Market Insights: NFL free-agency frenzy begins

By
Josh Appelbaum
-
211

If you're a fan of the NFL, Monday's legal tampering window was about as exciting as it gets. We saw a frenzy of big-money signings along with several blockbuster trades involving star players. Let's take a look at the biggest moves across the league along with each team's win totals for the upcoming season. 

Trades
Cardinals acquire WR DeAndre Hopkins from the Texans in exchange for RB David Johnson and a second-round pick. 

 

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This is considered a steal for Arizona, which acquired one of the league's best wideouts and only had to give up an injury-prone running back and a second rounder. Arizona's win total is 7 (over 110, under -130) at Circa Sports. The Cardinals finished 5-10-1 last season. Does the addition of Hopkins combined with a second year jump for QB Kyler Murray bring this time to 8-8 this season? Meanwhile, losing Hopkins hurts Houston. The Texans went 10-6 last year and their win total for this year is 8.5. 

Bills acquire WR Stefon Diggs from Vikings in exhange for four draft picks, including a 1st round pick this year. Bills also sign former Saints LB A.J. Klein.

You have to love this move for Buffalo. Despite Diggs' baggage, the former Minnesota burner has tallied 165 catches, 2,151 yards and 15 touchdowns over the past two seasons. He gives QB Josh Allen a legit No. 1 owide receiver who can stretch the field. Buffalo also added to their stout defense with the addition of Klein. The Bills went 10-6 last year. Their win total in 2020 is set at 8. That number feels low. With a stingy defense and Allen taking another step forward, you have to feel like this team can easily win 9 games if not more. 

Colts acquire DeForest Buckner from 49ers for the 13th overall pick in this year's draft.

Indianapolis finished 7-9 last season after franchise QB Andrew Luck suddenly retired in the preseason. Indy's 2020 win total is 8.5. As of now, Jacoby Brissett is its starting quarterback. But rumors continue to swirl that Indy will sign free agent QB Philip Rivers to take over behind center. 

Free-Agent Signings

Dolphins sign former Patriots LB Kyle Van Noy for 4-years, $51 million, former Cowboys CB Byron Jones for 5-years, $82.5 million and former Redskins OL Ereck Flowers 3-years, $30 million.

Miami entered free agency with the most cap space in the league and spent the bulk of it on Monday. The Dolphins finished 5-11 in Brian Flores' first season as head coach. Miami's 2020 win total is set at 6 (over 110, under -130). Based on the juice, the under has liability. However, the Dolphins are on the rise, have three first round picks in the upcoming draft and just added three legitimate starters. Is 7-9 really out of the question?

Cowboys re-sign WR Amari Cooper for 5 years, $100 million.

Dallas also franchised QB Dak Prescott on Sunday. The Cowboys finished a disappointing 8-8 last season. Their win total for this year is 9.5 (over -130, under 110). With Prescott and Cooper back in the fold, the Boys keep their offensive core intact. The juice toward the over signals sportsbooks expecting a 10-win campaign or more for Dallas in 2020. 

Ravens sign former Rams DL Michael Brockers for 3-years, $30 million

Baltimore also acquired DL Calais Campbell from the Jaguars on Sunday, giving them two stout run defenders and pass rushers to add to their defensive line. Baltimore finished 14-2 last season. This year's win total is 11.5 (over -130, under 110), which is tied for the most wins with the Chiefs. You have to think the Ravens win at least 12 games next season, right?

More signings

  • Browns sign TE Austin Hooper 4-years, $44 million, OT Jack Conklin 3-years, $42 million and QB Case Keenum 3-years, $18 million
  • Bears sign TE Jimmy Graham 2-years, $16 million
  • Giants sign CB James Bradberry 3-years, $45 million
  • Lions sign LB Jamie Collins 3-years, $30 million and OL Halapoulivaati Vaitai 5-years, $50 million
  • Raiders sign QB Marcus Mariota 

Who's next?
FanDuel Sportsbook is offering odds on which team the top remaining free agent quarterbacks will sign with, including the greatest QB of all time. 

Tom Brady
Patriots -155
Buccanners %plussign% 110
Chargers %plussign% 600
Dolphins %plussign% 1300
49ers %plussign% 2600

Andy Dalton
Bears -125
Patriots %plussign% 450
Dolphins %plussign% 600
Chargers %plussign% 900
Buccaneers %plussign% 900

Jameis Winston 
Buccaneers %plussign% 195
Chargers %plussign% 230
Patriots %plussign% 650
Dolphins %plussign% 750

Latest Super Bowl Odds from Circa
Chiefs %plussign% 600
Ravens %plussign% 750
49ers %plussign% 850
Saints %plussign% 1200
Patriots %plussign% 1300
Cowboys, Packers %plussign% 1500
Seahawks, Steelers, Colts, Eagles %plussign% 2000
Raiders, Vikings, Bears, Rams %plussign% 3000
Texans %plussign% 3500
Bills, Browns, Titans, Falcons, Bucs %plussign%  4000

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