Free agency has been nothing short of crazy. The NFL will be all new come September!
Odell to the Browns
The New York Giants made it very clear that the organization was going to rebuild. And that meant GM Dave Gettleman was going to disengage the Giants from Odell. “The Trade” happened shortly after that–Beckham Jr. and two draft picks went to the Browns for Jabrill Peppers, the #17 overall pick, and a 3rd Round pick (with both picks in the 2019 Draft).
Odell in action (photo, Dailypicksandfllicks.com)
The trade left many fans scratching their heads. But on the positive side, Beckham Jr’s contract is now off the books, which created $5 million in cap space for the future–even though the Giants still have to swallow $16 million in the process.
And in addition to having the 17th pick in this year’s draft, the Giants have the 6th overall pick. The icing on the cake was getting Peppers, who’s adept at exerting pressure on the backline of the defense, and will only get better with time.
For the Browns, it was a steal. Yes, they gave up a first-round pick and Peppers, but that’s fair value for getting a difference-maker.
The Cleveland Browns are deadly now–Vegas’ early choice to win the AFC North. The additions of Kareem Hunt, Demetrius Harris, and Odell–coupled with mainstays Baker Mayfield and Jarvis Landry–will enable this team to do something it hardly ever does–make a run.
Credit goes to GM John Dorsey, who has made the right moves. He’s my choice (hands down) for NFL Executive of the Year.
Antonio to the Raiders
The Antonio Brown in Pittsburgh saga has finally ended. The Steelers dealt the NFL’s premier wideout to a team desperately in need of a pass-catcher–the Oakland Raiders.
In exchange, the Steelers received a 2019 third round pick (66th overall) and a 5th round pick (141st overall). New GM Mike Mayock pulled off the trade without giving up any first round picks.
Brown celebrates (photo, Sports Illustrated)
But make no mistake, there was a cost. With the new deal, Brown’s contract will increase from $38.9 million to $50.1 million. That’s not the BIG story, though. It’s that the guaranteed amount went from around $30 million to 100% of the contract. And to make the offer even sweeter, Brown will be able to sign a 4-year contract extension for up to $79.2 million.
Let’s face it: the Raiders threw a Brinks truck at Brown.
For the Steelers, odds are that it’s going to be hard adjusting to an Antonio-less offense. But Brown’s absence means more playing time for Juju Smith Schuster and an opportunity to pick up new wideout talent in the draft (e.g., another Brown–AJ Brown–out of Ole’ Miss). Pittsburgh will be able to pair up fresh talent with Juju and stay relevant.
Probably the most significant advantage for the Steelers is that (with another departure, Le’Veon Bell) they’ll go into 2019 devoid of Drama B’s, Brown and Bell.
Overall, I still think the Oakland Raiders got the better of this trade. Mayock didn’t have to give up first round picks because the Steelers were willing to settle cheap. Pittsburgh wanted Brown out of their organization.
