Every year, there’s a couple of teams that make huge changes to their roster during Free Agency and this year did not disappoint. With more movement than in past years, there is a lot to cover. So let’s look at three teams that did a great, good and bad job.
Winner
The Texans made sure this off-season they would address their weaknesses. And they did just that, getting a star edge rusher in Danielle Hunter. The four-time pro bowler amassed 16 sacks last year and is going to absolutely rejuvenate the Texans d-line. The price was hefty with a 2 year 49 million dollar contract.
That’s not all the Texans did, a 7th round pick was sent to the Bengals for RB Joe Mixon. Many argued the weakest point of the Texans’ roster last year was the running back position, well now this should be fixed by getting a star guy in Joe Mixon. Also a couple of acquisitions to get DE Denico Autry and LB Azeez Al-Shaair. Finally, the resigning of Noah Brown on a 1 year contract was a good depth piece to be a productive guy for QB CJ Stroud.
In the Middle
The Falcons did a really good job of getting guys to majorly upgrade their roster. Former Vikings QB Kirk Cousins signed on a 4 Year, 180M dollar contract to provide them an automatic upgrade. I would be lying if I said I didn’t have my concerns for Cousins but the reality of the situation is, he will be better than Ridder.
Cousins has the weapons to thrive in an offense with Kyle Pitts, Bijan Robinson and Drake London, the question is Cousins going to be the same off the injury? The money is hefty as well with a 45 million average of each year. 25 million is guaranteed each year with the rest of the money being escalators to get him to 45 million.
Also acquiring former Chicago Bears WR Mooney was a nice addition even though the contract was large, Mooney’s vertical skill set is exactly what the Falcons were missing.
Loser
For the salary cap fake crowd, this one is a silencer. The Buffalo Bills had to release several key players including All-Pro Corner Tre’Davious White, Saftey Jordan Poyer and O-linemen Ryan Bates due to trade.
As long as the Bills have Josh Allen they should be fine, but these key losses are incredibly concerning and will be interesting to see how they will address the needs in the draft. It’s not all doom and gloom though, as left tackle Dion Dawkins has extended his deal for three more years.
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