Poll: Best NFC Free Agent Addition?
A quarter of the NFL season is now in the books, which means we can accurately grade each and every free agent signing, right? Right?
Even if that’s not the case, it’s still possible to get a sense of how free agents are playing and whether they’re living up to their contacts through four games. After taking a look at the AFC on Friday, today we examined the best free agent signing on each NFC club before asking you to vote on the top overall NFC addition.
One note: we only looked at newcomers, so free agents that re-signed with their original clubs (Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short or Cardinals edge rusher Chandler Jones, for example) aren’t included. On to the list!
Arizona Cardinals
- Antoine Bethea, S: General manager Steve Keim & Co. have made a habit of adding aging veterans — especially on the defensive side of the ball — with success, and the Cardinals have seemingly done so again in the form of Bethea. Playing alongside Tyrann Mathieu and another age-30+ defensive back in Tyvon Branch, Bethea has managed one interception and three pass breakups while helping Arizona to the No. 12 ranking in defensive DVOA. And his three, $12.75MM deal can be easily escaped if he does begin to show signs of wearing down later on in 2017.
Atlanta Falcons
- Dontari Poe, DT: After narrowly missing out on a Super Bowl title earlier this year, the Falcons decided to run it back, returning in 2017 with much of the same roster. Poe was Atlanta’s major addition on defense, as the club waited until the athletic defensive tackle’s market fell enough to allow it to ink him to a one-year, $8MM pact. Poe, who was regularly playing more than 1,000 defensive snaps with the Chiefs, is on pace to play on roughly 750 defensive snaps this season, and limiting his action could be helping his overall performance. Through four games, the Falcons are 13th in pressure rate, up from 20th in 2016.
Carolina Panthers
- Julius Peppers, DE: Peppers, now in his second stint with the Panthers, was hardly Carolina’s most high-priced free agent signing this spring. That honor goes to $55MM man Matt Kalil, who has been — perhaps unsurprisingly — underwhelming at left tackle. The Panthers are playing Peppers on a reduced snap count, and the 37-year-old has already put up 4.5 sacks through a quarter of the season. He’s an absolute freak of nature who can still bend the edge with ease.
Chicago Bears
- N/A: The signing of free agent Mike Glennon clearly hasn’t worked out, as the veteran signal-caller was benched after four games. The rest of Chicago’s additions, a list that includes cornerbacks Marcus Cooper and Prince Amukamara and wideouts Markus Wheaton and Kendall Wright, have also been sub-par. Quintin Demps could have been the choice here, but he’s now on injured reserve after breaking his arm.
Dallas Cowboys
- N/A: The Cowboys allowed most of their secondary to walk out the door during free agency, and veteran Nolan Carroll was their only real external addition. He’s been one of the worst defensive backs in the league in 2017.
Detroit Lions
- Ricky Wagner, T: Detroit upgraded at both right guard and right tackle this offseason, swapping out Larry Warford and Riley Reiff for T.J. Lang and Wagner. Although both new Lions linemen have been efficient thus far, the nod goes slightly to Wagner. Both Lang and Wagner are earning the same $9.5MM annual salary, but Wagner is three years younger and under team control for a longer period. Additionally, the Lions average more yards (4.41 to 3.04) when running around the right end than through the center/guard.
Green Bay Packers
- Jahri Evans, G: In a sequence that is completely out of character, the Packers actually signed a number of outside free agents over the past several months, including cornerback Davon House (a former Packer) and front seven defenders Ahmad Brooks, Quinton Dial, and Ricky Jean-Francois. But the best newcomer is on the offensive side ball, as Jahri Evans has played every snap for Green Bay. A lifelong Saint until 2017, Evans has helped the Packers’ offensive line to a No. 3 ranking in adjusted line yards at a cost of only $2.25MM.
Los Angeles Rams
- Andrew Whitworth, T: Perhaps no other club made a larger upgrade at one position than the Rams did in going from draft bust Greg Robinson to Whitworth at left tackle. The entire Rams’ offense, including quarterback Jared Goff and Todd Gurley, has gone from looking completely incompetent to leading the league in points scored. Even at the age of 35, Whitworth leads all tackles in pass rush productivity and has allowed only one pressure, per Pro Football Focus.
