Checking In On 2019’s Restricted Free Agents

The deadline for NFL restricted free agents to sign offer sheets with rival clubs is April 19, so RFAs have roughly three weeks to discuss deals with other teams. So far, only one RFA — running back Malcolm Brown — has inked an offer sheet, but the Rams matched the terms of the pact, meaning he’ll head back to Los Angeles.

As a reminder, RFA tenders are named based on the draft choice compensation they demand. If a team gives an offer sheet to a restricted free agent who was tendered at the second-round level, for example, and that player’s original club declines to match the contract terms, the new team must sacrifice a second-round pick in order to sign the player. The lowest tender will give the original club a draft choice equal to that which was originally used to draft the player (undrafted players tendered at the original round level, therefore, require no draft compensation).

In total, more than 30 restricted free agents have been tendered this offseason. Let’s take a look at where things stand with those RFAs:

Signed to offer sheet:

• Malcolm Brown, RB (Rams): Signed two-year, $3.3MM deal with Lions. Matched by Los Angeles.

First-round tender ($4.4047MM):

• None

Second-round tender ($3.095MM):

• Robby Anderson, WR (Jets)
• Ka’imi Fairbairn, K (Texans)
• George Fant, T (Seahawks)
• B.J. Finney, OL (Steelers)
• Anthony Harris, S (Vikings)
• Shelby Harris, DT (Broncos)
• Trey Hopkins, OL (Bengals)
• Jonathan Jones, CB (Patriots)
• Cory Littleton, LB (Rams)
• Patrick Onwuasor, LB (Ravens)
• Michael Pierce, DT (Ravens)
• Jalen Richard, RB (Raiders)
• Chester Rogers, WR (Colts)
• Nate Sudfeld, QB (Eagles)
• Daryl Worley, CB (Raiders)

Original round / right of first refusal tender ($2.025MM):

• Peyton Barber, RB (Buccaneers)
• Evan Boehm, G (Colts)
• Corey Coleman, WR (Giants)
• Ken Crawley, CB (Saints)
• Blake Countess, S (Rams)
• Brandon Dunn, DT (Texans)
• Matthias Farley, S (Colts)
• Josh Gordon, WR (Patriots)
• Xavier Grimble, TE (Steelers)
• Rashard Higgins, WR (Browns)
• Rashod Hill, T (Vikings)
• Troy Hill, CB (Rams)
• Quinton Jefferson, DL (Seahawks)
• Jordan Lucas, S (Chiefs)
• Brennan Scarlett, LB (Texans)
• Trevor Williams, CB (Chargers)

Tendered, then extended:

• Raheem Mostert, RB (49ers): Signed three-year, $8.65MM deal after initially being tendered at original round level.

Tendered, then signed to new deal:

• Geronimo Allison, WR (Packers): Signed new one-year deal after initially being tendered at original round lev