The NFL offseason is a time where teams can focus on the draft and free agency. This year marked the first time in history that all 32 franchises completed their respective drafts before hosting free agents. Some of these moves ended up being game-changers, while others turned out to be busts.
The “nfl free agents 2021” is a blog that discusses the 5 best free-agent steals of the 2021 NFL offseason. The article will discuss how these players were acquired and what they are expected to do in the upcoming season.
The NFL regular season is nearing the end, and the postseason picture is slowly but steadily taking form. The Arizona Cardinals’ defeat to the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night might have major ramifications towards the conclusion of the season, and James Conner’s revelation has been a major storyline throughout the season.
As the season progresses into the playoffs, it’s time to look back at five of the best free-agent steals from the 2021 offseason, including a few surprise names who will be rewarded handsomely when 2022 arrives. These five players signed low-cost contracts and have shown to be well worth their money in the 2021 season.
5) Mark Ingram, running back, New Orleans Saints: one-year, $2.5 million contract
Despite the fact that Mark Ingram hasn’t played in six weeks for the Texans, he still leads the club in total touches.
December 10, 2021 — M.G. (@MarcasG)
The Houston Texans signed Mark Ingram to a one-year contract in the offseason. The puzzling thing was that the running back room was completed by David Johnson, Phillip Lindsay, and Rex Burkhead.
Ingram, on the other hand, burst out and became one of the primary offensive options in a rebuilding season. He rushed for 294 yards and a touchdown in seven games with the Texans, and he is still the team’s highest rusher. It’s amazing that Ingram hasn’t played for the Texans in almost a month and still leads the team in touches and running yards.
After being traded to the New Orleans Saints, he started a game when Alvin Kamara was injured. Ingram has ran for 233 yards and a touchdown in five games since returning to New Orleans, while also adding 130 yards on 18 receptions.
The Kamara-Ingram tandem has returned to the Bayou, and although he was only with the Texans for a brief time, $2.5 million for Ingram is a value, particularly for a man who offers the Saints a capable backup running back.
4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Leonard Fournette (one-year, $3.25 million contract)
Do you recall when the Jacksonville Jaguars decided to let him go? That seems to have become a lot worse.
Fournette joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and has made a name for himself in the state of Florida. Of course, having a stacked roster surrounding him helps, but Fournette has come back strong.
Fournette has 778 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground this season, and he’s on track to establish a career best in running touchdowns. He’s also developed into a receiving danger, hauling in 62 passes for 421 yards and two touchdowns.
Fournette has been everything the Buccaneers hoped for — and more — for a low price of less than $4 million.
3) Green Bay Packers’ De’Vondre Campbell, OLB: one-year, $2 million contract
You know things are going well when Aaron Rodgers shouts your praises. Campbell was acquired by the Packers throughout the summer and has performed well. He has 77 solo tackles, which is a career high, and a pair of interceptions, which is also a career high.
Campbell is among the top ten tacklers in the NFL, and he’s garnering Pro Bowl talk, which is quite a feat. Can you believe this man only got a $2 million contract?
The lowest percentage of missed tackles in the NFL
Jayron Kearse is an American football player. De’Vondre Campbell has a 3.3 percent chance of winning. Harrison Smith, 3.4 percent 4.6 percentage point Curl, Kamren 4.9 percentage point Jordan Fuller (Jordan Fuller) is a 5.3 percentage point
75 tackles minimum pic.twitter.com/VY9hRCKfEd
— December 13, 2021, NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS)
Campbell is expected to earn a large salary raise in the 2022 summer, whether from the Packers or another NFL club in need of a good starting linebacker, according to this statistic.
2) Cordarrelle Patterson, RB/WR: one-year, $3 million contract
The new gadget player for the Atlanta Falcons has been one of the season’s greatest surprises. Patterson signed with the Falcons over the offseason, making this his sixth club in six years.
Patterson has become Arthur Smith’s favorite toy, often viewed as a glorified punt/kick returner. He has 519 yards on 46 receptions and five touchdowns, as well as 547 yards on 122 carries and five more touchdowns.
Patterson has over 200 yards on the ground and is second on the team in receiving yards behind standout rookie Kyle Pitts. Who could have predicted Patterson’s breakthrough this season? Patterson has been good, even with the Falcons, and it will be intriguing to see how much money he receives during the 2022 NFL offseason.
1) Arizona Cardinals RB James Conner (one-year, $1.75 million)
James Conner, running back | Jason Miller/Getty Images
This was a foregone conclusion.
Who else could it possibly be? Conner moved about for a while before settling in Arizona on a prove-it contract, which he has done.
Conner has been the Cardinals’ most consistent player, which is saying a lot given the presence of Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins on the offense. The former Pittsburgh Steelers running back ranks second in the NFL in rushing touchdowns, behind only Jonathan Taylor (16).
Conner has almost 1,000 all-purpose yards and has already exceeded his previous career best of 14 running touchdowns. He has multiple rushing touchdowns in five games and is a big reason why the Cardinals’ ground attack has been so successful.
Spotrac provided contract information.
RELATED: The Cardinals’ $1.7 million investment is paying off handsomely in dividends and relieving Kyler Murray of enough pressure to keep his MVP chances alive.
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The “James Conner and the 5 Best Free-Agent Steals of the 2021 NFL Offseason” is a blog post that discusses the best free-agent signings made in the 2021 NFL offseason. The five best free-agent signings are James Conner, Todd Gurley, Le’Veon Bell, Odell Beckham Jr., and Antonio Brown. Reference: james conner stats.
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- nfl offseason moves 2021
- free agent centers 2021
- nba free agent
