Crim's Corner: Free Agency Period 1 Recap

by Crimsion | 6 years ago | 1 Comments

Money is flowing and teams are growing now that the Free Agency period has officially opened. The New York Giants have the most cap space in the SFL with over $95 million to put into play.

The question is, will some of the top free-agent talent on the market find some comfort in those dollar signs or do they want to play for a contender? Finally, we got some answers with some players inking their new contracts just last night.

Here's a breakdown of some of the top targets and their new destinations:

DE - Justin Houston

Signed - $32M / 1 Year

Justin Houston finds himself in likely the best situation he could coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wildcard round. The Jets have been a team in the making over the past 3 seasons, finally showing their true potential and getting a shot at a title game before eventually falling to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship game.

This is a team that needs a veteran and whole heap of help when it comes to rushing the passer, so Houston fits in perfectly here and will hopefully be the piece that makes this defense elite.

WR - Adam Thielen

Signed - $67.5M / 7 Years

When you think of the name Adam Thielen, you simply think of a hard working indivudal who has fought to earn everything that has come to him in this league. Despite having a down year in Minnesota during his 2020 campaign, Thielen garnered a lot of interest on the open market.

He'll now call Cleveland home, and look to play in his first post-season game as a member of the AFC and a division winner such as the Browns. Cleveland has had a chokehold on the AFC West, and they'll likely get it done yet again after adding a weapon like Thielen into the mold.

DT - Gerald McCoy

Signed - $6.44M / 1 Year

Losing out on a veteran in Corey Liegut, the Chargers looked to McCoy for and instant boost on their defensive line. At first glance, you'd think the Chargers were set, but it can't hurt adding a veteran like McCoy.

He spent last year in Houston, where he was overshadowed by the likes of J.J. Watt, who was moved into the interior by Chan, so the former Texan should be plenty fresh as he takes over the starting role in Los Angeles.

CB - Richard Sherman

Signed - $5.95M / 1 Year

The Cinncinati Bengals were one of the few teams that made a splash during the first week of Free Agency. They've been sitting in the shadows of the Cleveland Browns and are looking to actually make some noise in the AFC this year.

Acquring the likes of Sherman may help them on their quest for the post-season, Sherman has been around the game for a while now and posesses some solid coverage skills as well as length in the secondary.

CB - Andre Hal

Signed - $8.55M / 1 Year

The departure of Andre Hal left the Houston Texans secondary in shambles this off-season. The Texans took a shot at re-acquiring the services of Hal, but he decided to take his talents to Los Angeles and join the Rams.

This Rams squad had a solid shot to make an apperance in Super Bowl XLII, but fell short to the Chicago Bears. The most glaring issue amongst this team was their ability to cover the deep pass, and with Nickell Robey-Coleman out of the picture, the Rams looked for a better option.

Hal joins the likes of Marcus Peters, Ricardo Allen, Lamarcus Joyner and James Johnson II in the secondary for this team poised to make a strong title run once again.

C - Jason Kelce

Signed - $31.6M / 2 Years

Another off-season, another pay up situation for the Kansas City Chiefs in an effort to bolster their offensive line. 

Kelce will be thrown into unfamiliar waters out of the gate as the Chiefs have already moved him to Left Tackle, but he wasn't the only lineman Codie blew a bag on.

Centre David Andrews was also signed and coverted by the Chiefs, he'll be the teams starting Right Tackle as we inch into the regular season.

WR - JuJu Smith-Schuster

Signed - $93.8M / 4 Years

When there's blood in the water, expect the sharks to be close by. The Bengals had money to spend and a need at wide receiver with the face of the franchise, AJ Green, fighting a losing battle with father time.

Andy took it upon himself to match the efforts of the Cleveland Browns and bring another big name wideout to the AFC West in JuJu.

The former Steeler is coming of a sub-par year under Jack's system, but playing alongside AJ Green and John Ross, under a capable quarterback could have this offensive attack finally hitting its stride.