With the NFL's clumsily named "legal tampering" period over and players finally able to put pen to paper, we identify the biggest beneficiaries and flops of the 2018 free-agency period so far.
Winners
Mitchell Trubisky
Often overwhelmed as a rookie, 2017's second overall pick has been set up for sophomore success with the Bears' additions of No. 1 receiver Allen Robinson, deep threat Taylor Gabriel, and "move" tight end Trey Burton, as well as offensive-minded head coach Matt Nagy earlier this offseason. There's recent precedent for Trubisky taking a massive leap in his second year: Rams pivot Jared Goff did it last season after his team followed a similar offseason plan.
Veteran running backs
Last offseason, Latavius Murray’s three-year, $15-million deal with the Vikings was the richest multi-year contract signed by any tailback. A year later and Murray’s Minnesota backfield partner Jerick McKinnon blew the lid off that total with a four-year deal worth $30 million with the 49ers. Dion Lewis also made bank, signing with the Titans for four years and $20 million. Neither McKinnon nor Lewis profile as a workhorse, but both are now among the 10 highest-paid running backs in football.
NFLPA
It finally happened: a multi-year, fully guaranteed contract. Kirk Cousins' three-year, $84-million pact with the Vikings isn't just historic in that it will make him the highest-paid player in NFL history by average annual value, but it could set a precedent of fully guaranteed deals that will fundamentally shift the balance of power in free agency from teams to players.
Offensive tackles nearing free agency
The highest-paid offensive tackle in football is now Nate Solder, a 29-year-old who has never been to the Pro Bowl. Solder was a steady but wholly unspectacular presence on Tom Brady's blindside, and his record four-year, $62-million contract from the Giants raised some eyebrows - particularly among Solder's younger and more talented LT peers. Players such as Taylor Lewan of the Titans and Jake Matthews of the Falcons are going to break the bank when they hit the market next offseason. And it wouldn't be shocking to see elite tackles like Tyron Smith and Trent Williams hold out for more money, as their once-monstrous deals suddenly look miniature.
Drew Brees' legacy
We knew Drew Brees wouldn't leave the Bayou - not with his Saints seemingly on the verge of what would be a career-capping Super Bowl win - but the money Brees seems to have left on the table to stay home is truly staggering. One report suggests Brees could have earned $60 million fully guaranteed over two years elsewhere; instead, he opted for a Saints deal with a maximum value of $50 million over two years and just $20.7 million in base compensation in 2018. The statue they build for him better be gold-plated.
Packers fans
Jordy Nelson's release was painful for the cheesehead faithful, but at least it was offset by the Packers finally making some moves in March. Jimmy Graham and Muhammad Wilkerson are two very big fish to catch.
Losers
QB-needy teams spurned by Kirk Cousins
News that Cousins had chosen the Vikings sent other quarterback-needy teams into a whirlwind of panicked "Plan B" moves that resulted in a handful of mediocre passers getting overpaid. The Broncos committed $36 million over two years to journeyman Case Keenum, the Jets brought back the deteriorating Josh McCown and then supplemented him with walking question mark Teddy Bridgewater, and the Cardinals doubled down on uninspiring and unathletic QBs by adding Sam Bradford (for $20 million!) and Mike Glennon. None of the teams that missed on Cousins bought any real stability at quarterback, and all three remain likely to address the position in the first round of the draft.
Patriots
There haven't been many down times during the Bill Belichick and Tom Brady era, but it has to hurt to watch as Malcolm Butler, Dion Lewis, Danny Amendola, and Nate Solder - all keys to the Patriots' recent Super Bowl runs - jump ship in a matter of hours.
Saquon Barkley
The highly touted running back prospect's chances of being selected first overall took a major hit with the Browns signing former 49ers tailback Carlos Hyde to a three-year deal worth $15 million. Barkley could still hear his name called second overall, or even fourth overall to the Browns, but it's now all but a lock the Browns will target a franchise passer with the No. 1 pick.
Draft-eligible receivers
The Chiefs and Bears stated loudly and clearly what they think of this draft's crop of receivers when they gave Sammy Watkins and Allen Robinson mega-deals worth $48 million and $42 million, respectively. Even more telling: Paul Richardson getting $40 million from the Redskins and Ryan Grant (we'll give you a minute to look up who he is) getting a staggering $29 million from the Ravens despite no evidence either is a top-flight talent. There's no Odell Beckham Jr. or Amari Cooper in this draft class, but with the way teams are fighting over veteran pass-catching scraps, it raises the question of whether there's even a Corey Coleman or Josh Doctson.
Dolphins
First, the Dolphins traded away their best receiver, Jarvis Landry, rather than giving him a long-term deal. Then, they decided to cut their top defensive player, Ndamukong Suh - and take a huge dead salary cap hit to do so - in the name of "culture change." There are many different ways to build a Super Bowl contender, but ditching your best players on both sides of the ball isn't one.
Colts
With a lot of money to spend and holes up and down the roster to fill, the Colts have been curiously quiet in free agency so far. Perhaps GM Chris Ballard's conservatism will pay off - he's avoided overpaying anyone, at least - but it's hard to see how the Colts won't waste Andrew Luck's prime years unless they hurry to improve his supporting cast.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)
