Revisiting My Top NFL Free Agency Predictions

Revisiting My Top NFL Free Agency Predictions

Let’s identify the movement of 10 guys and their agreed-upon contract situations, as well as some of my reactions.

1. Malik Willis to the Dolphins – Three-year $67 million

   • My prediction: New York Jets, Two-year, $42 million. Okay, so APY is pretty on-point, so I have that going for me!
   • With the addition of Head Coach Jeff Hafley, formerly the DC in Green Bay, the whole “Packers South” gag continues-GM Jon-Eric Sullivan, Hafley, and now Willis lead the offense. They recently cut Tua Tagovailoa and were in obvious need of a guy to step in. Enter magical Malik.

2. Trey Hendrickson to the Ravens – Four-year $112 million

   • My prediction: Washington Commanders, One-year $23 million rental
   • Looking back, this was the worst miss, and I blame sleep deprivation. No one was going to sign Hendrickson on a prove-it deal, and, most importantly, the star himself wouldn’t be interested. After the strange decomposition of the Maxx Crosby deal to Baltimore, it seemed like the former Bengal had the deal within 12 hours. Minter got a guy.

1. Jaelen Phillips to the Panthers – Four-year $120 million

• My prediction: Stay in Philadelphia, one-year $19 million
• Reports say Philly was trying to work out a deal, but when offered that kind of money, they were out. Averaging 5.5 sacks per season reeks of an overpay/desperation by the Panthers, but 2026 will confirm this opinion.

1. Alec Pierce stays in Indianapolis – Four-year $116 million

   • My prediction: Tennessee Titans, Three-year $64 million
   • Not going to lie. I did NOT see Pierce getting paid like this. Then I saw the release of Pittman (Pittsburgh), and it made a little more sense. Good for the receiver getting his bag after two efficient seasons. Indy is showing its appreciation and loyalty. All-around, a great retention for Daniel Jones.

2. Tyler Linderbaum to the Raiders – Three-year $81 million

   • My prediction: New York Giants, Three-year $60 million
   • Centers are a dime a dozen at the moment, it appears (looking at you, NFC North). The above-mentioned contract will make Linderbaum the highest-paid interior lineman in NFL history. This aligns with his consistent elite play and his health. He has only missed TWO games in the first four seasons.

3. Kenneth Walker III to the Chiefs – Three-year, $45 million

   • My prediction: Minnesota Vikings, Four-year $38 million
   • This is a running back, yes? Again, these teams are opening up their wallets for premier players! Patrick Mahomes paired with a Super Bowl MVP-caliber RB will yield great things.

4. Alijah Vera-Tucker to the Patriots – Three-year $48 million

   • My prediction: Washington Commanders, One-year $6 million (LOL)
   • Doggy head tilt? So I undershot the contract. But will the guard be able to stay on the field? AVT has had three major season-ending injuries in five NFL seasons. That is a mighty high risk for such an important position on the interior line.

5. Boye Mafe to the Bengals – Three-year $60 million

   • My prediction: Kansas City Chiefs, Three-year $45 million
   • This is a sneaky-great pickup for the defense-starved Bengals. Mafe got a nice payday and deserves every penny.

6. Mike Evans to San Francisco – Three-year $60 million

   • My prediction: New England, Two-year $30 million
   • Alright, so these players won’t be hiring me as an agent anytime soon. Another contract that I think is too much – in Evans’ case, maybe a year too long? This was yet another one I had pegged as a potential landing spot, but I picked the wrong final destination. I really like this fit for both San Fran and the wideout.

7. Rashid Shaheed stays in Seattle – Three-year $51 million

   • My prediction: One-year $11 million
   • Fifty-one million dollars for a glorified special teamer?! Green Bay would never! My one correct prediction goes to Shaheed staying with the Super Bowl champs; however, the money is once again much more than I anticipated!

The league got more Monopoly money and is not afraid to use it! I want to hear your biggest shock transactions thus far. I would also like to be a fly on the wall as Crosby returns home to the team he once left. I’m sure there will be a few more splashes ahead of the NFL Draft.