Minnesota Vikings
- Mike Remmers, T: The Vikings overpaid for both Remmers and left tackle Riley Reiff, but both deals have allowed Minnesota to return to average along the offensive line, a massive step-up from their 2016 front five. Remmers is earning nearly half of what Reiff is making but ranks slightly ahead of the former Lion in PFF’s offensive tackle rankings. Additionally, Remmers hasn’t allowed a sack this season, and the Vikings have been much better at running right than left.
New Orleans Saints
- Larry Warford, G: Warford replaced another player on this list (Jahri Evans) and has continued to perform as a solid NFL guard. On an offensive line that’s seen some reshuffling due to injuries to Terron Armstead and Zach Strief, the Saints’ interior — which also includes left guard Andrus Peat and center Max Unger — has remained stable. New Orleans has been excellent at running up the middle, as the club ranks sixth with 4.62 yards per carry behind its center or guards. The Saints control the 26-year-old Warford through the 2020 campaign.
New York Giants
- N/A: Brandon Marshall has yet to top 70 yards receiving in a game, and managed only two receptions in Weeks 1-2. And the signing of fullback/tight end Rhett Ellison never made sense given how much 11 personnel (one back, one tight end) the Giants run. He’s earning $4.5MM annually and has five total receptions.
Philadelphia Eagles
- LeGarrette Blount, RB: Although he’s not going match his NFL-leading 18 rushing touchdowns from 2016, Blount has already shown that he’s worth the one-year, $1.25MM deal he inked with the Eagles earlier this year. He’s averaging 5.9 yards per carry thus far, and he figures to be even more involved in Philadelphia’s offense following injuries to Darren Sproles and Wendell Smallwood. Tough as ever, Blount managed 127 of his 136 Week 4 yards after contact.
San Francisco 49ers
- Brandon Fusco, G: The 49ers and new general manager John Lynch spent a good deal of money this offseason, handing $10MM+ in guarantees to veterans such as wide receiver Pierre Garcon (who’s been average at best) and linebacker Malcolm Smith (who suffered a season-ending injury in August). The most astute signing, however, may have been guard Brandon Fusco, who signed for just $1.4MM total. He’s played every offensive snap for San Francisco and graded as the NFL’s No. 18 guard, per PFF, making him a remarkable value.
Seattle Seahawks
- Luke Joeckel, G: Joeckel’s one-year, $8MM contract with the Seahawks never made much sense, as the former draft bust hasn’t performed in the NFL and probably didn’t have much of a free agent market. He’s not even playing tackle, which makes the salary all the more confusing. But PFF grades Joeckel as the No. 26 guard in the league, meaning he’s been a starting-caliber offensive lineman through four contests. Plus, it’s hard to fault nearly any single-season pact, no matter the cost.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- DeSean Jackson, WR: Jackson hasn’t been the perfect complemenet to Mike Evans that many projected — while he’s still averaging a robust 17.8 yards per catch, his catch rate is at a career-low 48.3%. Jackson led the league in yards gained off defensive pass interference a season ago, but he’s garnered only one DPI for 15 yards in 2017. Always only play away from a long-distance score, Jackson can still live up to his contract if Tampa Bay’s offense starts clicking.
Washington Redskins
- D.J. Swearinger, S: In a defensive backfield that’s without Su’a Cravens (left squad list) and DeAngelo Hall (PUP list), Swearinger — who left the Cardinals for a three-year deal in the nation’s capital — has helped stabilize the Redskins’ secondary. Through a quarter of the season, Washington ranks sixth in defensive DVOA under new coordinator Greg Manusky, a 19-spot leap from 2016.
So, what do you think? Which of the free agents has been the best signing through a quarter of the 2017 season? Vote below, and leave your thoughts in the comments section:
Who was the best free agent addition in the NFC?
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Andrew Whitworth, T 24% (325)
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LeGarrette Blount, RB 18% (254)
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D.J. Swearinger, S 12% (163)
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Jahri Evans, G 11% (156)
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Julius Peppers, DE 8% (107)
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Dontari Poe, DT 6% (83)
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DeSean Jackson, WR 5% (65)
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Mike Remmers, T 4% (51)
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Ricky Wagner, T 3% (48)
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Luke Joeckel, G 3% (47)
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Brandon Fusco, G 2% (33)
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Larry Warford, G 2% (30)
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Antoine Bethea, S 1% (16)
Total votes: 1,378
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/7/17
Here are today’s minor moves.
