NFL Free Agency '21: 10 Biggest Pre-Draft Losers
- Michael Obermuller
- Apr 24, 2021
- 12 min read
If you read my NFL Free Agency 10 Biggest Winners article for 2021, you'd know that I have not been overly impressed by most franchises this offseason at this stage in the process. It's another unfortunate byproduct of the pandemic, 100 percent. The lowered cap coupled with financial revenue hits has caused trepidation amongst general managers and owners. Very few teams have been willing to SPEND long-term, and it has caused many players to either wait to sign, or push for one-year contracts (cap is expected to rise again next year).
That's made it tougher to find huge "winners" this offseason, but there have been plenty of losers and as we know, dreams of a Super Bowl can certainly be crushed in Spring. Out of my top five biggest free agency losers in 2020 (Vikings, Texans, Patriots, Rams and Panthers), only one of those teams made the playoffs, so there's generally some correlation. While I do expect a second wave of free agent signings to occur after next week's NFL Draft, as of now, here the 10 teams that have totally flopped in March and April this offseason.
1. New Orleans Saints, Grade: F
Notable Additions- EDGE Tanoh Kpassagnon, TE Nick Vannett
Notable Re-Signings- QB Jameis Winston, S Marcus Williams, CB P.J. Williams, G James Hurst, DL Noah Spence, RB/ST Ty Montgomery
Notable Losses- QB Drew Brees, EDGE Trey Hendrickson, WR Emmanuel Sanders, LB Kwon Alexander, LB Alex Anzalone, CB Janoris Jenkins, TE Jared Cook, DT Malcolm Brown, TE Josh Hill, CB/ST Justin Hardee, CB Ken Crawley(UFA), S D.J. Swearinger(UFA), LB Craig Robertson(UFA), WR Bennie Fowler(UFA), P Thomas Morstead(UFA)
In 2020, we saw the end of an insane New England Patriots postseason streak, and the New Orleans Saints could be next in 2021. While NOLA's streak is much shorter (four straight seasons), they've been one of the better franchises over the past 12 years (since their '09 Super Bowl win), making the playoffs eight times. They have also been a legitimate Super Bowl favorite since 2017. This Spring, it's all collapsing. The cap-stricken Saints have been cutting veteran talent left and right, not to mention they've lost younger stars like Hendrickson to higher bidders. GM Mickey Loomis even admitted that this offseason would be "daunting," noting the retirement of future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees and the fact that his roster was nearly $100 million over the new cap. Loomis also claimed that this is not a rebuild, but either way New Orleans may have to regroup until their funds increase in 2022. The only positive was the franchise tag of Marcus Williams, and to make things worse, the rival Bucs re-signed everyone from their championship roster. Am I the only one excited to see which excuses Sean Payton comes up with this time?
2. Tennesse Titans, Grade: F
Notable Additions- EDGE Bud Dupree, CB Janoris Jenkins, WR Josh Reynolds, CB Kevin Johnson, OT Kendall Lamm, DT Denico Autry, S Matthias Farley, EDGE Ola Adeniyi
Notable Re-Signings- LB Jayon Brown, TE Anthony Firkser, OT Ty Sambrailo, TE Geoff Swaim
Notable Losses- EDGE Jadeveon Clowney, CB Adoree' Jackson, WR Corey Davis, DT DaQuan Jones, DB Desmond King, TE Jonnu Smith, S Kenny Vaccaro, CB Malcolm Butler, WR Adam Humphries, WR Kalif Raymond, DT Jack Crawford(UFA), OT Dennis Kelly, LB Will Compton(UFA), RB D'Onta Foreman(UFA), TE MyCole Pruitt(UFA), OT Isaiah Wilson, K Stephen Gostkowski
The Titans did bring in a couple big names, like Dupree and Jenkins, but their departures have absolutely gutted this roster. Clowney and Adoree' Jackson alone account for the two acquisitions above, but Mike Vrabel's bunch also lost every receiver of worth besides A.J. Brown, as well as starting tight end Jonnu Smith and run-stuffer DaQuan Jones. King, Vaccaro, Butler and 2020 first round pick Isaiah Wilson move on from Tennessee too, leaving this roster in shambles. They also have to deal with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's departure, and they still haven't replaced Jack Conklin yet from last offseason (especially after this fiasco with Wilson). This defense was porous in 2020, and it's gotten much worse. This offense is left with Derrick Henry and Brown for Ryan Tannehill to throw or hand the ball to. The silver lining? Stephen Gostkowski is probably gone..
