Five losers from first week of NFL free agency

While many teams have handed out big-money deals and courted the biggest names on the open market, others have mostly observed or signed lower-level talent. With the first week of free agency in the rear-view mirror, here are the five biggest losers: 

Arizona Cardinals

Key signings: Zach Pascal, WR; Kelvin Beachum, OT; Will Hernandez, OG; Kyzir White, LB; Matt Prater, P

Aside from securing offensive line depth, the Cardinals, which have the fourth-most cap space ($24.056 million) per Over the Cap, have been unimpressive.

WR Chosen Anderson — formerly Robbie Anderson — is gone, and signs point to DeAndre Hopkins being traded sometime before the draft, leaving "Hollywood" Brown, Rondale Moore and Pascal as Kyler Murray’s top targets. Arizona could have helped its franchise QB by signing another veteran wideout.

Cornerback, defensive line and running back are among the Cardinals' other top positions of need, and yet they let many of the premier free agents at those positions sign elsewhere. It is a bold but unwise strategy to try to plug every area of need through the draft. 

Baltimore Ravens

Key signings: Justice Hill, RB; Nick Moore, LS; Trayvon Mullen, CB; Geno Stone, S

Allen Lazard, Jakobi Meyers, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Parris Campbell, Mack Hollins — any of those receivers would have instantly upgraded the Ravens receiver room, which ranked among the league’s worst last season. It's hard to see any WR added through the draft making an instant impact in 2023.

Baltimore also needs help at tackle, guard, cornerback and edge rusher, but GM Eric DeCosta has watched the top players at those positions sign with other teams. Of course, there's the matter of quarterback Lamar Jackson's contract he must deal with, too.

Quality players remain in free agency, so Baltimore can still salvage this part of the offseason,  but its strategy seems puzzling.

Green Bay Packers

Key signings: Keisean Nixon, CB; Rudy Ford, S; Jake Hanson, OL

While Aaron Rodgers is tying up most of the Packers’ attention (and salary cap), they have done arguably the least of any team this offseason. Losing Lazard was a sizeable blow to the offense, as was the loss of tight end Robert Tonyan, who signed with Chicago. Another receiver or tight end must be added if Green Bay doesn’t want QB Jordan Love to flop.

The secondary is perhaps Green Bay’s biggest area of need, so adding a cornerback and safety is fine, but they’re not players who will move the needle. The Packers also missed out on plenty of chances to add quality depth along the offensive line. 

Los Angeles Chargers

Key signings: Eric Kendricks, LB; Easton Stick, QB; Trey Pipkins III, OT; Morgan Fox, DL

While Kendricks is a fine get for the defense, there’s not much to be excited about with any of Los Angeles' other signings. The Chargers are a contender, and they should be adding pieces to help them get to the next level.

RB Austin Ekeler recently requested a trade, so adding another running back makes sense. Ezekiel Elliott, Kareem Hunt or J.D. McKissic would be fine options. Edge rusher, tight end and safety must be addressed, but no one the Chargers have signed helps any of those positions.

Minnesota Vikings

Key signings: Alexander Mattison, RB; Byron Murphy, CB; Josh Oliver, TE; Garrett Bradbury, C; Marcus Davenport, DE; Nick Mullens, QB; Greg Joseph, K

The Vikings have the least amount of cap space, per Over the Cap, and yet they gave a combined $36.25 million to four arguably undeserving players.

Oliver has never had more than 14 receptions in a season, but Minnesota gave him a $7 million-per-year deal. Murphy has just five interceptions in four seasons and averages just 8.5 passes defensed per season, and he will make $11 million per year. 

Bradbury has missed nine games over the past two seasons, but that didn’t stop Minnesota from giving him $5.25 million per year. Davenport's signing is questionable because Minnesota already has Za’Darius Smith (for now). He's a far better rusher but wants to be released. (The Vikings have refused, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport). Per Pro Football Talk, Davenport will earn at least $10 million in 2023 despite registering just a half sack in 2022.

Honorable mention: Los Angeles Rams, New York Giants, Washington Commanders