Supposed winners and losing of free agency of 2017

[Battlelyon]

https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/gallery/nfl-free-agency-winners-and-losers-after-one-week-031617

Winner: Browns
Cleveland started off free agency with a bang, signing Kenny Britt, Kevin Zeitler and J.C. Tretter to improve its terrible offensive line. Then, the Browns paid the Texans for a second-round pick and Brock Osweiler, further improving their draft capital. They likely won’t keep Osweiler, but that second-round pick might be enough to sweeten a potential deal for New England's Jimmy Garoppolo.

Even if the Browns stand pat and take Myles Garrett at No. 1 and a playmaker at No. 12, their offseason will be a success. Signing Zeitler and Tretter was key for their offensive line, allowing them to focus on other positions in the draft.

Loser: Kirk Cousins
Cousins has gone from apparent franchise quarterback to potentially not being re-signed to franchise tagged to potential trade chip. And none of it is good for him.

Cousins is deserving of a long-term deal after playing well the past two seasons, but the Redskins have been reluctant to give him that. The two sides haven’t come close to an agreement and it doesn’t look like they ever will, with Cousins going as far as to ask owner Dan Snyder about his trade value.

Cousins now sits in limbo, having to either play under the franchise tag for a second straight season or try to force his way out of Washington by way of a trade. Either way, his future is very much in question.

Winners and losers from the 1st day of free agency

2017 NFL Free Agency: Browns scheming winners, Redskins look like lunatic losers

Surprisingly the Browns went 0-16 with winning free agency

No mention of the Rams, who you can argue had the best free agent signings. LT Whitworth was a second team All Pro, WR Woods outperformed the more heralded Watkins, while C Sullivan, CB Webster, DB NRC were good starters

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

'Winning' free agency is about the stupidest thing you can write up. About the only teams that WIN free agency are the ones that cut over-bloated contracts (which past regimes foolishly signed up for) and acquire draft picks to build their team the right way while looking to acquire 1 year prove it deals or small contracts for veteran players closing their career that want to try and make one more push. Signing giant 5-6 year $10M+ per year contracts for a 28-29 year old guy is a surefire way to continue sinking your team.

It's why the Patriots generally 'win' free agencies IMO. They cut the fat, acquire draft picks, and pick up some pieces they need.

Signing great value picks is a way to win free agency, which the Browns were FAR from doing in 2017. They just had a fuck ton of cap and brought in a ton of players. And then everyone goes, "OMGOMGOM SO COOL!" because they envision how awesome that'd be on Madden.

All those offensive lineman and they still gave up 50 sacks (6th most). Yah, real job 'winning'. And I know hindsight is 20/20, but I think I remember reading that article (or something similar) a year ago and I was like, "Oh yah... okay... "