1. Wes Welker. WR - New England Patriots to Denver Broncos:
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| Welker joins Denver |
New England's loss was Denver's gain as Wes Welker jumped ship to Mile High to play with another future hall of fame quarterback. Welker is arguably the best slot receiver in the NFL and his form since 2007 shows signs of a player who could one day line up as a first ballot inductee hall of fame player. Welker probably needs a ring to cement himself a place as a top end receiver and ironically his new teammate Peyton Manning probably needs another ring to help himself have any sort of claim to being the best quarterback ever. Many people are predicting that the two will hit it off well but will the two be able to get over their own post-season slumps to rally together and get the Broncos to a Super Bowl? Well right now they are probably the favourites in the AFC along with the Patriots and if Welker continues his production at Mile High you can sure bet that this Broncos offense will tear up opposing defenses in the 2013 season. Welker adds a different dimension to this Denver offense which is what puts him at the top of the pile for free agent acquisitions as he could be the difference maker in a big playoff game for the Broncos.
With that being said the 32 year old has been prone to a big drop here; in seven playoff games spanning from 2007-2011 with the Patriots he racked up 438 receiving yards but just three touchdowns. His performances in the two Super Bowl defeats to the Giants in terms of yardage were the only two in a Patriots uniform during that time where he racked up over 60+ yards and ultimately it was his drop in the 2011 Super Bowl that cost New England as that catch would have sealed them the championship. In 2012 he did manage over 100 receiving yards against the Texans and the Ravens but the AFC Championship loss to the Ravens saw Welker drop a key catch in the third quarter as the Patriots looked to rally back.
All in all despite some high profile drops Wes Welker is a very talented football player and one of the best wide receivers in the league. He has caught more passes than any other player in the league since 2007 as well as ranking in the top five in yardage so it is safe to say that his presence as well as skill is unquestionable. Welker is a reliable player and not everyone can be perfect; he reached 500 receptions with the Patriots in just 70 games which is an NFL record and finished his career with the Patriots ranked third in receiving yards all time. He holds various other receiving records in the league including the most seasons with 100+ receptions: 5. During six years with the Patriots he racked up 7459 regular season receiving yards with 2010 being the only year where he didn't reach at least 1000 yards but that year was his only year where didn't have 100+ receptions so in fact 848 yards from 86 receptions with 7 touchdowns is still very impressive. In 2012 he set the NFL record for most games with 10 or more catches and 100 or more yards and finished the season tied with Brandon Marshall for second in receptions, 118, behind Calvin Johnson of the Detroit Lions
Overall it is safe to say that the Broncos mean business and made a statement by giving Peyton Manning another prolific offensive weapon but instead of him turning a player in to a legitimate threat he gets to throw to a target who knows how to get it done. This acquisition has the potential to be a real game changer which is why Welker is ranked as the top free agency signing but only time will tell if Welker can get it done for Denver when it matters most. He was very productive in the New England Patriots' system with Tom Brady getting the ball to him in tight windows of opportunity and he will expect the same from Peyton Manning.
2. Steven Jackson. RB - St. Louis Rams to Atlanta Falcons:
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| Will Jackson help Atlanta go all the way? |
With the NFL becoming a passing league the importance of the running back position is not as high profile as it used to be but having an offense that can produce plays on the ground as well as in the air is something that all teams desire and effectively is what takes you a step closer to winning a championship. The Falcons 2013 season is Super Bowl or bust for them so to go out at pick up a well-established running back that is coming off his 8th season of 1000+ rushing yards is a great move by this football team. In 9 seasons Jackson has averaged 4 or more yards per carry every year besides one but has racked up a very respectable 56 rushing touchdowns in those 9 years.
It appears Steven Jackson has come in to replace Michael Turner who was released this off-season; Turner actually broke the all-time Falcons rushing touchdown record last year to become the franchises leader with 60. Mike Smith wanted a new sense of direction at the position after the 31 year old rushed for under 1000 yards last year although some of that was down to the fact that Atlanta are starting to indulge more in to the passing game as they have some very valuable offensive weapons. Jackson will add to those weapons as he has the ability to catch the ball and get some receiving yards too; Jackson racked up 3324 receiving yards in 9 years with the Rams along with 8 touchdown passes as opposed to Turner who only has 528 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown in his career to date.
