The NFL instituted the poorly named "legal tampering" window six years ago. It was supposed to get rid of the illegal tampering that everyone knew was taking place during the days leading up to the start of free agency. With "legal tampering" players can't be signed to deals with new teams during the 52 hours before the official start of free agency but they can agree to deals. Most of the top free agents do reach agreements. So much so that by the time the shopping officially starts there isn't much left. Here's what the Top 50 Players did before they were officially allowed to do anything.
Rankings are taken from NFL.com's Top 101 Free Agents
1. Kirk Cousins-agreement with the Vikings
2. Drew Brees-re-signed with the Saints
3. Ndamukong Suh
4. Allen Robinson-agreement with the Bears
5. Tyrann Mathieu
6. Sheldon Richardson
7. Sammy Watkins-agreement with the Chiefs
8. Andrew Norwell-agreement with the Jaguars
9. Kyle Fuller-transition tag
10. Case Keenum-agreement with the Broncos
11. Malcolm Butler-agreement with the Titans
12. Trumaine Johnson-agreement with the Jets
13. Teddy Bridgewater-agreement with the Jets
14. Sam Bradford-agreement with the Cardinals
15. Bashaud Breeland-agreement with the Panthers
16. Nate Solder-agreement with the Giants
17. Dontari Poe
18. Justin Pugh
19. Zach Brown
20. Richard Sherman-signed with the 49ers
21. Muhammad Wilkerson-agreement with the Packers
22. Carlos Hyde-agreement with the Browns
23. Jimmy Graham-agreement with the Packers
24. Kenny Vaccaro
25. Eric Reid
26. Nigel Bradham-re-signed with the Eagles
27. Avery Williamson-agreement with the Jets
28. Morgan Burnett
29. Dion Lewis-agreement with the Titans
30. Star Lotulelei-agreement with the Bills
31. Weston Richburg-agreement with the 49ers
32. Terrelle Pryor
33. E.J. Gaines
34. AJ McCarron-agreement with the Bills
35. Trey Burton-agreement with the Bears
36. Jack Mewhort
37. Tyler Eifert
38. Jordan Matthews
39. DaQuon Jones
40. Julius Peppers
41. Tahir Whitehead
42. Brent Grimes
43. Paul Richardson-agreement with the Redskins
44. Morris Claiborne
45. Marqise Lee-re-signed with the Jaguars
46. Ryan Jensen
47. Prince Amukamara
48. Josh McCown-re-signed with the Jets
49. Preston Brown
50. Josh Sitton
The re-signings of Drew Brees, Nigel Bradham, Marqise Lee, and Josh McCown were perfectly legit moves before the official start of free agency. Teams can sign their own free agents. The 49ers signing of Richard Sherman was also perfectly legit since the Seahawks had released him prior to the start of the new league year.
The release of Ndamukong Suh and Tyrann Mathieu by the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals, respectively, boosted the quality of the available players. The "legal tampering" window doesn't really get rid of the illegal tampering. It's going to happen. What it does do is accomplish in 52 hours what once took about two weeks. In the old days, most of the players that reach agreements during the tampering window would've taken a visit or two, maybe more. That takes time. Now, NFL free agency is speed-dating sort of thing. Very little wining and dining, getting to know you.
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