NFL Free Agency: The 7 Biggest Winners and Losers After Day 2

On day two of the NFL free agency, a lot of moves were once again made and some were bigger than others.

Tuesday gave us the Brandon Marshall trade to Chicago, Vincent Jackson to Tampa Bay and Cortland Finnegan to St. Louis.

Wednesday also had its fair share of big news, and here are its winners (four) and losers (three).

Winner: Calvin Johnson

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Calvin Johnson is getting a nine-digit contract:

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Filed to ESPN: Lions reached agreement with WR Calvin Johnson on a seven-year, $132 million extension that includes $60 million guaranteed.

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"— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2012"

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The man gets to remain with the franchise who drafted him back in 2007, and the Motor City has retained its best player, long-term, since Barry Sanders.

Also, Detroit has the luxury of watching Megatron do work as the NFL's best receiver and most dangerous offensive weapon. Only turning 27 years old before the 2012 season, Johnson will have another three or four years left in him after this contract is up... after the 2018 season.

Loser: Tony Romo

Tony Romo may not have been the reason why the Dallas Cowboys failed to make the postseason in 2011; however, there is now a man backing him up that can take over if it comes to that.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Kyle Orton will be in Big D for a few years:

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Kyle Orton reached a three-year agreement with the Dallas Cowboys.

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"— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2012"

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Last season, Romo had his best overall performance of 31 touchdowns to just 10 picks, over 4,100 yards, a 66.3 completion percentage and a rating of 102.5.

As for Orton, he was run out of Denver, then acquired by the Chiefs where his 2011 campaign was nothing but disappointing. As the starter for the Broncos in 2009 and 2010 over 29 games, Orton threw for over 3,600 yards each year, combined with 41 touchdowns to 21 picks and an 87.15 rating.

Instead of Jon Kitna or Stephen McGee, the Cowboys have a reliable No. 2 quarterback. And if Romo goes back to his injury-prone self or flakiness; then Orton will be called upon to perform.

Winner: Brandon Carr

According to Tom Orsborn of the Houston Chronicle, the Dallas Cowboys have given Brandon Carr a nice contract:

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A strapping 6-foot, 207-pound cornerback, Carr became the team's highest-paid defensive back after signing a five-year deal worth $50.1 million.

"I'm ecstatic," Carr told the team's website. "I've been waiting for this opportunity to secure myself financially. … Now it's time to turn my game up another notch."

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This is a great move by both sides.

Brandon Carr is remaining as a starting cornerback in the league and is getting some good dough along with it. The past two seasons alone, Carr has picked off five passes, defended a total of 40 and made 102 tackles.

As for the Cowboys, they ranked No. 23 against the pass in 2011, which was the biggest reason why Jerry Jones and Co. missed the postseason. Pass-rusher DeMarcus Ware will surely welcome Carr's ability and don't forget about Dallas's No. 14 overall selection.

Draft a stud corner in Round 1 to put opposite Carr and The Doomsday Defense has great expectations next fall.

Loser: Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Checkbook

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are putting the immediate future in the hands of three players: receiver Vincent Jackson, guard Carl Nicks and cornerback Eric Wright.

According to Melissa Rancourt of  WTSP 10 News in Tampa Bay, each of the new players had an optimistic outlook:

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"I believe in this place," said Vincent Jackson at Wednesday's news conference. "The Bucs have something special happening here."

"I'll do anything to help out," said Eric Wright. "This is a good group of young, hungry guys here and I want to be a part of it."

Said Carl Nicks, "There [New Orleans], the priority is to pass first, pass second, pass third.  I love to run block, and we're gonna run here.  I push people around, that's what I do."

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All together, the Buccaneers forked over roughly $140 million dollars between the three players, according to ESPN via the Associated Press.

That's an insane amount of cash to invest between just three guys. Now, the good news is that all are, at the very least, better than most at their respective positions. However, if Tampa Bay doesn't see immediate success within the next two or three seasons, much scrutiny will occur.

Winner: Laurent Robinson

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Jacksonville Jaguars paid good money for Laurent Robinson:

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Jacksonville reached agreement with former Dallas free-agent wide receiver Laurent Robinson on a five-year, $32.5 million deal.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2012"

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Did the Jaguars overpay for Laurent Robinson? Perhaps, but that's not Robinson's loss. This is a guy who has never played a full season, has yet to gain over 1,000 yards and he has no more than 54 receptions in a season.

Now, 2011 was Robinson's best season as he also scored 11 touchdowns for the Cowboys. Jacksonville was also extremely desperate for a receiver with any kind of reputability. Robinson can at the very least be a solid No. 2 target provided that the Jags add a top receiving prospect via the draft.

As long as Maurice Jones-Drew remains in the backfield, the offense will do some good work as Mel Tucker's defense remains dominant.

Loser: Cleveland Browns

According to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Browns are not expected to pursue quarterback Matt Flynn:

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The Browns aren't pursuing former Green Bay backup quarterback Matt Flynn and never exchanged contract proposals with his agent, a league source told The Plain Dealer.

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So, it looks as the Browns are sticking with Colt McCoy, Seneca Wallace and could potentially draft a quarterback early when late April rolls around. Certainly an interesting move, but Flynn has proven the potential to compete for a starting role.

In addition, Peyton Hillis is now in Kansas City and the Browns also released guard Eric Steinbach, according to ESPN.

Although parting ways with Steinbach was tough, Cleveland still loses one of its better and well-established offensive linemen. With Hillis gone, the running game takes a hit, because he and a healthy Brandon Jackson would have made a respectable two-back tandem.

Cleveland did, however, sign defensive end Frostee Rucker, according to Cabot of the Plain Dealer:

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Rucker signed a five-year worth $21 million, including $8 million guaranteed, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. He's the first unrestricted free agent they've signed this offseason.

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Getting Rucker definitely eases some pain, as he provides great depth to the defensive front.

Still, Cleveland's offense must do some upgrading this offseason. Whether it's the draft or free agency, the Browns won't have anything to show their fans in 2012 without bringing in a stud No. 1 receiver, running back and/or offensive lineman.

Winner: Philadelphia Eagles

Arguably one of the biggest winners through the first two days of free agency, the Philadelphia Eagles retained two of their best players in receiver DeSean Jackson and defensive end Trent Cole.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, both players got nice contracts:

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Jackson agreed to a five-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles on Wednesday. A league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter the deal is worth $51 million.

Trent Cole and the Eagles agreed on a four-year contract extension through 2017.

A source told Schefter that Cole's extension is worth $48.525 million, including $15 million guaranteed. The deal could be worth $55.25 million with escalators in the contract.

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Considering that the NFC East is loaded with stud pass-rushers such as DeMarcus Ware, Jason Pierre-Paul and Brian Orakpo, among others, the Eagles needed to keep Cole long-term.

The man is just as good if not better than any other defensive end in the league, as evidenced by his 68 career sacks (33.5 between 2009-2011), 421 tackles and 12 forced fumbles.

As for Jackson, Philly needs that punt return veteran and receiver who can widen a defense in the horizontal running game.

With Mike Vick scrambling, running back LeSean McCoy slicing through defensive fronts and Jeremy Maclin beating single coverage, watch out for the Eagles offense again in 2012.

John Rozum on Twitter.