Jackson took over the mantle from Rams running back legend Marshall Faulk when he retired in 2006 but unlike Faulk, Jackson has never had a star quarterback lining up with him in the huddle to really put his talents to use. Thankfully for Jackson in 2013 he will lines up on a Falcons team that are genuine Super Bowl contenders and with his 30th birthday around the corner Steven Jackson knows he has 2 maybe 3 more very productive seasons in him to help offer something else to this Falcons team. After some quick maths in terms of ball handling the Falcons have also upgraded as despite fumbling 6 times more in his career in comparison to Turner only 60% of Jackson's fumbles have resulted in a turnover, 23 fumbles/15 fumble losses, as opposed to Turner who fumbled 17 times and lost 11 of those fumbles giving him a turnover rate of 70% from fumbling the football.
In conclusion it is safe to say that on paper this Atlanta Falcons team will be hoping to go one step further and reach the Super Bowl next February at MetLife stadium and that in adding Steven Jackson to their team they have a reliable running back that will benefit them. Jackson was a very good signing and warrants a place so high up on this list and I'm sure he will be worth every penny of the three year contract the Falcons offered him.
3. Jake Long. OT - Miami Dolphins to St. Louis Rams
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| Long all smiles after heading to the Rams |
Despite the Rams losing their franchise running back they now have a linchpin in the shape of Jake Long to help keep their offense together. Everybody who watches the NFL knows how important the left tackle position is and Jake Long is one of the best in the league at protecting the quarterback; something the Rams in particular need considering their 4th year quarterback Sam Bradford struggled with injuries in 2011 before bouncing back last season. After being drafted by the Dolphins in the 2008 draft Jake Long became an immediate starter and started every game that Miami played since he joined the roster until a tricep injury put him on the injured reserve list last December.
With the off-season to heal Long joins the Rams moving from a competitive division in the AFC East to an very tough and daunting NFC West which possesses defenses that will attack the quarterback so Long will have his hands full. Thankfully the 6'7, 319 pound offensive lineman has all the skills to succeed in St. Louis like he did in Miami and help this team get better; Long earned pro bowl roster spots in the 2009, 2010 and 2011 season as well as being a substitute Pro Bowl selection in 2008 after being selected to numerous All-Rookie teams meaning that Long became only the fourth tackle in 50 years to make the Pro Bowl in each of his first four seasons. He is also one of only three left tackles to be drafted as the number one overall pick and ironically at the combine in 2008 was compared to former tackle Ryan Tucker who spent 5 years playing for the Rams and was a member of their Super Bowl XXXIV winning team.
The left tackle position is key to any NFL team and for the Rams to acquire Jake Long for four years can only be good news for the franchise. His ability is clear for everyone to see and despite his position not being high profile you cannot underestimate its importance and how lucky St. Louis are to wrap up a talented player during his prime; he is now 28 years old. Long warrants a spot in the top 3 free agency signings as like his counterparts at 1 and 2 he could be a difference maker for this Rams football team as he will help improve the offensive line play for the team and ensure his quarterback is protecting as well as open up space for the running game which will help any young running back that arrives in St. Louis.
4. Danny Amendola. WR - St. Louis Rams to New England Patriots
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| Will Amendola play as good as he looks for New England? |
The New England Patriots needed a replacement for Wes Welker and actually signed Amendola before informing Welker he was surplus to requirements which lead to him joining the Denver Broncos. Danny Amendola has bundles of potential but has been plagued by various injuries his career meaning that he has only had 196 receptions for 1726 yards and 7 touchdowns since being undrafted in 2008. He was a practice player for the Cowboys and Eagles before Amendola made his debut with the St. Louis Rams where he spent the last 4 years before heading to the Patriots.
Amendola's has abilities as a special teams player too and we all know how much Bill Belichick loves versatility; 2776 kick return yards and 934 punt return yards so far in his career. The Patriots know how to manage players and they would not have tied Amendola down to a five year $31 million dollar deal, $10 million guaranteed, if they were worried about his injuries as well as taking in the fact that he will be the guy replacing Wes Welker who was very productive for New England during his time in Foxboro. With Amendola turning 28 years old in November he should be at his physical peak and ready to put past injury problems behind him; he has turned over a new leaf by signing with a Super Bowl contender and has the opportunity to play with arguably the greatest quarterback ever in Tom Brady enabling him to develop his game and show off his own personal skill-set.
Amendola is already developing good chemistry with Patriots quarterback Tom Brady; whilst this may surprise some Amendola is no stranger to putting up big number as last year he caught three touchdown passes and hauled in 63 passes for 666 yards in 11 games last season with the Rams. With the Patriots enjoying almost a complete overhaul at the receiver position it is Amendola who stands out as the main guy and the dynamic receiver could have a breakout year based on what has been mentioned so far. With Tom Brady as his quarterback Amendola will have help to learn the system quickly and reports in recent weeks suggest that the two are striking up real progress with them clicking during the teams OTA's and Brady being seen throwing balls over the field to Amendola short, middle and deep with no issues.
