When Anthony Barr escaped his verbal agreement with the Jets to head back to Minnesota, it was the most prominent repudiation of Gang Green since Bill Belichick famously resigned as “HC of the NYJ.” Barr taking his talents back to the Vikings made us think, though… with most of the free agency deals agreed to and made official on Wednesday when the new league year begins, are there current deals in place that teams should reconsider before moving from pencil to pen? Here are eight that qualify.
Colts: WR Devin Funchess
The Colts haven’t done much in free agency despite coming into the new league year with over $100 million in cap space, but they did give Funchess, the former Panthers receiver, a one-year deal with a max value of $13 million. The need for a big-bodied receiver in Frank Reich’s offense is clear, but is Funchess the guy to do that? Through his four-year tenure with the Panthers, he was more of a slow, route-nebulous tight end type than a big burner–and he’s never had a season catch rate higher than 56.8%. The extent to which you believe any of this can be corrected with the switch from Cam Newton to Andrew Luck is all relative, but based on his tape with the Panthers and going back to his days at Michigan, this is a bit of a head-scratcher.
Bills: WR Cole Beasley
Throughout his career with the Cowboys, Beasley turned himself into one of the most reliable slot receivers in the NFL. That isn’t the problem. The problem is that the Bills just gave $29 million over four seasons for a guy who can’t really create outside the slot, with a quarterback in Josh Allen who struggles with the timing and options given to primary slot receivers. Surely, offensive coordinator Brian Daboli can make Beasley into an easy escape hatch for Allen, but that doesn’t really maximize Beasley’s talents.
Cardinals: OG J.R. Sweezy
The Cardinals gave Sweezy a two-year deal, seemingly under the assumption that he’d bring a veteran toughness to an offensive line in desperate need of it. But Sweezy is a highly limited player; he’s a decent run-blocker, but his technique as a pass-blocker is rudimentary at best. The Rams ate Sweezy’s lunch in two games with the Seahawks last season, so it’s esepcially interesting that Sweezy will remain in the NFC West, where he’ll face the Rams twice again.
Bengals: OT Bobby Hart
Frankly, we’re stunned by this one. The Bengals re-signed Hart to a three-year, $21 million contract when the right tackle surrendered 10 sacks and was busted for 11 penalties last season. If possible, Hart’s tape is worse than his stats, and Cincinnati’s need to add him to the line for at least the 2019 season is a mystery.
Raiders: OT Trent Brown
The best NFL teams understand which teams are bolstered by scheme, and act accordingly regarding their value. The Raiders whiffed on this concept when they signed Brown to a four-year, $66 million contract with $36.75 million guaranteed. Brown was a star in New England last season, because he was tutored by line coach Dante Scarnecchia, and he benefited from the Patriots’ quick passing game. Now, he’s with an offense that doesn’t get rid of the ball as quickly, and the downturn from “Coach Scar” to Raiders line coach Tom Cable is about as extreme as it can get.
Packers: OL Billy Turner
Turner is a versatile guy who can play guard or center, but the Packers giving him $28 million over four years speaks to potential as a starting guard or tackle, and based on Turner’s history with the Broncos, that’s a risk. Turner alloowed 27 total pressures at left tackle, right tackle, and left guard last season, and his run-blocking was average at best.
Broncos: OT Ja’Wuan James
Turner’s ostensible replacement at right tackle, James got a four-year, $51 million deal that makes him the highest-paid player at his position. All well and good for James, but you have to wonder why Denver would give this much scratch to a guy who allowed seven sacks and 26 pressures last season, with decent run-blocking at best.
Rams: DE Dante Fowler, Jr.
The Rams traded for Fowler halfway through the 2018 season to help them cover a lack of edge-rushing that had Wade Phillips playing Ndamukong Suh at big end at times. Fowler did alright from Week 9 through the Super Bowl, totaling four sacks and 30 pressures, and the Rams rewarded him with a one-year deal that pays him $14 million. That’s a lot for a pass-rusher who’s never really transcended his surroundings, and if Fowler doesn’t have a big season in 2019, paying him among the top edge-rushers on a one-year basis may cause some regret.
Texans: S Tashaun Gipson
Gipson’s been a good player for a long time, both with the Browns and Jaguars. But 2018 was a down season for the veteran, as it was for much of Jacksonville’s defense. At age 28, he looked slower than before in coverage, especially against receivers who worked to beat him with angular routes. The Texans are giving him $22 million over three years, and unless there’s a quick escape clause, Houston could be tied to a safety (which they need after losing Tyrann Mathieu to the Chiefs) on the downside of his career.
