is being groomed to blossom into a solid No. 2 starting in 2015 when Ryan Mallett could find himself elsewhere. The Pats were looking hard at other QBs in the draft, including Greg Schiano‘s crush Tom Savage, but ultimately they fell in love with Garoppolo and his lightning quick release.

Not much was expected out of New England this offseason give their cap situation, but they actually restocked quite well and positioned themselves as one of the AFC’s strongest teams in 2014, thanks mostly to the Revis signing. Whether it’s enough to topple the likes of the Broncos or even the boom-or-bust Jets in the AFC East, however, remains to be seen.

Spotrac and Over The Cap were used in the creation of this post. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Extension Candidate: Justin Tucker

July 8th, 2014 at 11:47am CST by Luke Adams

Landing a kicker may be an afterthought when you’re putting together a fantasy football team, but it’s far from that for most clubs around the NFL. Recent contracts at the position have shown that locking up a reliable kicker for several years is a priority for NFL squads — within the last year alone, Sebastian Janikowski re-upped with the Raiders for nearly $3.8MM per year, with $8MM in guaranteed money, and Robbie Gould and Dan Bailey both landed guarantees of nearly $5MM with their respective teams.Justin Tucker

Those figures may not seem significant when compared to some positions on the field, but just ask 2014’s crop of free agent running backs how good those guarantees look. No one in this year’s class of free agent backs even matched Gould’s and Bailey’s $4.9MM, let alone Janikowski’s $8MM.

The recent string of lucrative contracts for kickers bodes well for Justin Tucker of the Ravens, whose deal the club is reportedly trying to extend. As Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com writes today, a contract extension for Tucker seems to be in the best interests of both the team and the player. The Ravens would secure one of the league’s most reliable kickers, who led the NFL in field goals made (38) in 2013. And Tucker would receive a little more financial security after playing for the minimum salary for his first few years in the league.

While the Ravens have a few extension candidates on the roster, including wide receiver Torrey Smith and cornerback Jimmy Smith, Hensley views Tucker as the player most likely to receive a new deal before the coming season. Baltimore could put off an extension for another year and retain the kicker at an affordable rate when he hits restricted free agency in 2015, but ensuring he’s under contract for several years beyond that seems to be a priority for the team.

During his two years with the Ravens, Tucker has missed just six kicks, connecting on 68 of 74 field goal attempts (91.9%), as well as all 68 of his extra-point tries. He has also shown a knack for connecting on long kicks, missing just one of his 11 career attempts from 50+ yards and memorably making a game-winning 61-yarder in a Monday Night Football game last year against the Lions. At age 24, the former Texas Longhorn appears poised to remain among the league’s elite kickers for years to come, meaning his next contract should reflect that.

As OverTheCap.com’s data shows, the going rate for top NFL kickers is $3MM+ per year, with 10 players currently averaging above that threshold — Janikowski’s $3.775MM annual value is tops at the position. Given his 91.9% success rate on field goals so far, Tucker could make the case that his annual salary ought to rival the top earners at his position, including Janikowski (79.9% career rate), Gould (86.0%), and Josh Scobee (81.1%).

Of course, with just 74 career FG attempts, Tucker’s track record isn’t exactly extensive, so the Ravens could point to that small sample size and argue that he doesn’t quite deserve to be the league’s highest-paid kicker, but that they’re willing to put him among the league’s seven or eight highest-paid. To that end, Bailey’s recent extension with the Cowboys could provide a logical point of comparison.

Like Tucker, Bailey doesn’t have an incredibly lengthy track record of NFL success, but the Cowboys kicker has converted 89 of 98 field goal attempts (90.8%) early in his career and was just 25 when he inked his extension. While no other kicker is currently locked up beyond the 2017 season, Bailey’s deal keeps him under team control through 2020, at a rate of $3.214MM annually, with nearly $5MM in guaranteed money.

