Free Agency Grades: Week 2
We are now through the first two weeks of NFL Free Agency. Several of the big names have signed lucrative contracts and found new homes. Now teams are in the process of filling holes on their rosters and hoping to find some value on the open market.
Today, we’ll take a look at how the Garden State NFL teams have fared across the first two weeks of free agency. Some moves are splashier than others, but they all have an impact in shaping the teams’ NFL Draft boards and their stories for the 2021 season.
New York Giants
Grade: B+
- The New York Giants reeled in the biggest fish on the wide receiver market with the signing of Kenny Golladay to a four-year $72 million contract. Golladay fills the void of the Giants’ X-receiver position which has been vacant since the trade which sent Odell Beckham Jr. to the Cleveland Browns. His presence could open up the offense and provide the jump-ball receiver Daniel Jones has been missing.
- The Giants made another splash signing that hasn’t yielded the same positive reviews as the Golladay deal. The Giants signed cornerback Adoree’ Jackson following the Titans’ choice not to retain his services, he became a free agent, and the Giants were high on his list. After being selected in the first round of the 2017 draft, Jackson intercepted just two passes in four season and missed most of last season due to injury. The Giants rewarded him with a three-year $39 million contract. hey struck gold with James Bradberry last year, but confidence is lower for Jackson’s success.
NYG Best Free Agency Move: SIGNING WR KENNY GOLLADAY
NYG Worst Free Agency Move: OVERPAYING FOR CB ADOREE’ JACKSON
New York Jets
Grade: B
- Thanks to their large amount of cap space going into this offseason, the New York Jets were able to bring several high-profile free agents. The one that came with the highest price tag per year is edge rusher Carl Lawson from Cincinnati. Lawson broke into the league with eight sacks in his 2017 rookie season and spent most of last season as the primary starter for the Bengals. He is still young (26 for the 2021 season) and does not have much tread on his body. He is a talented pass-rusher who could help enable Quinnen Williams and newly signed defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins to generate more pressure on the interior of the line.
- On the flip side, the Jets still made a couple of Jets-style moves where they signed some players who have stronger name value than their actual value on the field. The perfect example of this was the signing of safety Lamarcus Joyner, who was a liability in coverage for the Raiders over the past two seasons, but still holds a positive reputation because of his strong 2018 season with the Rams.
NYJ Best Free Agency Move: SIGNING EDGE CARL LAWSON
NYJ Worst Free Agency Move: SIGNING S LAMARCUS JOYNER
Philadelphia Eagles
Grade: C-
- The Philadelphia Eagles went to the bargain bin this offseason due to their lack of cap space. After several restructured contracts, the Eagles became cap compliant and have given themselves a little bit of room to play with. So far, the most significant signing they’ve made has been the addition of safety Anthony Harris, who will serve as the on-field installer of Jonathan Gannon’s defense. The two overlapped in Minnesota and Gannon is credited with developing Harris into a player who grabbed six interceptions in 2019.
- The poor salary cap management over the past few seasons is continuing under Howie Roseman’s leadership. Not only do the Eagles currently have less than $1 million in cap room in 2021, they also already have one of the league’s worst cap situations in 2022 (9th worst) and 2023 (6th worst) because of the future guarantees Roseman has included in contracts.
