“Winning” free agency can be overrated. Just ask the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who made splash after splash last offseason by signing Michael Johnson, Anthony Collins and Josh McCown. One year later, all three of those players are gone.
Regardless, the signings and trades that have gone down thus far have made some teams better and some teams worse. That could change, but without hindsight, here are four winners and losers from the first two days of free agency, 2015:
Winners
Arizona Cardinals: Darnell Dockett was old anyway, and they’ve upgraded the defense with Sean Weatherspoon, Corey Peters, LaMarr Woodley and Cory Redding, with Brian Orakpo also a possibility. And Mike Iupati really helps upgrade an already-talented offensive line.
New York Jets: Darrelle Revis can transform an already-good defense and Ryan Fitzpatrick can at least push Geno Smith under center. James Carpenter also helps bolster the experience they have along the offensive line, and they haven’t lost any notable players.
Philadelphia Eagles: I might be in the minority, but I think Sam Bradford is an upgrade over Nick Foles under center. The Eagles have also brought in talented but injury-prone guys Walter Thurmond, Kiko Alonso and Ryan Mathews, but I believe their sports science emphasis could help those guys stay healthy.
Seattle Seahawks: Um, Jimmy Graham.
Losers
Dallas Cowboys: Nothing crushing, but they lost solid starters Justin Durant and Bruce Carter and are likely to lose reigning offensive player of the year DeMarco Murray.
Indianapolis Colts: They had so much money to spend, but they’re wasting it on old men. Trent Cole, Frank Gore and Andre Johnson are all over the age of 31. And then they fail to retain solid starters Cory Redding and Sergio Brown? I don’t get it.
New Orleans Saints: The cap-strapped Saints were forced to deal the best tight end in the game and cut starter Curtis Lofton.
St. Louis Rams: I don’t feel good about the trade for Nick Foles, and they didn’t get better cutting Jake Long, Kendall Langford and Scott Wells.