I think the Ravens would be amenable to a similar deal for Tucker, though perhaps the Baltimore kicker would prefer something shorter-term, or with a larger guarantee — Bailey’s $4.9MM in guaranteed money is tied for second most among kickers, but the extra years on the pact mean that only 21.8% of his total salary is guaranteed, which doesn’t compare favorably to other top players at the position.

With Tucker eligible for restricted, rather than unrestricted, free agency at year’s end, there isn’t quite as much urgency for the Ravens to complete a deal soon, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if the team announced an extension for its kicker before the 2014 season begins. In that event, I’d expect an annual salary approaching $3.5MM — the length of the deal and the size of the guarantee will be the real points of contention that the two sides figure to haggle over in the coming weeks, and perhaps longer than that.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Offseason In Review: Buffalo Bills

July 7th, 2014 at 11:06pm CST by David Kipke

Notable signings:

Notable losses:

Extensions and restructures:

Trades:

  • Acquired Mike Williams from the Buccaneers in exchange for a sixth-round pick (No. 185).
  • Acquired a first-round pick (No. 4) from the Browns in exchange for a first-round pick (No. 9), a 2015 first-round pick, and a 2015 fourth-round pick.
  • Acquired a conditional 2015 fourth-round pick from the 49ers in exchange for Stevie Johnson. Pick could become a third-rounder depending on Johnson’s performance.
  • Acquired a second-round pick (No. 44) and a fifth-round pick (No. 153) from the Rams in exchange for a second-round pick (No. 41).
  • Acquired Bryce Brown and a seventh-round pick (No. 237) from the Eagles in exchange for a seventh-round pick (No. 224) and an additional draft pick that will be either a 2015 fourth-rounder, a 2016 third-rounder, or a 2016 fourth-rounder, depending on conditions met by Brown’s and Stevie Johnson‘s performance.
  • Acquired a seventh-round pick (No. 221) and a 2015 fifth-round pick from the Buccaneers in exchange for a fifth-round pick (No. 149).

Draft picks:

  • Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson (1.4): Signed
  • Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama (2.44): Signed
  • Preston Brown, LB, Louisville (3.73): Signed
  • Ross Cockrell, CB, Duke (4.109): Signed
  • Cyril Richardson, G, Baylor (5.153): Signed
  • Randell Johnson, OLB, Florida Atlantic (7.221): Signed
  • Seantrel Henderson, OT, Miami (FL) (7.237): Signed

Other:

  • Had longtime owner Ralph Wilson pass away, prompting the franchise sale process to get underway.
  • Hired Jim Schwartz as defensive coordinator.
  • Learned that Kiko Alonso will be sidelined for the 2014 season with an ACL injury.
  • Exercised Marcell Dareus‘ fifth-year option for 2015 ($10.633MM).
  • Signed 10 rookie free agents after the draft.

Heading into the 2014 offseason, Bills fans were still perhaps left wondering what might have been. A once-promising 2013 campaign had sputtered after E.J. Manuel, the first quarterback taken in the 2013 NFL draft, suffered multiple knee injuries. Despite a pleasantly adequate cameo from ex-Duke Blue Devil Thad Lewis under center in Manuel’s absence, the Bills’ passing offense was among the league’s worst. On the ground, however, the Bills had the second-most prolific rushing attack in the NFL on the legs of C.J. Spiller, who provided the lightning to Fred Jackson‘s thunder in the Buffalo backfield.Sammy Watkins

The defense also experienced a considerable resurgence, as a unit led by the $100 million man Mario Williams and PFWA Defensive Rookie of the Year Kiko Alonso recorded a franchise-record 57 sacks. Despite an uninspiring 6-10 finish, the Bills showed some signs of promise, so the question heading into 2014 was whether Buffalo would push to contend in the short term, or whether the front office would believe the club was still multiple successful offseasons away from becoming a serious playoff contender.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Bills’ biggest move undoubtedly occurred in the 2014 draft when they decided to trade their 2014 and 2015 first-round picks to the Browns in order to move up and draft three-time All-American receiver Sammy Watkins out of Clemson with the fourth overall pick. In order to make room in the offense for Watkins, former No. 1 wideout Steve Johnson, who registered at least 75 receptions and 1,000 yards every season from 2010-2012, was dealt within 24 hours of Watkins’ selection to the 49ers for a conditional 2015 fourth-round pick.

