On Day 3 of the Free Agency, no team was named more often than the Las Vegas Raiders – and not always positively. The Raiders sign some good players, but also lose center Rodney Hudson to the Cardinals. Arizona is also upgrading the receiver group with AJ Green, while the competition for Kenny Golladay has finally begun.
Cardinals bring on Hudson and AJ Green
The Arizona Cardinals had gone into the Free Agency with numerous construction sites; a number 2 receiver and a high-end center were high on the priority list. Both fulfilled the Cardinals on Day 3 of the Free Agency.
The cracker took place in the center position, where Arizona almost made the first big move on Monday: At that time, the Los Angeles Chargers outbid the Cardinals in the competition for ex-Packers center Corey Linsley – Arizona obviously wanted with Rodney Hudson prevent history from repeating itself.
Hudson was not released on the market as reported on Tuesday, but was offered by the Raiders via trade. Arizona clearly outbid the competition by putting a third-round pick on the table. Hudson joins the Cardinals, along with the Raiders’ seven-round pick.
From Cardinals’ point of view, that was an enormously correct step. Hudson, in the top 5 center range across the league, ultimately had its price and was by no means a bargain. But the center position was a constant problem for the Cardinals last year. That should be a thing of the past now, which should make Murray’s job significantly easier. Even when it comes to identifying speed cameras and rushers before the snap.
For the receiver construction site, however, Arizona chose the cheaper route: AJ Green signs for a year and six million dollars (maximum: 8.5 million) in Arizona. He gives the Cardinals a second outside option, which should allow Christian Kirk to move more into the slot, where he is significantly more effective. However, after a very weak preseason, the legitimate question is how much the 32-year-old Green still has in the tank.
In view of the financial scope, this obligation leaves the door open for further investments – via free agency or draft – in the wide receiver corps.
Carolina Panthers sign Haason Reddick
For three years the Cardinals failed to find the right role for Haason Reddick. Last season, the former first-round pick was finally set up as an edge rusher – and played by far his best season. 12.5 sacks, 56 quarterback pressures, Reddick has had several dominant pass rush games over the season. Now he’s allowed to show in Carolina that it wasn’t a coincidence.
It’s a Prove-It deal, but on very favorable terms: Reddick only receives $ 6 million guaranteed for one year, with a maximum of $ 8 million. And there is also a certain familiarity, Reddick has already played in college under Panthers coach Matt Rhule.
Together with Brian Burns and last year’s second-round pick Yetur Gross-Matos, Carolina should bring a high degree of flexibility in the pass rush to the field, with Derrick Brown in the middle. From the Chargers comes Denzel Perryman for the front to fill the middle linebacker spot for Tahir Whitehead, from the Rams comes defensive lineman Morgan Fox.
Washington grabs Curtis Samuel
The Washington Football Team continues an interesting free agency. After the team from the capital had already secured the services of cornerback William Jackson and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, urgently needed help for the receiving corps followed on Wednesday: slot receiver / running back / gadget weapon Curtis Samuel signs in Washington.
The contract is for 3 years and up to $ 34.5 million for the ex-panther. Together with receiver-running-back hybrid Antonio Gibson, Samuel could pose a real matchup problem for Defenses and should help relieve number 1 receiver Terry McLaurin.
What happened to Kenny Golladay?
The top free agents either did not come onto the market via Franchise Tag or, like Trent Williams, Corey Linsley, Carl Lawson, Hunter Henry, Joe Thuney, Shaq Barrett, William Jackson or John Johnson, are now off the market.
It looks different with the receivers, starting with Kenny Golladay. The Ex-Lions receiver is a real number 1, it is the best receiver on the market – and yet it was noticeably quiet around the 27-year-old for a long time. This is a clear sign that the market has not developed as he hoped for him.
This impression was further confirmed on Wednesday. The New York Giants invited Golladay for a meeting, something that almost no other free agent in the previous Free Agency did before he agreed to a contract. The alternative seems to be a one-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, who have also made an offer to Golladay. According to reports, Golladay can imagine the Giants very well, but obviously both sides want to get to know each other better.
Given the fact that the salary cap should rise significantly again soon, a short-term deal could be the best way for Golladay to cash in on in 2022 anyway. At the same time, however, he missed most of the previous season with an injury, and should he then injure himself again under a one-year contract in 2021, a difficult market could await him despite the rising cap.
Brown, O-Line, Thomas: Wilder Tag in Las Vegas
It was a very eventful day for the Las Vegas Raiders. The big headlines belonged to Rodney Hudson, but around Hudson, Las Vegas ultimately held several components of its offensive line: The guards Denzelle Good and Richie Incognito each received new short-term contracts.
The Raiders had already lost Nelson Agholor to the New England Patriots on Monday, where the Speedster received an expensive contract after his one-year, unexpectedly successful Raiders stint. Las Vegas has now found a cheap replacement: John Brown has signed for a year and a maximum of $ 5.5 million.
Otherwise, the focus was clearly on the defensive line and here, too, Las Vegas got some good deals: Solomon Thomas comes from the Niners, the former top 5 pick receives a one-year contract for a maximum of five million dollars and should give the Raiders more interior pass rush give. This also applies to Quinton Jefferson, who is coming from Buffalo for a year. Jefferson had 30 quarterback pressures for the Bills last year, according to the PFF.
Free Agency: Further changes in quick succession
- The big splash deals have so far failed to materialize in Miami, but the Dolphins have two interesting commitments that are likely to fly a bit under the radar: The Lions are slot cornerback Justin Coleman at a ridiculous price of $ 2.75 million for one year. Coleman had a low in Detroit, Dolphins coach Brian Flores still knows him from New England. Speedster receiver Robert Foster, who had not received a restricted free agent tender from Washington, is coming for the offense.
- The New England Patriots “only” gave cornerback JC Jackson the second round restricted free agent tender. Means: New England can react to any offer Jackson may receive from another team – but if the Patriots can no longer or want to financially call an offer, Jackson would be gone and only a second-round pick would be due as compensation. Given the performance Jackson has shown, there could be a team that at least test this route.
- In San Francisco there was a double investment in the offensive line on Wednesday: In addition to the record contract for Trent Williams, the Niners also secured center Alex Mack. The receives a one-year contract for 5.5 million dollars and offers an ideal interim solution in the Bay. Mack had already played in Cleveland and later in Atlanta under Kyle Shanahan.
- Seattle’s new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron has brought a toy from Los Angeles: Ex-Rams tight-end Gerald Everett is signing $ 6 million with the Seahawks for a year. Everett gives Seattle a dynamic receiving presence in the tight-end position and is likely to take on a bigger role in Waldron’s play-action offense.
- In Philadelphia, two expected cuts became official: Alshon Jeffery and Malik Jefferson were released on Wednesday.
Page 1: Cardinals bring Hudson – what will become of Golladay?
Page 2: Day 3 of the Free Agency in Re-Live for reading
