NFL
By: Ryan Cooley
*All stats/grades are via PFF
Adam Peters was busy on his first day of free agency, signing six players. I was a bit surprised with the number of signings since Peters preached about building through the draft and supplementing through free agency.
However, no one was given a massive payday. Instead, most received 2-3 years deals which didn’t break the bank.
Here are my grades for the day-one signings.
Dorance Armstrong: B (3 years/$33 million)
The first signing of the day is someone Dan Quinn is very familiar with. The now-former Cowboy played 42% of Dallas’ defensive snaps last season. He was very efficient with those snaps. He recorded 35 pressures while posting a 15.6% pass rush win rate.
Sitting behind Demarcus Lawrence limited his playtime, but will likely be a full-time starter in 2024. At only 26 years of age, Armstrong has a lot of room to grow and I am eager to see what he can develop into.
Tyler Biadasz: C (3 years/$30 million)
After Nick Gates’ release, it was clear Washington would be in the market for a Center. The 2nd signing of the day and former Cowboy reunites with Dan Quinn in D.C. Biadasz is a solid signing, but nothing to get too excited about. For most of his career, he has been an average Center.
Tyler Biadasz in 2023:
– 27 pressures allowed
– 3 sacks allowed
– 68.3 run block grade (14th highest)
– 64.6 pass block grade (11th highest)— Cooley's Takes (@Cooleystakes) March 11, 2024
He isn’t going to be a force on the O-Line, but also not a liability. The lower grade for Biadasz comes from his contract. His projected deal was for only $7 million per year via Brad Spielberger. So, they did slightly overpay for him.
However, Washington has the cap space to give a few extra million to free agents. Hopefully, they will finally get reliable and consistent center play in 2024. Something they haven’t had in years.
Frankie Luvu: A+ (3 years/$36 million)
Luvu is a home run signing. Washington hasn’t had a reliable LB since, well, probably London Fletcher. Luvu has been a top-10 LB for the past few seasons. He has thrived when getting a chance to rush the QB. His 90.1 pass-rush grade in 2023 was the highest among all LBs.
Frankie Luvu in 2023:
– 80 overall grade (10th highest)
– 90.1 pass rush grade!!! (1st)
– 74 run defense grade (24th highest)Helluva signing
— Cooley's Takes (@Cooleystakes) March 11, 2024
Many speculated that Queen would end up in D.C. However, Luvu at $12 million per year is vastly better than Queen who is projected to make north of $18 million per year.
Austin Ekeler: C (2 years/$11.43 million)
Ekeler is the only singing that I am not a real fan of. He has been one of the best receiving backs for years. However, his production and efficiency fell off quite a bit in 2023.
In 2022, Ekeler hauled in 109 receptions for 731 yards and 5 TDs (along with 15 rushing TDs). In 2023, that production dropped to just 51 catches for 436 yards and 1 TD (only 5 rushing TDs).
Some have blamed the drop in production on injury, which is fair. However, that is the issue with older RBs. Ekeler will be 29 next season and most RBs his age have a high probability of injury if given substantial touches.
Overall, I believe there were better options that would’ve been slightly cheaper and younger. I actually expected them to address the receiving back position through the draft.
Brandon McManus: C+ (1 year/$3.6 million)
Washington didn’t have a kicker under contract for the 2024 season. I thought Slye returning was a possibility, but Adam Peters opted for a familiar face in McManus.
Brandon McManus is 2023:
– 35/35 on XPs
– 30/37 on FGs (81.1%) (22nd out of 29)– 11/13 on 40-49 yd FGs (84.6%) (13th)
– 5/10 on 50+ yd FGs (50%) (T-23rd)– 73.3 FG grade (16th)
— Cooley's Takes (@Cooleystakes) March 12, 2024
McManus seems to be a slight upgrade over Slye in the FG/XP department. The big difference comes at kickoffs. Nearly every KO from Slye in 2023 went for a touchback. McManus only had 76% of his KOs go for a touchback.
Nick Allegretti: B (3 year/$16 million)
It’s no secret that LG was a massive need for the Commanders. Saahdiq Charles and Chris Paul struggled mightily in 2023. I thought Andrew Wylie moving to LG was a possibility (and still might be).
I imagine with Allegretti’s contract, he was offered the starting job, or at least first dibs.
Sounds like Adam Peters and company have their starting Left Guard now. Gotta figure out the Tackle spots now. pic.twitter.com/NItGXIXkqu
— Josh Taylor (@JoshTaylorFB) March 12, 2024
In 976 career pass-blocking snaps, Allegretti has only allowed 3 sacks. For a backup lineman, his grades throughout his career have been solid. I am intrigued to see what he can do as a full-time starter. This is certainly a low-risk/high-reward signing.
