NFL free agency is off to a fast start with the legal tampering period beginning Monday, even as new deals can’t be signed until Wednesday when the new league year starts. Some recent updates include Hunter Henry’s big deal with the Patriots, Ryan Fitzpatrick’s agreement with Washington, Bud Dupree to the Titans, Corey Davis to the Jets and Yannick Ngakoue to the Raiders.
The Patriots, Jets and Jaguars were big spenders on Day 1. With the salary cap now down to $182.5 million for the upcoming season, there is clearly a race to get in and get paid before the pool dries up.
Follow along here as we’ll track where the NFL’s biggest names are headed.
The Athletic’s free agency resources
Big board of best available players
Sheil Kapadia’s grades
Free agency predictions
Team-by-team needs
Salary cap space
Tuesday, March 16
Ravens finally retain OLB, agree to deal with Tyus Bowser
After losing three of their top five outside linebackers in Yannick Ngakoue, Matt Judon and Jihad Ward, the Ravens have retained one: Baltimore has agreed to a four-year, $22 million deal with Tyus Bowser, The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec confirmed.
The 145th-ranked player on our updated free agent big board, Bowser, 25, played a career-high 51 percent of defensive snaps in his fourth season with the Ravens and produced 14 QB hits. He should take on an even larger role following recent departures at the position.
Related: Business as usual for Ravens on Day 1 of free agency | Analysis of Ravens’ Kevin Zeitler signing
Chiefs re-sign DE Taco Chalrton
The Chiefs have re-signed defensive end Taco Charlton, who had two sacks last season before going on injured reserve.
Charlton, 26, was a first-round pick of the Cowboys in 2017 and signed with the Chiefs last year, playing well in a reserve role for seven games before going on injured reserve with a fractured leg. He had five sacks with Miami in 2019 and provides familiar depth for their pass rush in 2021. It’s a one-year deal, per NFL Network, with no financial terms reported yet.
Bengals to sign former Cowboys’ CB Chidobe Awuzie
The Bengals replaced Carl Lawson by signing defensive end Trey Hendrickson. Have they now found William Jackson III’s replacement, too?
While Jackson, the top corner on The Athletic‘s big board, remains unsigned, Cincinnati has agreed to a three-year deal with corner Chidobe Awuzie, according NFL Network.
Awuzie, who will be 26 by Week 1, is a 2017 second-round pick of the Cowboys. He played in 49 games across four years with Dallas. He was limited to just eight in 2020 . The Athletic‘s Ted Nguyen counts him among his five best under-the-radar free agents.
Jaguars to sign Chris Manhertz, Jihad Ward
The Jaguars continue to be active in free agency, adding tight end Chris Manhertz and defensive end Jihad Ward on Tuesday morning.
Manhertz, 28, primarily is a blocking tight end who played more than 500 snaps for Carolina last year but has just 12 catches for 142 yards and a touchdown over his last four seasons. The 6-foot-6, 255-pound tight end signed a two-year deal reportedly worth $7.25 million.
Ward, 26, is a former second-round pick of the Raiders. He played with the Ravens last season, getting 16 tackles and three sacks off the bench. Terms were not immediately disclosed.
Patriots, Hunter Henry agree on 3-year, $37.5 million deal
In two days, the Patriots have gone from perhaps the worst tight ends room in the NFL to one of the best.
A day after signing the Titans’ Jonnu Smith to a four-year, $50 million deal, the Patriots made another big signing, landing the Chargers’ Hunter Henry on a three-year deal worth $37.5 million, giving them two of the league’s highest-paid players at the position.
Henry, 26, had a career-best 60 catches last year on the way to 613 yards and four touchdowns, giving him 21 touchdowns in the four seasons he’s played. He came to the Chargers as a second-round pick in 2016 and joins a reloaded Patriots offense that has added receivers Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne.
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: D | Jeff Howe’s analysis | Roundtable reaction
Broncos pick up Von Miller’s option
The Broncos are bringing back Pro Bowl pass-rusher Von Miller for the final year of his six-year contract, reportedly agreeing to an option Tuesday that guarantees $7 million of the $18 million he’ll earn this season.
