NFL Free agency: Winners and Losers (so far)

Free Agency: Winners and Losers

It’s that time again. The time of year that signals the start of the new football season. An opportunity to bring in fresh faces, wave goodbye to old ones and start the campaign for the Lombardi Trophy. I am, of course, talking about Free Agency.

The first 48 hours were chaos. Deals here, deals there, deals absolutely everywhere. Now that the dust has settled a little bit, we can take a look at the bigger picture and see which teams have improved/weakened their rosters through their Free Agency movements.


Winners

Denver Broncos
In - Wes Welker, Louis Vasquez, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Terrance Knighton
Out - Elvis Dumervil

Denver are in win now mode (It’s not surprising given their franchise QB is 36 years old). They already have a strong offense but the additions of Welker and Vasquez will certainly improve it. Manning has a history of working well with slot receivers and Welker fits in perfectly to their no huddle offense. On the other side of the ball, they have addressed their two biggest needs with good talent that can make an instant impact. Rodgers-Cromartie hasn’t played great the last two seasons but the ability is still there and veteran CB, Champ Bailey, can help to regain his earlier form. However, the loss of Elvis Dumervil was not what they were looking for. A fax related mishap means that the Broncos now need to replace a player that gets 10+ sacks a year.


Kansas City Chiefs
In - Alex Smith, Sean Smith, Dunta Robinson, Anthony Fasano, Mike DeVito, Donnie Avery, Geoff Schwartz
Out - Matt Cassel, Glenn Dorsey, Eric Winston

Despite having the number 1 pick in the draft, the Chiefs have been acting like a team on the verge of the playoffs. Every player is solid, reliable and will contribute to a better locker room atmosphere. They aren’t looking for that flashy marquee player, but have made some shrewd moves in acquiring proven talent. Sean Smith and Dunta Robinson will instantly upgrade their secondary (with Robinson likely to move to Safety) which already has some good pieces. DeVito is a gritty player that does the dirty work and will replace Glenn Dorsey. On offense, they have given their new QB, Alex Smith, a two-way Tight End - Fasano - and a deep threat receiver that gives them a different dimension - Avery. Offensive Guard, Schwartz, is a very capable starter if given the chance.


Seattle Seahawks
In - Percy Harvin, Michael Bennett, Cliff Avril
Out - Jason Jones, Leon Washington

Seattle boast one of the deepest and best rosters in the league. The two main areas of concern were WR and DE. Both have been addressed in Free Agency which allows them to sign the best player available in the draft (RT may need an upgrade though). Harvin is a dynamic playmaker to go along with current offensive playmakers Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch. He can play in the slot, screen game, as a deep threat and can make an impact on kick/punt returns. With Chris Clemons out for most of the 2013 season and Bruce Irvin unproven in a starting role, Avril and Bennett solidify their front seven. Bennett can be utilised outside or inside against both the run or pass. Avril is a pure edge pass rusher who will be looking to bounce back from a poor 2012.


Losers

Baltimore Ravens
In - Chris Canty, Marcus Spears, Elvis Dumervil
Out - Paul Kruger, Dannell Ellerbe, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Bernard Pollard, Cary Williams, Anquan Boldin

After the Super Bowl win, the Ravens have been hit hard - the defense in particular which has lost 6 players that started the Super Bowl. Paul Kruger was the Ravens sack leader in 2012, Ellerbe and Lewis’ departures have left them weak at ILB and both Safety’s have left including locker room leader Ed Reed. On the other side of the ball, Joe Flacco would have been sad to see Boldin go. Boldin created plays out of nothing and was a jump ball specialist for those deep throws Flacco loves so much. Suddenly, WR is a big need for Baltimore. The loss of Williams won’t be too great since Lardarius Webb will return from injury. Despite all this, the Ravens are one of the best run franchises in the league and I have no qualms that they can reach the playoffs again. The addition of Elvis Dumervil yesterday, after he completed a medical examination, softens the blow for the Ravens, but they have lost quality starters and depth, as well as some very good leaders

Thomond wrote:i actually don't think Baltimore will struggle as badly as people say. Their front 7 is still quite formidable.

Cody, Ngata, Canty, Spears, Arthur Jones for the DL

Linebackers like Suggs, Dumervil, McClain, Upshaw


In the defensive backs, they have Webb, Jimmy Smith, Huff, Pierce and an improving Corey Graham.

They lack depth in a lot of areas and may lose leadership (hard for fans to jusge the impact of this) but I don't think there are as bad off as people think.

Olly wrote:I actually quite like some of the pickups the Jets have made on defence. Even if they trade Revis it's still gonna be a formidable unit

southernniner wrote:Winners for me are unfortunately the Seahawks. Going to be a great rivalry between them and the niners