The first wave of free agency is over, and a number of starter-quality players remain available. That list includes the likes of Justin Houston, Ndamukong Suh, and Ziggy Ansah, all of whom could still command lucrative multi-year pacts.
However, much of the big money has already been spent, and while it seems that the the free agency “winners” often have difficulty translating their offseason success into regular season wins, it is always worth taking an early guess at how the top free agents will impact their new teams (or how well the contracts of players who were eligible for free agency but who re-signed with their original clubs will age).
Yesterday, we directed our readers to a page provided by OverTheCap.com that tracks team-by-team spending on all contracts that free agents have signed since the Super Bowl. The page breaks down spending into categories like total contract value, total guarantees, and full guarantees.
For purposes of this poll, we will examine the top five spenders thus far in terms of total contract value. We realize that may be an imperfect measure, given that even blue chip free agents often do not play out the entirety of their contacts, but we also feel as though it accurately depicts which teams were most prepared to make big commitments to immediately improve their rosters. Plus, the list of the top five spenders in terms of total contract value is almost identical to the list of the top five spenders in terms of total guarantees, though the Bills, not the Packers, would be a top-five team if we were using total guarantees as a guide.
In any event, let’s quickly review what the big spenders have done with their money so far.
New York Jets
The Jets entered free agency with the most money to spend, and they did not disappoint. GM Mike Maccagnan, on a quest to keep his job, has doled out contracts worth nearly $200MM, and about half of that money is fully-guaranteed. The big fish, of course, are C.J. Mosley and Le’Veon Bell, both of whom should immediately improve their respective units, although both come with some question marks. Mosley is a high-character, intelligent player who is generally strong against the run but who is not particularly gifted in coverage, so it’s fair to wonder whether he will justify the Jets’ commitment to him. Bell, meanwhile, is undoubtedly explosive, and the Jets structured his contract in a team-friendly way, but he also comes with obvious character concerns and a lot of wear-and-tear. Re-signing Henry Anderson was a more low-key move that could nonetheless pay major dividends.
Green Bay Packers
Packers fans are not used to seeing their team mentioned as a big free agency spender, but the club has given out over $184MM to its signees thus far (though less than one-third of that figure is guaranteed). Green Bay has made a concerted effort to upgrade its pass rush as it prepares to bid adieu to long-time QB hunter Clay Matthews, and to that end, it acquired former Raven Za’Darius Smith and former Redskin Preston Smith. Neither player has a double-digit sack season to his credit, but both are young and come with plenty of upside. Za’Darius Smith has also shown an ability to provide a pass rush from the interior of the line, and Preston Smith is a strong overall edge defender who still has room to grow. Former Bears safety Adrian Amos was also acquired to add some much-needed physicality to the back end of the defense.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers made two big splashes at the outset of free agency, signing former Buccaneers linebacker Kwon Alexander and trading for (and extending) former Chiefs pass rusher Dee Ford. Alexander is coming off a season-ending ACL tear, but San Francisco is betting that he can make a full recovery and return to form. The club was also in dire need of someone who can get to the QB, and they believe Ford is that guy. Ford has had an up-and-down career thus far, and though the Niners gave him what appears to be a massive contract (five years, $87.5MM), they can get out of that deal fairly quickly with minimal salary cap ramifications. The club is also taking a low-risk, high-reward gamble on talented but injury-prone corner Jason Verrett, and they added Tevin Coleman to their stable of running backs.
Oakland Raiders
The Raiders grabbed headlines when they traded for star wideout Antonio Brown, but because he wasn’t a free agent, the new deal he landed from the club doesn’t factor into the $165MM worth of contracts that the team has handed out in free agency. That number does include deals for Tyrell Williams — who will pair with AB to lead what could become a prolific passing attack — and Trent Brown, who will likely be tasked with protecting Derek Carr‘s blindside. The Raiders were also in on Bell, and they added safety Lamarcus Joyner to serve as Karl Joseph‘s running mate in their defensive backfield. They still need some pass rush help and could be players in the market for Houston and Ansah.