Highlighting the Bills’ additional skill position acquisitions were receiver Mike Williams, who arrived via trade from the Buccaneers and played for Bills’ head coach Doug Marrone during their overlapping tenures at Syracuse; and Anthony Dixon, the bruising Pittsburgh product who played in a limited hybrid halfback/fullback role for the 49ers over the past few seasons. In addition to bringing in Dixon, the Bills also traded for former Eagle Bryce Brown, who enjoyed a brief stint in the national spotlight in late 2012 while filling in for an injured LeSean McCoy, to provide further depth at running back.

Arguably the Bills’ most substantial offensive positional turnover this offseason occurred along the offensive line. The team signed Chris Williams, who will look to start at guard after establishing himself as an NFL regular with the Rams over the past four seasons. The Bills drafted former Alabama tackle Cyrus Kouandjio, whose questionable knee health caused him to fail several physicals leading up to the the draft, and added two more lineman in the draft: guard Cyril Richardson out of Baylor and Seantrel Henderson of Miami in the seventh round. Henderson is perhaps the most mercurial boom-or-bust prospect of the 2014 draft class, having failed numerous drug tests, including one at the NFL combine, after coming out of high school in 2010 as the top overall recruit in the country. While the Bills’ new-look line will have a lot to prove on the field, they will enter the 2014 season as the heaviest unit in the entire NFL by a wide margin.

Defensively, any discussion of the Bills’ offseason has to start with the departure of three-time All-Pro safety Jairus Byrd, who signed a six-year deal with the Saints. Byrd left a defense that found itself in a substantial transition period, as the unit’s leadership had been handed over from Mike Pettine, who took the Browns’ head coaching position, to former Lions’ head coach Jim Schwartz.

Much has been written about the fairly substantial tactical change from Pettine’s ‘4-3 under’ base defense to Schwartz’s patented ‘Wide 9’ formation. The transition will not be made any easier by the recent shocking season-ending injury to Alonso, who had become a playmaker and fan favorite in his accoladed rookie season. Luckily for the Bills, GM Doug Whaley decided to add substantial linebacker depth this offseason, signing both Brandon Spikes and former first-round pick Keith Rivers while also selecting Louisville standout Preston Brown in the third round of the draft. Whaley has, however, received significant criticism for making no attempt to fill the void at safety left by Byrd.

Heading into 2014, the one question on Bills’ fans minds, other than whether or not their franchise will be based in Toronto in 10 years, will be whether or not Watkins was worth two first-round picks. He is widely expected to become an NFL star, but one has to wonder whether or not it is viable for a rebuilding franchise to surrender a future first-round pick in any trade, no matter the return. The Buffalo faithful will be hoping that Watkins can help Manuel, who showed flashes of brilliance when healthy last season, continue to develop into one of the NFL’s premier young talents at quarterback. Even if everything breaks right for the Bills, a tough schedule, highlighted by an in-conference divisional pairing with the suddenly daunting AFC West, will likely prevent the team from finishing at .500 or better in 2014.

Spotrac and Over The Cap were used in the creation of this post.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Offseason In Review: Houston Texans

July 6th, 2014 at 9:01pm CST by Ben Levine

Notable signings:

Notable losses:

Trades:

  • Acquired a sixth-round pick (No. 181) from the Raiders in exchange for Matt Schaub.
  • Acquired a third-round pick (No. 83) from the Eagles in exchange for a fourth-round pick (No. 101) and a fifth-round pick (No. 141).
  • Acquired Akeem Dent from the Falcons in exchange for T.J. Yates.

