Arthur Jones, Defensive End, Indianapolis Colts (Five-Years, $33 Million)
Jones was at the forefront to the Ravens defense last season and was due for a big contract. What better place than Indianapolis, where his former defensive coordinator, Chuck Pagano, is the head coach. Pagano knows Jones and will get the best out of him.
Yes, the contract was large, but the Colts needed a bigger presence of their defensive line. They got a huge presence in Jones, who recorded 53 tackles and four sacks last season.
Ben Tate, Running Back, Cleveland Browns (Two-Years, $7 Million)
Tate had been linked to the Browns since mid-season in 2013, but to get the deal done is a step up for Cleveland. Tate gets the starter role that he wanted after backing up Arian Foster for the last three years.
Tate had 771 yards and four touchdowns on a weak Houston Texans team last season, but his 5-foot 11-inch frame and 217-pound body makes Browns fans giddy with what could be a huge signing.
Steve Smith, Wide Receiver, Baltimore Ravens: (Three-Years, $11.5 Million)
At 34, Smith is certainly on the decline, recording 745 yards and four touchdowns last season for the Panthers, his second lowest yardage total in a full season since 2002. However, when the Panthers decided to let him go, a fire was lit under Smith. And he’s already a pretty fiery player.
The Ravens needed a possession receiver to fill the void left when Anquan Boldin was traded before the 2013 season. Smith could step in a make a significant impact right away, boosting a Ravens offense that ranked 29th overall last year.
Demarcus Ware, Defensive End, Denver Broncos: (Three-Years, $30 Million)
Through injuries, Ware had (pardon the pun) worn out his welcome in Dallas. Not that he wasn’t good; he compiled 117 sacks and 576 tackles in his nine years with the Cowboys. It just was time for both to part ways.
The Broncos needed to upgrade majorly all over their defense, and one hole was on the defensive end. If Denver wanted to compete with the likes of Seattle and San Francisco, it needed to make a splash like this.
Michael Bennett, Defensive End, Seattle Seahawks: (Four-Years, $32 Million)
Winning a Super Bowl can drive up the cost of almost every player on the team, so Bennett was looking very attractive to many teams around the NFL. He put up 8.5 sacks in the historic 2013 season, which made him the best defensive player on the Seahawks not named Richard Sherman.
It was essential that Seattle locked Bennett up this offseason if it wanted to make another title run. It did that and it wasn’t as large of a contract as other teams may have given him.
Michael Johnson – Defensive End, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: (Five-Years, $43.75 Million)
Johnson is one of the best defensive ends in the league and his 56 combined tackles is just a sample of what he can do. He’s a strong player and will be huge for the revitalization of the Buccaneers defense.
Tampa Bay knew that when Johnson became available, they needed to pick him up as soon as possible. It was an aggressive move and it needed to be. The Buccaneers are getting a top-of-the-line defensive end.
Alterraun Verner – Cornerback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: (Four-Years, 26.5 Million)
Another great move by the Buccaneers was signing Verner, who many see as a replacement for recently departed Darrelle Revis. The only problem, or lack thereof in this case, is that Verner is a better fit for what Tampa Bay does on defense.
Verner is one of the best zone defenders in the league, whereas Revis favors a man-to-man approach. Verner does not get the press that Revis does, but he might turn out to be a great signing for the Buccaneers.
Darrelle Revis, New England Patriots: (One-Year, $12 Million)
Speaking of Revis, he’ll be joining the Patriots as a replacement for Aqib Talib, who left for the Broncos. Revis, at his best, is the best corner in the NFL, and New England will look for him to be just that.
New England took Revis from the New York Jets, who seemed interested in his service. The Patriots also needed to respond to the Broncos signing Talib, and they countered with an even better one.
Darren Sproles, Philadelphia Eagles: (Two-Year Extension)
Yes, it wasn’t a free agent singing, but it was just as significant. At his best, Sproles is one of the most multi-faceted players in the league, with his speed on special teams, rushing and receiving.
Sproles, in his last three seasons, has scored 21 touchdowns and caught passes for almost 2,000 yards. Add that with star running backLeSean McCoy, Chip Kelly’s offense will be even more high-powered.
T.J. Ward, Strong Safety, Denver Broncos: (Four-Years, $23 Million)
Ward is one of the best young safeties in the league and was the second-best in the free agent market, behind Jairus Byrd. The Broncos made clear that they were committed to defense and Ward gives them a quality safety to add more talent.
Ward, a hard-hitting strong safety, recorded 75 tackles in 2013 for the Browns. If he can produce that much for the Broncos, they could be a force in the AFC once again.