Best NFL Free Agency Signings

Author: Jack Casabonne

Editor: Aaron Mesco

The NFL free agency period is always an exciting time, with teams and fans alike convinced that a few signings can put them in contention for the Lombardi Trophy. The 2021 free agency period has been no different, which will result in many players sporting new colors next season. I want to look at what I consider the three best contracts handed out during the 2021 NFL free agency period. I’ve judged these signings based upon scheme fit, contract details, and upside potential.

New York Jets sign Carl Lawson to 3 year, $45 million contract:

The Jets were expected to be active in free agency this offseason, and one of their biggest moves was signing former Cincinnati Bengals DE Carl Lawson. New head coach Robert Saleh knows the importance of a strong defensive line. While working as the defensive coordinator in San Francisco, Saleh coached a line consisting of Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner, and Dee Ford. With the addition of Lawson, Saleh now has an edge presence to team up with Quinnen Williams on the interior. Lawson’s sack numbers are not necessarily eye-opening, with 20 career sacks in 51 games. However, this has more to do with the lack of help elsewhere on the defensive line in Cincinnati. Lawson did finish second in quarterback hits in 2020, and was rated the 13th best defensive end by Pro Football Focus. Turning 26 in June, Lawson is still an incredibly young player with tremendous upside. I think having another solid pass rusher in Williams will help reduce the number of double teams Lawson will see, and should result in better statistical output. The Jets found a very impressive edge defender who should continue to grow and evolve as he reaches his prime.

Cleveland Browns sign John Johnson III to 3 year, $33.75 million contract:

Browns general manager Andrew Berry continues to make smart decisions since entering the role in 2020. Signing the best free agent safety to a deal below market value certainly adds to the list. Johnson spent his first four years of his career playing for the Rams, where he became one of the best players at his position. Not only is Johnson an extremely talented player, but he is also a leader, something that is needed in the young Cleveland secondary. Johnson was one of three captains of the Rams’ top-tier defense in 2020, demonstrating his importance in the locker room. Pro Football Focus gave Johnson an 83.5 grade for the 2020 season, which ranks 3rd among all safeties. He isn’t just a one year wonder, however. Outside of his injury-shortened 2019 season, Johnson has earned a PFF coverage grade over 80 since he joined the league in 2017. This signing will give Cleveland a true deep presence, as Johnson was responsible for LA allowing the least amount of 40 yard+ competitions in 2020. Johnson is still only 25, leaving room for growth alongside the rest of the young Cleveland defense as they make a push to dethrone the Chiefs in the AFC.

Washington Football Team signs Curtis Samuel to 3 year, $34.5 million contract:

One of Washington’s biggest priorities this offseason was to get a number two receiver to pair with Terry McLaurin. The signing of former Carolina Panther Curtis Samuel fills this role perfectly by giving the Football Team a dangerous weapon. Coming out of Ohio State, Samuel was an intriguing prospect, with the ability to be utilized as both a runner and a pass catcher. 2020 was a true breakout year for Samuel, as Joe Brady was able to perfectly utilize him in his offensive scheme. Samuel finished the season with career highs in catches, receiving yards, and rushing yards. Despite Teddy Bridgewater’s mediocre first season in Carolina, Samuel posted 851 receiving yards as he became a key player in the offense. Pairing up with his former Ohio State teammate in McLaurin, Samuel should fit right in as the number two receiver in Washington. With steady improvement every year since he was drafted, this contract could turn out to be a steal. Samuel will be 25 at the start of the season, and will look to record his first 1,000 receiving yard season in Washington.

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New York Jets Free Agency Recap

Author: Patrick Sullivan

Editor: Mark Awadallah

As the NFL free agency hype is beginning to come to a halt, one team that has been pretty active has been the New York Jets. The Jets are coming off a horrendous 2-14 season, the offseason is typically something the Jets can get excited for as it gives them a chance to improve their team, which they have done over the past week to a certain extent. Adding Robert Salah as their head coach has also improved their coaching staff dramatically, but the Jets have holes all over the place and in order to accelerate the process to become a competent team they truly need to nail free agency and the draft.

Thus far in free agency, the Jets have made some moves that complement the team nicely. Firstly, they started off free agency signing former Detroit Lions LB Jarrad Davis to a 1-year deal for $7M, which is a nice addition to the Jets linebacking core but nothing really special. The two big signings of free agency for the Jets have come in the form of Carl Lawson and Corey Davis. Starting with Carl Lawson, he was one of the best pass rushers available on the market which is an area needing a lot of improvement for the Jets. The Jets truly haven’t had an efficient edge rusher in over a decade and this signing came at a steep price. Lawson signed a 3-year $45M deal, with $30M guaranteed, with the Jets which isn’t groundbreaking but is definitely large for an edge rusher contract. Next, the Jets added Corey Davis to their receiving core which gives them a good, run-blocking WR as well as a receiver that can make some explosive plays on the outside. He should be a great pairing with Denzel Mims which has the potential to be a great “one-two punch” for the Jets along with Jamison Crowder in the slot. Davis signed a 3-year $37.5M deal, with $27M guaranteed, which comes out to $12.5M per year. Along with Davis, the Jets signed Keelan Cole to a one year $5.5M deal to further improve the team’s WR core.