Draft picks:

  • Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina (1.1): Signed
  • Xavier Su’a-Filo, G, UCLA (2.33): Signed
  • C.J. Fiedorowicz, TE, Iowa (3.65): Signed
  • Louis Nix, DT, Notre Dame (3.83): Signed
  • Tom Savage, QB, Pittsburgh (4.135): Signed
  • Jeoffrey Pagan, DE, Alabama (6.177): Signed
  • Alfred Blue, RB, LSU (6.181): Signed
  • Jay Prosch, FB, Auburn (6.211): Signed
  • Andre Hal, CB, Vanderbilt (7.216): Signed
  • Lonnie Ballentine, S, Memphis (7.256): Signed

Other:

The Texans stole many headlines this offseason, but not for the reasons you would think. The team’s key additions weren’t via free agency. Instead, the key additions were a rookie coach and a rookie defensive end. Furthermore, the team watched as a number of key players – particularly on defense – left for greener pastures. However, the average age of those “key” players was 29. The moves (and lack of moves) indicated that the front office’s offseason philosophy was to look more towards the future than 2014.

The team’s first big addition came in early January. Following the firing of Gary Kubiak, the Texans hired Bill O’Brien as their new head coach. The front office is hoping O’Brien will carry over his success from Penn State, where the coach led an embattled program to a 15-9 record over two seasons. Prior to that, O’Brien spent five years with the Patriots, including one as the offensive coordinator.

Jadeveon ClowneyThe Texans’ next big move came during the draft, when the team selected Jadeveon Clowney with the first-overall pick. The Texans decided to not rock the boat and select a quarterback. Rather, the team chose a player who has been declared by league executives as one of the best defensive prospects in more than a decade (according to NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah). Clowney had a historic career at South Carolina, where he set school records for sacks (13.0) and tackles for loss (23.5). 

Clowney will be forced to contribute immediately considering the amount of production the team lost on defense. The Texans’ departures accounted for 33 percent of the team’s defensive snaps last season, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Losing Antonio Smith, Joe Mays and Darryl Sharpton will certainly hurt. Yet, it’s not surprising that a new coaching staff, including defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel, will be looking to develop their own personnel. Houston did make one notable signing on the defensive side, inking safety Chris Clemons to a two-year deal. The 28-year old may be a steal for the Texans; Pro Football Focus ranks Clemons as the league’s ninth-best coverage safety among 86 qualified candidates.

On offense, the big news was more about what the team didn’t do. To start, the team still hasn’t addressed the Andre Johnson situation. The seven-time Pro Bowler wants out of Houston, but many obstacles stand in the way. The team hasn’t seemed too receptive to a trade, and they would also be hard pressed to find a team that could accommodate Johnson’s $10MM base salary.

The team also failed to definitively address their quarterback situation. Following the trade of Matt Schaub, many expected the Texans to look towards the draft. The team passed on six rookie quarterbacks before finally selecting Tom Savage in the fourth round. They also added veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick, who seems to be more of a temporary stopgap. The team was previously connected to Patriots quarterback Ryan Mallett, but so far it’s been all smoke and little fire.

Otherwise, the Texans didn’t do much to replace running back Ben Tate, tight end Owen Daniels and Pro Bowl offensive lineman Wade Smith. The team previously had Tate as a security blanket for starter Arian Foster; the team will now have to rely heavily on the injury-prone star. They added Andre Brown, but the veteran also battled injuries in 2013. The team re-signed tight end Garrett Graham, who finished last season with career-highs in yards (545) and touchdowns (five). The 27-year-old will likely have a larger role following Daniels’ departure. Meanwhile, rookie guard Xavier Su’a-Filo figures to get his shot at replacing Smith, who still hasn’t found a home this offseason.

Clearly, there are more question marks than answers when it comes to this squad. However, fans should remember that a rebuild is a marathon, not a sprint. With that mindset, it looks like the Texans are off to a very good start.