3. Pittsburgh Steelers, Grade: D -
Notable Additions- C B.J. Finney, QB Dwayne Haskins, RB Kalen Ballage, OT Joe Haeg, S Miles Killebrew
Notable Re-Signings- WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, DT Tyson Alualu, LB Vince Williams, OT Zach Banner, CB Cameron Sutton, EDGE Cassius Marsh, DL Chris Wormley, WR/ST Ray-Ray McCloud, QB Joshua Dobbs, P Jordan Berry
Notable Losses- EDGE Bud Dupree, OT Alejandro Villanueva, CB Steven Nelson, CB Mike Hilton, C Maurkice Pouncey, LB Avery Williamson(UFA), RB James Conner, OT Matt Feiler, TE Vance McDonald, S Sean Davis, EDGE Ola Adeniyi, EDGE Jayrone Elliott(UFA), OL Danny Isidora
The Steelers never really spend a lot of money in free agency, so normally this may not concern fans all that much, but this Pittsburgh franchise is beginning to crumble. Ben Roethlisberger is not what he once was, and every season could be his last at this point. The current QBs in-line to replace the legend would be Haskins and Dobbs, which does not exude confidence. Not only that, this once great offensive line is literally falling apart right in front of Ben's eyes. Ramon Foster retired in 2020, Pouncey retired this offseason, Feiler left, and Villanueva is rumored to be signing with Baltimore. That leaves All-Pro right guard David DeCastro as the lone survivor. Maybe Roethlisberger should reconsider retirement after all. The entire cornerback crew is basically gone as well, outside of Joe Haden and Sutton, and I haven't even mentioned that Pittsburgh has made no move to replace Dupree or Conner (expect this to happen on draft weekend). JuJu and Alualu returning prevented this offseason from being an F, but as always, the Steelers have a ton of work to do in the NFL Draft.
4. Detroit Lions, Grade: D -
Notable Additions- QB Jared Goff, CB Quinton Dunbar, LB Alex Anzalone, DT Michael Brockers, WR Tyrell Williams, WR Breshad Perriman, RB Jamaal Williams, DT Joel Heath, TE Josh Hill, CB Corn Elder, WR Kalif Raymond, EDGE Charles Harris, QB Tim Boyle, K Randy Bullock
Notable Re-Signings- EDGE Romeo Okwara, DB/ST Mike Ford
Notable Losses- QB Matthew Stafford, WR Kenny Golladay, WR Marvin Jones, DT Danny Shelton, CB Desmond Trufant, CB Justin Coleman, WR Danny Amendola(UFA), S Duron Harmon, LB Christian Jones, LB Reggie Ragland, EDGE Everson Griffen(UFA), LB Jarrad Davis, RB Adrian Peterson(UFA), G Oday Aboushi, G Joe Dahl, TE Jesse James, CB Darryl Roberts, WR Mohamed Sanu, S Miles Killebrew, S Jayron Kearse, WR Jamal Agnew, QB Chase Daniel, K Matt Prater
The best thing about the Lions' offseason has been head coach Dan Campbell's inaugural press conference. Otherwise, this new regime is as uninspiring as the last one so far. After the Goff-Stafford trade and a bunch of one-year journeymen contracts, it's clear that Detroit is going to tear it all down before they build things back up. They let EVERYONE walk. Golladay, Jones, Amendola, Shelton, Coleman, Trufant, Harmon, Prater, the linebacking crew, etc. Romeo Okwara was just about the only free agent that was re-signed. This was a complete purge, and most of the newcomers are just fliers and mercenaries that have very little chance of sticking around long-term (Perriman or Dunbar types). Anzalone and Brockers are two players to reconstruct this defense around, but this has the look of a messy transitional year. P.S. I wouldn't have passed on the Goff deal either if I was Detroit, Stafford will be too old by the time they're any good, and they got TWO future first round picks plus a third. The Lions won this trade, but it won't help them in 2021.