- Andre Williams will return to the Chargers‘ active roster after the team announced the promotion of the running back from the practice squad. Los Angeles waived safety Dexter McCoil to make room on the 53-man. Branden Oliver being ruled out because of a hamstring injury led to this switch. Williams played one game last season but fared well, rushing for 87 yards against the Chiefs in Week 17. McCoil played in all 16 Bolts games as a rookie and two this season.
- Cliff Avril‘s neck injury prompted the Seahawks to promote defensive end Branden Jackson from their practice squad, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports. To make room, Seattle waived linebacker Justin March-Lillard. Jackson played in three games with the Raiders last season.
- The Jets promoted outside linebacker Freddie Bishop from their practice squad. Wide receiver Jalin Marshall is eligible to return after serving a four-game suspension, but it doesn’t look like he will be active Sunday in Cleveland.
Malik McDowell Could Return This Season
Rookie defensive tackle Malik McDowell — who suffered a severe concussion in a July September ATV accident — could potentially return to the Seahawks this season, head coach Pete Carroll told reporters, including Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.
“He’s got some stuff coming up in the next couple of weeks, I think it’s within two weeks that he’ll get kind of reassessed and all of that just to see where we are,” Carroll said of McDowell. “There’s been some conversation from different camps kind of about where he is and how he’s doing, so the check-ups are really important, and we’ll just see. We’ve not ruled that thought out that he could come back.”
McDowell, whom the Seahawks selected out of Michigan State in the second round of the 2017 draft, had reportedly been in danger of missing his rookie campaign, but that may not be the case. He’s currently on the non-football injury list, meaning he can return to practice after Seattle’s bye in Week 6. The Seahawks would then have a three-week window during which they can decide to place him on the active roster or injured reserve.
Carroll didn’t rule out adding defensive line help this week given that Cliff Avril is sidelined with a neck injury, but as Condotta notes, the Seahawks have limited options given that Week 5 is quickly approaching. Quinton Jefferson, a former Seattle draft pick whom the club recently re-signed off the Rams’ practice squad, suffered a broken hand and is out for roughly a month, meaning the Hawks are short on depth. Branden Jackson, currently on Seattle’s practice squad, could be a candidate for promotion.
Marcus Smith Fielded Other FA Offers
Despite failing to live up to his first-round status with the Eagles, Marcus Smith said he generated considerable interest during his brief stay in free agency. Prior to signing with the Seahawks in late July, Smith said he had offers from the Packers, Chiefs and Colts, via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. However, this Seahawks regime being interested in the then-Louisville product during the 2014 draft — with Condotta noting the team traded out of the first round after he went off the board to Philly at pick No. 26 — and former college assistant Clint Hurtt now Seattle’s defensive line coach made it a better fit than those other teams would have, Smith said.
Condotta adds Smith will now serve as the Seahawks’ first end off the bench now that Frank Clark will take the injured Cliff Avril‘s place in the starting lineup. Smith finished with 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble in his new team’s Sunday-night win over the Colts.
- Despite being hospitalized for what was viewed at the time as a scary injury, Rees Odhiambo may return to action without missing a game. Seahawks offensive line coach Tom Cable expects his starting left tackle to play on Sunday against the Rams, Condotta tweets. Odhiambo was hospitalized for what was called a chest contusion (or bruised heart) Sunday night. He’s the second Seattle left tackle starter to suffer a serious injury, joining George Fant (ACL tear) in that regard. But this serious-sounding setback may not force the Seahawks to make another change on their starting O-line.
- The Seahawks worked out guards Willie Beavers and Cole Toner, along with tackle D.J. Tialavea, Howard Balzer of SportsOnEarth tweets. The Bengals cut Toner from their practice squad late last month. Beavers has been on the workout circuit since the Patriots cut him from theirs in early September.
Seahawks DE Cliff Avril Out “Awhile”
Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril is dealing with a “serious stinger” and will be sidelined “awhile,” head coach Pete Carroll told reporters, including Curtis Crabtree of KJR (Twitter link) and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link), the latter of whom reports that Avril is experiencing numbness in his arm.
