[h=1]Top 10 impact free-agent signings[/h][h=3]Looking purely at performance, which players will help their new teams most?[/h]By Matt Williamson | ESPN Insider
Last week, ESPN Insider Mike Sando, with the help of myself and some other ESPN analysts, compiled free-agency grades for every NFL team. The grades factored in important context such as the length and value of every contract, the quality of the players signed or let go and whether each team's free-agency moves made sense within its broader organizational strategy.
But if you stripped away all of that context and looked purely at the level of impact the 2014 free-agent signings will have for their new teams, what players would rise to the top of the list?
Below is my ranking of the top 10 impact free-agent signings for 2014. These aren't necessarily the most talented players to switch teams, or the ones who were acquired at the best rate, but they are in the best position to succeed based on their ability and opportunity within their teams' schemes.
[h=3]The top tier[/h]
1. CB Darrelle Revis, New England Patriots
<!-- begin inline 1 -->
Revis
<!-- end inline 1 -->Aqib Talib is a very talented cornerback capable of lining up against an opponent's top receiver all day in man-to-man coverage without much help. But he isn't Revis. In fact, over the course of his career, Talib has been up and down in this regard. Before his hip injury last season, Talib was great, but after the injury, his play predictably fell off. Meanwhile, Revis just kept getting better during his only season in Tampa Bay as his knee got stronger -- despite the fact that the Bucs didn't always use him in man coverage.
<OFFER></OFFER>
Now, Revis is also a good zone coverage player. In fact, he really is a cornerback who doesn't truly have a discernable weakness, which obviously is rare in any NFL player regardless of position. He is in the prime of a Hall of Fame career, after all.
Over the past two seasons, the Patriots have gone to more man-to-man coverage on the back end. With Revis now in the fold, he should draw the opponent's top wideout on nearly every snap and allow New England to more or less play 10-on-10. Also, while I think Brandon Browner is a little bit overrated due to the great players that surrounded him in Seattle, don't be shocked at all if Bill Belichick uses the Seahawks' coverage model with Revis in the Richard Sherman role, Devin McCourty in the deep middle of the field like Earl Thomas, and Browner being, well, Browner. But unlike Seattle's use of Sherman, it would be surprising if New England kept Revis on just one side of the field.
2. S Jairus Byrd, New Orleans Saints
<!-- begin inline 2 -->
Byrd
<!-- end inline 2 -->As mentioned above concerning Thomas and McCourty, having a single high safety with great range and ball-hawking abilities is all the rage right now in the NFL. Thomas is the best and most complete player in the league in this capacity, but Byrd isn't far behind. He reads quarterbacks, breaks on the ball and plays the ball in the air as well as any safety in recent memory. His angles to the ball are superb and he wastes few steps.His ability to cover so much ground as the last layer of defense should allow Kenny Vaccaro to act in more of a do-it-all Troy Polamalu role in this aggressive Saints defense. Although he is recovering from a fractured ankle, Vaccaro was extremely impressive in his rookie season and does possess a Polamalu-like skill set with rare versatility. This safety pairing should rival the one in Seattle as the best in the league and could potentially eclipse the Super Bowl champs' duo.
The Saints really could use another cornerback and surely will address that early in the draft, but we know that Rob Ryan wants multiple coverages and to bring added pressure often (if his personnel allows for it). With Byrd in the deep middle, not only did the Saints add a great playmaker, but they also opened up much more in terms of what Ryan can dial up for Vaccaro and the rest of the defense.