Obviously practice makes perfect and the Patriots will be working hard all through training camp to make sure that this somewhat new look offense clicks in to top gear come the start of the season in September. Amendola is still working hard but it appears that the Patriots have made a positive move with this signing with the wide receiver's raw talents clear for everyone to see. Expect Brady and Amendola to build up a good rapport as Amendola has the skills to work well in New England's offensive system plus Bill Belichick rarely ever makes mistakes and with his two-headed tight end monster nursing back to health he will need Amendola to put up big numbers throughout the season so that when they are all healthy this team is firing on all cylinders. This was a huge signing by the Patriots and if anything is just as big as of a move as the Wes Welker one as this will influence their franchise hugely so by ranking this signing at number 4 you'd consider it a bold but smart move which will be proven starting with the 2013 season.
5. Greg Jennings. WR - Green Bay Packers to Minnesota Vikings
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| Will Jennings come back to haunt Green Bay in 2013? |
For the Minnesota Vikings to sign one of the best wide receivers in the league from an arch rival is a massive coup for the franchise. That's not to say that Jennings is out of their depth as the Vikings are a well-established team who are still in search of a first Super Bowl and want to build a team that can compete. Acquisition's like Jennings solidify their will to do this as this signing really was a signal of intent that they want to press on from a very successful 2012 campaign especially after losing Percy Harvin to the Seattle Seahawks in a blockbuster trade. Minnesota did well to tie down one of the league's premium receivers down to a five year contract in the form of Jennings to replace Harvin and the move will have a great impact on the Vikings team as it gives young quarterback Christian Ponder a genuine weapon in the passing game and will ensure that the team do not have to put near enough all of its weight on MVP running back Adrian Peterson's shoulders.
Despite the fact that Jennings automatically improves the Vikings offense it will be interesting to see if third year QB Christian Ponder can get the ball to the wide receiver especially as teams will know he intends for Jennings to be his go to guy and we may well see him double teamed often. Ponder improved on his rookie season by throwing 5 more touchdowns and 1 less interception compared to 2011 despite the fact that this year he played 5 less games than his rookie year which is a very good sign. His completion percentage was almost 10% higher than his first year and now he has a vertical threat in Jennings we will now see what kind of quarterback Ponder really is.
Despite an injury troubled 2012 season Jennings was a prolific player for the Green Bay Packers during his seven years at Lombardi Field. In 3 of the seasons as a Packer where Jennings started all 16 games he managed to rack up 1000+ receiving yards and in total hauled in 425 receptions in 96 regular season starts for 6,537 yards and 53 touchdowns. His playoff performances were decent as a Packer with 2010 being his standout year as he was very productive with Jennings racking up over 100 receiving yards in the divisional round and NFC Championship games. When the Packers beat the Steelers in Super Bowl XLV and Jennings hauled in two touchdowns in the big game so his talents have been on show for the world to see.
At 29 years old the Vikings have Jennings on their roster during the prime of his career and if they can get someone with his skills to help this young football team grow he could help the Vikings go places as offensively they have some very good pieces in place. Overall it is safe to say that this was a top free agent signing by the Minnesota front office but his impact may not happen immediately and they will have to be patient for him to build up chemistry with Christian Ponder but as long as Adrian Peterson and Greg Jennings are healthy the Vikings will be able to compete.
6. Martellus Bennett. TE - New York Giants to Chicago Bears
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| Bennett and his wife |
With tight ends now expected to be as effective in the passing game as well as blocking and helping the running game out to find a versatile player at the position is not a gimme but Chicago appears to have picked up a good football player in Martellus Bennett. The former second round pick out of Texas A&M spent the 2012 season with the New York Giants and became a reliable option for quarterback Eli Manning with Bennett hauling in 55 receptions for 626 yards and five touchdowns. This was a giant leap forward for Bennett considering that before joining the Giants in his 4 years with the Dallas Cowboys he hadn't caught a touchdown in three years since his four TD receptions in his rookie year. In those 4 years he racked up 846 yards so in one year with the Giants he managed to almost rack up three quarters of yardage that he achieved in four with the Cowboys; he also had 7 receptions of over 20+ yards last season.
