Top 11 Free Agency Spending Teams 2013 pt.1

Note: This list shows the total contract worth for each player, not guaranteed money, and the sum of those contracts to represent how much money each team was willing to commit to the future.

P.S. It should kind of make you happy that the Saints are being conservative so far.

1. Miami Dolphins: $164.7M

a. Mike Wallace $65M, Dannell Ellerbe $35M, Brian Hartline $30.7M, Phillip Wheeler $26M, Matt Moore $8M, Chris Clemons (undisclosed)

b. Analysis: The Dolphins certainly didn’t hesitate to use their large amount of cap space. They have a nice looking haul at first glance, but when you look closer, it should worry some fans. Wallace is a one-trick pony who has serious attitude questions Ellerbe has never been a full time starter, and when he has played, he has not been a huge difference maker at ILB like his contract may suggest. Phillip Wheeler has only been good for about a season and a half, and that was in a 4-3. The Phins did nothing to address their cornerback position, and may lose Jake Long. They may have added more talent, but is it really enough to put them into the playoffs?

c. Grade: C-


2. Kansas City Chiefs: $139.1M

a. Dwayne Bowe ($56M), Dustin Colquitt ($18.5M), Anthony Fasano ($16M), Dunta Robinson (~$15M), Mike DeVito ($12.6M), Donnie Avery ($11M), Chase Daniel ($10M)

b. Analysis: Bowe has been ridiculously inconsistent throughout his career, including last season. He has always had immense talent, but the mental side of his game has not equaled that. Alex Smith throwing to him won’t really make that much of a difference. Paying an okay punter that much money is insane. Fasano was certainly underused in Miami, but that much money for a guy who really isn’t much of a threat in the passing game is a little strange. Robinson’s role and exact contract numbers are still uncertain, but if it’s anywhere near the $15M reported for a guy that may not even start in the secondary, that’s not good. Donnie Avery is just a speed guy with no hands or durability, and I will never understand the desire to give him that kind of money. DeVito is a solid addition as is Daniel.

c. Grade: D


3. Tennessee Titans: $96.3M

a. Andy Levitre ($46.8M), Delanie Walker ($17.5M), Sammie Lee Hill ($11.4M), Shonn Greene ($10M), Rob Bironas ($6.6M), George Wilson ($4M)

b. Analysis: Andy Levitre graded out as the best guard in the league by PFF, and his deal, while high, is still a very fair one (less than Carl Nicks and Jahri Evans). Walker is a solid all around player with skills as a blocker and receiver, so he should fit much better in this run-first offense; good deal for him too. Sammie Lee Hill is a young guy with potential still. He may not be a starter this season, but as a third DT, he can create pressure and will likely be worth that deal. Shonn Greene does not deserve that kind of money. He’s a slow-footed back who actually sucks as a short yardage runner; bad deal. Bironas is good, but he needs the offense to get him more chances. Wilson will help immediately.

c. Grade: C+


4. Indianapolis Colts: +$80.5M

a. Gosder Cherilus ($34M), Erik Walden ($17.5M), Greg Toler ($15M), Donald Thomas (14M), Lawrence Sidbury (undisclosed), Darius Butler (undisclosed)

b. Analysis: Well, the Colts blew it. They absolutely blew it. Gosder Cherilus had a good year last year, but it was hit first good one in what has been a bad, injury-filled career. With other, more superior options like Andre Smith and Sebastian Vollmer available for maybe just a little more, the Colts would have really done well. Erik Walden is the worst signing of this offseason. Period. $17.5 million to a guy that was barely rosterable in Green Bay last season, absolutely absurd. Greg Toler is a solid corner, but he’s been inconsistent and injury prone, so the Colts gave him $15M, this is not getting better. Donald Thomas is a good signing for a change, and on a very nice deal. Sidbury and Butler’s numbers haven’t been released yet, but it won’t matter, the Colts have already crapped the bed because neither are special players.

c. Grade: F