Besides those larger signings, the Jets have made a good number of other moves such as safety Lamarcus Joyner, special teams player Justin Hardee, backup OL Dan Feeney, TE Tyler Kroft, and last but not least DT Sheldon Rankins. All of these signings of course add depth to the team but it would be fair to say that none of these signings are crucial signings for the Jets, as the team has still so many needs to fill.

The main needs for the Jets include cornerback, offensive line, tight end, running back, and quarterback. The decision regarding the future of the quarterback positions remains unknown but all the other positions need to be addressed in the coming weeks as the final wave of free agents are signed or put in the draft, which is more likely due to Joe Douglas’s “build through the draft” approach to building a team. Overall, the Jets need to make some more moves to secure starters in positions of need while also acing the draft to hopefully get the team back in the right direction. This could be the year where the Jets make a turn around in performance and while it might take some more time to get to the top, the steps they’re taking now are integral for that eventual goal.

The JJ Watt Sweepstakes

Author: Matt Iberger

Editor: Aaron Mesco

It’s the end of an era for Houston. J.J. Watt, the golden child of both the Texans franchise and the city of Houston itself, will become a free agent as both sides agreed it was in their best interests to be let go. Of course, we can rag on the Texans for not getting anything in return for their star DE, but it seemed at the end of the day it was less of a headache for both sides if he was simply released and found his next team on his own. Where does the NFL star go next, and is the J.J. Watt phenomena we have in our minds still the JJ Watt we see on the field?

To put it quite simply, I believe that J.J. Watt, while not in his prime anymore, does not have one foot in the nursing home like some suggest. His brother T.J. has been getting the spotlight recently for his fantastic start to his career in Pittsburgh, J.J. should not be forgotten. Looking at the average aging curve for defensive linemen, yes most do see drop-offs and quick retirements around their early 30s, but J.J is no ordinary defensive lineman. So while his stats may seem down and look like he is nearing the end I do not think this is exactly the case. J.J. might not be the one-man wrecking crew that he was back in 2012 or 2014 when he had 20.5 sacks, but plug him into an above-average defensive line and it might feel like you are back in 2014. Keep in mind the man was double-teamed 30% of the time last season, the most among defensive ends. We have to remember that the Texans team outside of Watson and Watt had no real star power; it was an uphill battle for both of them. Watson being young and talented enough could show his talent without much help, Watt who is more aged needs some more oil to keep the gears going. That oil is a competent rusher alongside him, and there are a couple of teams with super bowl aspirations who might fit the bill. I can see him taking something around Calais Campbell’s salary of 12.5 million, but this is all just based on my own assumptions as I have no real connection to Watt’s camp. The cap for the 2021 NFL season has not been announced yet, so I’ll just be thinking of teams J.J could go to even if the cap space does not really line up but is close enough. With Father Time slowly catching up on the older Watt, he might be more inclined to take a team-friendly deal to push a d-line over the edge in terms of skill and hopefully win a ring.

The number one spot where people can really see the older Watt land is in Pittsburgh. Steelers fans like myself would be ecstatic if J.J came to join T.J. in black and gold. Pittsburgh right now is projected over the cap by about 14 million which makes this move difficult, but if J.J wants to come then you bet the front office will try to find a way to make it work. It’ll just be hard with the salary cap hell the Steelers are in with Big Ben’s massive contract for 2021. They will have to decide whether letting some other FAs walk (Zach Banner, Bud Dupree, James Conner, Juju, Alejandro Villaneuva all come to mind) and hope that they can just run over teams with a good old fashioned defense like the 2015 Denver Broncos carrying Manning to a super bowl victory. What I do think is more likely is Watt coming down to Tampa Bay to fill a Shaq Barrett-sized hole if Barrett was to leave in free agency. In my opinion, Tampa Bay’s free agency will come down to who out of Godwin, David, or Barrett are willing to let walk.

Personally, I would try to sign Barrett and David, but J.J Watt would be a nice consolation prize if Barrett was to go get paid elsewhere. Destinations after this get a little bit murky based on cap situation, fit, and also super bowl probability. For sleeper destinations, I would not count out the Bills or 49ers. Both are teams with super bowl aspirations and relatively ok on cap space right now. I find these less likely than the above scenarios, but still, options to join a defensive line with some star power. I know Green Bay is a popular pick but I just do not see it happening because of the free agents they need to resign. I know Pittsburgh should fall in the same category with their cap situation, but I give them a pass mainly because I think T.J would be inside the organization really hammering to get his brother a spot if J.J did want to come. I still would place Tampa Bay above all other options, but do not count out any other teams from this sweepstakes. If your team is playoff material and not doing its due diligence on J.J Watt, then it is time for your front office to go. Despite getting older J.J is primed to age like fine wine, and you do not want to be the offensive lineman that will have to line up one on one against him next season.

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