3. OT Branden Albert, Miami Dolphins
<!-- begin inline 3 -->
Albert
<!-- end inline 3 -->Was Albert one of the best free agents on the market this season? No. In fact, I would prefer to have Eugene Monroe or Jared Veldheer as my starting left tackle going forward. But Albert is a top-10 player at a vital position that the Dolphins desperately needed to upgrade. Going into the offseason, it could have been argued that Miami needed two starting offensive tackles and two starting guards. They were quick to ink their left tackle and also made an underrated signing in Shelley Smith, who moves well and is a capable and improving starting guard.Last year's starting tackles, Bryant McKinnie and Tyson Clabo, remain free agents, but there is no doubt that Albert is an improvement over either player. He is consistent and an able run-blocker, but most importantly, Albert excels in protection. Ryan Tannehill remains a promising franchise quarterback prospect, but he has been under too much pressure during his career. Miami's running game was also brutal last season, and while this offensive line rebuild project is far from complete, it is going down the right path.
4. DE Lamarr Houston, Chicago Bears
<!-- begin inline 4 -->
Houston
<!-- end inline 4 -->The Bears' run defense was atrocious last season. Adding a base end with Houston's size and power at the point of attack is a great solution to that problem, as Julius Peppers, whom Houston replaces at left defensive end, was up and down against the run.But Peppers wasn't the only one to blame on Chicago's defensive line. This unit got manhandled in the run game and offered little rushing the passer as well. Houston should be a decent pass-rusher as a 4-3 defensive end, but this is a versatile lineman who can also stand up and rush from a two-point stance, drop into a short zone in coverage, or line up as a 3-4 defensive end or as a 3-technique in the base 4-3. This is especially important, as the Bears are looking to become more multiple on defense. Houston is a wild card in this capacity and makes this defense much more difficult to prepare for.
On throwing downs, expect Houston to bump inside as an interior pass-rusher to team with Jeremiah Ratliff on the inside. At end on passing downs, Chicago will line up Willie Young, another fine free-agent addition, opposite Jared Allen. That is a formidable foursome. This defensive line is far superior to the one the Bears fielded a year ago.
5. OT Jared Veldheer, Arizona Cardinals
<!-- begin inline 5 -->
Veldheer
<!-- end inline 5 -->I often view free agency as a mechanism to set yourself up best for the draft, which is where a team is truly built. What I mean by that is if a team can eliminate its major need areas in free agency, it then is in an enviable position of being able to select the best draft prospect on its board and more or less ignore positional need.So not only did Arizona land a good young football player who should be getting better at an extremely important position, but now (especially considering Jonathan Cooper returns from injury) the Cardinals no longer need to land an offensive tackle they'll have to count on early in the draft. This draft doesn't set up especially well for finding an offensive tackle who can help from day one at the 20th overall selection.
Veldheer is a fine player, but what I like best about this signing is that the Cardinals should get great value through this entire draft, including hopefully finding a young quarterback to groom. Arizona is a dark-horse Super Bowl contender.
[h=3]The next five[/h]
6. WR DeSean Jackson, Washington Redskins: The Redskins' offense clearly gets more difficult to deal with now that Jackson is in the mix, as they'll have three targets this season (Jackson, Pierre Garcon and tight end Jordan Reed) who legitimately threaten opposing defenses. Also, with Robert Griffin III's ability to to buy time and extend plays, keeping Jackson under wraps for that additional time makes the work of opposing defensive backs that much more difficult.
7. S T.J. Ward, Denver Broncos: Denver already has an excellent run defense, and Ward further improves the Broncos in this area. Also, Denver's defense has struggled against opposing tight ends over the past few seasons. Ward should help for years to come.
8. DE DeMarcus Ware, Denver Broncos: Ware might be declining, but a slight decline from a Hall of Fame level of play can still be highly potent in the run game, where he excels, as well as opposite Von Miller rushing the passer. Ware also should be an ideal mentor for Miller and possibly a high draft pick edge-rusher, should Denver select one.
9. WR Golden Tate, Detroit Lions: Tate completes the Lions' offense. He is an excellent complement to the great Calvin Johnson and will consistently see single coverage. It is about time Detroit found its No. 2 wideout.
10. DE Michael Johnson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Johnson isn't an elite pass-rusher, but he is extremely gifted and is a constant force in the running game. The Bucs were really light at defensive end last year, but that is no longer the case after this signing.
