Season 68 Offseason-Palooza - Free Agency Edition - Part 2

by adelfish | 4 years ago | 0 Comments

RED ZONE SEASON 68 OFFSEASON-PALOOZA - FREE AGENCY EDITION - PART 2

The offseason has ended, and it's time to take a quick look around the leauge. We are going to dive into the free agent signings made by each team. Enjoy!

Part One (AFC East & AFC North) - http://daddyleagues.com/redzone/blog/articles/42714/Season-68-Offseason-Palooza---Free-Agency-Edition---Part-1

Added - Hunter Henry (TE, 84 OVR - 2 Years, $13.9 Million), Rashaan Evans (LB, 77 OVR - 2 Years, $9.9 Million), Johnnie Gattis (OG, 78 OVR - 5 Years, $28.5 Million), Deveon Hightower (WR, 77 OVR - 5 Years, $18.75 Million), Pat Elflein (OG, 74 OVR - 1 Years, $2.95 Million), Jalen Hurts (QB, 81 OVR - 4 Years, $30.4 Million)

Lost - N/A

FA Grade - A-

After a heartbreaking loss in the AFC Divisional Round last year, the Texans went into free agency determined to keep the band together, and build around them. They added depth to the offensive line in Pat Elflein, and a starting guard in Johnnie Gattis (although I think he average salary is absurd), and two solid weapons in Hunter Henry and Deveon Hightower (a re-sign).

The Rashaan Evans signing is probably my favorite, $5.4 million a year for a solid starting linebacker is a good investment, and he solidifies that trio of linebackers.

Jalen Hurts is an interesting move, almost confirming that this will be the end of the Deshaun Watson era after this season, who's deal is expiring. Hurts is on a very reasonable quarterback contract, and could be ready to take over next year.

I think Houston patched some things up pretty well, and did a good job preparing for the future. They should be the favorites in the AFC South again.

Added - Devin Singletary (RB, 85 OVR - 2 Years, $7.24 Million), Ezra Cleveland (OT, 74 OVR - 2 Years, $5.28 Million), Matthew Dodge (C, 76 OVR - 2 Years, $6.82 Million), Matt Milano (LB, 75 OVR - 1 Year, $3.95 Million), Frank Clark (DE, 77 OVR - 1 Year, $5.47 Million)

Lost - La'el Collins (OT, 83 OVR), Michael Gallup (WR, 80 OVR), Kenny Moore (CB, 80 OVR), Darius Leonard (LB, 85 OVR), Ryan Kelly (C, 82 OVR), 

FA Grade - D-

Under new management, the Colts opted to allow most of their veterans to hit free agency and be paid elsewhere, while filling the holes via cheap 1-2 year deals. For example, Ryan Kelly was paid nearly $16 million by the Titans, while Matthew Dodge (his replacement) was paid $6.82 over two years by the Colts.

The offensive line took a massive step back, with Quentin Nelson being the last man standing of a once great unit. I do like the value signing of Ezra Cleveland, but it is no doubt a step back at tackle.

Gone is Kenny Moore, gone is Darius Leonard, the latter replaced by Matt Milano on a 1 year deal. 

The most shocking part of this transition is the amount of cap room the Colts have. They had the money to spend, it just looks like they wanted to transition into a new era. The weirdest signing of this whole deal was bringing in Devin Singletary to backup Taylor. I know Taylor is suspended for a month, but shelling out money for a running back instead of fixing the big holes on defense?

Added - Ulysees Gilbert III (LB, 79 OVR - 4 Years, $14.6 Million), Joey Samuels (RB, 75 OVR - 5 Years, $8.5 Million), Phil Haynes (OG, 74 OVR - 5 Years, $6 Million)

Lost - Leonard Fournette (RB, 87 OVR), Jawaan Taylor (OT, 85 OVR), Za'Darius Smith (LB, 74 OVR), Dwanye Middleton (WR, 75 OVR), Omari Raymond (CB, 76 OVR)

FA Grade - D

Jacksonville had a rough offseason. They were up against the cap, and had a massive 3+1, basically signaling the end of their core roster that won them a championship a  few seasons ago. Some tough decisions were made, especially the release of Leonard Fournette, and the trade of Jawaan Taylor.

The deals Jacksonville made with their limited money were fine. Ulysees Gilbert is actually a really solid linebacker, and getting him at a cheap deal of $3.65 million per year is great value. Phil Haynes is a mediocre lineman, and that signing does nothing for me.

The Jaguars drafted a running back high in the draft, and already had Tony Pollard on roster. The signing of Joey Samuels looks really poor now. When you have limited funds, committing any to a running back is usually a bad idea. I think Jacksonville got a lot worse.

Added - Ryan Kelly (C, 82 OVR - 1 Year, $15.95 Million), Austin Hooper (TE, 87 OVR - 1 Year, $6.69 Million), Ali Marpet (OG, 87 OVR - 1 Year, $22.95 Million), Zach Morrow (DE, 89 OVR - 2 Years, $30.4 Million), Damon Arnette (CB, 75 OVR - 2 Years, $2.76 Million)

Lost - Travis Kelce (TE, 87 OVR), Jonnu Smith (TE, 76 OVR), Corey Linsley (C, 72 OVR), Jerome Townsend (RB, 80 OVR), Taylor Decker (OG, 76 OVR)

FA Grade - A+

The Titans had a fantastic free agency!