Spotrac and Over The Cap were used in the creation of this post.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

PFR Originals: 6/29/14 – 7/6/14

July 6th, 2014 at 2:25pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The original content produced by the PFR staff during the past week:

  • Our Offseason in Review series chugged along, touching on three AFC divisions: the North, the West, and the South. I scrutinized the Ravens and the Titans, David Kipke examined the Chiefs, Rory Parks looked at the Broncos and the Jaguars, Rob DiRe evaluated the Raiders, and Zach Links analyzed the Colts.
  • In our polls this week, David asked about Demaryius Thomas‘ contract situation (a majority believes he will re-sign with the Broncos sometime during the next year); Luke Adams wondered who will win the AFC West (the Broncos are the heavy favorites) and the AFC South (most think the Colts will repeat as division champs); and Zach asked if the Eagles will regret releasing DeSean Jackson (about 55% of respondents say “Yes”). Thanks for voting!
  • Luke introduced a new tracker listing each 2014 NFL trade.
  • Luke offered an update on the remaining four unsigned draft picks.
  • As part of our Extension Candidate Series, Luke profiled Broncos tight end Julius Thomas.
  • Luke ranked NFL head coaches and general managers by the length of their tenure with their current team.
  • Summer is the time for minor cap work, and in that vein, Luke looked at the largest 2014 cap hits by team.

Offseason In Review: Jacksonville Jaguars

July 6th, 2014 at 10:46am CST by Rory Parks

Notable signings:

Notable losses:

Trades:

  • Acquired a sixth-round pick (No. 205) and a conditional 2015 pick from the 49ers in exchange for Blaine Gabbert. 2015 pick (unknown round) changes hands if Gabbert starts eight or more games for the Niners in 2014.
  • Acquired a second-round pick (No. 61) from the 49ers in exchange for a third-round pick (No. 70) and a fifth-round pick (No. 150).
  • Acquired a third-round pick (No. 93) from the Patriots in exchange for a fourth-round pick (No. 105) and a sixth-round pick (No. 179).

Draft picks:

  • Blake Bortles, QB, UCF (1.3): Signed
  • Marqise Lee, WR, USC (2.39)
  • Allen Robinson, WR, Penn State (2.61): Signed
  • Brandon Linder, G, Miami (FL) (3.93): Signed
  • Aaron Colvin, CB, Oklahoma (4.114): Signed
  • Telvin Smith, LB, Florida State (5.144): Signed
  • Chris Smith, DE, Arkansas (5.159): Signed
  • Luke Bowanko, C, Virginia (6.205): Signed
  • Storm Johnson, RB, UCF (7.222): Signed

Other:

As our Luke Adams pointed out yesterday, the Jaguars are probably at least a year or two away from making a legitimate run at the AFC South, which the Colts appear to have firmly in hand in 2014. Nonetheless, there is a positive vibe surrounding second-year head coach Gus Bradley, and the Jags acquired a number of solid veterans on both sides of the ball in free agency in an attempt to remain competitive as they continue to build for the long-term.

Blake Bortles

Former Broncos left guard Zane Beadles, who was given a lucrative five-year, $30MM deal, should add stability along the interior of the offensive line. Beadles’ best season came in 2012, when he earned a trip to the Pro Bowl after yielding just one sack and finishing 17th out of 81 eligible guards according to Pro Football Focus’ (PFF) advanced metrics (subscription required). One concern is that, outside of that 2012 campaign, Beadles has not performed especially well by PFF’s standards in any of his other three seasons in the league, and the few number of sacks he allowed in 2012 and 2013 can be attributed, at least in part, to Peyton Manning‘s quick release. However, Beadles is one of those players whose game film often belies his next-level analytics, and although Jacksonville may have overpaid for him, he represents a significant upgrade over Will Rackley, who started 11 games at left guard for the club in 2013.

In the offensive backfield, the team parted ways with Maurice Jones-Drew, one of the most dynamic playmakers in Jacksonville’s brief history, and replaced him with former Viking Toby Gerhart. Gerhart has only served as a spot starter and change-of-pace back for Minnesota, but the Jaguars apparently liked the former Heisman finalist enough to hand him a three-year, $10.5MM contract and a starting role. Gerhart certainly has talent, and it was probably time to move on from Jones-Drew, but Gerhart’s lack of a track record does create an element of unease. However, seventh-round pick Storm Johnson from the University of Central Florida is a strong runner with quick feet and could be a late-round steal for the club.

