Rams, Raiders Among Nfl’s Big Winners During Free Agent Signings

Just short of a week into NFL free agency, we’re already identifying teams that either helped or hurt themselves.

WINNERS

Raiders

It’s hard not to like what the Raiders have done thus far, beginning with the record-breaking contract they gave to Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum, adding young wide receiver Jalen Nailor and resetting their defense with the additions of linebackers Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker and edge rusher Kwity Paye.

They also traded for veteran cornerback Taron Johnson and re-signed cornerback Eric Stokes and defensive end Malcolm Koonce.

The common theme: Aside from Johnson, these are all productive, in-their-prime players who can help power-drive the rebuild and still be around when things get turned around.

And don’t forget, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is right around the corner and the Raiders have 10 picks overall in next month’s draft.

Yes, the Maxx Crosby saga dings the Raiders just a bit, but if the worst that comes of that is the Raiders have to welcome back one of the best edge rushers in the game, is that really bad?

Rams

The Rams had one pressing need coming into free agency: cornerback.

But overnight, they turned that weakness into a strength by trading for Chiefs All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie and then signing his running mate, Jaylen Watson, to start opposite him.

In the meantime, they re-signed Kam Curl, their best safety, to solidify the back end of their defense.

Just like that, the Rams erased their biggest concern and, in the process, pulled ahead of the Super Bowl champion Seahawks in the NFC arms race.

In addition, the Rams brought back tight end Tyler Higbee and retained kicker Harrison Mevis.

Saints

With the NFC South right there for the taking, the Saints needed to shore up their run game to help support second-year quarterback Tyler Shough. Initially, they had their eye on Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, who was projected to be around when the Saints pick eighth overall in the NFL draft.

But then Love made like Superman at the NFL scouting combine and put on a freakish athletic show. Love might still be there, but chances are he’ll be long gone when New Orleans makes its first pick.

The Saints pivoted by adding Jaguars running back Travis Etienne, who can shoulder the bulk of the run game. They also added Bills guard David Edwards, one of the best in the business. Edwards will help the run game and improve Shough’s protection.

LOSERS

Seahawks

The Seahawks barely got a chance to celebrate their Super Bowl championship before the exodus of coaches and players started, including bright young offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, who left to become the Raiders’ head coach.

The ball started rolling the wrong way from that point, with running back Kenneth Walker, cornerbacks Coby Bryant and Riq Woolen, and edge rusher Boye Mafe all leaving in free agency.

The Seahawks’ misfortune was winning a Super Bowl the same season when some key players were in the last year of their contracts, and they are feeling that pain.

Chiefs

Yes, the Chiefs added Walker, the Seahawks’ Super Bowl MVP running back, and tight end Travis Kelce repledged for at least one more season.

Nothing wrong with that at all. And you have to figure Patrick Mahomes, who is rehabbing from a major knee injury, is ecstatic about both of those developments.

But losing McDuffie and Watson, their two starting cornerbacks, can’t be understated.

Sure, Kansas City does a great job in draft and development, and just as they did in 2022 when they drafted McDuffie and Watson in the same draft, the Chiefs can strike gold again in this draft. The two first-round picks they hold give them a chance to do that.

But it sure feels like they are playing with fire.

Ravens

The Ravens either dodged a bullet in the Crosby saga or mistakenly talked themselves out of adding one of the NFL’s best players.

The pivot to Trey Hendrickson helps soften the blow, although if Crosby has a great season, it will be impossible not to wonder what things would have looked like with Hendrickson and Crosby on the field together.

The Ravens insist that was the plan all along.

So we’ll see.

But let’s also not forget they lost Linderbaum, tight ends Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar, edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones, safeties  Alohi Gilman and  Ar’Darius Washington, and punter Jordan Stout in free agency.

That’s a lot of roster spots to fill. 

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