Early NFL Free Agency Awards

The Morning After Award For Biggest Regret: The Maxx Crosby Trade

Ironically the winner of this award might become the name of the award . After a deal that was unprecedented, given how the Ravens commonly manage the organization, along with being the first time the Ravens have ever traded a first for a veteran player.

They clearly woke up after a crazy Friday night seeing the ring on their finger that wasn't there prior and now are recovering from this mistake.

Whatever people can say on how wrong or unethical them backing out of the deal is, it is a smart move being able to move off the trade, sign Trey Hendrickson, who while being older isn't that far down in quality and now still have the two first in the 2026 & 2027 draft.

The Howie Roseman Award For Best Transaction: Michael Pittman To Pittsburgh

After the signing of Alec pierce to the biggest free agency wide receiver contract in NFL history, along with the signing of Daniel Jones to a new deal, Michael Pittman was the odd man out in indy.

In Pittsburgh , he immediately solves the biggest weakness within the steelers offense within the past few seasons in a lack of consistent receivers outside of their #1's. Adding Pittman brings less pressure from secondaries on DK Metcalf and hopefully revive a passing game that has been stagnant for years now.

The Deshaun Watson Award For Worst Contract: Wan’Dale Robinson To Tennesee

Now not being as bad as the contract this award is named after, Robinson's deal with Tennessee was seen from a mile away while also still leaving a lot to be desired.

While eclipsing 1,000 yards for the first time last year it was by primarily feasting on terrible secondaries, which as a wide-out should be a great sign. But in a 17 game season he lacks the consistency you want a guy that at this moment. As a main target for a second-year quarterback in Cam Ward who already was dealing with a lack of play-making on offense, this doesn’t move the needle.

The Al pacino 'My Offer Is Nothing' Award For Biggest Walk-Away: Mike Evans to 49ers

**Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images. Illustration by Bryce Wood.**

This award is meant to symbolize the biggest change in destination within the period and by gawd did we get one. Evans, a future hall of famer according to every person with a living breath goes to San Fransisco with the hope of bringing them the super bowl they've been so close to in the years prior.

Evans brings what San Fransisco's needed since the injury and then disappearance of Brandon aiyuk, which is a consistent target outside of Kittle for Brock Purdy.

This became even more of a need, due to Kittle's ongoing recovery from his torn achilles. Evans also brings another important part to Kyle Shanahan's offense by giving them a contested catch specialist after the departure of jauan jennings

most underrated free agency: tampa bay

After missing the playoffs for the first time since the pre-brady years, Tampa didn't make a lot of splashy signings but signed players that can help a team that collapsed in the second half of the year.

Gainwell brings Bucky Irving a reliable secondary back with the versatility to give them a scary backfield. Anzalone birngs them a impact player at lineback they've often lacked. resigning Otton brings back one of mayfield's more consistent targets. while losing Evans hurts, they have loaded up on great skill players the past few years with guys like rookie standout Emeka Egbuka.

The hope for next year is the offense doesn't slow down like it did last year with new coordinator Zac Robinson and the defense takes a step up in consistency that it lacked last year with head coach Todd Bowles. this feels like a make or break year for this era of buccaneers football and these might not be Super Bowl level moves, but ones that can help them level back to what they were early last season.

The 'Quarter Mile at a Time' Award for Biggest Overreaction: Indianapolis Colts

Indy is in one of the more interesting conundrums in the league. after starting 8-2, they attempted to fix their biggest need at cornerback by trading for all-pro Sauce Gardener.

After a move that even at the time felt a little brash, they now are at position where they are practically force to going all-in on that 8-2 team that quickly collapsed after the injury to Daniel Jones. While they were a good team, there best win was against a chargers team missing half of their offensive line, with a narrow loss to an eventual 6 win Kansas city team as their best showing against true competition.

While this team might be back to its dominance, it seems more likely that in a conference more competitive than it was early last season, its more likely this is the last we'll see of this era of Chris Ballard.

best team free agency: Carolina panthers

After losing a close game to the rams who were a few plays from making the super bowl, Carolina who already had a much improved defense, ascended above the other teams in the NFC South.

After being bottom 10 in sacks last year, bringing in Philadelphia standout Jaelan Phillips on a hefty but risky contract, with the hope that he can bring the pressure they often lacked on the edge. What put them over the top for me though, was the addition of top linebacker, Devin Lloyd, who in his last year in Jacksonville was a true disruptor for a defense that improved drastically from the previous year. also getting him on a less risky deal than Phillips.

While together these can be seen as risky moves for a team that has only made the playoffs once in the past 10 years, Carolina may not have another shot for this. So these are moves that can be risky but have the chance to move them to true NFC contenders.

Worst Team Free Agency: Miami Dolphins

While giving Miami this award, it gives me shame with the situation new General Manger John-Eric Sullivan and Head Coach Jeff Hafley were dealt.

This was a team going into this offseason had the smell of fire surrounding the entire building with its’ chaos. Moving on from Tua and bringing in Malik Willis is a worthy risk given the upside he showed in his two year in Green Bay. What gives extra hope is both Hafley and Sullivan were Green Bay staffers who saw Willis day in and day out. The Waddle trade was confusing given the lack of weapons outside of him and De’Von Achane, but I see it as them moving on from this era completely.

Their draft was underwhelming given the needs being glaring at practically every position. This season will be a mess, but the hope is that at least a couple players will prove their worth to be apart of the roster once the darkness is gone, and the Miami sun returns to Hard Rock Stadium.