Remember a few weeks ago when I began looking at the impending free agent class? I mentioned specifically that the real NFL wasn’t like Madden, where you could pick and choose from free agents and work crazy trades to turn the pathetic franchise you picked into a juggernaut. I talked about how, in the real world, bad teams struggle to sign free agents, that blockbuster trades are too expensive, that draft picks are too precious.
I was wrong. Good God, I was wrong. The first official day of free agency has blown the lid off the NFL and made some teams instantly better, and others instantly worse. Not only have we seen franchise-defining blockbuster trades, but we’ve seen teams hit the market hard, instantly building an NFL roster out of current and future stars.
It’s hard to pick a free agency winner just one day in, but it’ll be hard to beat the…
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars overhauled their entire team, spent the money and added playmakers and stars on both sides of the ball. Just look at the haul:
Julius Thomas, TE (five years, $45 million)
Davon House, CB (four years, $25 million)
Jared Odrick, DT (reported $7-8.5 million per year)
Jeremy Parnell, OT (five years, $32 million)
Dan Skuta, LB (five years, undisclosed amount)
Sergio Brown, S (undisclosed)
They addressed almost every area of team needs except wide receiver, and they could still do that in free agency or the draft. The most exciting player to me on that list is Skuta, who started 10 games for the 49ers last season and recorded 33 tackles, five sacks and three forced fumbles. My next pick still wouldn’t be Julius Thomas, though he’s got to be pretty damn exciting if you’re a Jaguars fan. I love the Parnell signing. He started in the place of an injured Doug Free last season for Dallas and they never knew Free was missing. All these guys are young and ready to break out, with the exception of Brown who is a solid back up and special teams player.
So who had the second best haul on day one? I’ll go with the…
New York Jets
The Jets made literally stole Derrelle Revis out from under the New England Patriots in free agency and brought him back to where he started his career. On sheer starting talent alone, the Jets get the silver medal with plug-and-play starting corners. Revis now becomes the highest paid cornerback in the history of the NFL, which is what he always wanted anyway.
Derrelle Revis, CB (five years, $70 million)
Buster Skrine, CB (four years, $25 million)
James Carpenter, LG (four years, undisclosed)
Revis and Skrine lock down the corner position and Carpenter was a big need a guard and when you add in the trade for Brandon Marshall, the Jets now have even more options with the No. 6 pick in the draft, regardless of what else they do in free agency. In other words, if Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston fall to them, they can pull the trigger without regret.
My early bronze medal winner is the…
Arizona Cardinals
And they aren’t done yet, with reports that defensive tackle Cory Redding and linebacker Nate Irving reportedly making visits over the next few days. The Cardinals played with an old, but still talented team last year and if they hadn’t lost two quarterbacks along the way, they could have made a real run in the playoffs. To help keep those guys healthy next year, they signed a top offensive lineman and replaced Darnell Dockett on the defensive line. If Larry Foote decides to stay a coach, the Cards a re still set at linebacker.
Mike Iupati, OG (five years, $40 million)
Sean Weatherspoon (one year, $4 million)
LaMarr Woodley, OLB (one year, undisclosed)
Corey Peters, NT (three years, $11 million)
And finally, our honorable mention goes to the…
Indianapolis Colts
And if the rumors are true, the Colts will move up this list when they add Andre Johnson at wide receiver. For now, though, they’ve addressed their running game, offensive and defensive lines and linebacker corps, adding starters to all four spots.
Frank Gore, RB (three years, $12 million)
Todd Herremans, G (one year, $3.5 million)
Kendall Langford, DT (undisclosed)
Trent Cole, LB (two years, $16 million)
Here’s the rest of Monday’s news regarding players joining new teams.
New York Giants: J.T. Thomas (MLB), Shane Vereen (RB), Jonathan Casillas (LB) and Dwayne Harris (WR.KR)
Oakland Raiders: Rodney Hudson ( C ), Roy Helu (RB), Malcolm Smith (LB), Lee Smith (TE)
Atlanta Falcons: Brooks Reed (LB), Justin Durant (LB) Mike Person (OL)
Kansas City Chiefs: Jeremy Maclin (WR), Tyvon Branch (S)
Houston Texans: Brian Hoyer (QB), Da’Norris Searcy (S)
San Diego Chargers: Orlando Franklin (LG), Brandon Flowers (CB)
San Francisco 49ers: Torrey Smith (WR)
Denver Broncos: Owen Daniels (TE)
Washington Redskins: Stephen Paea (DT)
Chicago Bears: Pernell McPhee (OLB)
Carolina Panthers: Tedd Ginn Jr. (WR/KR)
Seattle Seahawks: Cary Williams (CB)
Tennessee Titans: Harry Douglas (WR)
Cincinnati Bengals: A.J. Hawk (LB)
Cleveland Browns: Brian Hartline (WR)
Minnesota Vikings: Shaun Hill (QB)
New England Patriots: Brandon Gibson (WR)