Miller, who turns 32 next week, is coming off a down year with eight sacks, the fewest he’s had in a healthy season. He made the Pro Bowl for the eighth time in his nine years in Denver, reaching 100 career sacks.
At $18 million, Miller will earn more this season than any of this year’s free-agent signees, topped by the Bucs’ Shaq Barrett earning $17 million per year on a four-year deal to stay in Tampa.
Monday, March 15
Jaguars continue spending spree; Rayshawn Jenkins, Phillip Dorsett agree to deals
Finishing a busy first day of free agency, the Jaguars agreed to terms with Chargers safety Rayshawn Jenkins and former Patriots receiver Phillip Dorsett on new deals Monday night.
Jenkins, 27, returns to his home state on a four-year deal reportedly worth $35 million. He was born in St. Petersburg and played college at Miami. He’ll upgrade the Jaguars secondary, having been a starter in Los Angeles the last two years. He has five interceptions in those two seasons, and reset his career high with 84 tackles last year after totaling 90 in his first three seasons.
Dorsett, 28, is a former Colts first-round pick who didn’t play last year, signing with the Seahawks but spent the season on injured reserve with a foot injury. He had five touchdown catches with the Patriots in 2019, after totaling six touchdowns in his first four NFL seasons. He played on a one-year, $1 million contract in Seattle, though terms weren’t reported on his one-year deal with Jacksonville.
Those moves are in addition to Jacksonville and new coach Urban Meyer signing Seahawks running back Carlos Hyde, Bears defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris and Eagles special-teamer Rudy Ford.
Sheil Kapadia’s Jenkins grade: C-
Vikings, Dalvin Tomlinson agree to terms on two-year deal
The Vikings have agreed to a two-year contract with free-agent defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, who started every game in his four seasons with the Giants.
Tomlinson, 27, had 3.5 sacks in each of the last two seasons for New York, and his deal with Minnesota will reportedly pay $22 million. He’s been consistent and productive, with at least 49 tackles in each of his four seasons.
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: C- | Chad Graff’s analysis
Ryan Fitzpatrick set to join Washington, his ninth NFL team
Call them the Washington Fitzmagic Team.
Washington added another quarterback for 2021, signing veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick to a one-year deal reportedly worth $10 million.
It’s the ninth NFL team for the well-traveled 38-year-old, who had the second-best quarterback rating of his 16-year career in 2020, throwing for 13 touchdowns and 2,091 yards for the Dolphins.
Fitzpatrick will compete with Taylor Heinicke, who stepped in as a starter in the playoffs, as well as veteran Kyle Allen, who was briefly the starter last year. The money given to Fitzpatrick suggests he’ll have a good chance to be the starter as a one-year stopgap for Washington.
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: B | Rhiannon Walker’s analysis
Bengals to sign Trey Hendrickson for 4 years, $60 million
The Bengals finished last in the NFL with just 17 sacks last season, and new signee Trey Hendrickson had 13.5 all by himself in a breakout year with the Saints.
Hendrickson, 26, was part of a lucrative day for NFL pass-rushers, agreeing to terms on a four-year deal reportedly worth $60 million.
New Orleans, which has cut and restructured many players to help get under the salary cap, loses a player who had unprecedented success in 2020. After 6.5 sacks total in his first three seasons, he had 13.5, along with 25 quarterback hits. He came to the Saints as a third-round pick in 2017 out of Florida Atlantic.
Cincinnati’s sack leader from last season was Carl Lawson, who had 5.5 and on Monday agreed to a similar contract — three years and $45 million — with the Jets.
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: D | Jay Morrison’s analysis
Titans, Bud Dupree agree on 3-year deal
The Titans had just 19 sacks in 2020, the third-lowest total in the league, but they took a major step toward improving that Monday, agreeing to terms with free-agent pass-rusher Bud Dupree on a three-year deal reportedly worth $49.5 million.
Dupree, 28, had eight sacks in 11 games last year, after getting a career-best 11.5 sacks with four forced fumbles in 2019. His season ended in December with a torn ACL.
The Titans were led by Harold Landry’s 5.5 sacks last year, so Dupree brings a much-needed boost to their pass rush. Dupree’s deal looks to be the second-highest among NFL pass-rushers Monday, just behind the Bucs’ Shaq Barrett at $17 million a year and ahead of the Rams’ Leonard Floyd at $16 million a year.