Last week, ESPN Insider Mike Sando, with the help of myself and some other ESPN analysts, compiled free-agency grades for every NFL team. The grades factored in important context such as the length and value of every contract, the quality of the players signed or let go and whether each team's free-agency moves made sense within its broader organizational strategy.
But if you stripped away all of that context and looked purely at the level of impact the 2014 free-agent signings will have for their new teams, what players would rise to the top of the list?
Below is my ranking of the top 10 impact free-agent signings for 2014. These aren't necessarily the most talented players to switch teams, or the ones who were acquired at the best rate, but they are in the best position to succeed based on their ability and opportunity within their teams' schemes.
[h=3]The top tier[/h]
1. CB Darrelle Revis, New England Patriots
<!-- begin inline 1 -->
Revis
<!-- end inline 1 -->Aqib Talib is a very talented cornerback capable of lining up against an opponent's top receiver all day in man-to-man coverage without much help. But he isn't Revis. In fact, over the course of his career, Talib has been up and down in this regard. Before his hip injury last season, Talib was great, but after the injury, his play predictably fell off. Meanwhile, Revis just kept getting better during his only season in Tampa Bay as his knee got stronger -- despite the fact that the Bucs didn't always use him in man coverage.
<OFFER></OFFER>
Now, Revis is also a good zone coverage player. In fact, he really is a cornerback who doesn't truly have a discernable weakness, which obviously is rare in any NFL player regardless of position. He is in the prime of a Hall of Fame career, after all.
Over the past two seasons, the Patriots have gone to more man-to-man coverage on the back end. With Revis now in the fold, he should draw the opponent's top wideout on nearly every snap and allow New England to more or less play 10-on-10. Also, while I think Brandon Browner is a little bit overrated due to the great players that surrounded him in Seattle, don't be shocked at all if Bill Belichick uses the Seahawks' coverage model with Revis in the Richard Sherman role, Devin McCourty in the deep middle of the field like Earl Thomas, and Browner being, well, Browner. But unlike Seattle's use of Sherman, it would be surprising if New England kept Revis on just one side of the field.
2. S Jairus Byrd, New Orleans Saints
<!-- begin inline 2 -->
Byrd
<!-- end inline 2 -->As mentioned above concerning Thomas and McCourty, having a single high safety with great range and ball-hawking abilities is all the rage right now in the NFL. Thomas is the best and most complete player in the league in this capacity, but Byrd isn't far behind. He reads quarterbacks, breaks on the ball and plays the ball in the air as well as any safety in recent memory. His angles to the ball are superb and he wastes few steps.His ability to cover so much ground as the last layer of defense should allow Kenny Vaccaro to act in more of a do-it-all Troy Polamalu role in this aggressive Saints defense. Although he is recovering from a fractured ankle, Vaccaro was extremely impressive in his rookie season and does possess a Polamalu-like skill set with rare versatility. This safety pairing should rival the one in Seattle as the best in the league and could potentially eclipse the Super Bowl champs' duo.
The Saints really could use another cornerback and surely will address that early in the draft, but we know that Rob Ryan wants multiple coverages and to bring added pressure often (if his personnel allows for it). With Byrd in the deep middle, not only did the Saints add a great playmaker, but they also opened up much more in terms of what Ryan can dial up for Vaccaro and the rest of the defense.
3. OT Branden Albert, Miami Dolphins
<!-- begin inline 3 -->
Albert
<!-- end inline 3 -->Was Albert one of the best free agents on the market this season? No. In fact, I would prefer to have Eugene Monroe or Jared Veldheer as my starting left tackle going forward. But Albert is a top-10 player at a vital position that the Dolphins desperately needed to upgrade. Going into the offseason, it could have been argued that Miami needed two starting offensive tackles and two starting guards. They were quick to ink their left tackle and also made an underrated signing in Shelley Smith, who moves well and is a capable and improving starting guard.Last year's starting tackles, Bryant McKinnie and Tyson Clabo, remain free agents, but there is no doubt that Albert is an improvement over either player. He is consistent and an able run-blocker, but most importantly, Albert excels in protection. Ryan Tannehill remains a promising franchise quarterback prospect, but he has been under too much pressure during his career. Miami's running game was also brutal last season, and while this offensive line rebuild project is far from complete, it is going down the right path.
