Following an exciting first round, we break down the favorite picks, most pleasant and biggest surprises, most under-appreciated pick, worst move and more.
Peyton Manning, Mario Williams, Mike Wallace and Carl Nicks headline an intriguing free agent class that can shift the balance of power this offseason.
The Eagles seemingly came out of nowhere to sign Nnamdi Asomugha as they eye a trip to the Super Bowl.
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Normally it's a good debate amongst fans whom the winners and losers in free agency are each offseason. But this winter, there are some clear winners and losers, with precious few in the middle ground. There's still a couple of big fish (Ty Law, Lavar Arrington) and a few intriguing names (Joey Harrington, Charles Woodson, Mike Vanderjagt) still on the open market, but most of the prominent movement has been completed.
The Winners:
1. Cleveland Browns
They signed the best OL in LeCharles Bentley, the best punter in Dave Zastudil, two experienced winners at need positions in WR Joe Jurevicius and LB Willie McGinest, and also upgraded depth at offensive line and tight end. Everyone they lost is easily replaced in the draft or with the upgrades they've already signed. Add in the fact that Bentley, Zastudil, C/G Bob Hallen, and Jurevicius are all local Cleveland products, and the Browns have made a giant leap forward while simultaneously rewarding a very loyal local fan base. With a good draft this team can evolve into the 2006 version of last year's Bengals.
2. Dallas Cowboys
Terrell Owens is the marquee name, and for the next season he's a major positive acquisition. Since this team is built to win last year's Super Bowl, his giant impact cannot be overestimated. He's younger, faster, a better runner and a more complete receiver than the man he replaces, Keyshawn Johnson. He's playing to restore his reputation and win a Super Bowl, and he can do both in Dallas. They also picked up two useful linemen in Jason Fabini and Kyle Kosier and much-needed depth at linebacker. Jerry Jones has provided the bullets for Bill Parcells, and as long as their trigger man, the aging statue of Drew Bledsoe, stays upright this team can shoot for a title.
3. St. Louis Rams
They shed underacheiving, overpriced guys (Adam Archuleta, Ryan Pickett, Rex Tucker) and opened the vault for badly needed upgrades at LB (Will Witherspoon), pass rushing DT (Laroi Glover), and DB (Corey Chavous and Fakhir Brown). They also brought back WR Isaac Bruce for less money and added a veteran backup QB in Gus Frerotte to stabilize that position. They still have enough money left to make some more depth moves, such as bringing in an antsy OL or CB looking ot sign quickly. An overhaul was needed, and new Head Coach Scott Linehan is remaking this team in his image, for better or worse.
4. Washington Redskins
Owner Dan Snyder loves to show off his money and keep the team in the "Daily Transaction" column. Some of the moves, such as trading QB Patrick Ramsey for a late pick or letting solid DBs Walt Harris and Matt Bowen or enigmatic LB Lavar Arrington go for nothing, look foolish. But the newcomers will give this team a shot to make a return trip to the playoffs. Andre Carter is a major upgrade at DE, Antawn Randle El and Brandon Lloyd fill vital roles as the #2 and #3 WRs in an offense that never uses more than that, and Archuleta is a competent short-term solution at safety. Signing backup QB Todd Collins buys time for young Jason Campbell to learn and develop and is a good insurance policy in case Mark Brunell slumps. And with Snyder at the helm, you can bet they're not done yet.
5. Buffalo Bills
Not real sexy, but the Bills did well for themselves and didn't break the bank to do it. All of the players they brought in--DT Larry Triplett, S Matt Bowen, WR Andre Davis, TE Robert Royal--have significant upside. They're wisely dumping declining WR Eric Moulds and ended the failed Mike Williams at T experiment, helping raise locker room morale without losing much on the field. Bringing back franchise CB Nate Clemens, along with useful WR Josh Reed and special teams ace Mario Haggan, keeps more promising talent in Buffalo for the new regime to work with.
The Losers: 1. Indianapolis Colts
They badly overpaid for Reggie Wayne. He's a strong #2 WR, but he's making more than most #1s and it cost the Colts dearly. His deal cost them DT Larry Triplett and LB David Thornton, two decent starters who fit very well into their specialized defensive scheme. Signing K Adam Vinatieri saves some face, though he's curiously only been to one Pro Bowl and is almost 10% less accurate indoors than the man he replaces, Mike Vanderjagt. Losing Edgerring James to Arizona was a foregone conclusion, yet the Colts have thus far failed to bring in anyone to replace him, other than re-signing his injury-plagued backup Dominic Rhodes. Without a great draft, this team could regress a lot farther than most people think.
2. Detroit Lions
Proving once again that the clue phone is still ringing, Matt Millen makes a lot of moves without really making his team better. He brought in two marginal starting QBs in Jon Kitna and Josh McCown, neither of whom are difference makers. And to add to the overkill, he also brought in Shawn King to compete for the #3 QB job, a role usually given to a 6th or 7th round draft pick and not a 6 year veteran. Despite having 6 WRs under contract, he signed Corey Bradford, who's a barely adequate #3 WR. Severing QB Joey Harrington was a necessary evil, but not upgrading a shaky line other than signing chronically injured Rex Tucker dooms whomever the new QB is to failure. They went into free agency needing help at LB, CB, and OL and addressed none of them. Now there is even more need at CB and OL with the losses of T Kyle Kosier and CBs Andre Goodman and RW McQuarters, plus quality backup RB Shawn Bryson and DT Dan Wilkinson must be replaced. There's only so many draft picks, Mr. Millen.
3. Seattle Seahawks
Sure they brought back MVP Shaun Alexander, and at a price tag that doesn't hamstring the franchise too badly. And keeping DT Rocky Bernard was a smart move. But they lost two key players in All Pro G Steve Hutchinson and surehanded WR Joe Jurevicius and they don't have the draft position or in-house players to replace either of them. They spent a huge amount on LB Julian Peterson, who was not even close to his 2003 All Pro self in coming back from a torn Achilles tendon last season. Peterson was worth signing, just not at the exorbitant amount the Seahawks ponied up. They also lost quality backup RB Maurice Morris, a concern only if Alexander is injured. DT Russell Davis could be one of those quieter signings that pays off handsomely for them, though.
4. The "Experts"
At least one prominent, highly compensated media "expert" had almost every significant move dead wrong. One impeccably coiffed head had Edge to Baltimore, Brees to the Dolphins, Bentley to the Eagles, and TO to Denver--all within 24 hours of their eventual signings elsewhere. Many others guessed wrong on many guys, so much so that they need to reevaluate their sources or just admit they really are just making educated guesses. I learned from a trusted source at the Indy Combine that Bentley had a basic agreement with the Browns and that the Saints were the most likely destination for Brees, and I barely knew anyone there. To put it another way, if you want good information, go get it yourself and stop watching FSN and listening to ESPN Radio.