Tennessee gets a big addition, after losing tight end Jonnu Smith to the Patriots and receiver Corey Davis to the Jets on Monday.
Jameis Winston returning to Saints
The Saints have brought back Jameis Winston to compete for their starting quarterback job in 2021, agreeing to terms on a one-year deal Monday night.
Winston, 27, threw only 11 passes for New Orleans in 2020, adding a 56-yard touchdown pass on a trick play in the playoffs. He’ll compete with Taysom Hill, who stepped in for an injured Drew Brees this past season and also is back under contract.
Winston is only a year removed from leading the NFL with 5,109 passing yards in 2019, finishing a five-year run as the Bucs’ starter. He threw a then team-record 33 touchdowns as well, but also led the NFL with 30 interceptions. He signed with the Saints and now will have a chance to replace a legend in the retired Brees.
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: B- | Larry Holder’s analysis
Carl Lawson headed to Jets on 3-year deal
Many top pass rushers came off the board on the first day of the NFL’s legal tampering period, including edge rusher Carl Lawson, who is joining the Jets on a three-year deal reportedly worth up to $47.4 million.
Lawson ranked 19th on The Athletic’s free agency big board entering Monday. He was the sixth-ranked edge rusher. He finished 2020 with just 5.5 sacks, but his 32 QB hits ranked second to only T.J. Watt. He’s never played more than 68 percent of defensive snaps, but considering the money the Jets have invested in him, that could change in New York.
Jets find top receiver, reach deal with Corey Davis
The Jets have made their first splash signing of free agency, landing former Titans receiver Corey Davis on a three-year contract reportedly worth $37.5 million. He was the No. 9 available free agent at any position in the latest rankings by The Athletic’s Sheil Kapadia.
The fifth overall pick in the 2017 draft, Davis, 26, has fallen short of such high expectations. He set career highs in 2020 with 984 receiving yards and five touchdowns and is in good position to be the Jets’ No. 1 receiver after a down year at that position. New York also signed former Lions linebacker Jarrad Davis on a one-year, $7 million deal.
Davis is the second big departure from the Titans’ offense, as tight end Jonnu Smith also left as a free agent for a four-year, $50 million deal with the Patriots.
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: B | Connor Hughes’ analysis
Chargers add more to OL, reach deal with Matt Feiler
The Chargers continue to work on their offensive line, agreeing to terms with former Steelers starter Matt Feiler on a three-year deal reportedly worth $21 million.
Feiler, 28, has played tackle and guard for Pittsburgh with a combined 39 starts over the past three seasons. With Los Angeles, he likely will move permanently inside to guard, where he can start alongside new center Corey Linsley, who also agreed to terms Monday after he was lured away from Green Bay.
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: C | Daniel Popper’s analysis
Patriots, DE Henry Anderson agree on 2-year deal
The Patriots’ free-agency frenzy isn’t over.
The seventh outside signing of Monday’s opening day of free agency has New England agreeing to terms with former Jets defensive end Henry Anderson on a two-year deal reportedly worth $7 million.
Anderson, 29, is 0-6 for his career against the Patriots, but now he’s on their roster at a fraction of what he was making with the Jets. He had seven sacks with New York in 2018 but totaled just 1.5 in the past two seasons.
Anderson joins a busy cast of Patriots newcomers, with pass-rusher Matt Judon, tight end Jonnu Smith, receivers Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne, cornerback Jalen Mills and defensive tackle Davon Godchaux all agreeing to new deals. The Patriots also re-signed defensive end Deatrich Wise on Monday.
Titans, Denico Autry agree to terms on 3-year deal
Defensive tackle Denico Autry is leaving one AFC South team for another. NFL Network reports Autry, the No. 59 player on The Athletic’s free agent big board, is signing a three-year, $21.5 million deal with the Titans. Autry spent the past three years with the Colts.
In 40 games with Indianapolis, he 20 sacks on 32 QB hits, along with 26 tackles for loss.
Related: Titans’ needs include defensive line
Carlos Hyde heading to Jaguars
The oft-traveled Carlos Hyde is making a second stop in Jacksonville, as the veteran running back is signing with the Jaguars on a two-year deal reportedly worth $6 million.
