10 NFL stars who must be extended this preseason
By Ian Wharton
Grady Jarrett, DT, Atlanta Falcons
The price of being a winning team over an extended period of time is high. The Atlanta Falcons have won at least nine games a total of seven times since 2008, and their only two losing records in that timeframe coming under Mike Smith’s tutelage. Recent draft classes have featured several players who have outperformed their draft slot, with defensive tackle Grady Jarrett being the biggest steal.
The raw numbers for Jarrett aren’t overwhelming, with just eight sacks in three years. But the tape shows a devastatingly disruptive player as a pass-rusher and run-defender. His first step is outstanding as he can get into the bodies of blockers and win the leverage battle.
Bleacher Report’s Brandon Thorn graded Jarrett as the fourth-best 4-3 defensive tackle in the NFL last year. As one of many draft analysts who loved Jarrett’s game as he came out of Clemson, it’s good to see him earning that type of distinction. It’s critical that Atlanta can lock him in before taking care of the next wave of young free agents.
The money is tight, however. The Falcons don’t have any obvious cuts in coming years, and have just over $30 million available next year after they roll over this year’s total. If he asks for more than what Timmy Jernigan received from the Philadelphia Eagles ($12 million per year), it’s going to be a compromise that could cost the team another player down the line.
The middle ground is between Star Lotulelei’s new $50 million contract with the Bills and Jernigan’s deal. Both are bloated for what kind of players they are, but Jarrett doesn’t have the statistical production to make a great case to make more than that range.
Proposed contract extension: Five years, $55 million, $20 million guaranteed.