5. Philadelphia Eagles, Grade: D
Notable Additions- S Anthony Harris, LB Eric Wilson, S Andrew Adams, QB Joe Flacco
Notable Re-Signings- WR Greg Ward, RB Boston Scott, LB Alex Singleton, DT Hassan Ridgeway, RB Jordan Howard
Notable Losses- QB Carson Wentz, DT Malik Jackson, WR Alshon Jeffery, LT Jason Peters(UFA), S Jalen Mills, EDGE Vinny Curry, CB Nickell Robey-Coleman(UFA), WR DeSean Jackson, LB Duke Riley, LB Nate Gerry, TE Richard Rodgers(UFA), TE Joshua Perkins(UFA), CB Cre'von LeBlanc(UFA), RB Corey Clement(UFA), DB Rudy Ford, P Cam Johnston
There's also an overhaul happening in Philadelphia, as GM Howie Roseman blows up his own former championship roster. The Eagles have been ruined by injuries and high cap hits the last few seasons, so it's time to start over. Nick Sirianni has taken over for Doug Pederson as head coach. From there, Wentz was the first casualty, with Jalen Hurts ready to take over as the starter. After the QB went Jeffery, Malik and DeSean Jackson, Curry, Mills and a handful of other veterans and role players. The Eagles lone big-time transaction has been signing safety Anthony Harris from Minnesota, although fellow ex-Viking Eric Wilson should start on this defense as well. With multiple areas to attack in the draft, Roseman has already traded back in the first round, his smartest decision of the offseason so far.
6. Green Bay Packers, Grade: D
Notable Additions- N/A
Notable Re-Signings- RB Aaron Jones, CB Kevin King, TE Marcedes Lewis, DT Tyler Lancaster
Notable Losses- C Corey Linsley, RT Rick Wagner, RB Jamaal Williams, LB Christian Kirksey, DT Damon Harrison(UFA), G Lane Taylor, DL Montravius Adams, DL Billy Winn(UFA), S Raven Greene(UFA), CB Parry Nickerson(UFA), WR Tavon Austin(UFA), QB Tim Boyle
Here we go again. The Green Bay Packers were one game away from the Super Bowl for the second straight season, and I feel like a broken record making the EXACT SAME comments as I did last Spring. Yes, I understand the Packers offseason couldn't have been that terrible if they almost made the championship game. The point is that they're SO CLOSE in what's shaping up to be a weak NFC next season, and yet they refuse to help Aaron Rodgers whatsoever in free agency. I'm not even a Packers fan and this frustrates me. Not only that, his offensive line is deteriorating with LT David Bakhtiari injured, plus Linsley and Wagner no longer with the team. It's the same old story every Spring for maybe the most talented quarterback of his generation, and yet he continues to will this team into the playoffs year after year. I have no doubt Green Bay will triumph in what's set up to be a terrible NFC North division in 2021, but what have GM Brian Gutekunst and HC Matt LaFleur done to propel them past the Bucs, Cowboys, Rams or Seahawks? Absolutely nothing.
