Inexpensive free agents might pay off big
Most of the big names on the NFL’s free agent market have signed, many commanding headline-making megacontracts.
But it’s the shrewd deals made in the offseason that often determine a team’s fortunes. It was just a year ago that the Eagles signed backup quarterback Nick Foles amid little fanfare — though there was fanfare aplenty months later when he earned Super Bowl MVP honors while bringing Philadelphia its first Lombardi Trophy.
It’s a stretch to think any of these guys can replicate Foles’ impact, but here are 10 less-heralded players who could pay off well beyond their respective teams’ investments.
1. QB AJ McCarron, Buffalo Bills: He has only four NFL starts (including a near-victory in the 2015 playoffs) but might prove a prime value on a twoyear, $10 million pact. McCarron, lauded for his leadership while leading Alabama to college titles, now gets his big pro shot, while Buffalo gets at least a bridge quarterback — and perhaps much more — whose pocket-based game clearly held more appeal for team brass than Tyrod Taylor’s more frenetic style.
2. WR Danny Amendola, Miami Dolphins: He’s never been about the numbers, either on the field (no seasons with 700 receiving yards) or — relatively speaking — at the bank after taking a two-year, $12 million offer from Miami. But Amendola is famed for his work ethic and always saves his best performances for the postseason, where his skills out of the slot and on special teams contributed to several memorable New England victories. The Dolphins are banking on those intangibles to help return them to relevance.
3. DE Julius Peppers, Carolina Panthers: Five million? For a surefire Hall of Famer? Peppers might be 38, but he’s not playing like his age, posting 11 sacks in 2017 while shifting to a role that allowed him to play more exclusively on passing downs. He’s certainly a nice asset in a division featuring so many capable quarterbacks.
4. CB Patrick Robinson, New Orleans Saints: A first-round pick of New Orleans in 2010, he’s back in The Big Easy after knocking around the league. Robinson hasn’t always played up to his draft pedigree but was a major contributor to the Eagles’ Super Bowl push, picking off a team-high four passes in the regular season. His 50-yard pick six in the NFC title game helped turn the tide against the Vikings. If Robinson continues to produce at that kind of level in a nickel role, he’s a steal at $20 million over four years.
5. G Brandon Fusco, Atlanta Falcons: In a year when guards including Andrew Norwell and Josh Kline are getting nutty money, Fusco comes at a fiscally sound $12.75 million over three seasons. He’s also a tough blocker who should solidify an Atlanta line that struggled to replace retired G Chris Chester in 2017.
6. RB Isaiah Crowell, New York Jets: A tough runner who racked up more than 2,300 yards from scrimmage over the past two seasons — for a Cleveland team that had no passing game to deter defenses from loading the box — Crowell has distinguished himself even while toiling in near anonymity. The Jets might have hit a home run after reaching a three-year, $12 million agreement with their new lead back.
7. DB T.J. Carrie, Cleveland Browns: He was often overshadowed in Oakland, which is probably why he’s underrated leaguewide. Carrie’s stats won’t impress, but his play on film often does. At four years and $31 million, he’s much more reasonably priced than a player such as Trumaine Johnson.
8. DE DaQuan Jones, Tennessee Titans: Base ends in 3-4 schemes (also known as five techniques) rarely get recognition they deserve, and Jones is no different. But he’s been a valuable starter in Nashville over the past three seasons, and the Titans knew it ... and also realized that keeping him through the 2020 season for $21 million is a win for them.
9. WR Donte Moncrief, Jacksonville Jaguars: The question has never really been about his ability but rather his availability. Moncrief, just 24, has missed 11 games over the past two seasons but is an effective target with a nose for the end zone when he’s right. The Jags need that kind of presence after losing Allen Robinson and should profit greatly in 2017 if Moncrief avoids the injury report while pulling down $7 million.
10. LB Avery Williamson, Jets: He is not a big name but has quietly become one of the NFL’s better all-around line- backers. He’ll pull down $22.5 million over the next three years — good money — but a better value given what comparable players such as Anthony Hitchens, Zach Brown and Demario Davis are suddenly commanding.