Detroit Lions
The Lions were projected by many to be active in the free agent market, and they spent some money to try and keep pace in a crowded NFC North. The big-money acquisition was former Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers, who may end up replacing Ansah as the club’s top sack artist (though the Lions have not ruled out re-signing Ansah). The Lions brought in tight end Jesse James, who offers some ability as a pass catcher and who is also a strong pass blocker, and they added Danny Amendola in the hopes that he can provide Matthew Stafford the type of reliable slot target that he lost when the club traded Golden Tate last season. Another free agent acquisition, Justin Coleman, should represent an upgrade at nickel corner.
So have at it. Which of the five big spenders made the most of their money? Let us know what you think in the poll and in the comment section.
It’s very hard to gauge which team spent their money the best at this point. You really have to know the rosters of these teams to know if these additions are bandaids or the players that will put them over the top.
It’s easy.. very rarely does someone worthwhile make it to free agency.
These teams are wasting their money as usual.
So your strategy would be to sit on your hands, make no attempt to upgrade and hope the season ticket holders swallow the bs about trying to make the team a winner? It’s true that free agency rarely offers hall of fame talent but getting to the point where you can win a championship also requires positional depth. Plenty of free agents can provide that.
I like what San Francisco did but it would’ve made more sense to me to give money to a receiver like Tate instead of Coleman even though he provides great insurance if McKinnon needs to come back slowly
Packers should not be on this list.
What’s your justification for this? This was their major weakness and they’ve upgraded very well.
$184MM on two upsides and Amos who was more a product of the Bears system than a stand alone stud. Upgrades yes, but they sure didn’t the make the most of their money.
Amos looked good because of the solid players around him. They way overpaid for him.
I’d give Amos $20M a year for a decade before I’d want to see HHCD in green and gold, he’s as soft as they come. Bears fans will be screaming for his release by week 4.
The list is called Big Spenders dum dum
Obviously they qualify.
If any of their FA stay healthy the packers are much better off than Clay, Nick and Ha Ha
It doesn’t matter how much you spend. Either you have a QB or you don’t. Jury is out on every team except GB.
Well mainly good players are locked up by their team, so all of these guys are availabile because they want more than they’re worth.
…unless your names Lev Bell and you take less because your agent is a moron.
Packers
Lions
Raiders
Then a tie between Jets and 49ers for worst
It makes no sense that the Lions are last in the poll they got the best pass rusher on the market and didn’t overpay for anyone.
You look at the deals the Jets and 49ers gave out to Mosley and Alexander both big overpays and I’m a fan of both. I would have 49ers above the Jets because the Ford trade but it wasn’t a FA move.
This list isn’t ranked at all or judged by the writer or blog. It’s listed in order from most spent and down of the top 5 spenders.
I thought the Colts were supposed to be big spenders this offseason.
Could still see them getting Ansah
It’s really hard to gauge who did the best. It all depends who fits best in the system of the team they signed with. Example: what have you heard about Malcom Butler and Danny Amendola after they left New England ? Not much !
Jets win easy if Bell can be effective. Their young QB will be better if they can provide a run game to support him. They acquired some OL help so that was a positive step as well. Of course the Jets like the Packers have a new coaching staff so it will take time to get up to speed.
It’s sounds crazy but some of these guys teams could get for a lower average if they just give the players more guaranteed money. For instance, Lions over paid Coleman by 3 million a year if he stays for duration of the contract. Had they given him a 4 year deal 6 million per year 24 million guaranteed, then they get him at a bargain. Instead, they gave him 4 year 36 million 18 million guaranteed. This means they probably cut him after 3 years 27 million paid out. It’s stupid! Give him 4 year 24 million contract 24 million guaranteed, he takes it & you get him for a 4th year at 6 million instead of 9. He will still be under 30. They waste 3 million & they don’t have him in year 4. Doubtful they bring him back in year 4 @ 9 million they absolutely do at 6 million since its guaranteed.