I think there are four bad signings.
Jerick McKinnon: 4 Years $30 Million ($11.7 Guaranteed)
Being a Niner’s fan, this one hurts the most. McKinnon is the fourth highest paid running back behind Le’Veon Bell, Devonta Freeman, and LeSean McCoy. The difference between those backs and McKinnon is they have all had multiple seasons with over a thousand yards. McKinnon has yet to reach a thousand in his first four years. He has some upside with his pass and block ability, but he really needs to show those skills to prove his contract.
Courtesy: Bleacher Report
Sam Bradford: 1 Year $20 Million ($15 Guaranteed)
Going into the ninth year of his career, Sam Bradford has started a total of eighty games. His record is 34-45-1. Despite that below .500 record and bouncing from team to team, Bradford had made $129 million dollars during his NFL career. Sure, his career has been plagued by injuries, but teams are still paying mass amounts of money, just hoping he’ll be the guy the Rams took with the No.1 overall pick. I will say, though, there is one thing I like about this deal: Bradford gets an extra $5 million only if he plays the full sixteen games. At this point, that seems extremely unlikely.
Albert Wilson: 3 Years $24 Million
Through four years in Kansas City. Wilson posted 1,544 yards with seven total touchdowns. His numbers are fairly weak, given that he played with a QB, Alex Smith, who had blossomed there. Last season was the best of Wilson’s career with 554 yards and three touchdowns. Jordy Nelson is getting paid less than Wilson and Nelson is so much better.
Courtesy: GoMN
Case Keenum: 2 Years $36 Million ($25 Million Guaranteed)
It was inevitable that Keenum wouldn’t be back in Minnesota. He quickly signed with the Broncos right around the same time Cousins signed with the Vikings. Last year was the best season of Keenum’s mysterious eight-year career. I think paying $18 million for a thirty-year-old journeyman is a bit much, especially when the Broncos could have used their 5th overall pick to secure a QB of the future. Besides, Denver’s receivers are aging and the offensive line is weak. My take: this move shows Elway isn’t patient enough to rebuild a winning team.
Sammy Watkins: 3 Years $48 Million ($30 Million Guaranteed)
Don’t get me wrong, Sammy Watkins was one of the better WRs on the open market. His problem: since 2015 he has looked out-of-form. Watkins put up fewer yards between 2016-2017 than he did during his sophomore season. But now he gets a big payday based on potential. I’m much higher on DeAndre Hopkins, who was picked later than Watkins the year before and has performed far better than most expected of him.
