Faces in new places
CASE KEENUM QB, Denver
Considered by most a career backup, Keenum saved Minnesota’s season with 11-3 starting record, throwing 22 touchdown passes with seven interceptions. When the Vikings went with Kirk Cousins, the Broncos signed Keenum in hopes of a Rich Gannon-like ascension from journeyman to indispensible leader.
MICHAEL CRABTREE WR, Baltimore
Even though drop-prone, Crabtree was pretty much a model practice player and teammate with the Raiders after coming in with a questionable reputation from the 49ers. The relationship soured last season, and Crabtree was let go in favor of Jordy Nelson. The Ravens would be thrilled with the 2015-2016 version of Crabtree.
SAMMY WATKINS WR, Kansas City
Watkins has been inconsistent and merely OK for both Buffalo and the Los Angeles Rams, with both teams opting to move on. The Chiefs’ stepping in with a three-year, $48 million deal for a receiver with 25 touchdowns in four seasons is a head-scratcher.
JIMMY GRAHAM TE, Green Bay
Never a system fit in Seattle the way he was in New Orleans, the hope in Green Bay is teaming with Aaron Rodgers will return Graham to form. In his last season with Drew Brees at quarterback, Graham caught 86 passes for 1,215 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2013.
NDAMUKONG SUH DT, L.A. Rams
There’s been a long-running debate whether Suh was ever really worth all the money the Dolphins paid him as a 2014 free agent. The Rams rented him for a year at the price of $14 million to team him with Aaron Donald inside. Oh, and they also got cornerbacks Marcus Peters by trade and Aqib Talib in free agency.
NATE SOLDER LT, N.Y. Giants
The former New England Patriots left tackle will now protect the blind side of Eli Manning instead of Tom Brady after signing a four-year, $62 million deal. Solder was solid for the Patriots, but you wonder about this one. The Patriots seldom move on from a player without a good reason.
TYRANN MATHIEU S, Houston
If Mathieu is truly healthy, he gives the Texans a back-end player on a defense that already has front-seven forces J.J. Watt, Jadaveon Clowney and Whitney Mercilus, the Texans could be truly formidable defensively. But given the physical issues all four players have faced, that could be a long shot.
TRUMAINE JOHNSON CB, N.Y. Jets
Signed to franchise tags in back-to-back years by the Rams, which earned him more than $30 million, the Rams let him walk this time. Johnson cashed in with a five-year, $72 million deal. A decent player, but he’s got 18 interceptions in six seasons and has yet to make the Pro Bowl.
MALCOLM BUTLER CB, Tennessee
Maybe we’ll never know why Butler was left out of the Super Bowl by Bill Belichick in a game where they clearly needed help in the secondary against a red-hot Nick Foles. The fascinating thing is he was signed to a fiveyear, $61.25 million deal by the Titans who are coached by Mike Vrabel, a Belichick disciple.
MARQUETTE KING P, Denver
A flamboyant punter who couldn’t stay off social media, King was extremely productive (and overpaid) with the Raiders. King may not be everybody’s cup of tea, but there’s no denying his ability to kick it far and deep. Now he’s got eight games in the mile high altitude and two games against the Raiders.
BY JERRY MCDONALD