Reviewing the Biggest Steals of the 2016 NFL Free Agency

The NFL salary cap ballooned yet again this year, and with that came another deluge of money and huge contracts. 

Some of those deals were merited, while others dropped jaws. But there were also some bargains to be made, particularly after the initial wave of free agency. Let's take a look at some of the biggest steals in free agency, some of which weren't all that inexpensive but worth every penny.

Sean Smith, CB, Oakland Raiders

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How is a player who averages a $9.5 million a year a steal, exactly?

Well, it certainly looks like a bargain when the total value of his contract is just over half of the biggest deal handed out to a cornerback this offseason, and he is a better player.

Sean Smith signed a four-year, $38 million deal with the Oakland Raiders, twisting the knife into Chiefs fans in the process. You might recall Kansas City was one of the worst teams against the pass last season while Smith was serving a four-game suspension only to flip the script upon his return.

While he might not be in the same league as Richard Sherman or Josh Norman, Smith is a steady presence in the secondary. He has the size and ability to cover the top receiver on opposing offenses just about every week.

Smith is a great cornerback who shores up a huge position of need at a reasonable price. That's a bargain in my book.

Matt Forte, RB, New York Jets

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For some reason, the Chicago Bears decided they didn't want to keep their productive, reliable running back at a reasonable price.

Matt Forte might have a lot of mileage on his legs at 29 years of age, but he didn't show many signs of slowing down last season. Outside of an injury that held him out for three games, Forte was putting up numbers rivaling those he'd produced in recent years.

At just three years and $12 million, Forte brings his 1,000-yard, 50-reception pedigree to the Jets and could be a mentor for fellow signee Bilal Powell. He will also take the heat off whoever winds up starting at quarterback in New York.

Nick Fairley, DT, New Orleans Saints

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This isn't official yet, and we don't know the numbers of the deal. Considering how long Nick Fairley was on the market, though, his contract is sure to be a bargain.

Fairley is set to sign with the Saints, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. That fills a giant need for New Orleans in the middle of a soft defensive line.

Whatever the reason for the cool interest in Fairley, the Saints clearly benefited. They got an outstanding pass-rushing defensive tackle, one that has rounded into a quality all-around player since coming into the league.

Injury and off-field concerns linger, but he put his head down and went to work for the Rams last season, playing well on a rotational basis.

Jermaine Gresham, TE, Arizona Cardinals

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Players must love to play for coach Bruce Arians in Arizona.

Jermaine Gresham had multiple, multiyear offers on the table at the outset of free agency, but he decided to stick with the Cardinals on a measly one-year, $3.5 million deal.

Gresham is no Rob Gronkowski, to be sure, but he is a quality tight end, particularly as a blocker. He was worth a four-year, $23 million offer that he reportedly turned down from another team, according to ESPN.com's Adam Schefter. That alone makes the "hometown discount" he gave the Cardinals a steal.

Danny Trevathan, LB, Chicago Bears

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The Bears used some of the savings from letting Forte go to bolster their defense. They made a few moves on that side of the ball, but none was slicker than signing Danny Trevathan away from the Denver Broncos.

Though big names like Demarcus Ware and Von Miller in Denver somewhat obscured him, Trevathan had been a key member of that elite defense, often tasked with covering the opposing offense's tight end, be it Gronkowski or others not quite as great.

Chicago has missed quality linebacker play ever since Brian Urlacher retired, and Trevathan should bring the position back to respectability. What's more is the fact he signed a $24.5 million deal, not too shabby for the best middle linebacker in free agency.

Jerrell Freeman, LB, Chicago Bears

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If Trevathan was a bargain for the Bears, then Jerrell Freeman was highway robbery.

Freeman made an excellent tandem with D'Qwell Jackson for the Colts last season, one of the bright spots in an otherwise dismal season for that defense. 

Colts head coach Chuck Pagano put it succinctly and best after Freeman signed with the Bears, according to WGN's Adam Hoge:

"

Hate losing Jerrell. He’s good football player. He’s tough. He’s smart. He’s instinctive. He’s a sideline-to-sideline guy. Can play all three downs. He’s a good cover backer and he’s a downhill guy who can make plays.

"

The fact the Bears got him for just $4 million a year probably stings more—Indianapolis could have certainly afforded to keep Freeman.

Chris Long, DE, New England Patriots

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The Patriots proved this offseason yet again why they remain among the league's best year in and year out.

New England made a blockbuster deal with the Arizona Cardinals that sent Chandler Jones out west for a second-round pick and offensive guard Jonathan Cooper. While you might say that will hurt the pass rush in New England, you could also say the Patriots had a plan for that.

Enter Chris Long, veteran pass-rusher whose talents have been wasted in mediocrity with the Rams his entire career.

Long is no longer in his prime, and he has had some injury issues in recent years. When healthy, though, Long has been a productive pass-rusher.

At one year, $2 million, the Patriots got themselves a guy who can reach double-digit sacks at a fraction of the typical price.

Lamar Miller, RB, Houston Texans

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Relative to other running backs in free agency, Lamar Miller was no bargain. Relative to the rest of the NFL, though, Miller was an absolute steal.

His hometown Dolphins underutilized the Miami native during his four-year tender in South Florida, and they didn't seem to make a serious effort to retain him. The Texans have a nose for quality running backs, though, and they saw enough in Miller to sign him to a four-year, $26 million deal.

Miller averages 4.6 yards per carry for his career, a solid number considering he has run behind patchwork offensive lines his entire career. The Dolphins only gave him the ball 194 times last season, though, despite health and rushing success.

Imagine what he might average behind a solid line that buoyed undrafted free agent Arian Foster to a stellar career? Granted, Foster was pretty good himself, but an improved line and increased workload could make Miller a star. 

All for $6.5 million a year.

All contract information courtesy of Overthecap.com.