NFL teams are beginning to open their pocketbooks in hopes of landing 2018's biggest free agents when the market opens March 14 at 4 p.m. ET.
The 2017 free-agent class can serve as either a model or a warning sign for teams hoping to change their course with a big-money addition or thrifty under-the-radar deal.
Here's a look at the best and worst moves - and everything in between - from last offseason:
Great moves
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Nick Foles, QB, Eagles
Terms: 2 years, $11 million ($7 million guaranteed)
2016 team: Chiefs
The ends justify the means and the hindsight view.
Foles was signed to a lofty contract for a backup quarterback ahead of the 2017 season. A spectacular performance as the injury replacement to Carson Wentz at the end of the regular season and throughout the playoffs en route to a Super Bowl LII victory in an MVP performance changed the perspective. The Eagles now have either a highly coveted trade chip or insurance in case Wentz's recovery doesn't go according to plan heading into 2018.
His late-season performance was so good, Foles knocked Case Keenum and the Minnesota Vikings out of the playoffs, and Keenum's one-year, $2-million deal off this list.
Calais Campbell, DE, Jaguars
Terms: 4 years, $60 million ($30 million guaranteed)
2016 team: Cardinals
A 31-year-old Campbell recorded a career-best 14.5 sacks in 2017, making the Pro Bowl and being named First-Team All-Pro. He was a major part of a defense that allowed fewer total yards and points in 2017 than all teams but the Vikings. His play in the pass rush made life easier for the Jaguars' standout secondary.
A.J. Bouye, CB, Jaguars
Terms: 5 years, $67.5 million ($26 million guaranteed)
2016 team: Texans
Bouye made the Pro Bowl in the first year of the monstrous deal that pried him away from the Houston Texans. He graded as Pro Football Focus' No. 12 cornerback, nine spots below teammate Jalen Ramsey. At just 26 years old, and with four years left on his deal, he'll remain a focal point of the talented, young Jaguars defense for what could be several years of contention.
Micah Hyde, S, Bills
Terms: 5 years, $30.5 million ($14 million guaranteed)
2016 team: Packers
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
The Bills took a chance by signing Hyde to a long-term, big-money deal. He'd battled inconsistency throughout four seasons with the Green Bay Packers, but emerged as a Pro Bowler in his first season in Buffalo. The end of the Bills' lengthy playoff drought easily justified the financial commitment to the now 27-year-old.
Chris Long, DE, Eagles
Terms: 2 years, $4.5 million ($1.5 million guaranteed)
2016 team: Patriots
Long was brought in by the Eagles after just one season with the New England Patriots. He provided a young team with the leadership and expertise they needed while performing as PFF's No. 30 defensive end.
Good moves
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Alshon Jeffery, WR, Eagles
Terms: 1 year, $9.5 million ($8.75 million guaranteed)
2016 team: Bears
Jeffery added experience to the Eagles' offense and provided Wentz with the No. 1 receiving option the former sorely lacked in his rookie season. Signed to a one-year "prove-it" deal, it became even more impressive with the news that he played the season with a nagging injury. He's already earned a lengthy extension.
Zach Line, FB, Saints
Terms: 1 year, $775,000 (fully guaranteed)
2016 team: Vikings
Line deserves a ton of credit in clearing the way for the highly successful seasons of running backs Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara. He ranked as PFF's No. 3 fullback in just 12 games after being cut by the Saints and signed as an injury fill-in for John Kuhn.
Bad moves
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DeSean Jackson, WR, Buccaneers
Terms: 3 years, $33.5 million ($20 million guaranteed)
2016 team: Redskins
Jackson's season suffered due to the injuries that plagued quarterback Jameis Winston, finishing his first year in Tampa Bay with 668 yards and just three touchdowns. But he wasn't the missing piece the Buccaneers were seeking when they signed him after he led the league with 17.9 yards per reception with the Redskins in 2016.
Brian Hoyer, QB, 49ers
Terms: 2 years, $12 million ($9.85 million guaranteed)
2016 team: Bears
The best thing about Hoyer's tenure with head coach Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers was that his poor play to start the season helped force the trade for new franchise quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Thus allowing fans to forget the nearly $10 million Hoyer was paid to throw just four touchdown passes in six games.
Matt Kalil, OT, Panthers
Terms: 5 years, $55.5 million ($31 million guaranteed)
2016 team: Vikings
Kalil graded as PFF's No. 55 tackle in his first season with the Panthers. He'll turn 29 before the start of next season, and he already seems to be in steep decline.
Ugly moves
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Mike Glennon, QB, Bears
Terms: 3 years, $45 million ($18.5 million guaranteed)
2016 team: Buccaneers
Few expected Glennon's deal to work out any differently. The former Buccaneers backup was given a significant raise with a starting opportunity. It was short-lived, as the Bears traded up to draft Mitchell Trubisky less than two months later. Glennon made just four starts - with four touchdowns and five interceptions - before moving back to the bench. He's one of this offseason's most obvious cut candidates.
Kenny Britt, WR, Browns
Terms: 4 years, $32.5 million ($17 million guaranteed)
2016 team: Rams
The Browns can't be entirely faulted for this one. Britt's first career 1,000-yard season came with the Rams in 2016 amid poor quarterback play, so he seemed a fine fit to serve as the No. 1 receiver for rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer. However, he recorded just 233 yards and two touchdowns in nine games, and didn't fare much better in a three-game stint with the Patriots to end the season.
Martellus Bennett, TE, Packers
Terms: 3 years, $21 million ($6.3 million guaranteed)
2016 team: Patriots
Bennett signed a three-year deal with the Packers despite contemplating retirement. He didn't quite get what he signed up for, as he played just five games with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. His tenure ended with a single-game high of 53 yards and no touchdowns.
(Contract figures courtesy: Spotrac)
