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There has long been a notion in NFL circles that winning teams can’t be built in free agency.
The mantra was always build your team through the draft and sprinkle in additions through free agency. However, do not rely on free agency, it doesn’t work. Yet, that approach has been diminished in recent years.
The below tweet by Field Yates of ESPN shows that the most aggressive teams in free agency in recent years have seen an instant pay off. Check it out:
Free agency has perils, but in recent years it has yielded immediate return. In each of the past 6 years, the top spender has increased its win total by at least 3 wins:
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 13, 2022
2021: Patriots +3
2020: Dolphins +5
2019: Jets +3
2018: Bears +7
2017: Jaguars +7
2016: Giants +5
That type of improvement over a six-year period by the biggest free-agent spenders is not a fluke. It’s a trend. So, with free agency officially starting Wednesday and a flurry of tampering-period action already in place, many teams have already committed big in free agency. Let’s see if it works again in 2022.
In other Raiders’ links:
- Early loser? The Pro Football Network thought the Raiders were a Day 1 free agency loser. Maybe it liked Day 2 better?
- Get to know Mick: The Raiders’ website has a feature on new offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi.
- Falling behind? The Las Vegas Review-Journal wonders if the Raiders have fallen behind in the AFC West?
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