PFF Top 100 Free Agents

[panthers320]

13. T TAYLOR MOTON

Moton has been the model of consistency over the last three years, grading “in the green” every year as a starter. He performs well in the parts of offensive line play that translate well moving forward, including ranking in the 90th percentile in PFF pass-blocking grade on true pass sets since 2018. As a run-blocker, Moton is scheme diverse. He can move defenders at the point of attack as well as making the necessary backside cutoffs in a zone-heavy scheme. He ranks well above average at avoiding negatively graded plays in the run game, another one of the more stable measures of offensive tackle play. Dependability is the name of the game for Moton, who has quietly been one of the most valuable tackles in the league since 2018.

Contract Analysis: Carolina traded their former right guard Trai Turner this past offseason to the Los Angeles Chargers for left tackle Russell Okung, yet Taylor Moton’s play has improved from 2019 after losing a high-quality player next to him on the offensive line. That trade ultimately should clear the way for a nice extension in Carolina for Moton.

Prediction: Panthers sign Moton for five years, $82.5 million ($16.5M APY): $45M total guaranteed at signing, $30M fully guaranteed at signing.

 

20. DI LEONARD WILLIAMS

One of the surest bets in the class, Williams has graded between 70.0 and 82.0 in all six years of his career. Run defense is his calling card, as he ranks in the 86th percentile in PFF run-defense grade since entering the league and with his best work coming as a B and C gap defender. Williams is an average pass-rusher and even with a career-high 13 sacks this season, he’s yet to break a 72.0 pass-rush grade for his career. Still, Williams has been one of the most valuable interior defensive linemen in the league since 2015, and his level of consistency is a plus for potential suitors.

Contract Analysis: Williams was traded from the New York Jets to the New York Giants in 2019 and had to move his locker across Metlife Stadium. He may be moving much further than that after the 2020 season unless he can agree to a long-term extension with the Giants coming off the franchise tag. A second franchise tag for Williams would cost the Giants $19,351,200 (120% of his current tag) and isn’t out of the question. That number also provides a solid floor for Williams in negotiations in terms of an average per year amount.

Prediction: Panthers sign Williams for four years, $80 million ($20M APY): $47.5M total guaranteed, $32.5M fully guaranteed at signing.

 

32. T RUSSELL OKUNG

The former No. 6 overall pick of the Seattle Seahawks has more than lived up to the billing. Now in his 11th season and on his fourth team, Okung hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down when healthy. Over the last three years, Okung ranks as a slightly above-average pass-blocker and an above-average run-blocker, and he remains a valuable player at an important position.

Okung was traded from the Los Angeles Chargers to the Carolina Panthers before the 2020 season and has filled in seamlessly when he’s been available.

The veteran has earned a pass-blocking grade above 70.0 — with five grades above 75.0 — in five of the six games he started in 2020. Coincidentally, he’s also recorded a pass-blocking grade of 71.0 or higher — with five grades above 75.0 — over his last six seasons.

Contract Analysis: Okung is now 33 but appears to be one of the many recent stalwart pass-protecting tackles who age very well and play long into their 30s. He was one of the original players in recent years to negotiate his own contract (with help from advisors), so perhaps an unorthodox structure wouldn’t be surprising as his career winds down.

Prediction: Panthers sign Okung for three years, $50 million. ($16.67M APY): $32.5M total guaranteed, $22.5M fully guaranteed at signing.

 

43. WR CURTIS SAMUEL

Perhaps one of the more under-the-radar storylines of the entire 2020 season is Curtis Samuel’s rebirth in Carolina under new head coach Matt Rhule and offensive coordinator Joe Brady. When Carolina signed speedster Robby Anderson this offseason, some thought it could spell the end of Samuel’s time in Carolina. He’s long been rumored in trades as he approaches the end of his rookie contract, but his 2020 campaign changes the situation entirely. Samuel and Anderson really aren’t very similar in their playing styles, and Joe Brady has accentuated Samuel’s strengths in an impressive fashion. 

Contract Analysis: Samuel has shifted inside to the slot, and he’s also had at least one rushing attempt in every game this season. His 2020 average depth of target of 6.2 yards through Week 12 is a massive drop-off from his 2019 average depth of target mark of 15.1 yards. As a result, Samuel’s game is starting to resemble another second-round wide receiver with the last name Samuel: Deebo Samuel of the San Francisco 49ers. Both players look like running backs in the open field when they get the ball near or behind the line of scrimmage, flashing a physical, downhill nature in their efforts after the catch. Samuel has excelled in his new role and could have an opportunity to finish the season on a tear with D.J. Moore expected to miss some time.

Prediction: Giants sign Samuel for three years, $25 million ($8.33M APY): $15 million total guaranteed, $10 million fully guaranteed at signing.