The Jaguars also targeted defensive help in free agency. Red Bryant, an accomplished run-stopper, will team with pass rushers Chris Clemons and Dekoda Watson to form a stronger front-seven. The team’s coaching staff believes that Watson has “unique pass-rushing skills” and envision him as the “Otto” linebacker in Bradley’s defensive scheme. Clemons had posted at least 11 sacks in each of his first three seasons in Seattle before dropping off last season as he recovered from a torn ACL. Even at age 32, however, a healthy Clemons should be able to get to the quarterback fairly frequently, and the team expects continued improvement from 2012 second-round pick Andre Branch. In short, then, the team’s pass rush will not make opposing signal-callers lose much sleep, but it should still be more effective than it was in recent seasons. This is not to mention the addition of former Steelers’ mainstay Ziggy Hood, who has struggled in the past several years but who still offers some limited upside.

Of course, the NFL is becoming increasingly driven by the passing game, and, to that end, the club traded former first-round pick and abject disappointment Blaine Gabbert to the 49ers and selected Blake Bortles with the No. 3 overall pick in this year’s draft. However, the club learned from its mistakes with Gabbert, and veteran Chad Henne, who has performed as well as could be expected for the Jaguars, was re-signed in order to give Bortles some time to learn without being thrown into the fire from day one.

After drafting Bortles, the Jaguars selected talented receivers Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson with their two second-round picks. In any other year, Lee and Robinson might have been first-round selections, but with the historically deep wide receiver class this year, Jacksonville got a little lucky. Although the members of the team’s receiving corps outside of the oft-overlooked Cecil Shorts and tight end Marcedes Lewis do not have an extensive track record, they do have explosive talent. Shorts, Lee, Robinson, and Lewis will combine with Ace Sanders and Denard Robinson to form a young and intriguing unit for Henne and Bortles.

Again, the Jags will likely not compete for the playoffs this year, but the foundations are being laid properly. They have made an effort to beef up their offensive and defensive fronts, and they have surrounded their quarterback of the future with plenty of high-upside talent. There is reason to hope in Jacksonville, and this time, perhaps, that hope may eventually give way to on-field results.

Spotrac and Over The Cap were used in the creation of this post.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Largest 2014 Cap Hits By Team

July 5th, 2014 at 6:41pm CST by Luke Adams

Earlier in the offseason, we took a look at the largest 2014 cap hits, by offensive and defensive position, breaking down the top five highest-paid players at each spot on the field for the coming season. Today, we’ll shift our focus to the biggest cap hits by team, attempting to get some insight into which clubs are using significant cap space on their best players and which clubs’ largest cap hits are more problematic.

Despite their lack of recent success, for instance, the Browns’ top two highest cap hits for the coming season suggest the team is managing its cap reasonably well. It’s hard to argue that offensive tackle Joe Thomas and cornerback Joe Haden aren’t the most important players on offense and defense, respectively, in Cleveland — both players play key positions, and their combined cap hit of about $24.4MM doesn’t break the bank.

A team like Jacksonville, on the other hand, has more questionable cap numbers atop its 2014 books. Although he has continued to pile up tackles and made his first Pro Bowl appearance last season, Paul Posluszny has posted subpar Pro Football Focus grades for two straight seasons, ranking 37th out of 55 qualified inside linebackers in 2013, per the site’s advanced metrics (subscription required). Meanwhile, tight end Marcedes Lewis is a solid pass catcher and run blocker, but he has averaged under 40 receptions with only eight total touchdowns over the last three years, and is one of just two players at his position who shows up on the list below. While the Jags still have plenty of cap space, and Posluszny’s and Lewis’ combined cap hit of $17.75MM isn’t exorbitant, it’s not surprising that the team is expected to finish below .500 in ’14, given its lack of star power.