Hyde, 30, is changing teams for the fifth time in three years. After spending his first four NFL seasons with the 49ers, he signed with the Jaguars in 2018, was traded to the Browns in midseason, then spent 2019 with the Texans and 2020 with the Seahawks.
He’s averaged 4.4 yards per carry in each of the last two years, including a season with 1,070 rushing yards and six touchdowns with Houston. Last year in Seattle, he was limited to 356 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games.
In Jacksonville, he’ll be paired with James Robinson, who rushed for 1,070 yards and four touchdowns as an undrafted rookie last season.
Chargers re-sign CB Michael Davis for 3 years
Cornerback Michael Davis is staying with the Chargers on a three-year, $15 million deal. Retaining Davis was key for the Chargers, who recently cut veteran corner Casey Hayward.
Davis, who will be 26 by Week 1, played 92 percent of the Chargers’ defensive snaps in 2020 and was the 48th-ranked free agent on The Athletic’s big board.
Rams re-sign OLB Leonard Floyd for 4 years, $64 million
The Rams have brought back a key part of their defense, re-signing outside linebacker Leonard Floyd with a four-year deal reportedly worth $64 million.
Floyd, 28, reset his career highs for sacks (10.5), tackles for loss (11) and total tackles (55) in his first season in Los Angeles, after spending his first four NFL seasons with the Bears. It’s a key re-signing for a Rams defense that lost coordinator Brandon Staley this offseason and just saw safety John Johnson sign as a free agent with the Browns. Floyd’s contract is the second-largest among NFL free-agent pass-rushers Monday, topped only by the Bucs’ Shaq Barrett at $17 million per year.
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: C- | Jourdan Rodrigue’s analysis | Rams free agency needs
Broncos, CB Ronald Darby agree to 3-year, $30 million deal
Cornerback Ronald Darby has agreed to a three-year deal with the Broncos that is reportedly worth $30 million.
Darby most recently played for the Washington Football Team, which signed him to a one-year deal last offseason. He played in all 16 games for the first time and broke up 16 passes, which ranked fifth. From 2017-19, though, Darby missed 20 games. He ranked 57th on The Athletic’s free-agent big board.
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: D | Nick Kosmider’s analysis | Broncos tracker
Patriots continue busy day, agree to terms with WR Kendrick Bourne
The Patriots continued rebuilding their receiving corps with the addition of Kendrick Bourne, who is signing a three-year, $22.5 million deal with New England, according to NFL Network.
Bourne, the No. 76 free agent on The Athletic’s big board, will be 26 by Week 1. He’s coming off the best year of his career: 49 catches for 667 yards while playing 67 percent of the 49ers’ offensive snaps.
Bourne can line up outside or in the slot and has missed one game in the past three years.
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: B+ | Jeff Howe’s analysis
Buccaneers re-sign Rob Gronkowski for 2021
The Bucs have brought back another key piece from their Super Bowl championship roster, re-signing tight end Rob Gronkowski on Monday afternoon on a one-year, $8 million contract.
Gronkowski, who turns 32 in May, came out of retirement last year and helped Tom Brady win another ring, the two connecting on two touchdowns in Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl win over the Chiefs. He made it clear he wanted to return for another year, so this was just about the Bucs finding a way to fit him under the salary cap. This contract will take advantage of voidable years, so there are four voidable years, spreading out the cap impact of a $4 million signing bonus and lowering his cap number for 2021 to just $4.8 million.
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: A | Greg Auman’s analysis
Raiders, Yannick Ngakoue agree to terms
The Raiders have made their first splash signing of free agency, agreeing to terms with pass-rusher Yannick Ngakoue.
Ngakoue, who turns 26 at the end of the month, is on his fourth team in seven months. He was traded from the Jaguars to the Vikings in August, then traded to the Ravens during the season.
He has had at least eight sacks in all five of his NFL seasons but has hit double digits only once, getting 12 (with six forced fumbles) in a breakout Pro Bowl 2017 season. Ngakoue is reunited with Raiders defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, who was his head coach in Jacksonville during his rookie year in 2016.