Seattle’s defensive line hasn’t lived up to its talent thus far in 2017, as the club’s front four ranks in the bottom half of the league in both adjusted sack rate and adjusted line yards. But it’s hard to argue that the Seahawks don’t have the pieces to cover up a lengthy Avril absence. Frank Clark, who’s played on roughly half of Seattle’s defensive snaps this season after posting 10 sacks in 2016, should see increased usage, while the Hawks could also more heavily deploy former Eagles first-round pick Marcus Smith, who saw action on 27 plays in Seattle’s Week 4 victory.
Avril, 31, has been a stalwart for the Seahawks in recent years, as he appeared in 63 of 64 games from 2013-16 and racked up 33.5 sacks during that time. Although he’d been on the field for 68% of Seattle’s plays thus far, Pro Football Focus hasn’t been enamored with his work — Avril has graded as a bottom-five edge defender and earned horrible marks as a pass-rusher, per PFF.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/2/17
Today’s minor moves..
Main Roster
Chicago Bears
- Promoted to active roster: WR Tre McBride
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed off Rams‘ practice squad: DE Quinton Jefferson
Practice Squad
Chicago Bears
- Signed: LB Jason Thompson
Seahawks Place RB Chris Carson On IR
The Seahawks have officially placed Chris Carson on injured reserve. The move was expected after the running back suffered a broken leg in Sunday’s game. 
Carson was carter off the field in the fourth quarter and had an air cast applied to his left leg, an indication that the injury was serious. In theory, Carson will be eligible to return from IR after eight weeks on the sidelines, but his timetable for recovery is not yet clear. While he’s out, it’s expected that Thomas Rawls will be Seattle’s lead running back with Eddie Lacy, C.J. Prosise, and J.D. McKissic in support.
Carson seized the starting gig two games into his the season, leapfrogging both Rawls and Lacy. Prior to the injury, he was averaging a solid 4.2 yards per carry.
In other Seahawks news, left tackle Rees Odhiambo has been hospitalized with a bruised heart.
Seahawks LT Rees Odhiambo Hospitalized With Bruised Heart
Seahawks left tackle Rees Odhiambo is in a Seattle-area hospital after suffering what Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (via Twitter) is a chest contusion (or bruised heart).
Odhiambo’s symptoms mimic that of a car accident, Ian Rapoport notes (on Twitter). However, Pete Carroll said the young lineman is expected to be released from the hospital Monday, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports. Odhiambo was experiencing trouble breathing after taking a hit to the chest during Sunday night’s game.
The 2016 third-round pick is the Seahawks’ second left tackle starter this season, taking over for George Fant after the converted basketball player was lost for the season in August. Odhiambo has started all four games this season after playing in eight as a reserve last year.
Seattle has tackle experience in left guard Luke Joeckel, whom the team considered placing at left tackle upon his arrival, and in trade acquisition Matt Tobin. However, it’s unclear how much, if any, time this injury will cause Odhiambo to miss.
Chris Carson Suffers Significant Ankle Injury
Late in the Seahawks’ runaway win on Sunday night, the team lost its newly promoted starting running back. Chris Carson was carted off the field, and NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (on Twitter) the rookie suffered a broken ankle.
Pete Carroll called it a “significant” injury (via Rapoport, on Twitter), and the seventh-round pick seems destined for IR if this diagnosis is confirmed. Carson will undergo an MRI today.
Carroll elaborated soon after, saying Carson has a fracture just below his leg and likely a high ankle sprain, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times tweets. The eighth-year Seahawks HC simply said (via Condotta, on Twitter), “He’s going to be out.”
Carson seized the starting job two games into his rookie season, supplanting Thomas Rawls and Eddie Lacy, and was averaging 4.2 yards per carry. The Oklahoma State product’s absence will force Rawls — a healthy scratch Sunday night — and Lacy to pick up the slack. However, the Seahawks have some options here for what will likely become a committee-type arrangement.
C.J. Prosise missed Sunday’s game, but former waiver claim J.D. McKissic — a second-year player out of Arkansas State — scored twice. Both figure to play a part of the post-Carson equation in Seattle, should the promising runner indeed see his season cut short.