4. DE Lamarr Houston, Chicago Bears
<!-- begin inline 4 -->
Houston
<!-- end inline 4 -->The Bears' run defense was atrocious last season. Adding a base end with Houston's size and power at the point of attack is a great solution to that problem, as Julius Peppers, whom Houston replaces at left defensive end, was up and down against the run.But Peppers wasn't the only one to blame on Chicago's defensive line. This unit got manhandled in the run game and offered little rushing the passer as well. Houston should be a decent pass-rusher as a 4-3 defensive end, but this is a versatile lineman who can also stand up and rush from a two-point stance, drop into a short zone in coverage, or line up as a 3-4 defensive end or as a 3-technique in the base 4-3. This is especially important, as the Bears are looking to become more multiple on defense. Houston is a wild card in this capacity and makes this defense much more difficult to prepare for.
On throwing downs, expect Houston to bump inside as an interior pass-rusher to team with Jeremiah Ratliff on the inside. At end on passing downs, Chicago will line up Willie Young, another fine free-agent addition, opposite Jared Allen. That is a formidable foursome. This defensive line is far superior to the one the Bears fielded a year ago.
5. OT Jared Veldheer, Arizona Cardinals
<!-- begin inline 5 -->
Veldheer
<!-- end inline 5 -->I often view free agency as a mechanism to set yourself up best for the draft, which is where a team is truly built. What I mean by that is if a team can eliminate its major need areas in free agency, it then is in an enviable position of being able to select the best draft prospect on its board and more or less ignore positional need.So not only did Arizona land a good young football player who should be getting better at an extremely important position, but now (especially considering Jonathan Cooper returns from injury) the Cardinals no longer need to land an offensive tackle they'll have to count on early in the draft. This draft doesn't set up especially well for finding an offensive tackle who can help from day one at the 20th overall selection.
Veldheer is a fine player, but what I like best about this signing is that the Cardinals should get great value through this entire draft, including hopefully finding a young quarterback to groom. Arizona is a dark-horse Super Bowl contender.
[h=3]The next five[/h]
6. WR DeSean Jackson, Washington Redskins: The Redskins' offense clearly gets more difficult to deal with now that Jackson is in the mix, as they'll have three targets this season (Jackson, Pierre Garcon and tight end Jordan Reed) who legitimately threaten opposing defenses. Also, with Robert Griffin III's ability to to buy time and extend plays, keeping Jackson under wraps for that additional time makes the work of opposing defensive backs that much more difficult.
7. S T.J. Ward, Denver Broncos: Denver already has an excellent run defense, and Ward further improves the Broncos in this area. Also, Denver's defense has struggled against opposing tight ends over the past few seasons. Ward should help for years to come.
8. DE DeMarcus Ware, Denver Broncos: Ware might be declining, but a slight decline from a Hall of Fame level of play can still be highly potent in the run game, where he excels, as well as opposite Von Miller rushing the passer. Ware also should be an ideal mentor for Miller and possibly a high draft pick edge-rusher, should Denver select one.
9. WR Golden Tate, Detroit Lions: Tate completes the Lions' offense. He is an excellent complement to the great Calvin Johnson and will consistently see single coverage. It is about time Detroit found its No. 2 wideout.
10. DE Michael Johnson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Johnson isn't an elite pass-rusher, but he is extremely gifted and is a constant force in the running game. The Bucs were really light at defensive end last year, but that is no longer the case after this signing.
