Numbers say it all for free-agent crop
As NFL teams sift through the bargain bin for discounted free agents, they are looking ahead. To the draft. It’s a three-day extravaganza of hope, wants and needs, and selections that are shrewd and some that are far from it. The draft won’t begin until April 27, so we have time to assess those future pros.
For now, let’s follow the money trail of free agents who cashed in big and those who remain unattached. Here is a by-the-numbers look:
Length, in yards, of the touchdown pass that former Kansas City Chiefs DT
threw against the Denver Broncos in December. Poe signed with the Atlanta Falcons, presumably for his defensive talents.
Career-best interceptions last season for former Buffalo Bills CB
which would have been a team high for the New England Patriots — his new employer. Gilmore signed a fiveyear contract for $65 million ($40 million guaranteed).
Days after signing with the Minnesota Vikings that former UCF and Oakland Raiders RB
underwent ankle surgery. The Vikings said they knew of the operation before signing Murray, who is expected to be ready for training camp.
Sacks last year by former Arizona Cardinals DT
tied for the second-highest total of his nine-year career. Campbell, who played at the University of Miami, left the only NFL team whose uniform he has worn and signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Receiving touchdowns for Miami Dolphins WR
last season, a third of the team’s total and five more than any other teammate. and had four each. Stills re-signed with the Dolphins. League-high rushing touchdowns for Patriots RB who remains a free agent. Guaranteed dollars, in millions, included in New York Giants DE four-year contract for $62 million. Career receiving yards that had before his breakout season (77 receptions, 1,007 yards, four touchdowns) with the Cleveland Browns in 2016. COMMENTARY Pryor, the former Ohio State quarterback, netted a oneyear deal for $6 million with the Washington Redskins.
Receiving yards, in three career regular-season games, for against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jackson, who signed with the Bucs, has more than 8,700 career receiving yards against the 31 other teams.
Pick with which the Washington Redskins chose QB in the fourth round of the 2012 draft. The team used its franchise tag on Cousins for the second year in a row, guaranteeing him a contract in excess of $23.9 million in 2017. Games played by during his 11-year NFL career. Cutler, 33, has not found a new team after the Chicago Bears ended their eight-year union.
Bonus, in dollars, of former UCF CB
contract when he signed as an undrafted free agent with the Houston Texans in 2013. Bouye accepted a five-year contract for $67.5 million from the Jags this month, according to spotrac.com. The deal included a $10 million signing bonus.
Pro carries for former Minnesota Vikings RB 32. With a deep running-back draft class and the devaluation of the position, where Peterson will take his next carry is unknown.
Dollars raised by the Colin Kaepernick Foundation, whose goal is “to fight oppression of all kinds globally, through education and social activism.’’ According to the controversial free-agent QB’s website, kaepernick7.com, the foundation vows to raise $1 million.
will turn 41 on Friday. How many times did he throw more than 41 touchdowns in a season? (Answer at bottom of column.)
The Bucs don’t intend to make comfortable, and that’s a good thing.
Aguayo, the former Groveland South Lake High and FSU kicker, joined the Bucs after they traded into the second round last year to acquire him. Aguayo made 22 of 31 field goals (71 percent) as a rookie, so the Bucs signed last week to create a kicking competition.
In 10 seasons, Folk is a career 81.3 percent field-goal kicker, including 87.1 percent (27 of 31) with the New York Jets in 2016. Former UF safety
a Falcons rookie last season, earned the most bonus money (nearly $372,000) as part of the NFL’s performance pool in 2016. The pool is intended to reward players whose playing time and performance exceeded the value of their contracts.
Twice. Manning passed for 49 TDs with the Indianapolis Colts in 2004 and for an NFL-record 55 scores with the Denver Broncos in 2013.