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: B | Tashan Reed’s analysis | Roundtable reaction
Chiefs to sign Joe Thuney to 5-year, $80 million deal
After their banged-up offensive line struggled in the Super Bowl, the Chiefs signed the top interior lineman on the open market, guard Joe Thuney. According to multiple reports, it’s a five-year deal worth $80 million.
Thuney, the No. 13 player on The Athletic’s free agent big board, received the franchise tag from the Patriots last year. After starting 80 consecutive games for New England, he now joins a remade Kansas City offensive line that recently lost right tackle Mitchell Schwartz and left tackle Eric Fisher, who were both cap casualties.
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: C | Nate Taylor’s analysis | Offensive line was the Chiefs’ top need heading into free agency
Patriots adding Nelson Agholor on 2-year, $26 million deal
After having arguably the NFL’s worst group of pass-catchers a season ago, the Patriots are signing receiver Nelson Agholor to a reported two-year deal worth $26 million.
Agholor, a 2015 first-round pick of the Eagles, struggled in Philadelphia and had to settle for a one-year deal with the Raiders last year. He then enjoyed the best season of his career, catching 48 of 82 targets for 896 yards and eight touchdowns. He ranked 32nd on The Athletic’s free-agent big board and is one the best free-agent receivers to pick a team on what’s so far been a quiet day for the position.
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: C | Jeff Howe’s analysis
Broncos re-sign Shelby Harris to 3-year, $27 million deal
The Broncos are retaining defensive lineman Shelby Harris on a three-year deal worth $27 million, according to The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider.
Harris, who will be 30 by Week 1, has spent the past three seasons in Denver, and he was more disruptive than ever last season. In 11 games, he totaled a career-high 11 QB hits, including 2.5 sacks. He also broke up seven passes.
Harris ranked 88th on The Athletic’s free-agent big board.
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: C- | Nick Kosmider’s analysis | Broncos tracker
Chargers upgrade offensive line, will sign Corey Linsley
The Chargers are making Corey Linsley the highest-paid center in the NFL, signing the longtime Packers lineman to a five-year, $62.5 million contract.
Linsley, 29, was a first-team All-Pro selection in 2020, his seventh season in Green Bay. It’s an upgrade for the offensive line protecting quarterback Justin Herbert.
It’s the first big splash for the Chargers, who entered free agency with $51 million in available cap space.
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: B | Daniel Popper’s analysis | Chargers free agency primer with team needs, available budget
Browns pry S John Johnson away from Rams
The Browns have landed a key part of the Rams defense, luring away safety John Johnson with a three-year contract reportedly worth $34 million.
Johnson, 25, topped 100 tackles in 2020 for the second time in three years. The former third-round pick from Boston College now joins a Cleveland secondary that also will gain 2020 second-round pick Grant Delpit, who missed his rookie season with a torn Achilles tendon.
The Rams gave cornerback Darious Williams a first-round tender as a restricted free agent Monday. They still could lose pass-rusher Leonard Floyd, also a top free agent.
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: B+ | Zac Jackson analysis
Jets, LB Jarrad Davis agree to 1-year deal
The Jets had a hole at linebacker in head coach Robert Saleh’s defense and filled it with Jarrad Davis, who has agreed to a one-year, $7 million deal.
Davis, the No. 114 player on The Athletic’s free agency big board, was a first-round pick of the Lions in 2017, but his role diminished under former Detroit head coach Matt Patricia. Per The Athletic’s Connor Hughes, the Jets believe Saleh can help Davis be as productive as he was during his first two seasons, when he had 196 tackles and eight sacks.
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: C | Connor Hughes’ analysis | Jets have a big budget this offseason, and a GM who can’t afford to miss
Patriots, edge rusher Matt Judon agree to massive deal
The Patriots’ spending spree continued with the signing of edge rusher Matt Judon, who agreed to a four-year, $56 million deal, according to multiple reports.
Judon, who will be 29 by Week 1, recorded six sacks on 21 QB hits while playing under the franchise tag for the Ravens. In five seasons with Baltimore, He’ll bolster a New England defense that ranked 18th in pressure rate and 26th in sacks.
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: B | Jeff Howe’s analysis | Patriots roundtable
Jaguars stay active early, will sign Jamal Agnew
The Jaguars, entering free agency with loads of salary-cap space, are signing Lions return specialist Jamal Agnew to a three-year deal reportedly worth as much as $21 million.
