The first day of free agency for 2017 is in the books. What a crazy day it was. There were a ton of moves across the league. Let’s get to the news and notes.
NFC North
Larry Warford and Riley Reiff have officially left the Lions. Warford signed a long term deal with the Saints and Reiff signed with the Vikings. The Vikings wanted Ricky Wagner but the Lions already got him for over 9 million per season.
Former Lion Nick Fairley re-signed with the Saints for four year and 30 million. That is a big chunk of change for a guy easily unmotivated. The Saints also signed AJ Klein for 4 years 24 million to steal him from the Panthers. Saints “stole” Tedd Ginn from the Panthers as well.
The Vikings are looking into right tackle Mike Remmers to pair with Reiff but no signing yet. Matt Kalil got a 5 year 55 million dollar deal to be the Panthers starting left tackle. Good blocking tight end Rhett Ellison bolted from the Vikings to the Giants for 4 years and 18 million. Finally, punter Jeff Locke also left Minnesota for a two year deal with the Colts.
The Lions also surprisingly cut linebacker DeAndre Levy. Levy is a June 1st cut and will save 5.99 million in cap room this season starting on June 1st. Injuries ruined Levy’s extension and he only managed to play 6 full games out of the last 33 for Detroit. The Lions must add a LB now as Whitehead, Worrilow, Antwione Williams, Steve Longa and Thurston Armbrister just won’t cut it.
Alshon Jeffrey spurned the Bears and Vikings for a one year deal with the Eagles. Jeffrey will make 14 million dollars for one season. The Eagles also signed Torrey Smith to a 3 year deal. The Bears signed WR Markus Wheaton and need to add much more at WR. The Bears also signed strong safety Quentin Demps to a three year deal. Bears also signed backup TE Dion Sims to a 3 year 18 million dollar deal.
Detroit did make some smaller signings along the defensive line. Defensive tackle Akeem Spence signed a three year deal worth 10.5 million. Backup DE Cornelius Washington, formerly of the Bears, signed a 2 year 6 million dollar deal with 2 million in additional incentives. Detroit adds depth to their line with these moves but they still need a pass rushing DT and starting left end. Backup tackle Cornelius Lucas was given a 1.7 million tender. Ricky Wagner was their big signings but they need to add more with Lang or on defense.
Safety/nickel/returner Micah Hyde and Center/guard JC Tretter left GreenBay for the Bills and Browns. Hyde got 6 million per year and Tretter received 5 million per year. TJ Lang is also visiting the Lions and Seahawks but the Packers are still in the mix for the top 10 right guard. Don Barclay was re-signed for 1.3 million for a backup plan on the interior. Nick Perry’s new deal was worth 5 years 60 million. Eddie Lacy has interest by the Vikings and Seahawks. No word on Datone Jones or Julius Peppers quite yet.
Across the League
Stephen Gilmore got a huge 13 million dollar deal per year with the Patriots. The Patriots may still trade Malcolm Butler for Brandon Cooks.
The Jaguars signed AJ Bouye (CB) to a monster deal (5 years 67.5 million) to pair with their other signings of Barry Church and Calais Campbell (4 years 60 million). Jacksonville cut Senderick Marks(DT) to save some cap room. Logan Ryan went to another former Patriot GM in the Titans for 3 years and 30 million. The Titans also added strong safety Jonathan Crypien (former Jaguar).
The Browns traded for Brock Osweiler, a 2nd round pick in 2018 and a 6th round pick this year while only giving up a 4th round pick. Cleveland may still dump Osweiler but the Texans are now in the Tony Romo market along with Denver. The Browns still may trade for Jimmy Garopolo.
Reshad Jones resigned for 5 years 60 million. That is a huge deal for a strong safety. Joe Bitonio re-signed a huge deal to stay with Cleveland. Kevin Zeitler got 12 million per season to be the Browns new right guard. Cleveland completely changed their interior with Tretter and Zeitler added.
Chance Warmack signed a cheap one year deal with the Eagles. Luke Joeckel signed a one year 8 million dollar deal with Seattle. Both are former first round busts for their teams but have a chance to redeem themselves on one year deals.
Malcom Smith signed a 5 year 26.5 million deal to be the 49ers ILB. Robbie Gould was signed by the 49ers on a two year deal.
DeSean Jackson earned a huge 3 year 33 million dollar deal to Tampa Bay. Garcon got 9 million per year and moves to the 49ers. Kirk Cousins don’t like that and requested a trade. However, Washington said they will not trade him so Cousins signed the franchise tag. Chris Baker bolted from Washington to Tampa Bay for 3 years 15 million. Washington fired their GM as well on the first day of free agency. They did sign strong safety DJ Swearinger to a three year deal. Stacy McGee earned 25 million over five years with Washington as well at DT. I really don’t know who that is.
Tony Jefferson will earn 9 million per season and leaves the Cardinals for the Ravens. Brandon Williams (DT) re-signed with the Ravens for 5 years and 54 million. Danny Woodhead signed with Baltimore for 3 years as well.
Dre Kirkpatrick stays in Cincinnati for 5 years and 52.5 million for the former 1st round pick. Julius Thomas was traded to the Dolphins and restructured his contract to 2 years and 12 million. Brandon Albert deal was official to Jacksonville. Russel Okung signed a big deal to be the Chargers left tackle.
Landy Jones re-signed with Pittsburgh for 2 years 4.4 million. Levin Toilolo got 3 years and 12 million to remain the backup tight end for the Falcons.
The Rams traded William Hayes to the Dolphins for a 6th round pick.
Chandler Jones got a whopping 83 million in five years to stay with Arizona and remove the franchise tag.
Barkevious Mingo signed a 1 year 2.5 million dollar deal with Colts by new GM Chris Ballard. Duron Harmon notched 4 years and 17 million to stay with the Patriots.
I am sure it will be another crazy day again today. There are still a lot of good free agents available.