7. Los Angeles Chargers, Grade: D+
Notable Additions- C Corey Linsley, TE Jared Cook, OT Matt Feiler, G Oday Aboushi, QB Chase Daniel
Notable Re-Signings- CB Michael Davis, TE Stephen Anderson, K Michael Badgley
Notable Losses- CB Casey Hayward, EDGE Melvin Ingram(UFA), TE Hunter Henry, C Mike Pouncey, G Trai Turner, LB Denzel Perryman, S Rayshawn Jenkins, OT Sam Tevi, S Jahleel Addae(UFA), S Jaylen Watkins(UFA), DT Isaac Rochell, RB Kalen Ballage, QB Tyrod Taylor, TE Virgil Green(UFA), G Dan Feeney, G Forrest Lamp, OL Cole Toner, P Ty Long(UFA)
I actually really enjoyed the moves made on offense by Chargers GM Tom Telesco. They do lose Hunter Henry to New England, but the emphasis on reconstructing the offensive line in front of Justin Herbert is encouraging. Linsley is a veteran center that can assist in the development of any young QB (not to mention a huge upgrade on Pouncey). I also give Feiler the mild edge over Tevi in the tackle exchange, although they do sacrifice some talent cutting Trai Turner for Aboushi. It's a work in progress, but Telesco's mind is in the right place. Cook also slots into Henry's vacated TE1 role. All positive on offense, even though I would have loved to see LAC bring in some more weapons for Herbert. The defense is where things take a turn. They have done NOTHING on D, and it's not like they haven't seen anyone leave. Hayward was a cap casualty, Ingram remains unsigned (and his return doesn't seem too likely), safety trio Jenkins, Addae and Watkins are either gone or free agents, and Perryman signs elsewhere. My only theory is that new head coach and defensive guru Brandon Staley wants to create his own young defense through the draft, meaning this roster may be a couple years away from contention.
8. Atlanta Falcons, Grade: D+
Notable Additions- RB Mike Davis, S Duron Harmon, S Erik Harris, EDGE Brandon Copeland, CB Fab Moreau, WR/RB Cordarrelle Patterson, TE Lee Smith, EDGE Barkevious Mingo, DL Jonathan Bullard, G/C Josh Andrews
Notable Re-Signings- K Younghoe Koo, TE Jaeden Graham, EDGE Steven Means
Notable Losses- C Alex Mack, S Keanu Neal, RB Todd Gurley(UFA), CB Darqueze Dennard(UFA), DB Damontae Kazee, EDGE Allen Bailey, S Ricardo Allen, EDGE Charles Harris, RB Ito Smith, RB Brian Hill(UFA), G James Carpenter, CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson(UFA), TE Luke Stocker(UFA), WR Brandon Powell, WR Laquon Treadwell(UFA), WR Christian Blake(UFA)
When your top addition is running back Mike Davis, it has not been a tremendous offseason thus far. The Falcons are at a crossroads. They have a new head coach in former Titans OC Arthur Smith, and they could draft their quarterback of the future with a high first rounder and Matt Ryan nearing the tail-end of his long-term deal. They could also trade that pick, or take the best available non-QB prospect. Atlanta has plenty of needs, so if they don't choose to draft a quarterback, trading down is probably the way to go. The largest holes are currently in the secondary, interior offensive line, pass rush, and running back room... so pretty much everywhere.
9. Chicago Bears, Grade: D+
Notable Additions- QB Andy Dalton, CB Desmond Trufant, LB Christian Jones, RB Damien Williams, DT Angelo Blackson, OL Elijah Wilkinson, WR Marquise Goodwin
Notable Re-Signings- WR Allen Robinson, OT Germain Ifedi, S DeAndre Houston-Carter, DB Deon Bush, K Cairo Santos, P Pat O'Donnell
Notable Losses- CB Kyle Fuller, QB Mitchell Trubisky, S Tashaun Gipson(UFA), DT Brent Urban, CB Buster Skrine, EDGE Barkevious Mingo, WR/RB Cordarrelle Patterson, CB Artie Burns(UFA), DT John Jenkins, OT Jason Spriggs, TE Demetrius Harris, DL Roy Robertson-Harris, DT Daniel McCullers, K Eddy Pineiro(UFA)
The Chicago Bears offseason has not so much been outwardly bad, but more so insulting towards the fanbase. They made a legitimate offer for Russell Wilson, and Seattle not trading him isn't on the Bears, but hyping up Andy Dalton as some dream secondary option is. Signing Cairo Santos to a three-year deal is. Letting Fuller, Skrine and possibly Gipson walk with the oft-injured Trufant replacing them is. And making no moves to better this offensive unit besides fliers on Damien Williams and Marquise Goodwin is. The only good news is that this should be the final season of GM Ryan Pace and HC Matt Nagy. Everyone wave goodbye!