Agnew, 25, has been one of the league’s best punt returners, with four touchdowns in his four seasons in Detroit. He also returned a kickoff for a touchdown in 2019. He was a first-team All-Pro selection in 2017 as a fifth-round pick out of San Diego. Agnew hasn’t had much of a role offensively, with 16 career catches with the Lions.
Patriots agree to terms with former Eagles DB Jalen Mills
The Patriots’ wild free-agent spending spree continued Monday afternoon by agreeing to terms with former Eagles defensive back Jalen Mills to a four-year deal reportedly worth $24 million.
Mills, 26, has played all five seasons in Philadelphia, resetting his career-high with 74 tackles. He has started as both a cornerback and safety. He is the fourth major signing by the Patriots on the first day of free agency, following tight end Jonnu Smith, defensive end Matt Judon and defensive tackle Davon Godcheaux.
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: C- | Zach Berman and Steve Buckley analysis
Jaguars to sign former Bears DT Roy Robertson Harris
The Jaguars are signing defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris to a three-year, $24.4 million deal, according to NFL Network.
Robertson-Harris, the No. 135 free agent on The Athletic’s big board, missed eight games last season with a shoulder injury but has shown promise as an interior pass rusher. The 27-year-old has recorded 7.5 sacks and 30 QB hits in 52 career games.
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: C- | Adam Jahns’ analysis | Interior defensive line was one of the Jaguars’ biggest needs entering free agency
49ers re-sign CB Jason Verrett to 1-year deal
The 49ers have re-signed cornerback Jason Verrett to a one-year deal on the first day of NFL free agency.
Fired up to have @Jfeeva_2 back w the squad! 🔥 Congratulations JV!
— John Lynch (@JohnLynch49ers) March 15, 2021
Verrett, 29, started 13 games for San Francisco last season, getting 60 total tackles and two interceptions. Last season was just his second as a full-time starter in seven years in the NFL.
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: B+ | Matt Barrows’ analysis
Patriots to sign former Titans TE Jonnu Smith
The Patriots have found a missing piece in free-agent tight end Jonnu Smith, who will leave the Titans on a four-year, $50 million contract, a source confirmed to The Athletic.
Smith, 25, had a breakout year in 2020 with eight touchdown catches, as many as in his first three seasons combined. Smith had 41 catches for 448 yards last year and has never had 500 yards in any season since he was drafted in the third round out of Florida International. The Patriots haven’t gotten much from the position since Rob Gronkowski’s retirement after the 2018 season.
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: C | Jeff Howe’s analysis
Buccaneers re-sign OLB Shaq Barrett to 4-year deal
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and free-agent outside linebacker Shaq Barrett have agreed to a four-year deal worth up to $72 million, a source confirmed to The Athletic. Barrett was the top-rated player heading to free agency according to Sheil Kapadia’s big board; the new No. 1 is OT Trent Williams.
Barrett, 28, was set to hit free agency and was the Bucs’ top remaining target to re-sign after re-signing Lavonte David and applying the franchise tag to Chris Godwin. He had four sacks during Tampa Bay’s playoff run last season.
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: A | Greg Auman’s analysis | Roundtable reaction
Cardinals re-sign Markus Golden to 2-year, $9 million deal
Edge rusher Markus Golden is staying in Arizona on a two-year deal reportedly worth $9 million, according to multiple reports.
Golden was The Athletic’s No. 87 free agent and the 16th-ranked edge rusher on the open market. A second-round pick out of Missouri, Golden began his career with the Cardinals before playing one and a half seasons with the Giants. He returned to Arizona midway through this past season in exchange for a 2021 sixth-round pick. He totaled 4.5 sacks and 20 QB hits with the Giants and Cardinals in 2020. He’ll be a complementary piece to a pass rush that includes Chandler Jones and J.J. Watt, who recently joined the team via free agency.
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: B+ | Lindsay Jones analysis
Patriots bolster DL with Davon Godchaux signing
After quickly addressing their need for a tight end by signing Jonnu Smith, the Patriots began bolstering their defensive line. New England signed defensive tackle Davon Godchaux to a two-year, $16 million deal with $9 million guaranteed. Godchaux, 26, ranked 128th on The Athletic’s big board.
