5 riskiest NFL free agency moves that could backfire
By Lior Lampert
Teams have given out nearly $3 billion in contracts in NFL free agency. These are 5 of the riskiest moves made this offseason.
This free agency pool has been filled with household NFL names we have become familiar with, yet somehow those always feel like the riskiest signings. Additionally, we also saw a lot of players emerge and establish themselves just in time for a big payday.
There were several free-agency moves that left us with more questions than answers. Per Sportrac, this free agency period has reached nearly $3B in spending.
With that being said, we must assess how the free agency market played out. Let’s preface this post by stating that the players on this list may not be bad signings. But they all come with a significant amount of risk.
These are the riskiest moves of NFL free agency that could backfire.
5. Dre’Mont Jones to the Seahawks
The Seahawks were not shy about using their cap space during free agency. In addition to Geno Smith’s big contract extension, they made Dre’Mont Jones one of the highest-paid defensive ends in the NFL.
Jones’ contract is worth up to $51 million with $23 million in guaranteed money. He is making just slightly more than Chandler Jones and a fraction less than Cameron Jordan. Those are two of the most well-decorated pass rushers in the NFL, having multiple Pro Bowl and AP All-Pro team selections on their resumes.
While the Seahawks are bringing in Jones to wreak havoc in the trenches, his ability to defend against the run leaves a lot to be desired. Dre’Mont Jones has posted a 50.9 run defense grade or lower from PFF in three of his first four seasons in the NFL.
Jones had exceeded 63 percent of his available defensive snaps taken for games in which he appeared prior to last season (81 percent). Whether it be coincidentally or not, he ended last season on IR due to a hip injury. Seattle is paying Jones to be a full-time NFL player who is expected to make an instant impact on the defensive side of the ball.
While he has shown glimpses, it remains to be seen if he can live up to the expectation the Seahawks have set with this contract.