Few moves were going to match the Philadelphia Eagles snapping up running back DeMarco Murray Thursday, but before the sun set on the second day of free agency there was still plenty of player movement in the league and some teams, like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, finally got involved in the free agent free-for-all.
The biggest move of the evening came in Washington when the Redskins added defensive tackle Terrance Knighton to their defensive line on a one-year, $4 million deal. With the signing of Stephen Paea and Knighton, the Redskins nabbed two of the top three defensive tackles in the 2015 free agent class.
The mystery of the deal for Knighton is that he agreed to it at all. The money isn’t bad, but you’d think the six-year veteran would want to get a multi-year deal after two solid years with the Denver Broncos. New Redskins defensive coordinator was supposedly going to run a 3-4 defense, but with Paea and Knighton he now has tools to run a 4-3 as well, depending on the Redskins linebacker situation after the draft and when they hit training camp. In either case, Barry and head coach Jay Gruden must of done a great job selling the team on Knighton, who should have had his pick of teams he could have played for, especially on a one-year, $4 million deal.
Jets add Gilchrist to defensive backfield, re-sign Purdum and Colon
If anyone thought the New York Jets would take a breath after investing $127 million in their cornerbacks over the last three days, they were wrong. The Jets added free agent safety Marcus Gilchrist Thursday night, signing him to a four-year contract. The financial terms were not disclosed.
Gilchrist joins cornerbacks Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie and Buster Skrine in Todd Bowles new defensive system. Gilchrist is just entering his fifth season. Last year with the San Diego Chargers he had 76 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles and one interception, the game-winner against the St. Louis Rams.
The Jets also re-signed guard Willie Colon and long snapper Tanner Purdum Thursday. Colon gets a one-year, $870,000 deal from the Jets to remain their starter at right guard.
Tampa Bay enters free agency in a big way
The Buccaneers may have bided their time before they jumped into the free agent fray, but once they did they focused completely on their defense, adding starters at all three levels.
The Bucs raided the Dallas Cowboys, adding defensive tackle Henry Melton and linebacker Bruce Carter. Melton played under Tampa Bay head coach Lovie Smith with the Bears as a starter. Last year with the Cowboys he mainly played on passing downs and recorded five sacks.
Carter was a three-year starter for Dallas, but missed three games last season. In 2014 he had 68 tackles, one sack and a ball-hawking five interceptions. He defended eight passes and scored a defensive touchdown.
Melton wasn’t the only former Bear that the Bucs added Thursday, signing safety Chris Conte. Conte had an injury-shortened season of his own in 2014, but still had 43 tackles, three interceptions and three pass defenses.
Dolphins steal Jordan Cameron out from under Cleveland, sign McCain
The rumors all day Thursday that tight end Jordan Cameron was going to re-sign with the Cleveland Browns, so it came as a surprise to see that Camron inked a two-year, $15 million deal with the Miami Dolphins Thursday night.
Cameron missed five games last season with concussion issues, but was a star in 2013, catching 80 passes for 917 yards and seven touchdowns. The 6-foot-5 tight end should expand Miami’s offense, especially if they can manage to keep restricted free agent tight end Charles Clay.
The Dolphins also shored up their secondary by adding cornerback Brice McCain with a two-year contract. McCain comes over from the Pittsburgh Steelers where he had 25 tackles, one fumble recover, three picks and a touchdown last season. McCain has been primarily a nickel back in his six-year career.
Rams finally get involved in free agency, sign Akeem Ayers
The St. Louis Rams find themselves flush with available cash after shedding Sam Bradford’s contract and wasted no time using some of it, signing free agent outside linebacker to a two-year, $6 million contract Thursday.
Ayers comes to the Rams with a brand new Super Bowl ring (which he has yet to collect) from the New England Patriots. The Pats acquired Ayers from the Tennessee Titans via trade last season where he mainly served as a third-down pass rusher. Ayers had four sacks and 20 tackles for New England and one interception.
Ayers was coached by Rams defensive coordinator Greg Williams in 2013 when he was the Titans’ senior defensive assistant along with Rams linebackers coach Frank Bush.
Other signings
Atlanta Falcons: Adrian Clayborn (DE), Phillip Adams (CB), O’Brien Schofield (LB), Leonard Hankerson (WR)
Baltimore Ravens: Anthony Levine (DB)
Buffalo Bills: Marcus Easley (WR), Jarius Wynn (DE), Tyrod Taylor (QB), Jerome Felton (FB)
Cincinnati Bengals: Clint Boling (OG)
Dallas Cowboys: Jasper Brinkley (LB), Jed Collins (FB)
Denver Broncos: Vance Walker (DL)
Detroit Lions: Tyrunn Walker (DT)
Houston Texans: Rahim Moore (S)
New England Patriots: Jonathan Freeny (LB), Chimdi Chekwa (CB), Jaball Sheard (LB)
New York Giants: Dwayne Harris (WR), Mark Herzlich (LB)
Oakland Raiders: Nate Allen (S), Dan Williams (DT), Curtis Lofton (LB)
Philadelphia Eagles: Walter Thurmond III (CB)
San Francisco 49ers: Jerome Simpson (WR), Blaine Gabbert (QB), Garrett Celek (TE), Kyle Nelson (LS), Derek Carrier (TE)
