One week — and approximately $700 million in guaranteed money — into the NFL free agency period and already the winners have been crowned.
The Denver Broncos went all out, scooping up most of the top defensive players available, while the New England Patriots reshaped their secondary along with an improved receiving corps for Tom Brady to play with. The Chicago Bears will field a much different defence in 2014 while the Atlanta Falcons look ready to contend again and the Philadelphia Eagles have quietly added pieces that could bring them one step closer to competing with the NFC’s best.
But where there are winners, there are always losers, and the failures of NFL free agency in 2014 should not be overlooked.
Here are the top five teams that have come out of the first week of free agency in worse shape than when they started:
1) Dallas Cowboys
Major losses: DE DaMarcus Ware, DT Jason Hatcher
Major additions: QB Brandon Weeden
“America’s Team” entered free agency with the worst salary cap situation in the NFL. The Cowboys were expected to be relatively quiet. What was not expected, however, was for Dallas to lose their top defenders in DeMarcus Ware and Jason Hatcher and not make a single corresponding move to counteract being without two players that accounted for half (17) of the team’s total sacks in 2013. But that wasn’t a devastating enough train wreck for Jerry Jones, who signed quarterback Brandon Weeden to a two-year deal on Monday – a player known more for getting stuck under a gigantic flag than for his two horrific seasons in Cleveland. Cowboys fans better pray Tony Romo stays healthy.
Update: The Cowboys have agreed to terms with former Chicago Bears defensive tackle Henry Melton, according to AP sources.
2) Carolina Panthers
Major losses: WR Steve Smith, WR Brandon LaFell, WR Ted Ginn, CB Captain Munnerlyn, S Mike Mitchell
Major additions: S Roman Harper
The Panthers made massive strides in 2013, surpassing the New Orleans Saints to take the NFC South title after a great second half to the season. Carolina depended on great defence and big plays from Cam Newton, but one thing was abundantly clear come playoff time – the team lacked offensive playmakers outside of the quarterback position. Not only have the Panthers not addressed that need, they’ve allowed it to become a gaping hole on the roster as their top three receivers have joined other teams – including all-time leading receiver Steve Smith. Who would Carolina’s starting receivers be if the season started today: Marvin McNutt and Tavarres King. Cool names, but I hadn’t heard them until just now.
3) Oakland Raiders
Major losses: DE Lamarr Houston, OT Jared Veldheer, RB Rashad Jennings
Major additions: WR James Jones, OLB LaMarr Woodley, DE Antonio Smith, DE Justin Tuck, OT Austin Howard, CB Tarell Brown
With more money to spend than any other team, the Raiders have been waiting a couple of years for this off-season. Oakland has been as active as promised, but the moves just aren’t the right ones. Instead of making a serious effort to bring back two young, promising talents in Houston and Veldheer, Oakland has put their money on experience – sports terminology for “old.” They also bailed on a $40-million deal with Roger Saffold, who ended up joining up with a Rams squad also in desperate need of offensive line help.
The signing of former Packers receiver James Jones may be the most intriguing addition, but Oakland has no permanent answer under centre and are rumoured to have their eyes on Matt Schaub, Mark Sanchez and Josh Freeman – the who’s who of quarterbacks who have been shamed out of other cities.
4) Washington Redskins
Major losses: None
Major additions: DT Jason Hatcher, WR Andre Roberts, CB Tracy Porter, LB Daryl Sharpton
For the first time in two seasons the Redskins were able to take an active role in free agency after suffering through a two-year, $36-million salary cap penalty. Following an absolutely dreadful 3-13 season, just one year removed from a division title, owner Dan Snyder was expected to get back to what he does best – spend big bucks. And spend he did, but with reckless abandon. Washington signed a defensive tackle on the wrong side of the 30 to a $27-million contract, brought in Arizona’s third-best receiver and an inconsistent cornerback in Porter who was ranked 105 out of 110 players last season by Pro Football Focus. Sure, these players may contribute, but what the Redskins needed to do was take some of the pressure off of Robert Griffin III — and that goal is far from accomplished.
5) Houston Texans
Major losses: DE Antonio Smith, RB Ben Tate, DT Earl Mitchell, TE Owen Daniels
Major additions: None
The league’s worst team in 2013 has been quieter in free agency than Matt Schaub on the sidelines after throwing a pick six. Now it’s safe to assume that general manager Rick Smith is planning to rebuild last season’s most disappointing team through the draft – not a bad idea in the slightest. But when all a 2-14 team has done seven days into free agency is cut their second-most reliable offensive weapon (Owen Daniels) and re-sign his backup (Garrett Graham), something’s not right. As of today, the team that ranked 23rd overall against the run last season has no defensive tackles on their roster – ZERO. And with Schaub likely on the outs, the organization has a serious decision to make about whom to select with the first overall pick in the draft.
