Time flies when you're having fun. Despite the low reviews of the 2017 free-agent class, this one has been a blast to cover.
As always with the NFL, expect the unexpected. Quarterback Mike Glennon was expected to get a starting job, but no one guessed he would get a contract worth $15 million a year. Undrafted gems such as A.J. Bouye and Tony Jefferson ended up getting some of the best contracts on the market. Sadly for running backs, they felt the footsteps of a strong class in the draft and had to sign at bargain prices.
What's great about following free agency is some of the strategies and results. Here are my favorite moves to date:
WR Brandon Marshall to the New York Giants
Marshall explained it best on the Monday of the NFL owners meetings. By going to the Giants as a No. 2 wide receiver, Marshall believes he and Odell Beckham Jr. will both improve their numbers. Marshall said he has been double-teamed for years as a No. 1 receiver, and he'll now get more chances against lesser cornerbacks. Beckham has 288 receptions in three years with a 14.3-yard average. Marshall has had six 100-plus-catch seasons in his career but posted just 59 last season. If Beckham is doubled, Marshall has a better chance to get open, and the more he is involved, the more he takes coverage away from Beckham. It's a win-win for the Giants.
WR DeSean Jackson to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jackson's willingness to be the No. 2 receiver to Mike Evans should have the same effect as Marshall's move to the Giants. Because of extra coverage on Evans, the Bucs had only 43 completions of 20 yards or more last season, which was tied for 24th overall in the league. Jackson has averaged 17.7 yards per catch during his career. He's perfect as a No. 2 receiver in coach Dirk Koetter's offense.
DT Dontari Poe to the Atlanta Falcons
This is a huge signing for a team that came close to winning the Super Bowl. Poe gives coach Dan Quinn a two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle who can stuff the middle of the line and help improve on Atlanta's weak run defense (17th in the league last season). His signing, combined with the speed added on defense from last year's draft, could mean as much as a four- or five-point reduction in points allowed per game -- the Falcons gave up 25.4 last season, which was 27th in the NFL.
OT Rick Wagner and OG T.J. Lang to the Detroit Lions
The Lions have done a great job of improving their offensive line over the last two years. If Lang plays right guard, the Lions should have one of the NFL's best right sides of the line. Lang and Wagner gave up only three sacks combined last season. The Lions were the second-worst team in football at running to the right side, gaining just 417 yards. With a Pro Bowler in Lang and one of the NFL's best right tackles in Wagner, the Lions are on the right path.
CB A.J. Bouye and S Barry Church to the Jacksonville Jaguars
In two offseasons, the Jaguars have completely rebuilt the secondary. Bouye is the perfect corner to place on the other side of Jalen Ramsey, who should have a breakout year in his second season. Ramsey was targeted often as a rookie, but he held up well for the most part. Bouye became a coverage star for the Houston Texans, with 13 total pass breakups. Tashaun Gipson and freshly signed Church, a longtime starter for the Cowboys, form a great safety tandem.
RB Eddie Lacy to the Seattle Seahawks
As long as he doesn't go FeastMode and get too heavy, Lacy is the perfect addition to bring back the feel of the Marshawn Lynch BeastMode offense in Seattle. Lynch brought an identity to the Seahawks' franchise with a violent running style that put a little fear in defenders trying to tackle him. Coach Pete Carroll is going to let Lacy play at 245 pounds and try to knock over defenders.
OLB Connor Barwin to the Los Angeles Rams
New defensive coordinator Wade Phillips needed a pass-rushing linebacker as he converts the Rams to a 3-4 defense, and he got one in Barwin, who played for Phillips in Houston. The bonus is the Rams were able to get him on a one-year deal at $3.5 million. Barwin had 11.5 sacks for Phillips in 2011.
WRs Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith to the Philadelphia Eagles
It costs $14 million to $16 million per year to sign a No. 1 receiver. General manager Howie Roseman, however, was able to get two receivers for the price of one this offseason. Jeffery, considered the top receiver in this free-agent class, signed for $9.5 million and loads of incentives on a one-year deal. Smith signed for $5 million a year. Placing the duo around Jordan Matthews should give QB Carson Wentz plenty of deep and middle-of-the-field options.
WR Brandin Cooks and ILB Dont'a Hightower to the New England Patriots
No team had a trickier offseason to navigate than the Patriots. Bill Belichick faced the possibility of losing six defenders from ESPN's top 150 free agents. Belichick ended up losing three, keeping Hightower, safety Duron Harmon and defensive tackle Alan Branch. Even better, the Patriots kept Hightower for $8.875 million a year. Then, as a bonus, Belichick traded for Cooks, one of the better receivers from the rich 2014 draft class. The drop-off on defense won't be too bad and the offense will be more explosive.
TE Jared Cook to the Oakland Raiders
When the Green Bay Packers opted to sign Martellus Bennett instead of Cook, general manager Reggie McKenzie pounced, picking up what might be a $7 million-a-year tight end on a two-year deal at $10.6 million. Derek Carr's passing offense should be cooking with Cook, Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree and Cordarrelle Patterson, another new signee.