The tampering period is just about over, so it is time to see which teams spent their money wisely and which players made smart decisions regarding their futures. What means more, a strong chance for a Super Bowl ring or the opportunity to load up on dollars? Winners and losers.
Winner: Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns come away with Olivier Vernon and Odell Beckham Jr. in trades with the New York Giants. Cleveland has gone from laughingstock to a team Hue Jackson might be able to coach to six wins. Baker Mayfield and Freddie Kitchens have to be rejoicing until Beckham awakens to a bad mood. Hopefully, fellow former LSU wideout Jarvis Landry can keep him in check. They also landed Sheldon Richardson to help the defensive line. And have signed Kareem Hunt, who is facing some sort of league punishment. What a turnaround. Who needs LeBron in Cleveland?
Loser: New York Giants
The week started out poorly and has gotten progressively worse for the Giants and Big Blue Nation. First, Olivier Vernon went to Cleveland. Then, Landon Collins decided to sign with the Washington Redskins, a team the Giants play twice every year, for six years and $84 million. And then, the big one hit: Odell Beckham Jr. to the Browns for Jabril Peppers, a first- and third-round pick. Fear not, there is good news! The Giants signed Antoine Bethea, who is only going into his 14th season. The good news is Bethea is four years younger than Eli Manning.
Loser: New York Jets, Le’Veon Bell
If it were not for bad timing, the New York Jets would have no timing at all. How else can you explain planning to sign an All-Pro RB like Le’Veon Bell to four-year, $52.5M contract and having it not be close to the biggest story in Big Apple football … in March no less. Bell gets substantially less than Pittsburgh offered him two years ago, and that’s after he sat out on a franchise tag worth a million dollars more than the APY he just signed. Oh, and he’s gonna have to live with being considered the second-best running back to call MetLife Stadium home, behind the Giants’ Saquon Barkley
Winner: Landon Collins
The big-time safety got big-time bucks from the Washington Redskins. His deal is six years for $84 million, with $32 million guaranteed over the first two seasons. That’s called betting on yourself and scoring big time. Plus, he gets to stick it to the Giants, his former team, twice a season.
Losers: The ‘Browns’
Yes, Antonio and Trent Brown struck it rich with the Oakland Raiders. What they have to realize is this choice means there won’t be anymore jewelry being added to their hands. One can add Lamarus Joyner to this group, too. By the time the Silver and Black threaten, Antonio Brown will likely be long gone. Trent Brown will learn quickly there’s a huge difference protecting Derek Carr and Tom Brady. But the former 49er must love the Bay Area.
Winner: Anthony Barr
Sometimes the player saves himself from a career doomed to gloom. Anthony Barr appeared ticketed to the New York Jets. Gang Green would have been gleeful to have bolstered its LB corps with Barr and C.J. Mosely. However, the Vikings stepped up and kept their four-time Pro Bowler, who has a far better chance to see playoff games and a Super Bowl in the NFC North rather than dwelling in the AFC East.
Loser: C.J. Mosely
For a few hours, it seemed as if C.J. Mosely would be joined by Anthony Barr to give the Jets a fierce group of linebackers. Barr changed his mind and Mosely may have a lucrative contract but the Jets’ history says he should be prepared for a 16-game regular season and not much of anything after it.
Winner: Tyrann Mathieu
Tyrann Mathieu will be called upon to bolster a weak Kansas City secondary. He was in a good spot in Houston, which looks like a team that will threaten in the near future. However, a three-year, $42 million contract for a team that has Patrick Mahomes on offense means there should be long seasons and lots of playoff opportunity. He will be a gem in the Chiefs’ secondary.
Winner: Jesse James
The tight-end market seemed pretty weak and that has to be the explanation for the Detroit Lions gifting Jesse James with a four-year contract worth $25 million. That’s a ton of money for a TE who caught 120 passes in Pittsburgh over four seasons.
Loser: Detroit Lions
While adding Trey Flowers is a smart move, the Lions spent hefty money on wideout Danny Amendola, and the previously mentioned tight end Jesse James. It doesn’t feel like either offensive add will be enough to turn Matt Stafford into the quarterback everyone in Motown wants him to be. Matt Patricia added three former Patriots — throw in Justin Coleman. Why does this feel like Josh McDaniels all over again and in the end he will find his way back to Foxborough while these players are left in Motown?
Winner: Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen picks up a couple of needed targets in wideouts John Brown and Cole Beasley and tight end Tyler Kroft. The Bills added spokes in other parts of the wheel on offense and defense, Center Mitch Morse will bolster the line and Frank Gore may be the aged one but he always finds a way to contribute to the running game. Kevin Johnson is a nice addition to the secondary.
Winner: Nick Foles
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Unlike other players who signed with teams that appear to be challenged for victories, Nick Foles could be stepping into a far better situation than it appears in Jacksonville. Tom Coughlin knows how to build winners. The Jaguars were a game away from the Super Bowl in the 2017 season. With Foles, and his $88 million contract is exorbitant, it gives Jax a chance to succeed long-term it didn’t have with Blake Bortles. It won’t be as easy as turning miracles in Philadelphia, but Foles and the Jags have a far better chance than it appears on the surface.
Winners: Eric Weddle, Dante Fowler
Dante Fowler made the most of his move from Jacksonville to Los Angeles by doing enough to have the Rams sign him to another deal and keep him out of free agency. They bring Eric Weddle back to the West Coast after spending time in Baltimore. He has a lot of mileage on his odometer but is a leader and still has plenty left to give a team that made it to the Super Bowl.
Loser: Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are known to have a strong and feared defense. John Harbaugh will be challenged to reach that bar in 2019 as the team lost Terrell Suggs, Eric Weddle and C.J. Mosley. That’s a lot of veteran experience to replace on the field and in the leadership ranks.
Winner: Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans keep Kenny Vaccaro. They may have overspent on Adam Humphries, who provides Marcus Mariota with a sure-handed receiver. And have to love grabbing Rodger Saffold from the Rams. That’s a big man to protect the QB and blow holes open for Derrick Henry, who blossomed late last season.
Loser: Arizona Cardinals
If last season’s performance by No. 1 pick Josh Rosen (10th overall) wasn’t sad enough, adding another former Bruin QB, Brett Hundley, who did nothing in Green Bay or Seattle is worse. Trouble’s bruin if you are Rosen or Hundley come draft time.
Winner: Bobby Hart. Loser: Cincinnati Bengals
Why did they go three years and $21 million for Bobby Hart? He was ranked 75th out of 80 tackles by Pro Football Focus. For a guy ranked that low, to make that kind of score is unreal. What does that mean everyone else would be worth on the open market?
Winner: Reggie Wayne
Not every day you see a former All-Pro wide receiver breaking news on Twitter. However, Reggie Wayne, the former Colt great, let everyone know the Giants are signing Antoine Bethea, who will enter his 14th season.
Well-played.