Here’s the full list of the NFL’s largest 2014 cap hits by team, with the second-largest cap number for each team noted in parentheses:

  1. Detroit Lions: Ndamukong Suh, DT: $22.413MM (Matthew Stafford, QB: $15.82MM)
  2. New York Giants: Eli Manning, QB: $20.4MM (Antrel Rolle, S: $9.25MM)
  3. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger, QB: $18.895MM (Lawrence Timmons, LB: $11.816MM)
  4. Buffalo Bills: Mario Williams, DE: $18.8MM (Marcell Dareus, DT: $6.493MM)
  5. Chicago Bears: Jay Cutler, QB: $18.5MM (Brandon Marshall, WR: $9.375MM)
  6. New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees, QB: $18.4MM (Jahri Evans, G: $11MM)
  7. St. Louis Rams: Sam Bradford, QB: $17.61MM (Chris Long, DE: $14.9MM)
  8. Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers, QB: $17.55MM (Clay Matthews, OLB: $10.944MM)
  9. Denver Broncos: Peyton Manning, QB: $17.5MM (DeMarcus Ware, DE: $9.667MM)
  10. Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan, QB: $17.5MM (Justin Blalock, G: $7.66MM)
  11. Miami Dolphins: Mike Wallace, WR: $17.25MM (Dannell Ellerbe, LB: $7.425MM)
  12. San Diego Chargers: Philip Rivers, QB: $16.667MM (Eric Weddle, S: $10.1MM)
  13. Carolina Panthers: Charles Johnson, DE: $16.42MM (Greg Hardy, DE: $13.116MM)
  14. Baltimore Ravens: Haloti Ngata, DL: $16MM (Joe Flacco, QB: $14.8MM)
  15. Houston Texans: Andre Johnson, WR: $15.645MM (Johnathan Joseph, CB: $11.25MM)
  16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gerald McCoy, DT: $15.627MM (Vincent Jackson, WR: $12.432MM)
  17. New England Patriots: Tom Brady, QB: $14.8MM (Logan Mankins, G: $10.5MM)
  18. Minnesota Vikings: Adrian Peterson, RB: $14.4MM (Everson Griffen, DE: $8.2MM)
  19. Seattle Seahawks: Percy Harvin, WR: $13.4MM (Russell Okung, OT: $11.24MM)
  20. Cleveland Browns: Joe Thomas, OT: $12.3MM (Joe Haden, CB: $12.128MM)
  21. Dallas Cowboys: Brandon Carr, CB: $12.217MM (Tony Romo, QB: $11.773MM)
  22. Kansas City Chiefs: Dwayne Bowe, WR: $12MM (Eric Berry, S: $11.62MM)
  23. Arizona Cardinals: Carson Palmer, QB: $12MM (Calais Campbell, DL: $11.25MM)
  24. New York Jets: D’Brickashaw Ferguson, OT: $11.699MM (Nick Mangold, C: $7.227MM)
  25. Washington Redskins: Brian Orakpo, OLB: $11.455MM (Trent Williams, OT: $10.98MM)
  26. Philadelphia Eagles: LeSean McCoy, RB: $9.7MM (Jason Peters, OT: $8.292MM)
  27. Jacksonville Jaguars: Paul Posluszny, LB: $9.5MM (Marcedes Lewis, TE: $8.25MM)
  28. Cincinnati Bengals: Geno Atkins, DT: $9MM (Leon Hall, CB: $8.7MM)
  29. Indianapolis Colts: Robert Mathis, OLB: $8.75MM (Vontae Davis, CB: $6.25MM)
  30. Tennessee Titans: Andy Levitre, G: $8.6MM (Jason McCourty, CB: $8.3MM)
  31. Oakland Raiders: Matt Schaub, QB: $8MM (Tyvon Branch, S: $7.157MM)
  32. San Francisco 49ers: Anthony Davis, OT: $7.532MM (Vernon Davis, TE: $7.343MM)

Contract information from Over The Cap was used in the creation of this post.

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