Big-ticket additions struggling in new homes
Receiver Jakobi Meyers has been everything the Raiders imagined since they signed him this March, catching 25 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns as a reliable sidekick for Davante Adams.
Meyers has been a rarity this season — a free agent who is actually performing up to expectations.
The NFL season is only in its sixth week, but it has been a rough start for veteran players who switched teams this offseason via free agency or trades. Whether it’s because of lack of production or injury, the players aren’t providing much bang for their buck.
“It’s not normal, but this was also a below-average group of free agents this year, so I’m not sure it’s unexpected,” said salary cap expert Jason Fitzgerald
of OverTheCap.com. “Really just an underwhelming list of players.”
The quarterbacks have mostly been duds. Aaron Rodgers ($75 million guaranteed) lasted just four snaps with the Jets before tearing his Achilles’ tendon. Jimmy Garoppolo ($45 million) leads the NFL with seven interceptions and has the Raiders at 2-3 and 29th in points scored (15.8 per game). Derek Carr ($60 million) has the Saints at 3-2, but they are 25th in total offense, and Carr’s 86.1 passer rating is his lowest since his 2014 rookie season.
The two offseason acquisitions playing well are Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield ($4 million), who is limiting his interceptions for the 3-1 Buccaneers, and Arizona’s Josh Dobbs ($1.5 million), who was acquired at the end of training camp.
Only a few receivers have made an impact in addition to Meyers. Calvin Ridley ($11.1 million) has been solid for the Jaguars, with 333 yards and two touchdowns in his return from a yearlong suspension. DeAndre Hopkins
($11 million) has 356 yards for the Titans, and had his first 100-yard game last week, but he hasn’t hit the end zone yet. Adam Thielen ($14 million) has a quiet 394 yards and three touchdowns for an 0-5 Panthers team. Falcons tight end Jonnu Smith ($8.5 million) has more yards this year (246) than he had last year for the Patriots (245).
Otherwise it has been a dry spell for receivers. Odell Beckham Jr. ($15 million) was supposed to be the missing piece for the Ravens, but he has just gone missing so far — seven catches for 79 yards in three games. The Jets’ Allen Lazard ($22 million) has just 13 catches for 202 yards and one touchdown, though Rodgers’s injury is likely a big factor. Mecole Hardman ($3.58 million) has been so insignificant with the Jets (one catch for 6 yards) that they are looking to trade or release him. JuJu Smith-Schuster ($16 million) hasn’t done much in New England, with 14 catches for 86 yards. Brandin Cooks
($12 million) has just nine catches for 73 yards for the Cowboys.
Tight end Darren Waller ($11.875 million) was supposed to be an important addition for Daniel Jones and the Giants, but has just 239 yards and no touchdowns and his 10.4 average is the lowest since he became a starter in 2019. Hayden Hurst ($13 million) has just 13 catches for 100 yards and a touchdown for the Panthers.
The Browns remade their defense in free agency, with mixed results. They do have the No. 2 scoring defense (15 points per game), defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson ($27.5 million) is a big part of the Browns’ No. 4 run defense, and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo ($12.5 million) has contributed 2½ sacks in four games. But Za’Darius Smith ($10.5 million) has no sacks, and safety Juan Thornhill ($14 million) has just 13 tackles with no impact plays.
The Broncos gave right tackle Mike McGlinchey $52.5 million guaranteed and guard Ben Powers $28 million, but Russell Wilson’s 15 sacks entering Thursday night (when he was sacked four more times) were the sixth most in the NFL and his 42 knockdowns were fourth most. Defensive end Zach Allen
($32.5 million guaranteed) hasn’t done much, either (2½ sacks in six games).
The Dolphins thought they were shoring up their defense with cornerback Jalen Ramsey ($35.5 million), but he is out until at least November with a knee injury suffered in training camp. New linebacker David Long ($5.5 million) has been solid with 36 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble, but the Dolphins’ defense ranks 26th in points allowed (27 per game).
Adding linebacker Bobby Okereke
($21.8 million) hasn’t improved the Giants’ 29th-ranked scoring defense (30.6 per game). The Bears still have the 30th-ranked scoring defense (31.4 per game) despite giving linebacker Tremaine Edmunds $50 million guaranteed. Dre’Mont Jones ($30 million) has just one sack for the Seahawks. The Lions are thriving on defense, but haven’t gotten any impact plays from cornerback Cameron Sutton ($22.5 million), and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson ($6.5 million) tore his pectoral in Week 2.
Chiefs offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor ($60 million) took five penalties in one game and was briefly benched. Adding left tackle Orlando Brown ($31 million) in Cincinnati hasn’t helped a struggling Joe Burrow.
It’s not all failure for this year’s free agents. New Falcons safety Jessie Bates ($36 million) has been terrific with three interceptions and two forced fumbles. Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave ($40 million) already has three sacks for the 49ers. Running backs David Montgomery ($11 million from the Lions) and D’Andre Swift ($6.2 million from the Eagles) are thriving. Stephon Gilmore ($14 million) has an interception and five passes defended for the Cowboys’ No. 2-ranked pass defense. Safety Jimmie Ward ($8.5 million) has contributed a forced fumble and leadership for the surprisingly tough Texans. Kicker Nick Folk ($2.3 million) is 13 for 13 on field goals and has arguably been the Titans’ MVP.
But the free agent class (including trades) has by and large been underwhelming. It only reinforces the notion that free agency is mostly spending “A” level contracts on “B” level players.