The first wave of free agency is over for the NFL, with teams now focusing their attention on the 2019 NFL draft. While we’ve talked about the biggest potential busts from this free agency period, there were some good deals to be had if you look close enough.
These seven players offer the best value for their respective teams based on their previous level of play and contract amounts.
C, Matt Paradis, Carolina Panthers
Paradis has been one of the best centers in the league over the last few years for the Denver Broncos. While he’s coming off a fractured fibula last season, he should be ready for training camp. It was expected Paradis could become the highest-paid center in the league in free agency but found himself well undervalued. Paradis wasn’t even the highest-paid center in free agency, coming in third to Mitch Morse and Maurkice Pouncey.
If Paradis comes anywhere close to his second-ranked play from last season, according to PFF, he’ll be an absolute steal for the Panthers.
WR, Adam Humphries, Tennessee Titans
Humphries was a machine last season for the Buccaneers. His 76 receptions for 816 yards and five touchdowns was actually pretty consistent with where he’s been throughout his career. Humphries will be a sure-handed security blanket for Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota at a relative discount.
Humphries’ $9 million APY ranks eighth highest average signed in free agency. But with the 2018 free agency signings pushing wide receiver contracts into the stratosphere, Humphries is a steal. Even this free agency period, there were wide receivers signed that are less productive and consistent than Humphries has been in Tampa Bay’s deep offense.
S, Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix, Chicago Bears
Clinton-Dix was actually considered one of the top free agent safeties this season. He has range as a deep safety, is solid in coverage and has good ball skills. But you’re likely wondering what’s wrong given the one-year deal he signed with the Bears for a paltry $3 million.
Four safeties signed contracts this offseason for more than $10 million-per-year. 12 total safeties signed contracts with a higher APY than Clinton-Dix. Even if Clinton-Dix takes a step back this season with Chicago — there are no signs he will — his contract might be the best value from the 2019 NFL free agency signings.
DE/OLB, Cameron Wake, Tennessee Titans
Wake has been one of the best edge defenders since coming into the league in 2009. Though he’s entering his 11th season, Wake has still been productive. Over the last three seasons, Wake has combined for 28 sacks. However, Wake was limited last season by injuries, putting up only six sacks in 2018.
If Wake can stay healthy in 2019, he legitimately has the chance to put up double-digit sacks once again. When considering pass rushers who haven’t hit that level of production were signed to contracts nearly double what Wake is making, he could be a huge value for the Titans.
QB, Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans
In a trade from the Miami Dolphins to Tennessee, Tannehill restructured his contract to a one-year deal, worth $7 million. However, Miami is set to eat $5 million of that contract, effectively making it only $2 million for the Titans.
While Tannehill isn’t considered the starter in Tennessee, $2 million for an accomplished backup quarterback is a steal regardless of how you look at it. But when considering franchise quarterback Marcus Mariota’s injury history (eight missed games over four years), Tannehill could be an even bigger steal if he has to start any games in 2019.
WR, Donte Moncrief, Pittsburgh Steelers
Moncrief isn’t anywhere close to Antonio Brown but he is a much-needed deep threat for the Steelers. Even though he played with the anemic Jacksonville Jaguars offense last season, Moncrief still managed to put up 48 receptions for 668 yards and three touchdowns. It’s not a stretch to think Pittsburgh will be able to give him more opportunities and more production than he saw with the Jaguars.
Moncrief has had injury issues over his career but his contract value here is fantastic. Even if he never improves his production with the Steelers, he’s half the cost as other wide receivers signed in free agency with similar stats. Think of it this way . . . Moncrief is making only a little more than Breshad Perriman — who signed a one-year deal this offseason with the Buccaneers. Perriman has 59 career receptions in four years and is on his third team in less than a year.
OLB, Lorenzo Alexander, Buffalo Bills
Alexander finished last season with 6.5 sacks, which isn’t a ton for a starting outside linebacker. But when considering the Arizona Cardinals signed outside linebacker Terrell Suggs — who is a year older and had only a half sack more than Alexander in 2018 — to a one-year, $7 million deal, this one looks a lot better.
The Bills should get similar production for about half the cost.
