Favorite Free Agent Additions: AFC

Yesterday I picked my favorite free agent additions of the NFC teams. Today I pick my favorite free agent additions of that other conference. The AFC. 

Baltimore Ravens

Kevin Zeitler, OG

When the New York Giants let Kevin Zeitler go before the start of free agency I hoped that the Minnesota Vikings would find a way to sign him. Instead, the Ravens signed him and their offensive line immediately got better.

Pittsburgh Steelers

JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR

The Steelers haven’t done much in free agency. They’ve lost more players than they’ve gained. It isn’t too difficult to land on the re-signing of JuJu Smith-Schuster as my favorite Steelers signing. 

Cleveland Browns

Anthony Walker Jr., LB

The Browns made a few signings that I really liked. Safety John Johnson, cornerback Troy Hill, defensive tackle Malik Jackson to name three. I think that I like the signing of Anthony Walker Jr. the best. He was a strong and underrated player on a very good Indianapolis Colts defense. He was perhaps in the shadow of Darius Leonard. He’s outside that shadow now. 

Cincinnati Bengals

Larry Ogunjobi, DT

The Bengals usually aren’t very active in free agency. They were surprisingly active this year. They made some strong signings. Edge Trey Hendrickson, cornerbacks Mike Hilton and Chidobie Awuzie, and tackle Riley Reiff. Larry Ogunjobi is another player that I hoped might find his way to Minnesota. 

Buffalo Bills

Emmanuel Sanders, WR

The Bills are now officially loaded with receivers. 

New England Patriots

Jonnu Smith, TE

Over the two days of the legal tampering it felt like every announced agreement was a player agreeing to a deal with the Patriots. They signed so damn many players. I liked a lot of them. I liked the signing of Jonnu Smith best. He’s the sort of tight end the Patriots have been looking to add since Rob Gronkowski started getting injured frequently. 

Miami Dolphins

Justin Coleman, CB

If Will Fuller caught the ball better, he’d be the pick. Instead, my favorite Dolphins signing was the signing of underrated cornerback Justin Coleman. 

New York Jets

Carl Lawson, Edge

The Jets were very active in free agency. I saw Carl Lawson as the best edge rusher available. The Jets did well to win the bidding for him. If Lawson continues to progress as he has, his best days are ahead of him. 

Indianapolis Colts

T.Y. Hilton, WR

The Colts are very careful in free agency. They have a load of cap space but are very frugal in using it. The Colts added some offensive linemen. Sam Tevi and Julién Davenport felt like depth signings. Just when I thought the he was about to depart Indianapolis, the Colts re-signed T.Y. Hilton. It would’ve been tough/wrong to see Hilton in another uniform. 

Jacksonville Jaguars

Marvin Jones, WR

Gotta go with the Cal player. Marvin Jones was one of my favorite Cal players of the past decade. He’s been an excellent receiver in the NFL. Trevor Lawrence will love throwing to him. 

Tennessee Titans

Denico Autry, Edge

Bud Dupree was the Titans “headline” signing. I liked the signing of underrated Denico Autry better.

Houston Texans

None

I’m not a fan of a single thing that the Texans have done this offseason. 

Kansas City Chiefs

Joe Thuney, OG

The Chiefs lost the Super Bowl because they couldn’t slow the Buccaneers pass rush with street free agents. In response, they signed one of the best guards in the league in Joe Thuney. Adding defensive tackle Jarran Reed late in free agency is a close second. 

Las Vegas Raiders

Yannick Ngakoue, Edge

I’m not sure what the Raiders are doing. They dismantled one of the league’s better offensive lines. Clearly they decided that the money invested there could be better spent elsewhere. Then they signed a backup running back to close to starter money. I do like the signing of Yannick Ngakoue. It took him only five games to be the Vikings season-leader in sacks. 

Los Angeles Chargers

Corey Linsley, C

For the second consecutive year the Chargers looked to Green Bay for a high-priced boost to their offensive line. Bryan Bulaga last year. Corey Linsley this year. Both will help protect their franchise, Justin Herbert. That’s all that matters for the next 15 years. 

Denver Broncos

Kyle Fuller, CB

The Broncos sure pounced when the Bears made Kyle Fuller available a couple weeks into free agency. He’ll fit nicely in a Vic Fangio defense that he knows well.