Fansided

NFL free agency: 10 best signings

By Rory Ostrow

Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) before the AFC Championship football game against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) before the AFC Championship football game against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 11
Next
Jan 3, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) runs off the field after the NFL game against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. The Lions won 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) runs off the field after the NFL game against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. The Lions won 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Jets sign RB Matt Forte

Contract: 3 years and $12 million, $8 million guaranteed

Some readers are probably going to disagree with this ranking and go, “Hey isn’t Lamar Miller a better running back than Matt Forte?” Well, those readers would be right. But these rankings take into account contract value as well as on field performance.

Forte has been a consistently good running back since his first season in 2008. He didn’t break 1,000 yards last year, but he missed three games and was competing with Jeremy Langford for touches on a Bears team that just wasn’t very good. Forte is on the wrong side of 30, but judging by his yards/carry and yards/reception he shows no signs of slowing down.

The main reason Forte is ranked so high is because of the relative value the Jets got for him. Their feature back last year, Chris Ivory, signed with Jacksonville for more money than Forte. Despite being younger, Ivory carries a higher injury risk than Forte and he does nothing in the passing game. Even at this stage of his career, Matt Forte is a superior back as a runner and a receiver than Ivory and they got him for less money. In every possible way, this is an upgrade for the Jets.

Next: 4. Raiders sign LB Bruce Irvin

Home/NFL Free Agency