The Titans spent their money wisely, adding two great starters on the offensive line in Ryan Kelly and Ali Marpet, giving them one of the best offensive lines in football. The best part about these deals are that they are for 1 year only, giving the Titans little risk in these moves.

Austin Hooper is a great replacement at tight end for the departed Kelce & Jonnu Smith, giving Marquel Elliott another great weapon. 

The most intriguing signing is the 2 year deal given to former Chicago Bear Zach Morrow, a defensive end with a ton of upside. He has accounted for 17 sacks in the past 3 seasons, and under a great coaching staff in Tennessee, could develop even further. The Titans desperately need another edge rusher to develop. 

Overall, I love this free agency class. The money was right, and the years committed were even better.

Added - Isaiah Oliver (CB, 76 OVR - 5 Years, $9.4 Million)

Lost - Courtland Sutton (WR, 94 OVR), Joey Samuels (RB, 75 OVR), Parker Mitchell (DE, 79 OVR), Jourdan Lewis (CB, 80 OVR), Terrelle Bozeman (DT, 78 OVR)

FA Grade - C+

Not much Denver could do as they were up against the cap. They traded away Courtland Sutton to free up cap room, to re-sign superstar kicker Justin Tucker. Outside of that, they lost some depth pieces on their defensive line in Bozeman and Mitchell, and a solid corner in Lewis.

Isaiah Oliver was the lone signing Denver made, a very solid third option at the cornerback spot. He isn't the fastest, but is a good slot corner. At the price Denver paid, I like the move. Unfortunately, Denver was unable financially to make any upgrades on the offensive line. Regardless of that, their depth accumulated through the draft makes them the favorites in the AFC West.

Added - Hugh Todd (OG, 85 OVR - 5 Years, $65.8 Million), Marcus Davenport (DE, 85 OVR - 3 Years, $16.35 Million), Matt Nelson (DT, 82 OVR - 5 Years, $30.4 Million), Allen Robinson (WR, 82 OVR - 2 Years, $17.9 Million)

Lost - Stephon Tuitt (DT, 91 OVR), A.J. Espenesa (DE, 81 OVR), Matthew Dodge (C, 75 OVR), Dexter Swinton (DT, 77 OVR), Jamaal Williams (RB, 74 OVR)

FA Grade - C-

It was a certainty that when Hugh Todd hit free agency, that he was going to be paid like a superstar (he isn't). Young offensive lineman who are above-average are going to get paid, and that is exactly what happened here. Todd is a fine player, but paying $16.5 million per year for his services over 4 years when you could have had Ali Marpet on a 1 year deal instead is absurd. Todd will start at right guard for the Chiefs, and is certainly their best offensive lineman, but that isn't really a good thing.

My favorite signing of this class is Marcus Davenport, getting a reasonable 3 year deal for a pass rusher. Davenport had some ups and downs in Miami, flirting with double digit sacks 3 times. Maybe in Kansas City he can get over the hump. 

On the interior, the Chiefs gave rotational defensive tackle Matt Nelson $6 million per year, a guy that had 9 sacks in two seasons with Philadelphia. Maybe he will be asked to do more in Kansas City, but his impact as a rotational guy was not worth of $6 million per.

Finally, the Chiefs gave the aging Allen Robinson $9 million per year, and for some reason committed for 2 years. Robinson is slated to be the third wideout on this team. That is a TON of money for your third wide receiver, especially one who has declined each of his last three years.

This is a really mixed bag. I think Kansas City got slightly better on the defensive line, but I think they wasted money on Todd and Robinson.

Added - Reggie Jowers (OT, 79 OVR - Years, $19 Million), Jabrill Peppers (S, 83 OVR - 2 Years, $9.9 Million), Ralph Harrell (C, 76 OVR - 4 Years, $12.99 Million), Cole Holcomb (LB, 78 OVR - 2 Years, $17.34 Million), Terrelle Bozeman (DT, 78 OVR - 4 Years, $13.84 Million)

Lost - Trent Brown (OT, 88 OVR), Shaq Barrett (LB, 81 OVR), Rashaan Evans (LB, 77 OVR), Kolton Miller (OG, 78 OVR), Danny Blackshear (S, 82 OVR), 

FA Grade - B

The Raiders lost big names to retirement in Brown and Barrett, and made it their goal to shore up the offensive line this free agency. They added one of the top tackles in Reggie Jowers, former L.A. Charger. Getting a really solid pass blocking tackle at a little below $5 million per year is awesome value, that is a great signing by Vegas.

Jabrill Peppers is past his prime, but as a running mate to Abram, that is a solid addition. It seems like a lot of money ($5 million per) for his services, but he is a veteran who can fit in. I really like the signing of Cole Holcomb on a 2 year deal, a really versatile linebacker who fills the hole of both Shaq Barrett and Rashaan Evans. Holcomb can be used in pass coverage, and line up as an edge rusher.

Overall, no stars, but I think Vegas spent wisely, and added some really solid starters.