NFL free agency is always a crazy time and 2016 was no exception. With many prized talents available, teams were quick to hit the ground running, signing players to massive deals as they beat out their opponents to help better their chances for a Super Bowl run.
But which team helped themselves the most? Who got the best deals? And who now stands the best chance at on-field improvement because of it?
Let’s take a quick look at the five best signings of the offseason.
5) Malik Jackson, Jacksonville Jaguars
After a Super Bowl run with the Denver Broncos, defensive lineman Malik Jackson decided it was time to cash in. And cash in he did, signing a six-year, $90 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars that included $40 million guaranteed.
For the Jaguars, it was just one of a series of big-splash, big-money signings -– signings that needed to happen in order for them to hit the league’s spending floor. But the addition of Jackson not only helped them rise to that minimum floor, but it also added an impact defensive lineman that was so desperately needed.
Although Jackson may not be the elite at his position league-wide, he is a young and very consistent talent who continues to improve his game yearly. He’ll make an immediate impact with the Jaguars, both rushing the passer and stopping the run, while ensuring future value at the position.
In 2015, Jackson was credited with 60 total pressures — most coming from inside the tackles –- which was nearly double that of any Jaguars defender.
4) Olivier Vernon, New York Giants
The New York Giants went into free agency with a clear goal of improving their defense and, perhaps more specifically, bolstering their defensive line.
Shortly after re-signing Jason Pierre-Paul, they did exactly that by signing pass rusher Olivier Vernon away from the Miami Dolphins as a replacement for Robert Ayers Jr., who decided to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The deal was massive: five-years, $85 million with $52.5 million guaranteed. But Vernon is young, he’s still ascending and he’s an all-around player capable of stopping the run just as much as he’s capable of rushing the passer. But perhaps more importantly than all of that will be his ability to help free up Pierre-Paul.
With Johnathan Hankins and Damon Harrison filling up space on the interior, it will allow Vernon and Pierre-Paul to exist freely on the outside –- a very dangerous prospect for opponents.
During the final eight weeks of the 2015 season, Vernon led all edge defenders with 64 pressures (nine sacks, 26 hits and 29 hurries) and 40 defensive stops.
3) Josh Norman, Washington Redskins
Some may argue that Josh Norman doesn’t belong on a top five list of this sort, but his decision to join the Washington Redskins not only helps improve their secondary substantially, but it also creates a twice-a-year match-up against Odell Beckham Jr. that will captivate the entire NFL audience and send television ratings into orbit.
In 2015, Norman established himself as one of the elite cornerbacks in the NFL. He held players like Julio Jones and Dez Bryant in check, while also getting into the head of the aforementioned Beckham Jr., causing a meltdown that eventually led to a one-game suspension.
Although Norman has been criticized for succeeding merely as a zone corner, the tale of the tape says he’s more than capable in man coverage as well. And while zone coverage does serve to benefit his particular set of skills, he’s not a liability when going one-on-one.
With the Redskins, Norman will again have the opportunity to excel in zone coverage schemes where his ballhawking abilities are put to greater use. And if there’s any question about what those are, look no further than his four interceptions and 12 passes defenses a season ago -– a total that accounted for 14.8 percent of the passes thrown his way in coverage, which exceeded even that of Darrelle Revis.
2) Matt Forte, New York Jets
In a pass-happy league, it might seem odd that an aging running back not only makes this list, but checks in so high on it. Of course, Matt Forte is no casual running back, and what he brings to the table isn’t exactly easy to come by.
With Chris Ivory having previously signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Bilal Powell still an unrestricted free agent at the time (later re-signed), the New York Jets had a dire need at the running back position. But beyond just the obvious need for a running back, Forte also seemed like the ideal fit for Gang Green, who will run a spread offense under offensive coordinator Chan Gailey.
Forte accounted for more than 55 percent of the Chicago Bears’ offensive snaps in recent years. He has impressive hands coming out of the backfield and will fit right into the Jets’ offensive scheme.
Will he handle 50 percent or more of the team’s snaps in 2016? That remains to be seen, but he’s certainly capable of it. And any time a team can add a player with such versatility and stamina, it’s kind of a big deal.
1) Sean Smith, Oakland Raiders
The Raiders had an interesting situation on their hands as they entered free agency. Cornerback David Amerson had a breakout year in 2015 and established himself as one of the team’s two starting cornerbacks, but the exact opposite was true for D.J. Hayden. Subsequently, Oakland knew they had to go out and land another cornerback.
With Janoris Jenkins signing a $62 million deal with the New York Giants, it seemed like the market would be quite expensive. However, the Raiders found a cost-effective solution in cornerback Sean Smith at only $8 million per season.
Although Smith did give up five touchdowns a season ago, he’s a physical press corner who will allow the Raiders to run a variety of different coverages. And while those aforementioned big plays do hurt, they’re rare for Smith, who limited opposing wide receivers to a catch rate of just above 53 percent a season ago.
The addition of Smith didn’t just improve the Raiders, however. While adding their second starting cornerback, they also weakened their division rival Kansas City Chiefs in the process.
All in all, that’s a big win-win for the Raiders.