It is safe to say that the Bears have picked up a player who could be really productive for them and Bennett will hope to become a reliable target for under-fire Bears QB Jay Cutler. Besides receiver Brandon Marshall there is nobody else on the team that Cutler appears to be completely comfortable throwing to in his offense so the Bears coaching staff will hope that the 6'6, 265 pound tight end can build on a successful 2012 with the Giants and take his game to the next level for 'Da Bears'. While he may not be the fastest runner Bennett has improved on his route running and along with his strength and size that should make him an asset for this football team. Another positive for Chicago with this move is that Bennett is a good, aggressive blocker so he will help open up the running game for back Matt Forte as well as provide the offense with some much needed physicality.
Overall it is safe to believe that is signing should bring Chicago rewards providing Bennett can remain healthy especially after the franchise put their trust in him by offering him a four year contract. Judging on his 2012 season it appears that he has put his injuries behind him and is in good physical shape as he looks ahead to what he and the Bears will hope will be his best years to come for the tight end in the NFL.
7. Ahmad Bradshaw. RB - New York Giants to Indianapolis Colts
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| Can Bradshaw tear it up for the Colts? |
Just over a week ago the Colts signed up 7th year running back Ahmad Bradshaw. The move bolstered the team at the position and one can only assume that Colts head coach Chuck Pagano will be hoping Bradshaw can share the carries with the likes of second year running back Vick Ballard in a bid to give Indianapolis some extra strength on the ground and take the load of quarterback Andrew Luck. Rookie QB Andrew Luck was the main reason the Colts succeeded last year as he pulled off some amazing performances whilst breaking records in the process to guide the Colts back to the playoffs after a year absent from the post-season in his first year under centre.
With this young Colts team now under pressure to succeed already due to the high standards set in just the first year of this franchises new era they needed to add some top quality players to their roster at the positions that needed improving and they certainly did that by signing Bradshaw. During his time with the Giants you could say that they possibly underestimated his value as Bradshaw played a key part in both Super Bowl winning teams from 07' and 11' but both in quite different ways; in the 2007 season Bradshaw scored a touchdown and rushed for 208 yards in 4 playoff games including Super Bowl XLII against the Patriots where Bradshaw gained 45 yards, the most of all the Giants running backs, and recovered a crucial fumble by QB Eli Manning to help New York knock off New England. Considering that was his rookie year Bradshaw did well to handle himself and from then on his production slowly grew with the back racking up 31 touchdowns along with 4042 rushing yards in 72 regular season games from 2008-2012.
2010 saw Bradshaw rush for 1235 yards during that particular regular season, in 2011 despite a stop-start regular season he scored 9 touchdowns and he got in going in the playoffs with the former seventh round pick racking up 272 yards in 4 games as well as scoring the winning touchdown in Super Bowl XLVI. He also managed a very credible 1015 yards in 14 games last year despite sharing out the snaps with the Giants' rookie running back David Wilson. Ultimately it was Wilson's rise which saw Bradshaw leave MetLife stadium and make the switch to the Colts with the chance to join a franchise that is back on the rise. He will hope to help turn this Colts team in to contenders within the AFC South and Bradshaw himself will be hoping for a productive year as he appears to have got over any injury problems; with this deal being just a one year contract it will give him the incentive to go out and prove a point which can only be beneficial to himself and Indianapolis.
8. Louis Vasquez. OG - San Diego Chargers to Denver Broncos
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| Vasquez all smiles after switching to the Broncos |
The Denver Broncos acquired offensive lineman Louis Vasquez from their AFC West rivals the San Diego Chargers in a move which sees them automatically improve at the guard position. The former third round pick out of Texas Tech started all 16 games for San Diego last season and in four seasons started 54 games. At 25 years old Vasquez's career got off to a solid start with the Chargers before deciding to make the move this off-season to the Broncos in what is safe to say is quite possibly one of if not the steal of this free agency.
The guard position is obviously important as it has an impact on a team's passing and running game by offering protection for the quarterback whilst creating space for running backs to get it done on the ground. Vasquez has a lot to offer as he is good at speed blocking as well as pulling and he will serve as a very good addition in terms of giving veteran Bronco's quarterback Peyton Manning more protection. The 26 year old signed a four year $23.5 million pound contract which shows that Denver have faith in Vasquez to deliver for the franchise during his prime years as a player but also proves that they were smart enough to not overpay Vasquez and ensured he has incentives in his contract.
With the Broncos standing out as a main contender to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl this season they have done well to improve their roster at key positions; Vasquez allowed 2.5 sacks on average in 2012 as a Charger which was fewer than any other player on their roster as the four other offensive linemen allowed a combined 46.5 sacks. As well as that sources say that Vasquez ranked 13th among all NFL guards in overall productivity in 2012, including 9th in pass blocking which proves his productivity and with his improvement continuing it shows that Denver may have picked up a real gem with this signing.
