NFL Free Agency 2018: Preston Brown, Ed Dickson Highlight Day's Reported Deals

After a steady free-agent signing flow, the activity comes to a trickle going into the third day of the new league year. Though big names remain on the market, teams have added underrated players who can fill starting roles.

In addition to the reported free-agent acquisitions, one team voided a contract due to a failed physical, similar to wide receiver Ryan Grant's situation with the Baltimore Ravens, per ESPN's Adam Schefter:

Let's take a look at a few reported deals, pending the physicals, that came to fruition Friday.

Linebacker Preston Brown Goes to Cincinnati 

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Last year, the Buffalo Bills had a surplus at the linebacker position. Now, the team loses Preston Brown, a reliable asset who played 99.1 percent of defensive snaps in the middle of Leslie Frazier's defense in the previous season. 

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Brown reached a one-year agreement with the Bengals:

Brown started 62 out of 64 contests since joining Buffalo as a third-round pick in the 2014 draft. The Bengals hope to acquire the same durable player who racks up tackles (295 for his career) in the middle of the front seven under new defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. 

The one-year deal indicates it's a trial plan, but the Bengals hope Brown pans out better than their linebacker acquisition from the previous offseason in Kevin Minter, who provided minimal impact before landing on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.

Tight End Ed Dickson to the Seattle Seahawks 

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Tight ends Jimmy Graham and Luke Willson combined for 14 touchdown receptions in the previous season. The former signed with the Green Bay Packers, per Schefter, and the latter remains available on the open market.

The Seattle Seahawks came to terms with tight end Ed Dickson on a three-year, $14 million deal, per ESPN's Josina Anderson:

Dickson provides a reliable big-body target for quarterback Russell Wilson, who didn't have much of a ground attack to lean on in recent seasons. 

In 2017, Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen struggled to stay on the field due to a foot injury, which thrust Dickson into a starting role for 12 contests. He racked up 30 catches for 437 yards and a touchdown.

The 30-year-old isn't an established red-zone target, but a new receiving option is better than fewer pass-catchers.

Saints Re-Sign Defensive End Alex Okafor 

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In an attempt to bolster their pass rush, the New Orleans Saints re-signed defensive end Alex Okafor to a two-year, $10 million deal, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. 

It's a low-cost contract for a player who can provide significant impact when healthy.

Okafor has recorded 18 sacks in the last four seasons. If the 27-year-old didn't tear his Achilles in November, he would've garnered a bigger market and landed a more lucrative deal. Despite the injury that cost him six games, he listed second on the team in sacks with 4.5.

New Orleans continues to bolster its defense with another playmaker who can help defensive end Cameron Jordan pressure the pocket.

Carolina Panthers Void Cornerback Bashaud Breeland's Contract

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According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Panthers voided cornerback Bashaud Breeland's three-year, $24 million contract due to a failed physical, which puts him back on the free-agent market:

The failed physical relates to a non-football injury, which Rapoport revealed as a cut on his foot:

Breeland becomes an unrestricted free agent again after a solid 2017 season with the Washington Redskins playing alongside cornerback Josh Norman.

Carolina will likely continue its search on the open market. Look out for cornerbacks Rashaan Melvin, Byron Maxwell and E.J. Gaines as names connected to the team. 

The Panthers traded cornerback Daryl Worley, who started 14 games in the previous term, to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for wideout Torrey Smith, per Schefter. The voided contract opens a starting job in Carolina.