A fifth-round pick in 2017, Godchaux was limited to five games in 2020 but has otherwise been durable. In 52 games, he’s recorded three sacks, 16 QB hits and 12 TFLs.
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: D | Patriots’ offseason priorities
Lions re-sign DE Romeo Okwara
Romeo Okwara was supposed to be one of the top pass rushers to hit the open market, but instead, he’s staying in Detroit.
Ranked the No. 39 free agent on The Athletic’s big board entering Monday, Okwara had 10 sacks and 18 QB hits in 2020 after totaling just 10 sacks in the previous four seasons combined. He’ll be just 26 by Week 1, offering hope that his best play is ahead of him.
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: B- | Nick Baumgardner’s analysis | Ted Nguyen’s five free-agency steals
Ravens sign G Kevin Zeitler to 3-year, $22.5 million deal
Getting a head start on free agency, the Ravens signed veteran guard Kevin Zeitler to a three-year, $22.5 million contract Monday morning, The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec reports.
Zeitler, 31, was just released by the Giants, which allows him to talk with and even sign with a new team ahead of the free-agent window for negotiation, which starts Monday at noon. His veteran presence will displace one of the Ravens’ young interior offensive linemen — 2018 sixth-rounder Bradley Bozeman (who could move to center now), 2019 fourth-rounder Ben Powers or 2020 third-rounder Tyre Phillips — from the starting lineup. Center Matt Skura also is an unrestricted free agent.
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: B | Jeff Zrebiec’s analysis | Ravens free agency: Potential targets
Sunday, March 14
Explaining the Saints’ reported $140 million extension with Taysom Hill
Drew Brees’ retirement was the big quarterback news for New Orleans, and no surprise. A companion story about backup Taysom Hill invites some explanation after ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Hill had signed a four-year, $140 million extension featuring all voidable years.
The Saints have been seeking ways to clear salary-cap obligations for the 2021 season, and adding voidable years to contracts is a longstanding method for achieving short-term cap relief. The tactic hasn’t been used as frequently by teams in recent seasons because the cap has increased substantially and teams have gotten better at managing it. But with the cap shrinking to $182.5 million per team this season, down from $198 million in 2020 after revenues dropped during the pandemic, teams with tighter salary-cap situations have resorted to this old tactic more frequently. The Saints are one of those teams.
Teams in the Saints’ situation typically convert scheduled base salary into a signing bonus. The player benefits by putting into his pocket money that typically would have been paid on a weekly basis during the upcoming regular season. The team benefits in the short term because signing bonus money, unlike base salary, can be accounted for across multiple salary caps in the future. For example, a $10 million signing bonus as part of a five-year extension would count $2 million against the cap in each of the five years of the extension. If the player were released before the contract was completed, whatever amount of the bonus that had not been accounted for under the cap (or caps) would immediately count against the current cap. Yet, even then, there are mechanisms for pushing some of that so-called dead money into the future, typically by releasing players after June 1.
In Hill’s case, he converted his scheduled $10.7 million base salary into a $9.686 million signing bonus, adding a $1.439 million guaranteed roster bonus and a $1.034 million guaranteed base salary, according to Schefter. Under Hill’s previous deal, the $10.7 million salary was counting against the cap in full. Under the new contract, the cap charge from the $9.686 million signing bonus is spread over multiple caps, while the guaranteed roster bonus and guaranteed base salary count this year.
Hill had been signed only through the 2021 season. Once the 2021 season is finished and the additional years void, the Saints would have to immediately account for the prorated portions that had been scheduled to count against future caps.
The Saints have not publicly stated their intentions for Hill. Does this deal assure his free agency in 2022? Could it become a platform for another extension? Could this be a placeholder until later in the offseason? Whatever the case, this extension for Hill is surely a mechanism for the Saints gaining salary-cap relief heading into the 2021 free-agent signing period, which opens Wednesday. — Mike Sando
Drew Brees leaves the Saints’ QB room
Quarterback Drew Brees announced his long-expected retirement on Sunday, 15 years to the day he first signed with the New Orleans Saints.
“He arrived at a time when the city desperately needed someone to believe in,” writes The Athletic‘s Jeff Duncan. “Six months removed from Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans was desperate for strong, competent leadership. And into this forlorn landscape came Brees, the ultimate leader. Consistent. Reliable. Capable.”