9. Mike Wallace. WR - Pittsburgh Steelers to Miami Dolphins
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| Wallace doing his best Lebron James impression after moving to Miami $$$! |
The Miami Dolphins made a statement when they tied Mike Wallace up to a 5 year contract worth $60 million dollars. The former Pittsburgh Steeler will start his fifth year in the National Football League at a new team as he hopes to show off his explosive talents and prove that the Dolphins were right to pay out big money for him. Wallace will be productive for this young Miami team as he gives second year starter Ryan Tannehill a viable threat in the passing game with Wallace able to get deep down field as well as make big plays in open space thanks to his speedster pace.
The only objection on this deal is that the so called "winners" of free agency historically don't do great when it actually comes to game time. Big money deals are always risky and as we know quite a few of them don't work out but thankfully for the Dolphins in the long run the signing of Wallace should be worth it. This young Dolphins team will be hoping they can make a leap in the AFC East and give rivals the New England Patriots a run for their money in the upcoming season. While Wallace is an important signing for Miami the big money doesn't necessarily warrant him a place high up on these rankings as despite making a name for himself in Pittsburgh as one of one the top young receivers in the league Wallace now needs to prove himself in a new offensive system as well as build chemistry with a young QB as opposed to Ben Roethlisberger who was an established NFL QB by the time Wallace entered the league in the 2009 draft.
Wallace supposedly turned down a more lucrative offer from the Vikings but state tax presumably played a role in his decision to head to Miami instead of Minnesota. The speedy wide out has the talent to help give the Dolphins some much needed explosiveness as well as help Ryan Tannehill improve his game as the quarterback looks to build on a solid rookie season in 2012. Wallace felt like he deserved a prize deal and he got that as the contract guarantees him $30 million; for that kind of money fans of the Dolphins can certainly demand that Wallace performs to a high standard from the offset. Wallace struggled last year for the Steelers after missing most of training camp following disputes over his contract which inevitably played a role in his decision to leave but despite an up and down 2012 Wallace posted back-to-back seasons of more than 1,000 receiving yards in 2010 and 2011.
With a respectable 32 touchdowns caught in 4 years all in all the Dolphins have a viable vertical threat wrapped up for years to come as Wallace in 27 in August so the team and the player will hope that he will have his most productive years as a Fin as. Miami will not want to get ahead of themselves after making big headlines this off-season so there aim is to stay grounded and ensure that the likes of Wallace produce on the field; he is a big piece of the franchises jigsaw and it will take slow production for this team to get on the right track as they hope to first get back in to the playoffs for the first time since 2008.
10. Geoff Schwartz. OT/OG - Minnesota Vikings to Kansas City Chiefs
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| Schwartz during his time with the Panthers |
Finally at number ten on the list we have a surprise in the shape of Geoff Schwartz who packed his bags and moved over from the Vikings to the Chiefs on a one year contract. As mentioned previously and in general sometimes offensive linemen don't get the credit they deserve but thankfully for them in terms of being judged by head coaches their hard work often doesn't go unnoticed. This is why Schwartz makes the list as the 6'6 340 pound lineman is a man mountain who's physicality along with his versatility to play at guard or tackle means that the Chiefs have picked up a real steal with this signing.
Schwartz will begin the 2013 season under the guidance of new Kansas City head coach Andy Reid who will most likely employ the likes of Schwartz's various skills to open up the attack on the ground for RB Jamaal Charles and offer new quarterback Alex Smith the protection he need. Schwartz played right guard in 13 games for the Vikings last year and contributed in helping MVP Adrian Peterson almost break the NFL single-season record for rushing yards.
The 241st pick in the 2008 NFL Draft also helped the Panthers run the ball successfully during his time on the team with 2009 being the particular highlight when he contributed in helping running backs Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams both rush for more than 1100 yards in the same season; the first NFL teammates to do so. That year was when he showed off his versatility as he played in all 16 of the Panthers' regular season games and started three of them at right tackle. Also at Oregon Schwartz appeared in 41 games and helped the Ducks lead the Pac-10 in rushing for two-consecutive seasons.
Overall it is clear to see that Schwartz was a smart signing by the Chiefs as the franchise looks to rejuvenate itself and stake a claim in the tight AFC West division. The likes of Schwartz will only benefit the team as he will make the offensive line better; the one year deal benefits the Chiefs regardless as all in all they have nothing to lose but based on what Schwartz has shown since coming in the league you can bet that if this team achieves a successful 2013 campaign that the former seventh round pick contributed to it.
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