NFL Free-Agent Signings: Analyzing Reported Offseason Moves

As we all gawk at NFL Scouting Combine 40-yard-dash times and vertical jumps, general managers have already started molding their rosters for the 2017 season. Prior to free-agent signings, front offices can release, extend or franchise tag their players to manipulate cap space.

As is the case every year, it's easy to pinpoint the clubs that know they're far from competing for a Super Bowl title and teams looking to push toward a postseason run. One team in the AFC East will look vastly different after booting several high-profile veterans. 

Fans often fall in love with prominent players and forget managing a roster also calculates cost versus production. Sometimes, it's best to part ways with a decent player on an inflated contract a year too early to recirculate cash for cheaper replacements capable of similar output.

Which teams made headlines over the past few weeks due to bold roster transactions?

New York Jets Cleaning House

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

On Feb. 10, the New York Jets voided quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick's contract. In the following 15 days, the team declined left tackle Ryan Clady's 2017 option and released offensive linemen Nick Mangold and Breno Giacomini as well as kicker Nick Folk. In March, the front office cut cornerback Darrelle Revis and granted wide receiver Brandon Marshall's request for a release, per Newsday's Kimberley Martin.

Here's the breakdown on the Jets' savings, via Darryl Slater of NJ Advance Media:

Player	Position	Cap Savings
Brandon Marshall	WR	$7.5M
Darrelle Revis	CB	$9.3M
Nick Mangold	C	$9.075M
Ryan Clady	LT	$10M
Breno Giacomini	RT	$4.5M
Erin Henderson	ILB	$2.57M
Nick Folk	K	$3M

ESPN.com's Rich Cimini thinks the team will recoup more cash through additional veteran cuts in the near future. All veterans on the Jets roster should be anxious when checking their cellphones, as general manager Mike Maccagnan has gone full speed ahead on the youth movement over the past four weeks. 

After going 10-6 in 2015 and barely missing the playoffs, the Jets plummeted this past season, winning only five games. The high-profile roster cuts indicate a complete rebuild going into head coach Todd Bowles' third season. 

Despite touting a veteran group, the Jets ranked No. 30 in points scored in 2016. The only logical approach would be going in the opposite direction.

Running back Matt Forte and wideout Eric Decker remain New York's prominent players on offense, but fans should expect a makeover in scheme, as former offensive coordinator Chan Gailey retired after two seasons working under Bowles. The team hired New Orleans Saints wide receiver coach John Morton for the vacated position.

As the Jets prepare for a fresh start, their most important decision revolves around the quarterback position. Right now, third-year player Bryce Petty seems like the best option.

Minnesota Vikings Decline to Exercise 2017 Option Adrian Peterson

Rather than picking up an $18 million option for a soon-to-be 32-year-old running back who's on the decline, the Vikings decided to let Adrian Peterson become an unrestricted free agent instead. Daily Norseman writer Arif Hasan graphed Peterson's yards-per-carry average over the past 19 games:

The Vikings could still re-sign Peterson on a cheaper deal, but the star running back should field multiple offers—for a reduced role. The Oklahoma product has carried the ball 2,418 times over the past 10 seasons, which drops his market value.

Why would teams acquire Peterson instead of a rookie who can excel in the same role as a power back or a touchdown vulture inside the 10-yard line?

According to ESPN's Josina Anderson, the Oakland Raiders' massive offensive line caught Peterson's attention, but Oakland prefers to see how running back Latavius Murray's market develops before making a move, per Bleacher Report's Jason Cole.

If Peterson doesn't re-sign, the Vikings will need to add another running back or two alongside Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata to balance a conservative passing offense.

Washington Redskins Use Exclusive Franchise Tag on Kirk Cousins 

The Washington Redskins apparently don't like quarterback Kirk Cousins enough to lock him into a long-term deal yet. Instead, Washington utilized the exclusive franchise tag and will shell out $23.9 million for another prove-it deal if the two sides don't come to a long-term agreement by the July 15 deadline.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport mentioned the possibility of a three-team trade that would send Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo to Washington and Cousins to the San Francisco 49ers. However, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio wrote off Rapoport's report as conjecture.

If a trade doesn't materialize, Cousins would have to bet on himself again with Washington. Despite Washington having applied the exclusive franchise tag to the sixth-year quarterback, buzz about his availability intensified over the past couple of weeks, which opposed team president Bruce Allen expectations (via SiriusXM NFL Radio):

For now, Washington has a decent franchise quarterback capable of taking it to the postseason. Prying Cousins away from Washington should cost another team at least one first-round pick. 

Stats provided by Sports-Reference.com and Pro-Football-Reference.com unless otherwise noted.

New York Jets offseason transaction provided by ESPN.com.