With free agency in full swing, here is a look at some of the biggest winners and some of the biggest losers thus far.
Winner: Miami Dolphins
Miami has spent a ton of cash in the last few days. The centerpiece of the free agency period is Byron Jones, now the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL. Outside of Jones, the Dolphins have poached Kyle Van Noy and Ted Karras from the Patriots, and they signed Jordan Howard from the Eagles. With an extra playoff spot in play in 2020, the Dolphins could sneak into the playoffs if Brian Flores extracts the necessary talent from the roster.
Loser: Carolina Panthers
For Carolina, they lost the most in their culture. Teddy Bridgewater is a fine player, but the Panthers went to great lengths to burn bridges with Cam Newton, the face of the franchise from 2011 to 2019. 2020 Bridgewater may be an upgrade, but it was an ugly breakup. Similarly, the Panthers have downgraded in the secondary with the losses of James Bradberry and Eric Reid. On the offensive line, the Panthers were fleeced in a trade by the Chargers, resulting in the exodus of Pro Bowl guard Trai Turner for average tackle Russell Okung.
Winner: Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons made a variety of difficult decisions that should help the franchise moving forward. They cut ties with Devonta Freeman, Vic Beasley, Austin Hooper, and Desmond Trufant, four key pieces to the 2016 Super Bowl team and 2017 playoff team. The Falcons did lose talent, but it was beneficial to move on from the stars of yesteryear to work on building one final contender for Matt Ryan and Julio Jones. The rebuild began with a trade for Hayden Hurst, the definition of a win-win trade for the Falcons and Ravens. Do not be surprised if Hurst matches or exceeds the production of 2019 Hooper.
Loser: Houston Texans
The Texans have been fairly dormant in free agency, but they made the biggest mistake of the period with the DeAndre Hopkins trade. Trading Hopkins makes little sense as the Texans were poised to be at the top of the AFC South for the duration of Hopkins’s contract. With Hopkins, the Texans had the offensive firepower to compete with anyone. Without Hopkins, the Texans now have a sizable void at wide receiver, and they lack the draft capital to go after one of the best in the 2020 or 2021 draft classes. Houston’s hopes now lie in David Johnson. Yikes.
Winner: Arizona Cardinals
The beneficiary of Houston’s stupidity, the Cardinals should have a strong offense in 2020. The Cardinals had the two biggest offensive needs, and the trade for Hopkins solves the need at wide receiver. The Cardinals have strengthened the front seven and retained Kenyan Drake. With a good draft, the Cardinals might find themselves in the playoffs.
Loser: New England Patriots
Tom Brady is not what he used to be, but losing him will hurt significantly. The Patriots will take a monumental step back at the quarterback position regardless of whom they replace Brady with. Outside of Brady, the Patriots tagged Joe Thuney, giving them a massive bill for the offensive guards. Many Patriots have continued to make their way to Detroit and Miami, but the biggest loss will be Brady.
Winner: Baltimore Ravens
After being manhandled by the Titans, the Ravens have gone to great lengths to shore up the defensive line. Calais Campbell (via trade), Michael Brockers, and the return of Justin Ellis have added bulk to the defensive line while Baltimore has severed ties with Michael Pierce, Brandon Carr, and Seth Roberts in recent days. The Ravens added draft capital through a Hayden Hurst trade, and there is potential for Matt Judon to be shipped out of town for a sizable haul.
Loser: Fans of the Jets
After trying to become the 2018 AFC North All-Stars last off-season, the Jets have made underrated signings after whiffing on Thuney, Graham Glasgow, and Jack Conklin. There is a handful of big fish left in the free agency pond, but it seems highly unlikely that the Jets will go after said fish. The free agency period was not a bust, but fans are livid with general manager Joe Douglas.
Winner: Cleveland Browns
The Browns won free agency last season with the acquisition of Odell Beckham, Jr. to pair with Jarvis Landry, but this off-season has seen the Browns add Austin Hooper and Jack Conklin in free agency. While neither is a splash addition, both are productive players who should stabilize the Browns under Kevin Stefanski. Hooper is another versatile weapon for Baker Mayfield to use, and Conklin has an elite track record at right tackle.
Loser: Tennessee Titans
The Titans have had a confusing free agency. They tagged Derrick Henry, whom many believe is the best running back in football. At the same time, they dished out a massive contract to Ryan Tannehill after just 13 starts (playoffs included) for the Titans. Jack Conklin was let go and Jurrell Casey was flipped for a seventh-round pick. The success of the free agency period is contingent on Tannehill replicating his magical 2019 season, but with loss of Conklin, and a potentially frustrated Henry, the Titans are in limbo.
Winner: Denver Broncos
Losing Chris Harris to the Chargers hurts, but the Broncos have added Jurrell Casey (via trade) and Graham Glasgow. Casey is a premier defensive tackle, and he should be a menace alongside Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. Glasgow strengthens the offensive line, and the fortification around Drew Lock should protect the sophomore quarterback. A.J. Bouye was also acquired in a trade, and he has potential as a boom or bust corner.
Loser: Indianapolis Colts
DeForest Buckner is better than whom the Colts would have drafted with the 13th pick, but the Colts decided to go after Philip Rivers to replace Jacoby Brissett. For as much talent as the Colts have with the likes of Buckner, Quenton Nelson, and Darius Leonard, Rivers asks more questions than he answers, and the Colts will likely be stuck in no man’s land until Rivers leaves or retires. Going after Jordan Love with the 13th pick would have been the better option.
Winner: Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers have had an under-the-radar free agency period. While they have Tyrod Taylor as the present starter, the Chargers could upgrade in the draft. On the trade market, the Chargers flipped Russell Okung for Trai Turner, which was a massive upgrade. If the Chargers stick with Taylor at quarterback, they could draft an offensive tackle with the sixth pick as such a player will likely be better than 2020 Okung. Defensively, the Chargers added Chris Harris to a loaded secondary.
Loser: Jacksonville Jaguars
Nick Foles, A.J. Bouye, and Calais Campbell are out. Draft picks and Joe Schobert are in. Yannick Ngakoue is still in Jacksonville, but he is a candidate to be traded in the coming weeks. The Jaguars did their best to recoup some assets for their fading stars, but it is unlikely that the returns will match what Bouye or Campbell have given to the Jags in their tenures.
Winner: Buffalo Bills
It was a steep price, but the Bills decided to entertain Stefon Diggs rather than the 2020 wide receiver draft. Diggs is an electric talent who is an immediate top option in Buffalo. The fit may not be perfect, but the Bills sucker-punched the rest of the AFC with a ballsy move for the disgruntled Vikings star.
