Is your head spinning? The first hour or so of the 2014 NFL league year has been ripe with hundreds of millions of dollars being thrown around to free agents around the football world. Here is a recap of some of the biggest signings thus far.
Dexter McCluster, Wide Receiver, Tennessee Titans (4Y-$12 million)
McCluster put up 53 receptions for 511 yards and two scores for the Kansas City Chiefs last season. He’s a few years removed from being a hybrid running back/wide receiver, a role that Tennessee might use him in, especially if/when it releases Chris Johnson.
Branden Albert, Offensive Tackle, Miami Dolphins (5Y-$46 million)
Miami’s been in need of a starting-caliber left tackle, even when Jonathan Martin was with the team. Albert started 83 games in six seasons with Kansas City and earned a trip to the Pro Bowl protecting Alex Smith’s blindside this past season.
Jared Veldheer, Offensive Tackle, Arizona Cardinals (5Y-$35 million)
Veldheer has been among the best Raiders players when on the field since going in the third round of the 2010 draft. The issue with Veldheer, however, is that he missed 11 games last season. With that said, he’s a marked upgrade at left tackle for Carson Palmer and the Cardinals.
Rodger Saffold, Offensive Tackle, Oakland Raiders (5Y-$42.5 million)
This makes little sense. Pay more for a player that most around the league view to be a starting guard in the NFL than for your young left tackle? Oakland’s perplexing offseason continues.
Michael Johnson, Defensive End, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5Y-$43.75 million)
Despite recording just 3.5 sacks last season, Johnson brings a furious pass-rush ability that the Buccaneers have been missing from the outside for some time now. Check out our piece on this signing here.
Lamarr Houston, Defensive End, Chicago Bears (5Y-$35 million)
Houston was one of the most underrated defensive players in the class. Signing the former Oakland Raiders defensive end likely means that the Bears will release Julius Peppers if they can’t find a trade partner.
Karlos Dansby, Linebacker, Cleveland Browns (4Y-$24 million)
Dansby is an upgrade over D’Qwell Jackson at linebacker for Cleveland and comes at pretty much the same price tag. A pretty solid signing for a Browns organization that has been much maligned since the whole front office restructure. Dansby is coming off the best season of his career. He put up 120-plus tackles, four interceptions, two touchdowns and 19 passes defended last year in Arizona.
Donte Whitner, Safety, Cleveland Browns (4Y-$28 million)
$7 million a year may seem to be a bit steep considering that the Browns are letting T.J. Ward, who is younger than Whitner, walk in free agency. Whitner, a two-time Pro Bowler, returns home and will be a member of one of the best defenses in the NFL.
Antoine Bethea, Safety, San Francisco 49ers (4Y-$26 million)
A perfect scheme fit to replace Whitner, this former Indianapolis Colts two-time Pro Bowler should fit in right away at strong safety next to Eric Reid. With that said, we are going to have to see how this contract is structured. $26 million over four seasons seems a tad expensive.
Photo: Kirby Lee, USA Today