 

 

87. EDGE HAASON REDDICK

Reddick’s strong finish to 2020 has looked nothing like the first 3 ½ years of his career, clouding his free-agent evaluation. Reddick was clearly out of place as a traditional linebacker, grading at just 35.4 in coverage in his first three NFL seasons — the third-worst mark among linebackers during that time. However, Reddick’s move back to his college position on the edge has rejuvenated his career, as his burst has been an asset when he rushes the passer. The question will be whether Reddick will continue this incredible stretch of play or if it’s just an anomaly, but he’s definitely worth a look as a change-of-pace No. 3 pass-rusher. And he may get paid like a No. 2.

Contract Analysis: The Cardinals finally moved Reddick from off-ball linebacker to an edge rusher on the outside, and big-time results followed. He registered an insane five sacks and a 97.1 pass-rushing grade in Week 14 against the Giants, and he followed that up with a 10-pressure outing against Philadelphia. It’s still such a small sample size of success, which certainly complicates the evaluation, but there’s no denying what Reddick did to close out the 2020 season. 

Prediction: Panthers sign Reddick for one year, $8.5 million fully guaranteed at signing.

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-2021-free-agency-top-100-free-agents

[WarPanthers89]

What a joke to rate Okung that high. He has barely played this last two years

[pantherj]

Okung can have a good one year contract to finish up his playing career, or he can go elsewhere. His legs are falling apart and that's not going to get better being on the wrong side of 30. If he turns his nose up at a one year deal then let him walk.

Moton can have a long term contract, but we need to keep in mind that his massive size will cause the same kind of problems Okung is having as time passes.

There is no reason why we can't afford Samuel. None. Samuel can have a long term contract. We can afford to have good players now. We build through the draft, so wee need to keep the players who pan out. Remember we have a cheap roster on defense, cheap TE, and we can cut KK and other mediocre players to free up a lot of money.

This is the draft where we replace our OGs and center. The middle of our o-line will go from older journeymen stopgap guys to young draft picks with more talent. This will stop the excessive pressure coming up the middle and scaring Teddy, and make our best weapon, CMC, more deadly in the run game. Not to mention we lower the cost of our o-line for now.

At the 8th pick we are taking Trey Lance, or we're going to trade down imo.

[WarHeel]

Okung played what felt like 2 full games all season. Not sure he deserves the rank.

[TheSpecialJuan]

awesome 

[stbugs]

If we give Okung $50M for 3 years without Marty then I’ll officially give up. I’ll still watch and root but I will stop giving a crap about any moves we make.

Williams would be almost as bad at $20M a year but at least you’d get a decent player.

That said going all out in FA this year is stupid. Resign Moton, absolutely. The rest was meh. I’d like to keep Samuel but unfortunately we went for broke yet again and spent on poo players aside from Anderson. If we hadn’t done that we’d have 2 more good comp picks and easily would be able to afford Samuel and Moton. Save the $37M a year on Okung and Williams until 2022/2023 when we’re more competitive.

[pantherj]

We are NOT giving Okung $50,000,000 for 3 years! I will lose my mind.

[Panther Believer]

This would be awesome minus the Russel Okung extension lol. However, I doubt Reddick goes somewhere on just a 1 year deal for that cheap after his dominant pass rushing performance he's put on towards the 2nd half of the season. All I need is Moton extended and the rest is the cherry on top.

[Sgt Schultz]

7 minutes ago, stbugs said:

If we give Okung $50M for 3 years without Marty then I’ll officially give up. I’ll still watch and root but I will stop giving a crap about any moves we make.

Williams would be almost as bad at $20M a year but at least you’d get a decent player.

That said going all out in FA this year is stupid. Resign Moton, absolutely. The rest was meh. I’d like to keep Samuel but unfortunately we went for broke yet again and spent on poo players aside from Anderson. If we hadn’t done that we’d have 2 more good comp picks and easily would be able to afford Samuel and Moton. Save the $37M a year on Okung and Little until 2022/2023 when we’re more competitive.

I just don't see the upside of resigning Okung.  When he's on the field, he's fine.  But he is not on the field much, and with Father Time creeping in I expect that will get worse, if that is possible.  He does us no good watching the game, let alone watching it in a warmup suit.

I have no idea why they think we need Williams, especially at that price. 

 

[Mister]

terrible free agents this year

[54th man]

We dont have the funds to do this. Moton I like that and the Reddick deal as well. I would love to keep Samuel just dont see how with our cap situation.

[Mister]

pay dak!!!!!!

[thefuzz]

18 hours ago, Sgt Schultz said:

I just don't see the upside of resigning Okung.  When he's on the field, he's fine.  But he is not on the field much, and with Father Time creeping in I expect that will get worse, if that is possible.  He does us no good watching the game, let alone watching it in a warmup suit.

I have no idea why they think we need Williams, especially at that price. 

 

Not only that, but Rhule has preached "being tough and working/playing through injuries", I feel like that may have been directed at Okung to be honest.

[SmittysLawnGuy]

48 minutes ago, Mister said:

pay dak!!!!!!

You would rather have Dak over broken Okung and run stuffer Leonard? Yeah me too. Pay Dak!!!