10. Houston Texans, Grade: D-/C+
Notable Additions- DB Desmond King, QB Tyrod Taylor, RT Trent Cannon, EDGE Shaq Lawson, EDGE Jordan Jenkins, C Justin Britt, RB Phillip Lindsay, DT Jaleel Johnson, DT Maliek Collins, DL DeMarcus Walker, WR Chris Conley, CB Terrance Mitchell, LB Christian Kirksey, EDGE Derek Rivers, G Lane Taylor, RB Mark Ingram, LB Kamu Grugier-Hill, LB Kevin Pierre-Louis, LB Joe Thomas, LB Tae Davis, WR/ST Andre Roberts, DT Vincent Taylor, TE Ryan Izzo, OL Cole Toner, WR Alex Erickson, WR Chris Moore, QB Ryan Finley, P Cam Johnston
Notable Re-Signings- CB Vernon Hargreaves, OT Roderick Johnson, TE Pharaoh Brown
Notable Losses- QB Deshaun Watson(suspension)?, DE J.J. Watt, WR Will Fuller, LB Benardrick McKinney, CB Gareon Conley(UFA), S Michael Thomas(UFA), TE Darren Fells, C Nick Martin, OL Zach Fulton, EDGE Brennan Scarlett, LB Dylan Cole(UFA), RB Duke Johnson Jr., DT P.J. Hall, DT Carlos Watkins, Cb Phillip Gaines(UFA), OL Senio Kelemete, WR Chad Hansen, QB A.J. McCarron(UFA), P Bryan Anger
This was by far the toughest franchise to grade this Spring. The amount of turnover under the new coaching staff has been extreme first of all. Although stars like Watt and Fuller high-tailed it out of town, I actually think the Texans improved a bit based on all their various transactions. The run defense makes positive strides, bulking up on D-line and linebackers. Houston also gains experience on the edge with Lawson and Jenkins. The secondary could still use some work, but signing Desmond King is a versatile player that can help in more ways than one. The offensive line and running back room add veteran bodies as well. Players like Cannon, Britt and Lindsay should boost the run game, but the passing attack could still use more weapons. Overall, I would have probably graded this free agency period a C+, but that was before the Deshaun Watson legal saga. If Watson ends up getting suspended, or even if he decides to sit out, this offseason grade plummets in value. The difference between Deshaun and Tyrod Taylor is monumental, and the Texans entire 2021 season may hinge on his trial.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Indianapolis Colts, C--: Besides trading for Carson Wentz and re-signing most of their free agents, it's been a quiet Spring for the ever-patient Colts, who lost Philip Rivers and Anthony Castonzo to retirement. Expect cap-rich Indy to be more active after the draft.
Minnesota Vikings, C--: Dalvin Tomlinson, Patrick Peterson and Xavier Woods join a defense that loses Jaleel Johnson, Anthony Harris and Eric Wilson. The Vikes also cut Riley Reiff, leaving a void on Kirk Cousins' blindside.
Las Vegas Raiders, C--: The Raiders nabbed Yannick Ngakoue, but the rest of their offseason was filled with peculiar moves (including an ill-timed dismantling of their O-line, an influx of average D-linemen, and Kenyan Drake to pair with Josh Jacobs).
Los Angeles Rams, C: The Rams should be a contender with Matthew Stafford, but they continue to frontload their roster as they sacrifice draft capital and cap space. The core is loaded with star power, but the rest of the roster gets worse and worse every offseason
Cincinnati Bengals, C: Trey Hendrickson replaces Carl Lawson, Larry Ogunjobi—Geno Atkins, Chidobe Awuzie/Mike Hilton—William Jackson/Mackenzie Alexander, Riley Reiff joins at tackle, A.J. Green departs at wide receiver. In the end the net gain/loss is about even.
Updated WINNER
Kansas City Chiefs, B--: Prior to the Orlando Brown trade, I had the Chiefs as a C-- due to the uncertainty at offensive tackle. KC landed Joe Thuney and Kyle Long (fresh out of retirement) up the gut, but they cut Mitchell Schwartz and Eric Fisher (who both suffered long-term injuries towards the end of 2020). They also lost Sammy Watkins, and have a few unsigned role players on defense. I feel that bringing in Brown to play left tackle flips this entire offseason though. The Chiefs have solidified the O-line, which was the main thing that kept them from winning another Super Bowl.
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