Now that free agency is well underway, it is time to obviously talk about what teams made leaps, and what teams went backwards. Obviously going to talk about the trades and free agent signings that have definitely improved each team. Without further ado here are some winners and losers of the 2019 NFL Free Agency Period thus far.
Winner: New York Jets
The New York Jets were one of the favorites all season for where All-Pro running back Le’Veon Bell and that became a reality when he inked a 4 year, 52.5 million dollar contract with them. In his 5 year playing career (not including last year when he sat out) Le’Veon Bell has accumulated over 5,000 yards rushing with 35 touchdowns, and over 2,000 yards receiving with an additional 7 touchdowns. He is a 2 time All-Pro and will be a great addition to the Jets’ offense and to franchise QB Sam Darnold. But the Jets also made a huge addition adding LB C.J. Mosley to the defense. He signed a 5 year, 85 million dollar contract. He will join a Jets defense that was ranked 29th in pts allowed, 25th in yards allowed, 24th in passing yards allowed, and 26th in rushing yards allowed. The 6th year man out of Alabama is sure to be a great addition to this defense.
Loser: Pittsburgh Steelers
Somehow in the span of one offseason the Steelers lost 18,000 yards and 116 touchdowns on offense, and only gained back a 3rd and 5th round pick. Losing the locker room poison that was Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell might be worth all the money they saved, but does it make up for the on field production they lost from 2 of the league’s best at their position? Only time will tell…
Winner: San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers made 2 huge additions to 2 very important positions along that defense. They added a premier pass rusher in Dee Ford, a great off ball linebacker in Kwon Alexander, and also boosted their offense with a good addition in Tevin Coleman. Dee Ford, who recorded 13 sacks last season which put him at 9th in the NFL in sacks, will definitely boost a pass rush that was ranked 22nd last season. Kwon Alexander will boost a weak linebacking core, which only got weaker last season after the loss of Reuben Foster. And Tevin Coleman proved successful the last time he was in Kyle Shannahan’s system so we can only hope to see that again.
Loser: New York Giants
The New York Giants have made some questionable moves to say the least. They decided to start the free agency period off by deciding not to Franchise-Tag Landon Collins. It was rumored they did not think that he was a great coverage safety, and that is why they decided to move on. They then traded one of the top talents in the NFL in Odell Beckham Jr. They also decided to keep Eli Manning for another season. You let go of two top talents in the NFL, and kept a QB who played average down the stretch last season. Seems questionable at best…
Winner: Safeties
Just a year from the 2018 Free Agency period where it seemed no one was going to sign a good safety in Eric Reid we had 3 safeties signed to some monster deals. Landon Collins signed a 6 year 84 million dollar deal, Tyrann Mathieu signed a 3 year 42 million dollar deal, and Earl Thomas who signed a 4 year 55 million dollar deal. It seems that as the league moves more toward a passing league all positions that touch the passing game, yes offense and defense, are going to get heavy pay days. These contracts bode well for good safeties still on their rookie deals, such as Kevin Byard of the Tennessee Titans and Jamal Adams of the New York Jets.
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