Who steps into Brees’ massive shadow as New Orleans next starting quarterback? Utility player Taysom Hill, who is reportedly restructuring his contract in an unusual way to help the team get under the cap, is one option. Another is Jameis Winston, who joined New Orleans on an inexpensive one-year deal last offseason.
Bills tack on another new deal
The Bills continue to retain key players from a team that reached the AFC Championship Game. That group now includes guard Jon Feliciano, who has agreed to a three-year, $17 million extension, according to multiple reports.
Feliciano has experience at every interior offensive line spot but has primarily been the Bills’ starting right guard for the past two seasons. He placed 90th in The Athletic’s top 150 free agent rankings. Ahead of him at No. 44 is offensive tackle Daryl Williams, who Buffalo is also bringing back on a three-year deal. On the other side of the ball, Buffalo has retained Matt Milano, who was going to be one of the best linebackers available.
Packers hold on to RB Aaron Jones
Even with limited salary-cap space, the Packers have found a way to keep free-agent running back Aaron Jones in Green Bay.
Jones, 26, announced his return on Twitter, writing “Let’s run it back,” with a cheesehead emoji. “#GoPackGo.” The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman confirmed it’s a four-year deal for $48 million, with a $13 million signing bonus.
It’s an expensive deal for Green Bay, making Jones the sixth-highest-paid running back in the league on a per-year basis. Jones earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl in 2020, rushing for a career-best 1,104 yards and nine touchdowns. He led the NFL in rushing touchdowns in 2019 with 16. The Athletic’s Sheil Kapadia ranked Jones as the top running back and No. 21 overall free agent in this year’s class.
Green Bay had just $1.06 million in cap space before the signing, so the Packers will need to make additional moves to get under the cap before Wednesday’s NFL deadline.
Patriots send right tackle Marcus Cannon to Texans
The Texans executed their second trade on a busy Sunday, acquiring right tackle Marcus Cannon from the Patriots in exchange for a swap of picks in the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds, league sources confirmed.
Cannon’s presence could move 2019 first-round pick Tytus Howard, a starter at right tackle for two seasons, inside. Or Cannon, who will be 33 next season and count for approximately $6 million against Houston’s cap, might just serve as an expensive swing tackle. Houston’s top backup tackle for the past two seasons, Roderick Johnson, is just 25 years old and hitting free agency.
Cannon, who opted out of the 2020 season, has no guaranteed money on his contract in 2022, the last year of his deal. So if Houston doesn’t like what it sees out of him this season, it could move on without penalty.
Mario Edwards Jr. is staying put for a while.
After playing for four teams in four seasons, the defensive end has re-signed with the Bears, getting a three-year contract worth $12.5 million, per an NFL Network report.
Edwards, 27, had a career-best four sacks in his first season with the Bears in 2020, and he gets a considerable raise from the $910,000 he earned last year, after going from the Raiders to Giants to Saints to Bears in a span of three years. Chicago has very little salary-cap space as free agency approaches, with less than $90,000 under the cap according to Spotrac. That ranks 28th among NFL teams.
Texans, Dolphins swap Benardrick McKinney for Shaq Lawson
The Texans and Dolphins agreed to a trade, sending inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney to Miami in exchange for edge rusher Shaq Lawson.
McKinney, who has no guaranteed salary remaining on the final three years of his contract, became expendable after the team signed free agent Christian Kirksey, a cheaper replacement. He’ll slide in a starter opposite Jerome Baker in Miami while Lawson addresses the Texans’ immense need for pass-rushing following the departure of J.J. Watt.
In the first year of a three-year, $30 million contract he signed with the Dolphins last offseason, Lawson, 26, appeared in 14 games and played 55 percent of the defensive snaps. He had four sacks on 18 QB hits. His pressure rate of 11.5 percent would’ve ranked first among the Texans, according to TruMedia and Pro Football Focus.
McKinney, 28, appeared in just four games last season after suffering a shoulder injury but has otherwise been durable. He was a Pro Bowler in 2018 and second-team All-Pro in 2016.
(Photo of Hunter Henry: Steven Ryan / Getty Images)
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