The days leading up to NFL agency is a lot like the iconic scene in the original “Jurassic Park,” when the water ripples in the cup and you hear the growing noise of thunderous steps as the massive creature approaches and ultimately wreaks havoc.
Like the T-Rex, free agency is frantic, unpredictable and leaves nothing in its wake. Hopefully, when the damage is done, your team looks more like Dr. Alan Grant and not like the lawyer who thought he was safe.
“Jurassic Park” metaphors aside, the start of free agency was expected to be wild, and it didn’t disappoint. Star quarterbacks signed with new teams, former Pro Bowlers were released and a host of big names found new employment. Some teams made bold moves, while others decided to hold their cards, for now.
While there were some outliers, there were some main themes that developed during the first three days of free agency. Let’s take a look at the top takeaways; the good, the bad and everything in between.
1. There is no running back market
For me, the biggest takeaway from free agency so far is the fact that there is zero running back market as far as salary is concerned. It’s really the Wild West.
Take the difference in contracts between Josh Jacobs and Aaron Jones. Jacobs reportedly signed a four-year, $48 million deal with the Packers, Jones’ former team. Jones signed a reported one-year, $7 million deal with the Vikings. Jones (4.6) averaged over a yard per carry more than Jacobs (3.5) did last year and ended the 2023 season with five straight 100-yard games.
Derrick Henry, arguably the NFL’s best back, signed a nice two-year, $16 million deal with the Ravens. But it paled in comparison to what Jacobs and Saquon Barkley (a reported three-year, ($37.75 million deal) got from their new teams. Austin Ekeler, arguably the league’s most versatile back, signed a shockingly low two-year, $11.4 million deal with the…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2024-nfl-free-agency-10-biggest-takeaways-from-wild-start-including-wacky-rb-market-falcons-set-to-soar/
Author : Bryan DeArdo
Publish date : 2024-03-14 13:54:59
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