As free agency wraps up, it’s time to look at some of the bigger takeaways of the early offseason.
Which teams used free agency to rebuild? Who avoided free agency completely? How have heavy hitters like the Broncos, Patriots and Seahawks changed?
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Seahawks abandon offensive line
Seattle isn’t shy about spending money … unless it’s on the offensive line. The Seahawks always seem to let their linemen walk, and this year, they lost Russell Okung and J.R. Sweezy. They now have just $8.7 million allocated to their entire offensive line, about $5 million less than the next-lowest team and $16 million less than the NFL average.
If Russell Wilson struggles with pressure this year, the front office will have itself to blame.
Dismantling the Super Bowl champions
The Broncos will have a very different look in 2016, as free agency decimated their team. Gone are contributors Malik Jackson (Jaguars), Brock Osweiler (Texans), Danny Trevathan (Bears), Evan Mathis (Cardinals), David Bruton (Redskins), Ryan Harris (Steelers) and Peyton Manning (retirement). New faces include Mark Sanchez, Donald Stephenson and Russell Okung.
Denver also is looking to work out a long-term contract with Von Miller, whose price has skyrocketed since last season. These Broncos will have much lower expectations than the Super Bowl team.
The Patriot Way
Nobody thinks more outside the box than New England when it comes to finances. Having seen the monster salaries given to pass rushers, the Patriots decided it was best to move on from Chandler Jones. The defensive end was set to make $7.8 million his year and will expect closer to $17 million a year in 2017.
Rather than wasting a season and getting nothing in return for Jones, New England traded him to Arizona for a second-round pick and guard Jonathan Cooper. The salary saved allowed the Patriots to trade for Martellus Bennett and sign Chris Long with limited impact on their cap. They understand better than anybody the disparity between superstar salary is not equal to the performance difference on Sundays.
Chandler Jones (Getty Images)
AFC East cap struggles
The Bills arguably were in the worst cap shape of anybody in the NFL when free agency began. Things were so tight, they lost restricted free agent Chris Hogan to the Patriots because they didn’t have the space to match the offer. They also admitted they could not tender defensive tackle Stefan Charles because of their finances.
The Dolphins probably are disappointed by losing Olivier Vernon and Lamar Miller. Miami had to rework multiple contracts, including the massive Ndamukong Suh deal, to prepare for free agency, but it ended up striking out anyway. Vernon was going to be too expensive, so the Dolphins instead signed a much older Mario Williams for $8 million. Miami tried to sign restricted free agent C.J. Anderson from Denver but was unable to do so.
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Spenders
The Giants were the big buyers in free agency — $17 million a year on Vernon, $12.5 million on Janoris Jenkins and $9.25 million on Damon Harrison. Nobody else came close to those contracts at their positions, meaning New York felt strongly enough about the three to see them as worth almost any price.
The Raiders nabbed arguably the top available cornerback (Sean Smith), offensive lineman (Kelechi Osemele) and outside linebacker (Bruce Irvin) for a total of $29.8 million a year. Oakland all of a sudden may be viewed as the favorite in the AFC West.
The Jaguars added five starters who will combine for more than $35 million a year in new contract money. They had one monster ticket item in Malik Jackson ($14.25 million a year) but are hoping that one-year contracts for Prince Amukamara and Kelvin Beachum have that pair motivated to play at a Pro Bowl level.
Teams that may not know free agency exists
The Packers and Bengals have long been averse to using free agency as anything more than time to re-sign their own players and compile compensatory draft picks. The Bengals lost four players and the Packers lost two, but neither picked up a player from another team, thus maximizing their draft selections in 2018. The cap-rich 49ers surprisingly did the same this year, adding nothing to a team that won five games last season.
What are the Browns doing?
The Browns thus far look like they’re turning themselves into an expansion team. They lost their starting center, right tackle, wide receiver and safety to free agency and cut dead weight like Johnny Manziel, Dwayne Bowe and Karlos Dansby.
They may be focusing on compensatory draft picks, too, as their lone free-agent signing has been Demario Davis. He was signed only after the Browns knew they had maxed out their compensatory draft picks, but that move could prevent them from signing a free-agent quarterback until May if their goal is indeed compensatory picks.
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Disappointments
While free agency has led to big contracts for many players, others have not had their expectations met. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick hoped to turn his career year with the Jets into a monster contract but has found no suitors.
Veterans Greg Hardy, Leon Hall, Arian Foster and Antonio Cromartie have barely been part of the rumor mill as they wait for offers. Rueben Randle and Nick Fairley are among the younger players likely looking at one-year offers and hoping to cash in next year.