Free Agency has started and some big names are on the move. While some teams are waiting for the draft to address key needs, other have gone out an opened their wallets for players that they hope will be the difference between playing in January and sitting on the beach in Mexico, wondering "what if". While there is still a long list of top tier free agents available, we wanted to break down who we thought were the best signings through the first few days of free agency. We break it down by position, starting with the offensive side of the ball.
Quarterback: Jimmy Garoppolo (3 years/67.5 million. 34 million guaranteed) Safe to the say the Raiders are going defense at #7? The Raiders awkwardly ended things with Derek Carr and have moved on to a familiar face in Josh McDaniels’ history, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. “But all he does is win!” That’s easy to say in a Kyle Shanahan-run offense as things haven’t gone as smoothly for McDaniels so far in Las Vegas. Jimmy G will never light up the stat sheet but the Raiders current offensive roster is talented enough to compete. I do expect a slight decrease in production from Davante Adams due to Garoppolo lack of ability to sling the ball down the field. Compare Garoppolo’s contract to the rest of the league and you could argue it’s one of the best values at the quarterback position.
Running Back/Wide Receiver/Tight End: Jakobi Meyers (3 years/33 million. 21 million guaranteed)
Welp, as a Patriots fan, this is annoying. In one of the weakest wide receiver free agent classes in recent history, Jakobi Meyers was the top wideout available. It’s hard to believe the Patriots couldn’t match this offer unless they just didn’t see Meyers in their plans (looking at you, DeAndre Hopkins). Meyers will immediately slide right into the number 2 role behind Davante Adams and ahead of Hunter Renfrow. For a guy who’s yet to have a 1,000 yard receiving season, the Raiders are putting a ton of faith in Meyers. With the recent trade of Darren Waller to the Giants, a handful of targets just opened up and Meyers could be the biggest benefactor. The Raiders will now turn their attention to the defensive side of the ball if they want to hang with the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and possible Comeback Player of Year candidate in Russell Wilson. Let’s ride!
Offensive Line: Mike McGlinchey, Denver Broncos
5 years, $87.5 million ($52 million guaranteed)
Originally thought to be signing with the Bears, McGlinchey heads to Denver in an attempt to protect Russell Wilson from the onslaught that he suffered in 2022. Although McGlinchey had a down year in 2022, he improves a Broncos line that finished dead last in sacks against with 63. Sean Payton was brought in to fix Wilson, and the moves that he is making are either going to fix the issues or remove every conceivable notion that the problem isn’t just the fact that Wilson is just an overrated QB that was carried by a HOF head coach and an elite defensive in Seattle.
Defensive Line: Javon Hargrove, San Francisco 49ers
4 years, $84 million ($40 million guaranteed)
The rich get richer and the 49ers make a move to add to an already elite defense. Hargrove is coming off of a stellar year where he totaled 11 sacks and added 10 tackles for a loss from his inside position. Added to a line anchored by Nick Bosa and a returning Arik Armstead, Hargrove will be in a similar position as he was in Philly where double teaming won’t be an option, allowing him to wreak havoc in opposing backfields. The Niners were the NFC favorites before losing Brock Purdy to an elbow injury last season, and moves like this should put them in the conversation to be favorites to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl in Las Vegas.
Linebacker: Tremaine Edmunds (4 years, 72 million. 50 million guaranteed) With over $75 million dollars in cap space before the start of free agency, GM Ryan Poles opened his wallet like the kid from Blank Check (I just aged myself) and signed a number of players, but none may have a bigger impact that than inside linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. With a history of winning with the Buffalo Bills, Edmunds has taken his talents to a Chicago defense that finished last or close to last in almost every defensive category. The Bears have no where to go but up and they believe that Edmunds is the defensive presence that can take them there. The Bears may have overpaid here but when you finish with the worst record in the league, you’re bound to pay a premium for legitimate talent. Cornerback/Safety: Jessie Bates III, Atlanta Falcons
4 years, $64 million (guarantee not available)
Atlanta entered the offseason with the second most amount of cap space and they make a big splash by signing Bates. A consistent threat to opposing passing games, Bates has had at least 3 interceptions in all but one of his first 5 seasons in the league, with a career-high 4 in 2022. His ability to play the run will also be an asset as the Falcons finished in the bottom 10 in the league in both rushing and passing defense. Bates should have a career year, feasting on the subpar QB play in the NFC South and should be a bright spot on a Falcons team who has been on a downward spiral since having their souls ripped out by Tom Brady. Maybe the team will receive some good karma when Matt Ryan retires on 3/28.
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